As Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his maiden National Day Rally (NDR) speech on 18 August 2024, two distinguished graduates from our BA Translation and Interpretation (BATI) programme played key roles in this significant national event. Mr Benjamin Foo, who started interpreting for the NDR several years ago, simultaneously interpreted both the Chinese and English speeches. Alongside him was Mr Ng Pak Shun, another BATI alumnus who served for the first time as a simultaneous interpreter for PM Wong’s Chinese speech. Both continued to give back to the university after graduation. Pak Shun has served on the Programme Advisory Committee, while Benjamin has contributed as a member of associate faculty.
Another member of our associate faculty in the BATI programme, Mr Tay Meng How, also made valuable contributions. He was part of a team responsible for preparing translations and subtitles of the shows and films featured in the annual National Day Parade (NDP). This effort ensures that all NDP participants, regardless of their language and ethnicity, can celebrate Singapore’s birthday as one united nation.
Congratulations to our graduates and associate faculty! You made us proud.
Catch their simultaneous interpreting via the links below.
https://www.youtube.com/live/2O2mu7zKj2M?si=7nFkPoKcahR_s9u6
https://www.youtube.com/live/fIyYn4jtsNQ?si=D089iQh-Sk0PA0c8
Photo (Courtesy of Ng Pak Shun)