When
Friday, 21 Mar 2025, 05:30 PM–07:00 PM
Venue
Mochtar Riady Auditorium, SMU Administration Building, Level 5, Singapore Management University
Speaker Details
Tan Lai Yong
 | Dr Tan Lai Yong is a medical doctor by training. He graduated from NUS in 1985. In 1996, he and his family relocated to Yunnan, China, where he was involved in poverty alleviation, community development, and the training of village health workers. As part of China’s National Day celebrations in 2004, Dr Tan was awarded the “Friends of China” accolade at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in a ceremony attended by then-Premier Wen Jiabao. Upon his return, he received a scholarship to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. After their 15-year stay in Yunnan, Dr Tan and his wife taught at NUS and SMU, respectively. However, they have recently transitioned out of tertiary education and shifted their focus to rural schools and village community projects in neighbouring ASEAN regions. |
Series
Lien Fung's Colloquium / Big Questions
Open To
SMU Community, Public
Event Synopsis
Dr Tan and his family spent approximately 15 years living and working in Yunnan, China, focusing on village community development among minority ethnic groups in remote areas. In this talk, he will share valuable insights gained from his experiences with leprosy-affected individuals, hardworking farmers, and resilient village leaders, touching on themes of gratitude, vocational excellence, and lifelong learning.
