Lumen Autumn 2024 - Flipbook - Page 34
World
The University of Adelaide is a
global top-100 University, and we
proudly value and maintain our
strong links to our international
alumni and partners.
We invited some of this community
to be our special “foreign
correspondents” - to give a brief
insight into their lives, careers and
success around the world.
News
Motivated by a great desire to serve his
country and people, Peter worked across
many areas of government, including
transport, trade and industry, defence, home
affairs, finance, the Prime Minister’s office,
and as the head of the civil service leading
the workforce of 145,000.
Peter says the University of Adelaide
encouraged him to: “embrace a spirit of
curiosity. To learn more, to go beyond the
prescribed text and to really find out more
about the world.”
The University recognised Peter’s
exceptional contribution to Singapore by
awarding him the inaugural Distinguished
International Alumni Award in 2023.
Graduating from the University with
a Bachelor of Laws in 2011, Nasha
underwent further study in Melbourne
before practicing as a criminal lawyer.
“When I returned to Malaysia I began
volunteering and working with children
and refugees. That’s when I discovered
the great sense of fulfillment I can gain
from humanitarian work.”
NOW A PASSIONATE AND
DEDICATED LEADER, SHE
HAS DEVELOPED LASTING
FRIENDSHIPS WITHIN THE
ROHINGYA COMMUNITY
WHILE PROVIDING THE
EDUCATION, SKILLS,
HEALTHCARE AND
ACCEPTANCE THAT HELP
THEM TO THRIVE.
Nik Nasha Damia, Malaysia
Peter Ong, Singapore
When Peter Ong Boon Kwee left
Singapore, bound for the University of
Adelaide, his parents gifted him two items:
a winter coat for the unfamiliar cold winters
and an alarm clock to ensure he arrived on
time to class.
“I’ve always wanted to help people,”
says Nik Nasha Damia, who leads the
Malaysian operations of the Rohingya
Women Development Network, a
humanitarian organisation helping to
empower and educate the many Rohingya
refugee women who have sought refuge in
Malaysia. However, she says, “it was never
a straight path to get to where I am now.”
A recipient of a Colombo Plan
scholarship, Peter did indeed become an
outstanding, and punctual, scholar. He
graduated with a Bachelor of Economics
from the University in 1984 and received
honours in 1985.
“Economics is an excellent discipline for
the training of the mind,” says Peter, whose
highly trained mind later went on to finish
top of his class at Stanford University, USA.
Though he travelled the world in
pursuit of knowledge, Peter has a singular
dedication to his home country of
Singapore. Having spent his entire career
in the public service there, he has had the
opportunity to influence important
economic and policy decisions for
Singapore throughout the last thirty years.
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She hopes that all Rohingya will find a
safe place to settle, and upholds that “until
they do, we will continue developing them,
and give them the income they need, so they
can support themselves.”
For her work empowering Rohingya
refugees with dignity and skills, Nasha was
awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award
in 2023.
