Singapore, 21 January 2025 - The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) held the inaugural Cheong Hee Kiat (CHK) Lecture for Community Leadership today at Buangkok Community Club, honouring President Emeritus Professor Cheong Hee Kiat for his invaluable contributions to education and the University.
The highlight of the event was a keynote address by Guest-of-Honour Mr. Lim Swee Say, a distinguished leader with a stellar career spanning key roles in Singapore’s public sector, the labour movement, and politics. Mr. Lim’s insights into community leadership provided a compelling perspective on navigating social challenges and fostering unity in an evolving Singapore.
In his lecture, Mr. Lim spoke about the critical importance for synergy between the public, private and people sectors in ensuring Singapore’s continued growth and development. He also touched on some key lessons that he’s gleaned from his decades in grassroots and unions.
“We focus on what we call 3P Partnership in the Public, Private and People sectors. We recognise that given the complexity of what we are trying to achieve and uphold in Singapore, depending on just the public sector alone will not get us to where we aim to be.”
“In order to thrive in the people sector, we need to have both a “soft spot” and a “sweet spot”. The soft spot refers to something within us that we are passionate about, that spurs us to act out of care and concern. On the other hand, the sweet spot refers to our talents, where we can utilise to bring added value to the causes that we believe in,” he added.
In a significant move towards strengthening community partnerships, the event also witnessed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between SUSS and four organisations: The Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), Yayasan MENDAKI (MENDAKI), Persatuan Pemudi Islam Singapura (PPIS), and the Eurasian Association. This collaboration reaffirms a shared commitment to uplifting communities and advancing education and social good.
Made possible through a generous collective donation of $400,000 from Prof. Cheong’s personal network, the lecture series will be an annual affair, bringing together thought leaders and experts to explore the vital theme of community leadership while highlighting the power of collective action in advancing social progress.
Professor Tan Tai Yong, President, SUSS, said, “The CHK Lecture for Community Leadership reflects our commitment to shaping community leaders who will drive Singapore’s future. As we celebrate SG60, this lecture serves as a catalyst for important dialogue on fostering inclusivity and resilience in our society. Through our new partnerships with SINDA, MENDAKI, PPIS, and the Eurasian Association, we strengthen our commitment to empowering communities, advancing professional development, and creating lasting social impact.”
Mr. Anbarasu Rajendran, Chief Executive Officer, SINDA, said, "A promising partnership between SUSS and SINDA is set to reshape education and research. This collaboration enables extensive knowledge sharing, leveraging valuable resources from SUSS to address community needs.
Real-world data-driven research will guide SINDA in refining its programmes to better serve the community. This strategic alliance underscores the power of diverse community sectors uniting, combining strengths, and fostering a brighter future for everyone.
This collaborative effort promises to enhance community cohesion, drive social innovation, and deliver long-lasting positive outcomes for all members of society."
Mdm. Zuraidah Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer, Yayasan MENDAKI, said, “We are happy to continue our partnership with Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) that we had established since 2018.
The MOU between Yayasan MENDAKI and SUSS demonstrates our commitment in the field of education, research, training, and dissemination of knowledge. It also recognises the important role of institutions of higher learning like SUSS in promoting and increasing contribution to social development. We look forward to collaborating with SUSS to make an impact in these areas.”
Ms. Aidaroyani Adam, Chief Executive Officer, PPIS, said, “PPIS is honoured to partner with SUSS, marking an important step in our mutual dedication to championing women and families, and uplifting communities for the greater good. At PPIS, we believe that empowering both current and future professionals with evidence-based tools and data-driven insights goes beyond enhancing practices. Most importantly, it is about building confidence and nurturing a deeper sense of purpose in our work. This partnership with SUSS is a meeting of vision and expertise, dedicated to fostering resilient communities through shared knowledge and transformative innovation. Together, we are creating pathways for learning, growth, and meaningful impact.”
Ms. Sandra Theseira, President, Eurasian Association, said, “Social inclusivity has been a cornerstone of Singapore’s remarkable progress and will continue to be important to Singapore’s future. Despite evolving challenges, having deep social bonds and a commitment to working together will ensure communities are resilient to changes. Community leaders play a crucial role in keeping Singaporeans united and the Eurasian Association welcomes SUSS’ efforts in launching the Cheong Hee Kiat Lecture series to share best practices and innovative approaches in community leadership.”
The inaugural lecture is part of SUSS’ SG60 celebration, which marks Singapore’s 60 years of independence. Aligned with the theme, ‘Building Our Singapore Together,’ SUSS looks forward to organising a series of purposeful initiatives to promote inclusivity, collaboration, and community-building, while equipping socially conscious and future-ready leaders to shape Singapore’s future.