Home / Politics and Government

Nanyang University

Tan Lark Sye, a prominent overseas Chinese, founded the Nanyang Ta-hsueh (Nanyang University). The name is often abbreviated to Nantah. "Nanyang" is the Chinese term meaning "South Seas", a reference to the Southeast Asian region.

History
The campus was built on 523 acres of land donated by the Hokkien Huay Kuan (Hokkien Association of Singapore) with the ground-breaking performed by Tan Lark Sye on 26 July 1953. The university began classes on 15 March 1956. Two years later, the construction of the university was completed. On 30 March 1958, Tan Lark Sye, together with Sir William Goode, Singapore's first Head of State, officially opened the Nanyang University. Dr Lin Yu-Tang was its first chancellor.

In 1968, 15 years after the registration of Nantah, and 12 from the first opening of classes, the Singapore government awarded Nantah's degrees similar recognition that was given to degrees from the University of Singapore. Though Nantah graduates were admitted into government positions, they had less success in the private sector. Prospective tertiary students showed greater preference to enroll into the University of Singapore. Nantah had also to make itself relevant to the modernization needs of the Republic.

In August 1980, following a proposal by Lee Kuan Yew, the Prime Minister then, Nanyang University merged with the University of Singapore to form the National University of Singapore (NUS). The old Nantah campus was renamed Nanyang Technological Institute, and, later in May 1996, upgraded into a full-fledge university, the current Nanyang Technological University (NTU).



Author
Nor-Afidah, 2002



References 
Nanyang University (1958). A brief sketch of Nanyang University. Singapore: Lam Yeong Press.
(Call no.: RCLOS 378.5951 NAN)

Chua, M. H., et al. (1997, July 26). Calls to preserve arch and old admin building. Nantah history. The Straits Times, p. 36.

Heritage Hub. National Heritage Board. (n.d.). The Old Nanyang University and Administration Building, Memorial and Arch. Retrieved February 15, 2002, from www.heritagehub.com.sg/visit%20sites/national%20treasures/NT-NanyangUnivLibrary/NT-NanyangUnivLibrary-1.htm


Further Readings
Lee, E., & Tan, T. Y. (1996). Beyond degrees: The making of the National University of Singapore (pp. 155-181). Singapore: National University Press.
(Call no.: RSING 378.5957 LEE)

Mulliner, K. (1991). Historical dictionary of Singapore (p. 105). Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press.
(Call no.: RSING 959.57003 MUL)

Pang, C. L. (1996, November 28). Pan Shou's pivotal role in University's startup. The Straits Times, Life! (Cover Story), pp. 1-3. 

The information in this article is valid as at 2002 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Politics and Government>>Education
Universities and colleges--Singapore
Education, Higher--Singapore
Education>>Higher education>>Colleges and universities

Librarian Recommendations
>> Tan Lark Sye
>> William A. C. Goode


All Rights Reserved. National Library Board Singapore 2004.