Award for JCU Singapore

JCU Singapore’s community engagement efforts will be recognised this Sunday (March 11) by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

He will present a plaque of appreciation to the Vice Chancellor and President of James Cook University, Professor Sandra Harding, at a special community event on Sunday.

The Kebun Baru Link Residents’ Committee has inaugurated the awards to recognise organisations that have made significant contributions to grassroots events and community programs within the Kebun Baru ward of the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

JCU Singapore is the only foreign organisation selected by the Kebun Baru Link Residents’ Committee to receive a plaque of appreciation for its positive contributions to community events that have been organised by the residents’ committee.

Professor Harding said that since settling into its present campus at 600 Upper Thomson Road in 2008, JCU Singapore has been supporting many community initiatives and projects to benefit the local Kebun Baru community.

“Students and staff of JCU Singapore have helped to participate and co-organise various events in partnership with the Kebun Baru grassroots organisations,” she said.

JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of the Singapore campuses Dr Dale Anderson said that such events included the Dragon Feast 2012 Chinese New Year Dinner, Emergency Preparedness Day 2011, Mid Autumn Lantern Festival 2011 and the annual National Day Dinner.

“Apart from working with the Kebun Baru grassroots organisations, JCU Singapore has also been making contributions to its adopted charitable organisations Child at St 11 and Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centres,” Dr Anderson said.

Professor Harding said that the whole of the James Cook University community would be honoured by the award.

“As an institute of higher learning, we see it is as our duty to deliver quality education and research but we are also very aware that we are part of the wider community,” she said.

“It is very important to us that we engage with the community and make contributions to the life of that community, whether it be Singapore, Cairns or Townsville.

“As an institution with a focus on the peoples of the tropics, this recognition from our local community is particularly pleasing.” .

Professor Sandra Harding commended the staff and students of JCU Singapore whose efforts earned this award.

Contact: suhaimy.hassan@jcu.edu.

Issued: March 10, 2012