Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s college at Cambridge pays tribute
SINGAPORE — Cambridge University’s Fitzwilliam College today (March 24) paid tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, calling him the most significant statesman to graduate from the school.
In an obituary, the college detailed Mr Lee’s entry to politics after having earned a rare double-starred first-class honours in law in 1949, and how he led Singapore’s transformation to a “flourishing first-world nation”.
The obituary read: “Under Lee’s leadership as Prime Minister, and with the determination and hard work of its people, Singapore was transformed from a territory with few resources into a nation which now has GDP per head over 50 per cent greater than that of the United Kingdom.”
Cambridge University Malaysia and Singapore Association, which Mr Lee founded, also conveyed its respects to alumni and current members, while the college flew its flag at half-mast as a show of respect.
“It is heartening to know that the student organisation founded by the late Mr. Lee over six decades ago continues to bring together members from both sides of the Straits and beyond,” the statement said. “Mr Lee’s passing is a profound loss to both Singapore and the CUMSA community. As a great statesman, pioneer, and founding father, he will be deeply missed.”
Mr Lee transferred to Cambridge from London School of Economics and went on to graduate top of his cohort, above two contemporaries who became Professors of Law in the university.
He was elected to an Honorary Fellowship of Fitzwilliam in 1969.
Mr Lee’s younger brothers also studied at Fitzwilliam.
