What is the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum 2008 about?
The Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum is an annual keynote event in NUS where NUS students, staff and members of the public engage in a free discourse with Singaporean Ministers.
This year, we have invited Minister Vivian Balakrishnan , Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. The Forum will consist of a dialogue/ Q&A session with Minister on the topic “Globalization: Threat or Opportunity for the Ordinary Singaporean.” Nevertheless, Minister will also answer general questions concerning recent issues of interest in Singapore.
The organizing committee is very honoured to have key NUS personnels, members of the Singapore and NUS media, and prominent bloggers attending our Forum this year. So, do join us for an evening of exciting discourse with Minister Vivian Balakrishnan!
Update: Registration Policy
NUSPA will only close the registration for the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum 2008 once we reach the maximum number of applications. As long as you have registered before the registration is closed, your registration is successful.
Once registration closes, we will send all applicants (who have registered before the closing) an e-ticket. Please print and bring along your printed e-ticket on the actual day of the forum to register.
Shuttle Bus Services
We will be providing shuttle bus services to and from Heng Mui Keng Auditorium for all NUS students and staff. Here are the shuttle bus service schedules :
Pick up timings from Central Forum to Institute of Policy Studies (drop-off point):
5.10pm
5.20pm
5.30pm
5.40pm
5.50pm
Pick up timings from Science to Institute of Policy Studies (drop-off point):
5.40pm
5.50pm
Pickup timings from Institute of Policy Studies to Central Forum (drop-off point):
9.15pm
9.30pm
9.45pm
Please click here and here for walking trail direction and pickup&drop-off points.
Guest of Honour — Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was elected President of the National University of Singapore Student’s Union (NUSSU) from 1981 to 1983, and Chairman of NUSSU in 1984/1985. He then pursued post-graduate specialist training in Ophthalmology and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1991.
Between 1993 and 1995, he worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. Upon his return, he was appointed Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Singapore National Eye Centre and became its Medical Director in January 1999. He was later appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore General Hospital from June 2000 till December 2001.
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Combat Support Hospital of the Singapore Armed Forces from November 1999 to January 2002. He was a Council Member of the Singapore Medical Association (1998 to 2001), member of the National Library Board (1997 to 2001), member of the National Volunteer Centre Committee (1999 to 2001).
In the 2001 General Election, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was elected member of parliament for Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC. In January 2002 he was appointed Minister of State, Ministry of National Development. In August 2004, he was promoted to Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry. He became Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports as well as Second Minister for Trade and Industry in April 2005. In March 2008, as a result of a Cabinet reshuffle, Dr. Balakrishnan was moved out of MICA, whilst retaining his appointment at MCYS. This was done so that Dr. Balakrishnan will be able to effectively oversee the developments with the Youth Olympics and other major sporting events due to take place in Singapore.
Balakrishnan is married with four children. He is married to Joy Balakrishnan, a Chinese lady, also the head of Girl Guides Singapore.
Source:[wikipedia]