The NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and Temenggong Artists-in-Residence Ltd (Temenggong) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote joint research and development activities in the areas of arts, culture and heritage.

Temenggong is a non-profit arts charity that strives to inspire arts, heritage and cultural appreciation through presenting quality works.

The partnership will create opportunities for FASS students to do internships at Temenggong, participate in field trips and other joint learning activities related to Temenggong’s artifacts and premises, as well as allow students and faculty members to gain access to a wider pool of artwork in the form of Temenggong’s research collection. Temenggong artists, along with its art and creative personalities, will also be invited to conduct talks or hold performances as part of the FASS Asian Studies, History and Art History modules and the FASS scholar-in-residence programme. There will also be joint organisation of lectures on topics relevant to the arts, culture and heritage fields.

FASS Dean, Professor Lionel Wee, said, “To provide a more holistic experience for our students that expands beyond the classroom − practicing curators have been engaged as lecturers; classes are conducted within museum galleries and internship opportunities with the museums are offered to our students. More broadly, we hope to align with Singapore’s cultural masterplans as it contributes to grooming young scholars, museum professionals, connoisseurs, and custodians of our collective heritage. This collaboration with Temenggong Artists-in-Residence syncs well with our aims for our students.”

In addition to the MOU, Temenggong also made a gift of S$75,000 to establish the Temenggong Prize at the FASS Department of History.

The Temenggong Prize will recognise the effort and quality of the recipients’ works and encourage FASS students to continuously strive for academic excellence starting in 2023. Up to three prizes will go to top students annually for studies in Art History or the Art History Minor Programme, or History students with an excellent Honours Thesis on the topic of museums, heritage, art, or visual cultures.

The MOU was signed by Associate Professor Nicholas Hon, FASS Assistant Dean of External Relations and Student Life, and Mr Henri Chen from Temenggong. The signing, which took place at FASS on 18 August 2022, also saw a cheque presentation at the ceremony.

At the event, Professor Soo Khee Chee, Benjamin Sheares Professor of Academic Medicine at the Duke-NUS School of Medicine and member of Temenggong’s advisory board, shared what the donation meant for him personally. He recounted that his father had wanted him to donate to the school he attended 85 years ago, noting that his father’s story “highlighted the ability of education not only to transform but also to inculcate deep loyalties, and deep commitment to a great cause.” “This what I see of this partnership between Temenggong and FASS,” he added.

This story first appeared in NUSNews on 19 August 2022.