Speech by President Nathan at the Graduate Business Conference Student Leadership Awards Banquet

Mr Jim Deveau, Chairman, Graduate Business Foundation
Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, Senior Deputy President, NUS
Prof Christopher Earley, Dean, NUS Business School
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen

INTRODUCTION
        This is the first time the Graduate Business Conference (GBC), an event which aims to promote innovation and leadership among business school students worldwide is being held in Asia.  Singapore and the NUS Business School are honoured to be given the unique distinction of being the first Asian host of the GBC on its 25th anniversary.  I must commend the efforts of the organizing committee, which I understand comprises entirely of students from the NUS MBA programme, for successfully putting this event together.

BUSINESS EDUCATION IN ASIA
2.      The choice of Asia as a venue for GBC2007 reflects the growing demand for and in business education about the region.  As a nation, Singapore realizes the importance of and the role that education continues to play in our development.  The efforts we have put into developing our universities such as the National University of Singapore, established more than a century ago, stand testimony to our nation’s commitment towards fostering quality education.  Over the years, Singapore has rapidly evolved into the educational hub of Asia and today boasts 3 excellent home-grown universities in addition to being home to the Asian campuses of universities from across the world.

3.      Asia today comprises some of the fastest growing economies in the world and many opportunities exist in this region for talent with both the technical competence and knowledge of international markets and cultures to work effectively in global environments.  I encourage all of you here today, delegates of some of the world’s top business schools, to make the most of the opportunity to learn about Asia and to develop relationships that would foster the creation of an international network to facilitate future economic and social exchange.

4.      As representatives of your respective schools, each one of you here tonight is a leader in your own right and a future leader of the industry.  I would like to encourage you to continually seek to be a better leader, one who leads not only with words, but also with actions; one who continually seeks better ways of doing business, and works for the good of society.  In this light, I would like to congratulate the winner of this year’s student leadership award for having exemplified these qualities of leadership and innovation.  May this award be a stepping stone to greater things in future.

CONCLUSION
5.      Finally, I wish all delegates present today the very best and hope that you have had a great learning experience through GBC2007 in Singapore.