Prime Minister of Singapore visits University

With this month's reopening of Houston Hall, Penn officials promised that the rejuvenated facility would be worthy of truly international prestige. What they never mentioned was that one of its first visitors would be a major foreign dignitary. Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore and a delegation of other Singaporean leaders visited the University yesterday to observe technological research initiatives and discuss means of a possible partnership between Penn and Singapore. Goh's visit, which was organized by the Singaporean embassy in Washington, included visits to the University City Science Center, the Port of Technology building, Biomedical Research Buildings I and II and Houston Hall for a special lunch with University leaders. According to University spokeswoman Phyllis Holtzman, the relationship between Penn and the government of Singapore has been fostered over the years by repeated interactions between Singaporean leaders and University alumni, Trustees and administrators. "Dr. Rodin had been in Singapore last summer and she had connections with the deputy prime minister about Singapore's interest in developing scientific programs," Holtzman said. "The deputy prime minister visited Penn in March 1998 and [Board of Trustees member] Jon Huntsman, Jr. is the former U.S. ambassador to Singapore," she added. While his appearance was comparatively short -- Goh spent only about five hours on campus before departing the city -- the prime minister took the opportunity to learn much about the University's various scientific and research-oriented programs. "The visit mainly consisted of presentations on technical research and facilities," Holtzman said. Goh's visit was particularly noteworthy given Penn's budding desire to extend its brand name and expand its presence on the international stage. Goh's visit also necessitated a flurry of special security arrangements. "The Secret Service was here along with the Philadelphia Police Department's dignitary protection division and a sizeable force from the Penn Police," University Police Chief Maureen Rush said. "It was a large contingent, fairly standard for all heads of state." Penn's relations with the tiny city-state in Asia have grown progressively stronger in recent years. In 1998, the Wharton School assisted in the development of Singapore Management University -- the nation's third university and the first to be founded since the end of British colonial rule. The next year, Wharton Deputy Dean Janice Bellace left the school to become president of the newly formed institution. Members of Penn's Singaporean student community reacted to Goh's visit with delight. "In general, Singapore has many ties with Penn," said Wharton senior Dawn Teo, president of Penn's Club Singapore. "I think his visit to Penn is quite a milestone in the partnership between Singapore and Penn," she added.

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