Page 62 - NYAA Annual Report 2024

Dr Choo Pei Ling, NYAA Gold Award Holder
Dr Choo Pei Ling, an NYAA Gold Award holder and recipient of the HSBC NYAA Youth Environmental Award
(2005 cohort), has made significant strides in her career. Currently an Assistant Professor in the Health and
Social Science Cluster at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Dr Choo is set to be fielded as a candidate
for the People’s Action Party (PAP) in the upcoming General Election. She has been closely mentored by
Minister Tan See Leng and Minister Edwin Tong in Marine Parade GRC, preparing her for a potential role in
public service.

NYAA congratulates Professor Choo Pei Ling, a Neuroscientist, Physiotherapist, and NYAA Gold Award holder,
on her appointment as Second Advisor to Marine Parade GRC and extends its best wishes to her as she
embarks on this new leadership role, especially in light of the upcoming General Election.

GAHA Reunion Dinner
NYAA Gold Award holders maintain strong connections globally and with NYAA Singapore. Ms Dai Liyan,
founder of Mum & Kids Arts School, headquartered in France with Southeast Asian operations, exemplifies
this bond. A former Republic of Singapore Navy officer, Liyan established her school while stationed in Malaysia
with her husband, a French Naval Specialist.

On 2 July 2024, during a brief visit to Singapore, Liyan reunited with NYAA ED and fellow Gold Award holders
Dr Ken Ong and Ong Ying Shya for a memorable dinner. Despite being away from Singapore for 17 years, her
ties to NYAA remain deeply rooted.

NYAA Gold Award Holder Reunion – Brandon Chia & Family
The NYAA Council was heartened to welcome homecoming visits from overseas-based Gold Award holders,
reaffirming the lasting bonds of the NYAA community.

Mr Brandon Chia, an NYAA Gold Award recipient and HSBC NYAA Youth Environmental Award laureate,
currently serves as a professional healthcare specialist at a community hospital in New Zealand. During
a recent visit to Singapore with his family, Mr Chia called on the Executive Director and Deputy Executive
Director to share updates on his professional journey.

The Executive Director expressed great encouragement in witnessing the positive contributions of NYAA
alums abroad and appreciated their continued engagement with the NYAA family. Such reunions underscore
the long-lasting impact of the NYAA Programme on participants’ personal and professional development.

Dr Mustaffa Izzuddin
Dr Mustaffa met with Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the first Muslim Cabinet Minister in the United Kingdom, at
the House of Lords. He shared the work that NYAA has done for Singapore, the international community, and
humanity. Baroness Warsi expressed admiration for NYAA’s role in youth development.

Mr Tan Yinglan
Mr Tan Yinglan, Founding Managing Partner of Insignia Ventures Partners, held the firm’s 7th Annual Forum at
Pan Pacific Orchard on 20 September 2024. The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director were invited
to attend. The summit was a valuable platform for engagement with regional business leaders, including
former Indonesian Trade Minister Mr Thomas Lembong and Executive Chairman of Enterprise Singapore, Mr
Lee Chuan Teck.

Mr Sear Hock Rong
Mr Sear Hock Rong, an NYAA Gold Award holder, now leads Community Partnership at the Singapore
Association for the Deaf. NYAA had partnered with the Association in the early 1990s, producing the first
batch of deaf NYAA Award recipients. Mr Sear is keen to renew this partnership and reintroduce the Singapore
Association for the Deaf as an NYAA Operating Partner.

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