The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats. Source: Tembusu, Wikipedia

Change in Rector of Tembusu College

The College bids farewell to Professor Tommy Koh and is deeply grateful to him for his dedication and invaluable contributions over the last twelve years as Rector of Tembusu College. As the founding Rector, he has contributed much to the College’s programmes, and has encouraged students to embrace diversity and be inspired by people from all walks of life. He has organised and chaired the Tembusu Forum which is the College’s flagship project to discuss issues important to Singapore, the region, and the world. He invited many renowned speakers and dignitaries to the Forum and in doing so took Tembusu College to the world. He will relinquish his role as Rector of Tembusu College on 30 June 2022. We wish him the all the best in his future pursuits.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua has been appointed Rector of Tembusu College, with effect from 1 July 2022. Hwee Hua was first elected to Parliament in December 1996 and served till May 2011. Her last roles were as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore, and concurrently as Second Minister for Finance and for Transport. Between 2002 and 2004, she was Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee.

Prior to joining the Singapore Cabinet, she enjoyed a varied career in financial services. At Temasek Holdings (2000-2004), she served as Managing Director and oversaw divestments, restructured companies, and boards; established strategic relations with key foreign counterparts; and sat on boards including those of PSA, Keppel and Mapletree.

Mrs Lim Hwee Hua is currently engaged in private equity (Tembusu Partners, Kohlberg KravisRoberts), banking (United Overseas Bank, Westpac Bank), and maritime services (BergesenWorldwide Group). She also sits on a number of boards and has been a Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the NUS Business School and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Between 2011 and 2014, she served on the Ernst & Young Global Advisory Council.

Students at Tembusu College will benefit immensely from Hwee Hua’s rich, varied, and interesting career and leadership experiences.