KNIGHT of the Salmon Order, Dragon Friend, a Man for All Seasons and a Voice of Conscience.

In a touching speech - his last major one as president of the National University of Singapore (NUS) - Professor Shih Choon Fong singled out four individuals by nicknames he had given them and thanked them for making a difference during his 11-year term at the university.

He devoted a large chunk of his Commencement Dinner speech at the University Cultural Centre to the four individuals, beginning with NUS alumni advisory board member Chee Phui Hung, 86 - the Voice of Conscience.

Calling Dr Chee his 'harshest critic', the head of NUS spoke glowingly of his courage in speaking his mind.

He said: 'It has been said that institutions languish when their lovers are uncritical and their critics are unloving'. For me, Phui Hung is both a loving critic and a critical lover.'

Moving on to the Man for All Seasons - top eye surgeon Arthur Lim, 74, who is also president of the NUS Medical Alumni Association - Prof Shih cited his work in boosting the university's endowment fund.

He said he was grateful to this 'world-renowned eye surgeon who thinks nothing of calling himself a 'professional beggar' for the university', and also singled out the hospitality Professor Lim had shown him and his wife, Lily.

As the 570 guests, who included President S R Nathan, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen and top banker Wee Cho Yaw, listened, Prof Shih went on to explain the Knight of the Salmon Order nickname for Mr Arthur Yap, chairman of the NUS Alumni Chapter in Vancouver, Canada.

Mr Yap, he said, might have gone abroad, but his love for NUS has remained a constant, and he upholds the university's name with 'pride and honour'.

Prof Shih added: 'Every so often, he returns home to Singapore, his birthplace...and his coming back to the waterways of his birth invigorates and renews us, just like the Atlantic salmon.'

Finally, Prof Shih, who leaves Singapore at the end of the year to be founding president of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, thanked his 'da ge' (elder brother) - Mr Wong Ah Long, member of the NUS Business School advisory board.

He singled out Mr Wong's encouragement, especially during his initial years as NUS president.

'There are moments when one feels paralysed by fear of the unknown...Ah Long reminds me that there's nothing to fear but fear itself,' he said. 'My Dragon Friend's counsel and encouragement helped me stay the course.'

Prof Shih saved his best shot for the 8,733-strong graduating Class of 2008, 200 of whom attended the dinner.

'We are very glad to be sending you off into the working world - so that you can start paying off your loans, and stop spending your parents' money,' he told them. 'May you be lucky to find voices of conscience to speak critical truths. May you have men and women for all seasons lighting up your life with love and grace.

'May you also have knights to lift your spirits and dragon friends to help you face the unknowns in your life and conquer your fears.'

JANE NG

This article was first published in The Straits Times on July 19, 2008.