The annual RSIS Alumni Dinner was held on 26 July 2019 at Hilton Singapore attended by 160 RSIS alumni, faculty, and staff. In addition to the usual networking, this year’s dinner saw the transition of leadership for the RSIS Alumni Association (RAA) Executive Committee.

Amb Ong Keng Yong, Executive Deputy Chairman of RSIS, delivered the welcome address and took the opportunity to introduce RSIS’ new Dean and Associate Dean, Prof Ralf Emmers and Associate Prof Ang Cheng Guan respectively. He also updated the alumni on recent impactful RSIS projects, including the International Conference on Cohesive Societies and the International Studies Association Asia-Pacific Conference.

Prof Emmers also addressed the guests and shared that the RSIS alumni family now includes more than 2,100 members from over 70 countries, becoming more diverse and global with each passing year. He said he was encouraged by the alumni’s involvement in this year’s career talk sessions where they provided invaluable insights and advice to current students. He thanked all who contributed and looked forward to their continued participation.

As the RAA leadership transition was announced, both Amb Ong and the Dean thanked members of the first RAA Executive Committee for their contributions over the past five years. Mr Eddie Lim, Senior Fellow and Head of the Military Studies Programme at IDSS, and an alumnus from the early years of RSIS, will be taking over the role of President of the RAA Executive Committee from Mr Phillip Ee, Managing Director (Special Projects) at Surbana Jurong.

At the dinner, the RSIS Teaching Award was presented. This annual award recognises teaching excellence and outstanding contributions to the enhancement of teaching and learning at RSIS. Asst Prof Lee Su Hyun received this year’s award from Prof Emmers.

On a lighter note, there was a photo booth for fun shots with props.