Ong Meng Chu, Lim Hoon Yong, & Ng Lai Yang (eds.)
Singapore: World Scientific, 2015
ISBN: 9789814641494 / 9789814644754
This book records Mr Tan Lark Sye's remarkable contribution to the founding of Nanyang University. Mr Tan Lark Sye was born in Jimei, Fujian Province, China in 1887 and passed away in 1972. He was a leading rubber industrialist in Southeast Asia of his time. He was also an activist and believed in the value of education. As Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the 1950s, he fought for citizenship for Chinese people in Singapore, and for the Chinese language to be one of Singapore's official languages.
Mr Tan's most outstanding contribution, however, was the initiating of the founding of Nanyang University in 1953. He donated SGD 5 million, which was a colossus amount at the time, to its building fund, as well as 523 acres of land for its campus on behalf of the Hokkien Huay Kuan.
This collection of essays is based on a Chinese book published in 1997 to commemorate Mr Tan Lark Sye's centenary birthday by Nanyang University Alumni Association of Hong Kong. It collects essays by outstanding Nanyang graduates and speeches by Mr Tan. It elaborates on how Mr Tan advocated to establish the Nanyang University against various difficulties. It tells legendary life stories of Mr Tan. The book is well-illustrated with many precious pictures of Mr Tan and his family members. It is a must-read for those interested in the history of Nanyang University and the legendary life of Mr Tan.
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