In celebration of its 45th anniversary, Kent Ridge Hall (KRH) hosted a gala dinner on 28 March 2025, recognising the achievements of its student community in sports, culture and service, and featuring a vibrant line-up of alumni performances.
Held at the Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Field Hall, the dinner was attended by more than 300 residents, alumni and guests, including the Guest of Honour, Deputy Dean of Students and Associate Professor Adeline Seow.
A total of 28 awards in eight categories celebrating sports, culture and service were presented to honour the outstanding residents and interest groups within the community.
Individuals who exceeded expectations in their respective fields were recognised, with the Excellence, Sportsman / Cultural Artist of the Year and Service Champion Awards presented to those who demonstrated exceptional dedication to Kent Ridge Hall and excelled in their respective areas of specialisation.
The most prestigious accolade, the Outstanding Resident of the Year Award, honoured outstanding residents who have made significant contributions to the Hall in three key areas – culture, community, and sports – with notable accomplishments in at least two of these areas.
The winner of this year’s Outstanding Resident Award was Phua Zhuo Jun, a final-year student from the College of Design and Engineering, who was recognised for cultural and service excellence.
“Kent Ridge Hall has been a huge part of my university life. It’s where I continued to grow my passion for dance, while also stepping out of my comfort zone to explore new experiences through committees and sports. Along the way, I met some of the most genuine, inspiring friends who’ve walked alongside me through it all,” said Zhao Jun.
“As I prepare to graduate, I know I’ll deeply miss the little things like the late-night suppers, spontaneous block chats, the energy of practices and meetings, and the warmth of this community I’ve called home.”
Guests were treated to a lively line-up of musical acts, including the four-piece band KR Rockers – comprising Reynold Pereira (Law, ‘89), Nizam Ismail (Law, ‘91), Jasmine Liew and Eel Keat Chiew (Arts and Social Sciences, ‘90) – who performed a set of songs from the 80s and beyond.
They were joined by the Merry Acapellers, a six-member group comprising Attishya Kho (Business, ‘22), Lee Hui Kay (Business, ’20), Lim Jia Hui (Arts and Social Sciences, ’22), Justin May (Arts and Social Sciences, ’20), Russell Wong (Arts and Social Sciences, ’20), and Ryan Tan (Science, ’21), who performed a medley of retro and pop hits.
Mr Vincent Gan (Engineering, ’05), a KRH non-Resident Fellow for the past seven years, said both the Hall and the University have been pivotal in shaping his leadership skills, teamwork, and resilience. “[KRH]’s dynamic environment, filled with passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, challenged me to grow beyond academics,” said Mr Gan, who is also Senior Executive Director of Financial Services at Great Eastern Financial Advisers. “Whether it was taking on leadership roles, participating in hall events, or engaging in late-night discussions, I developed the ability to connect with people, navigate challenges, and lead with purpose—skills that continue to serve me well in my career and personal endeavours.”
Meanwhile, Mr Goh Wee Ping (Engineering, ‘11), Chief Executive Officer of Wee Hur Capital Pte Ltd and Chief Investment Officer of Wee Hur Holdings Ltd, shared that his time in KRH fostered in him a strong commitment to giving back to the community. “I made lots of lifelong friends in KRH and am grateful for the experiences that have made me the person I am today. I have learnt the importance of having a good network, and that humility is a virtue that everyone appreciates, no matter where someone comes from or who they interact with.”
KRH’s legacy extends beyond its alumni and the roles they played while in the Hall. In Dr Ivan Low’s case (Science, ’08), he met his wife Ms Hui Ting Chng (Science, ‘08) at the Hall and the couple welcomed their daughter, Fennalyn, during his term as the Hall’s Residential Fellow. Dr Low joined KRH as a Residential Fellow in 2012, spending more than eight years in the role.
Dr Low will soon be the founding Master of Valour House, NUS’ first sports-themed hostel. Having juggled seven sports as an undergraduate, his first four years at KRH enabled him to learn how to manage residential life and academic pursuits, navigate challenges, and lead by example. Even as he embarks on his next chapter leading a new hostel, KRH will remain deeply ingrained in his identity. “Valour House’s colour is purple – and that’s because my blood is a mixture of blue and red. Part of me still bleeds blue!” he said, referencing the blue of Kent Ridge Hall’s colours.
Share:
Contributor
This article first appeared in NUS News.
