SINGAPORE — In a momentous ceremony full of pomp and state, former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was earlier conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the National University of Singapore (NUS) at the Istana.

The special ceremony was observed by such luminaries as the Chancellor of NUS, Dr Tony Tan, President of Singapore, as well as NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan. Close to 100 guests attended the ceremony, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and Mrs Lee, Cabinet Ministers, business leaders, NUS trustees, professors, students and alumni.

The honorary degree makes Mr Lee the 24th person in the history of the NUS to be conferred a Doctor of Laws. The previous person was Mr Chan Sek Keong, the previous Chief Justice of Singapore, in 2010.

Prof Tan said, “Mr Lee is the visionary leader behind Singapore’s success. He is a brilliant and charismatic international statesman, a leader who has transformed education in Singapore. NUS is deeply honoured to confer on Mr Lee the Honorary Doctor of Laws in recognition of his remarkable achievements and signal contributions to Singapore and the world beyond.”

In a speech at the ceremony, NUS Law Faculty Dean Professor Simon Chesterman gave praise to Mr Lee’s contributions to Singapore, noting how foreign dignitaries such as Margeret Thatcher and Xi Jinping had also heaped praise on Mr Lee in the past.

Mr Lee thanked the NUS, saying “Education has been critical to the growth and success of Singapore. I hope that Singaporeans will continue to seek out an education that nurtures them to think critically and innovatively to meet the diverse and complex challenges ahead.”