10 prominent Singaporeans who graduated from Hwa Chong Junior College

Mr Lin Wei Liang (right, president, Hwa Chong Junior College Alumni) presenting a mock-up cheque of funds raised by the alumni to Mr Hon Chiew Weng (left, principal of Hwa Chong Institution) together with Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat, at
Mr Lin Wei Liang (right, president, Hwa Chong Junior College Alumni) presenting a mock-up cheque of funds raised by the alumni to Mr Hon Chiew Weng (left, principal of Hwa Chong Institution) together with Minister for Education Mr Heng Swee Keat, at the Hwa Chong Junior College's 40th anniversary gala dinner held at Resorts World Sentosa Convention Centre. -- ST PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

On Aug 23, Hwa Chong Junior College celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala dinner at Resorts World Sentosa that was attended by board members, teachers, and alumni.

The college, now part of Hwa Chong Institution, has produced numerous prominent figures in Singapore's society. Here are 10 of them:

1. Benedict Tan, 46

Photo: ST FILE

Dr Tan, a newly-appointed Nominated Member of Parliament, is a prolific sailor.

In 1994, he earned Singapore's first gold medal at an Asian Games since 1982, with his win in the sailing Laser class. He is also a four-time SEA Games Gold medalist, and a three-time Sportsman of the Year.

Now retired from competitive sailing, Dr Tan is the medical director for the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre, as well as head and senior consultant sports physician at Changi Sports Medicine Centre, Changi General Hospital.

2. Laurence Lien, 44

PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI

A regular voice on social and community issues, Mr Lien is the outgoing CEO of Singapore's National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre.

The Nominated Member of Parliament who served from 2012-2014 holds leadership positions and memberships on several committees and boards, one of them being the Lien Foundation.

3. Grace Fu, 50

PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Ms Fu is Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources as well as Second Minister for Foreign Affairs.

An accountant by training, she made her foray into politics in 2006, and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC. In 2011, she was elected MP for the single member constituency of Yuhua

4. Cherian George, 44

PHOTO: ST FILE

Dr George is a writer and regionally renowned academic whose research interests focus on journalism and communication, among others.

Currently an associate professor in the Hong Kong Baptist University's journalism department, he was a journalist at The Straits Times prior to entering academia.

5. Ng Chee Meng, 46

PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng is the Chief of Defence Force (CDF) of the Singapore Armed Forces.

He was previously the chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, and started his military career as a fighter pilot.

LG Ng is the second air force general to be promoted to the post of CDF in Singapore's military history thus far.

6. Jane Lee, 30

PHOTO: JANE LEE

Currently an associate with global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, Ms Lee is well-known for her mountaineering exploits.

She is the first female from South-east Asia to have scaled the Seven Summits, the highest peaks of each of the globe's seven continents.

This includes Mount Everest and Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro.

7. Olivia Lum, 53

PHOTO: BT

Ms Lum is the executive chairman and Group CEO of Hyflux Ltd, a company that she built from scratch back in 1989.

A former Nominated Member of Parliament, she is a plucky individual, having overcome a financially disadvantaged childhood to become the acclaimed entrepreneur that she is today.

8. Sharon Au, 39

PHOTO: ZAOBAO

Ms Au has been a familiar face on local television since the 1990s as an actress and host. She proved to be one of the more established local celebrities, and co-hosted the 2013 National Day Parade.

These days, she works as an executive in MediaCorp's strategic development department.

9. Baey Yam Keng, 44

PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG

With his trademark selfies on social media, Mr Baey is one of Singapore's more visible parliamentary figures.

He currently serves as a Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC, having previously held the position of senior adviser at public relations company Hill+Knowlton Strategies.

10. Lee Kin Mun, 44

PHOTO: NP

Better known as mrbrown, Mr Lee is a local blogger who is known for his commentary of Singapore's socio-political scene.

Despite the occasional run-in with the Government over his expressed views, Mr Lee continues to push the boundaries of Singapore's tight media guidelines.

His popular podcasts and video offerings garner numerous downloads, and he has been given the affectionate title of Singapore's "Blogfather".

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