List of Hwa Chong Institution people

The Clock Tower Building of Hwa Chong Institution, a national monument, which formerly served as an observation point during the Battle of Singapore

The following is a list of notable staff and alumni from Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) and its predecessor schools, The Chinese High School (TCHS) and Hwa Chong Junior College (HCJC).

Notable staff

• Chen Wen Hsi (陈文希), Singaporean pioneer artist
• Du Yunxie (杜运燮), poet
• Fang Zongxi (方宗熙), former Vice Dean of the Shandong College of Oceanology (now the Ocean University of China); teacher and librarian in TCHS
• Lao She (老舍), writer; taught at TCHS in 1929^[1]
• Li Chunming (李春鸣), graduated from the Nanking Higher Normal School (now Nanjing University); taught the Chinese language at TCHS
• Lim Hak Tai (林学大), founder and first principal of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts; taught art at TCHS
• Lin Zong (林总), professor at Rice University and Nanyang University (now merged into the National University of Singapore); taught physics at TCHS; obtained a PhD in electrical engineering from the Humboldt University of Berlin
• Liu Kang (刘抗), oil painter; taught art at TCHS^[2]
• Qiu Xuxu (丘絮絮), writer and poet; taught Chinese literature at TCHS
• Wang Jiaping (汪佳平), physics professor at Nankai University; taught physics at TCHS; obtained a PhD in physics from the University of Malaya
• Wang Fo Wen (王宓文), educator and Wang Gungwu's father
• Xue Yongshu (薛永黍), principal of TCHS in 1948
• Zheng Anlun (郑安仑), principal of TCHS in 1949; graduated from Tsinghua University

Notable alumni

Civil servants and politicians

• Ong Teng Cheong (王鼎昌), fifth President of Singapore; graduated from TCHS in 1955^[3][4]
• Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs):
  • Baey Yam Keng (马炎庆), Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth; graduated from HCJC in 1988^[5]
  • Grace Fu Hai Yien (傅海燕), Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Leader of the House; graduated from HCJC in 1981^[3][6]
  • Jek Yeun Thong (易润堂), former Minister for Labour, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and to Denmark; studied at TCHS but was expelled from school by the British colonial government in 1950^[7]
  • Ker Sin Tze (柯新治), former Minister of State at the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and the Arts^[8]
  • Koh Poh Koon (许宝琨), Minister of State at the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Trade and Industry; graduated from HCJC in 1990^[9]
  • Lee Yi Shyan (李奕贤), MP for East Coast GRC; graduated from HCJC in 1980^[10]
  • Lim Wee Kiak (林伟杰), MP for Sembawang GRC; graduated from TCHS in 1984 and from HCJC in 1986^[11]
  • Ng Chee Meng (黄志明), Acting Minister for Education (Schools) and Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Transport; eighth Chief of Defence Force;^[12] graduated from HCJC^[13]
  • Leon Perera, non-constituency MP from The Workers' Party; graduated from HCJC^[14]
  • K Muralidharan Pillai, MP for Bukit Batok SMC; graduated from HCJC in 1985^[15]
  • Sim Ann (沈颖), Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Finance; graduated from HCJC in 1993^[16]
  • Sam Tan Chin Siong (陈振泉), Minister of State at the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of Manpower; graduated from HCJC in 1976^[17]
  • Tin Pei Ling (陈佩玲), MP for MacPherson SMC; graduated from HCJC in 2001^[18]
• Singapore Armed Forces personnel:
  • Hoo Cher Mou (符策谋), former Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force; graduated from HCJC in 1984^[19]
  • Ng Chee Khern (黄志勤), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and former Chief of the RSAF; graduated from HCJC in 1983^[20]
  • Ng Chee Peng (黄志平), former Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy
  • Ng Yat Chung (伍逸松), Chief Executive Officer of Neptune Orient Lines; fifth Chief of Defence Force; graduated from HCJC in 1979^[21]
• Former People's Action Party (PAP) members:
  • Fong Swee Suan (方水双), trade union leader; leftist politician of the PAP and Barisan Sosialis; studied at TCHS but was expelled from school by the British colonial government in 1951^[22]
  • Lim Chin Siong (林清祥), trade union leader; leftist politician of the PAP and Barisan Sosialis; studied at TCHS but was expelled from school by the British colonial government in 1952^[23]
• Others:
  • Cheng Tong Fatt (郑东发), former Ambassador to China and Japan; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Development and Culture
  • Tan Chin Nam (陈振南), former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communication, Information and the Arts
  • James Tan Chan Seng (陈赞诚), former Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force
  • Yam Ah Mee (杨雅镁), Chief Executive Director of the People's Association; former Chief of the Land Transport Authority; Returning Officer in the 2011 General Election^[24]

Business and entrepreneurs

• Leong Heng Keng (梁庆经), owner of Axe Brand Universal Oil; graduated from TCHS in 1950^[25]
• Laurence Lien (连宗诚), Chairman of the Lien Foundation^[26] and co-founder of the Asia Philanthropy Circle;^[27] Nominated Member of Parliament from 2012–2014; graduated from HCJC^[13]
• Olivia Lum Ooi Lin (林爱莲), founder of Hyflux; graduated from HCJC in the 1980s^[28]
• George Tan, writer and founder of Book Soul International; graduated from HCJC in 1976^[29]
• Toh Soon Huat (卓顺发), founder of Novena Holdings; dropped out of TCHS in secondary three due to his family's financial difficulties^[30]
• Brandon Wade, founder of online dating websites; he studied at HCJC^[31]
• Wee Cho Yaw (黄祖耀), Chairman of United Overseas Bank; studied at TCHS but his studies were disrupted by the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore in 1941–1942^[32]
• Kenny Yap Kim Lee (叶金利), founder of Qian Hu Corporation

Academics, scientists and writers

• Cai Yaneng (蔡亚能), professor at the Ocean University of China
• Chen Xujing (陈序经), historian, sociologist and university administrator^[33]
• Chua Chim Kang (蔡深江), Lianhe Wanbao editor
• Warren Fernandez, The Straits Times editor; graduated from HCJC in the 1980s^[34]
• Cherian George, writer and Associate Professor at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University; graduated from HCJC^[35]
• Koh Buck Song (许木松), poet, writer and journalist; graduated from HCJC^[36]
• Lin Cong (林丛), Harvard University graduate and winner of the Jack T. Sanderson Memorial Award 2009; graduated from HCJC^[37]
• Zhan Dasan (詹达三), researcher at the Institute of Optics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Zhong Junlin (钟俊麟), former Dean of the School of Agriculture, Fudan University
• Zhong Shengbiao (钟盛标), former Dean of the Faculty of Science, Nanyang University (now merged into the National University of Singapore); graduated from TCHS^[38]

Sportspeople

• Benedict Tan, gold medal winner for sailing at the 1994 Asian Games and four-time SEA Games gold medalist; former Nominated Member of Parliament; medical director at the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre; graduated from HCJC^[13]

Arts, entertainment and media personalities

• Film, television and theatre:
  • Sharon Au (欧菁仙), former MediaCorp actress; graduated from HCJC^[13]
  • Adam Chen (詹金泉), MediaCorp actor; graduated from TCHS and HCJC
  • Chua Lam (蔡澜), food critic, columnist and television personality
  • Ng Hui (黄慧), MediaCorp actress; graduated from HCJC
  • Alan Tern (唐育书), MediaCorp actor; graduated from TCHS and HCJC
  • Raymond Yong (杨信权), former MediaCorp actor
• Music:
  • Choo Huey (朱晖), music conductor; graduated from TCHS in the late 1940s
  • Liang Wern Fook (梁文福), music composer; graduated from HCJC^[3]
  • Eric Moo Chii Yuan (巫启贤), singer-songwriter; studied at TCHS^[39]
  • Ng Chee Yang (黄智阳), champion of singing contest Campus SuperStar Season 1; graduated from HCI in 2007^[40]
  • Joel Tan (陈卓义), stage name Gentle Bones, singer-songwriter; graduated from HCI in 2012^[41]
  • Lorraine Tan (陈莉芯), singer-songwriter and founder of My Singapore Music Charity Education Project; graduated from HCJC^[42]
  • Lydia Tan Di Ya (陈迪雅), female champion of singing contest Project SuperStar Season 2; graduated from HCJC
  • Tan Wee-Hsin (陈伟信), music conductor
• Art:
  • Ho Ho Ying (何和应), expressionist painter and art critic; attended TCHS in the 1950s
  • Grace Quek (郭盈恩), better known as Annabel Chong, web designer, artist and former pornographic actress; graduated from HCJC^[43]
  • Tan Swie Hian (陈瑞献), artist; graduated from TCHS in 1964^[44]
• Radio:
  • Lim Leng Kee (林灵芝), Capital 95.8FM radio DJ
  • Christina Lin Pei Fen (林佩芬), Y.E.S. 93.3FM radio DJ; graduated from HCJC^[45]

Others

• Jane Lee, first woman from Southeast Asia to scale the Seven Summits; associate with McKinsey & Company; graduated from HCJC^[13]
• Lee Kin Mun (李健敏), better known as mrbrown, Singaporean blogger and political critic; graduated from HCJC^[13]
• Wei Liqing (魏利庆), Honorary Director of Nanyang Khek Community Guild; obtained a PhD in business management from the University of the Pacific at the age of 73; graduated from TCHS^[46]

References

1. "寻找老舍在狮城的足迹 (In search of Lao She's footprints in the Lion City)" (blogpost) (in Chinese). 联合早报 (Lianhe Zaobao). 19 October 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
2. Tan, Bonny (15 December 1997). "Liu Kang". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
3. Chong, April (25 March 2009). "Teachers, ex-students, now colleagues". The Straits Times. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
4. "About Mr Ong Teng Cheong". ongtengcheong.com. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
5. "Mr Baey Yam Keng". Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
6. "Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien". Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
7. Chua, Alvin (29 August 2009). "Jek Yeun Thong". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
8. Lee, Edwin (2008). Singapore: The Unexpected Nation. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 524. ISBN 9812307966.
9. "CV of Dr Koh Poh Koon" (PDF). parliament.gov.sg. Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
10. "Mr Lee Yi Shyan". Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
11. "Dr Lim Wee Kiak". Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
12. "Mr Ng Chee Meng". Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
13. "10 prominent Singaporeans who graduated from Hwa Chong Junior College". The Straits Times. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
14. "Leon Perera". The Workers' Party. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
15. "Candidate_Muralidaran_Pillai_CV_Statement" (PDF). People's Action Party. People's Action Party. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
16. "Ms Sim Ann". Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
17. "Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong". Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
18. "Ms Tin Pei Ling". Parliament of Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
19. Chow, Jermyn (4 February 2013). "New Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Air Force". The Straits Times. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
20. Registration List, 8th & 9th Batch Hwa Chong JC Reunion (see row 37).
21. "Annual Report 1978" (PDF). National University of Singapore. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
22. Koh, Jaime. "Fong Swee Suan". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
23. Wong, Hongyi. "Lim Chin Siong". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
24. Tan, DingXiang. "Yammering online for Yam Ah Mee". theurbanwire.com. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
25. Goh, Chin Lian (17 May 2014). "Business bigwig, grassroots leader and a knight too". The Straits Times.
26. "About Us: Lien Foundation". Retrieved 19 March 2016.
27. Peterson, Jane A. (September 2015). "Heroes Of Philanthropy: Singapore's Laurence Lien Seeks to Make Giving A Regional Movement". Forbes Business. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
28. Shivaranjani, Subramaniam (22 June 2009). "Olivia Lum". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 24 July 2010.
29. "Community". Book Soul International. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
30. 林弘谕 (Lin, Hongyu) (25 April 2008). "做善事积累快乐——访罗敏娜控股执行总裁卓顺发 (Accummulating happiness through charity -- Interview with Novena Holdings Executive Director Toh Soon Huat)". 联合早报 (Lianhe Zaobao) (in Chinese).
31. "Boss of controversial dating websites a PSC bond-breaker". AsiaOne News. 7 August 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2015.
32. Chua, Alvin. "Wee Cho Yaw". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
33. 陈其津 (Chen, Qijin) (1999). 我的父亲陈序经 (My Father, Chen Xujing) (in Chinese). 广东人民出版社 (Guangdong People's Publishing House).
34. Fernandez, Warren. "Life's Decisions" (PDF). Singapore Medical Association. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
35. "Cherian George". journalism.sg. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
36. Chua, Alvin. "Koh Buck Song". Singapore Infopedia. National Library Board Singapore. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
37. Ireland, Corydon (4 June 2009). "Young scholar aims at physics, finance, and the physical". Harvard Gazette. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
38. "南洋大学理学院院长：钟盛标 (Zhong Shengbiao: Dean of Faculty of Science, Nanyang University)" (in Chinese). 钟氏宗亲网 (zhonghome.com). 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
39. Teo, Kian Giap (18 November 2010). "Interview with Eric Moo". Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
40. Ling, Geraldine Haruka (8 March 2008). "Campus Superstar 2006 winner Ng Chee Yang scores 6As". AsiaOne. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
41. http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/local-singer-gentle-bones-ready-to-leave-university-to-pursue-music-career
42. "My Singapore 2013 Charity Concert". Hwa Chong Junior College Alumni. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
43. Chew, David (29 March 2007). "The meaning of 251". Today. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
44. Low, Sze Wee. "An Interview with Tan Swie Hian" (PDF). tanswiehian.sg. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
45. Yip, Wai Yee (12 May 2014). "The shy girl who became a talkative DJ". The Straits Times.
46. "学习，是一辈子的事——新加坡华侨魏利庆先生73岁考取博士纵横谈专题报道 (Special Report: Learning is lifelong — Chinese Singaporean Mr. Wei Liqing obtains a PhD at the age of 73)" (in Chinese). Overseas Chinese Affairs of Guangdong. 28 June 2004. Retrieved 18 May 2014.