JCU Singapore receives national award
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong presents Dr Anderson with the award
JCU Singapore’s community engagement efforts were recognised on August 4 by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 47th National Day Dinner organised by the Kebun Baru Community Club.
The Prime Minister presented the People's Association and Community Spirit (PACS) Awards 2012 - Merit Award, under the “Partners of Grassroots Organisations (GRO)” category to the Deputy Vice Chancellor and Head of Singapore Campus, Dr Dale Anderson, at a community gathering to celebrate the country’s National Day.
The objective of the PACS Awards is to recognise organisations which have supported the People's Association and its grassroots organisations, Community Development Councils and grassroot leaders in reaching out to the community and bringing people together to build greater social capital.
JCU Singapore was nominated for the national award for showing “tremendous support for the activities organised by Kebun Baru GROs through the provision of performance items, manpower, logistical and publicity support”.
JCU’s Vice Chancellor and President Professor Sandra Harding said that making connections with the local community was enshrined in JCU’s Statement of Intent as it was a way for the University to embrace the diversity of the society that it has pledged to serve.
“Students and staff of JCU Singapore, just like their counterparts in Australia, are encouraged to connect and work with the wider Singaporean community to create opportunities and make a difference to the people that they come into contact with on a daily basis,” she said.
Dr Anderson said that he considered it vital for students and staff of JCU Singapore to bond with the local community.
“Over the years, we have established excellent synergy with the grassroots organisations in the immediate vicinity of our campus and we have been working with the community leaders to not only partake in community events but also identify areas where our teaching and research expertise can be harnessed for the benefit of the local populace,” Dr Anderson said.
“Through our highly acclaimed psychology teaching and research program, for example, we have been able to establish a psychology clinic that predominantly caters to the needs of the people living in our surrounding neighbourhood,” he said.
Professor Harding said that the whole of the James Cook University community would be honoured by the award.
“The Community Spirit (PACS) Awards is a prestigious national award that is bestowed by the Singapore Government to deserving organisations that have made a difference to the community that they serve,” she said
“As an institution with a focus on the people of the tropics, this recognition from the people and government of Singapore is particularly pleasing.”
Professor Harding commended the staff and students of JCU Singapore whose efforts earned this award.
Issued: August 7, 2012
Jim O'Brien of 776staff last updated this page on 7 Aug 2012.