News on Dr Wee Kim Wee

Lessons for the young in Dr Wee Kim Wee's new book:

“Wee Kim Wee - Glimpses and Reflections”


IN APPRECIATION

The late Dr Wee Kim Wee, after whom the Wee Kim Wee Centre in SMU is named, had a heart for people and for lifelong learning. It is in the spirit of his personality and character that the Centre hosts and supports lectures, conferences and publications. These aim to advance learning and thinking about cross cultural issues for all who appreciate a deeper understanding of the similarities and the differences that mark our common humanity, as Dr Wee certainly did.

Dr Wee Kim Wee had more than a passing acquaintance with his fellow man. There are many to attest that Dr Wee connected at a personal level with everyone whom he met. It is no misnomer for him to be called the "People's President". People from all stations of life consistently describe him as an engaging, likeable and wise man who truly cared about each person as an individual. Beyond the individual level, Dr Wee appreciated the importance of community and cosmopolitanism. As a diplomat in Malaysia, Japan and Korea, Dr Wee fostered regional ties. Later, as President of Singapore, he maintained international friendships for the country, and also gave Singapore's citizens a compassionate and dignified role model to emulate. As a private citizen, he inspired many as someone who understood the importance of the great and the little things in life.