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By Sumathi V. Selvaretnam
When he was in his teens, Mr Koh Chuan Hock never thought about going to junior college, let alone university.
The turning point for the former Nanyang Polytechnic student came when, at age 19, he did an industrial attachment at the National University of Singapore (NUS) - where Professor Vladimir Bajic gave him a much-needed confidence boost.
'He really believed in me and praised me in front of international research scientists... He inspired me to want to become a professor one day,' said Mr Koh, now 26.
Yesterday, the computational biology graduate proudly received his degree scroll from President S R Nathan at the NUS commencement ceremony. He also received a fully paid scholarship to pursue his PhD in the same field.
Yesterday's batch of 235 graduands were also honoured for achievements in student activities and other areas such as research, sports and social work.
Mr Koh, for one, was an outstanding sportsman who was a member of the school's dragon boat team and an Ironman triathelete.
The ceremony was the first of 23 NUS commencement ceremonies this year over nine days.
A total of 8,733 graduates will receive their degrees - 5,788 are getting bachelor's degrees and 2,945 higher degrees.
This year's commencement will also see the graduation of the first batch of students from 12 new degree courses.
At yesterday's ceremony, Mr Nathan, who is the NUS Chancellor, also conferred the Honorary Doctor of Letters on Mr Wee Cho Yaw, chairman of the United Overseas Bank Group, for his achievements in the areas of banking, education and community leadership.
Outgoing NUS president Shih Choon Fong also delivered his final commencement address before he takes on the role of founding president at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia at the end of this year.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on 8 July 2008.
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