Singapore’s top Fellow
UniSA chose the 2009 awards ceremony in Singapore to honour one of its firmest international friends - Dr Kia Ngee Chew.
Dr Chew was made a Univer-sity Fellow at the ceremony which was attended by about 300 graduates at the Raffles Convention Centre.
Dr Chew said he was delighted to receive the prestigious award.
"I am humbled and honoured to be conferred the title of Fellow of the University of South Australia," he said.
"I want to dedicate this award to the committee of the University of South Australia Alumni Singapore.
"The election of the new committee in July represents a new milestone in the development of the alumni activities in Singapore and I am confident that they will work hard to promote the interest of the UniSA alumni in Singapore, as well as those of the University."
A graduate of UniSA with a PhD in Business and Management, Dr Chew has been a tireless advocate for education. In addition to his PhD he holds a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Malaya and a Master of Commerce from the University of Melbourne.
A successful businessman before retiring in 2005, Dr Chew was Senior Partner and Executive Chairman of Coopers&Lybrand in Singapore.
Following the company merger with Price Waterhouse he was appointed Deputy Chairman of PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Today he still holds directorships of several local companies and of the Rotary Clubs of Singapore Foundation as well as the Singapore Eye Foundation.
Speaking at the awards ceremony Dr Chew urged the new graduates to value and retain their association with UniSA.
"For those who have just graduated, my advice to you is to take an active part in the activities organised for the alumni," Dr Chew said. "You will be surprised how the network which you build through alumni activities can contribute positively towards furthering your own career."