Foo Tian Ong
President of the Association
Class of 1975
Background
I did my A levels at Swiss Cottage Secondary School. With very average O level scores, I managed to secure a place only on appeal and thanks to my telling the then Principal, Mr Rudy Mosbergen, that I was a good hockey player. Having secured a place, I had to repay Mr Mosbergen’s faith by doing well in my studies. With excellent teachers such as Miss Saravanan and wonderful classmates many of whom have become life-long friends, an average student became the School’s top A level student in 1975. I did well enough to be awarded a Public Services Commission’s scholarship to pursue my undergraduate studies. I will always remember what Mr Mosbergen wrote on the blackboard one day when giving us a GP lesson “The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste”.
My wife is a credit manager. We have four children – an engineer, a medical doctor and two university students. My youngest daughter also did her secondary school education at Swiss Cottage Secondary School.
I have been working in the financial services industry for the past 30 odd years. Today, I am a Managing Director at UBS AG, a leading global firm providing financial services.
What does being a member of the Swiss Alumni Association mean to you?
Having benefitted from a Swiss Cottage Secondary School education, I felt that I should contribute to my alma mater. With the support of a few of my classmates and others, I spearheaded efforts to establish the Swiss Cottage Secondary School Alumni Association in 2013. Working closely with stakeholders such as the School’s management and staff, Parents Support Group and School Advisory Committee, the Association has organized many activities to facilitate the development of ties between the alumni and the School. These include social events, career talks and funding. My management committee members and I feel very honored to be given the opportunity to serve the Swiss Cottage Secondary School community.
Van Vang Nguyen
Class of 1969
Background
I was in Swiss Cottage Bukit Timah from 1967 to 1969 , doing my Secondary 4 and Pre University . I was the Head Prefect in 1969, some 48 years ago. Prior to that I was educated in St Gabriels and St Johns in Kuala Lumpur. I harbour very fond memories of the pioneering years of Swiss Cottage under the leadership of our Principals R D Jensen and Rudy Mosbergen.Swiss Cottage has definitely Reached new heights and Blast a path of Glory . Together with some of Singapore greats , I represented Swiss Cottage in Tennis , Badmintom , Rugby and the debating team. While in Swiss I was enlisted as a part time NS Policeman and ultimately completing my NS as a Commissioned officer in the SAF . Having to resume my University education on Accountancy after 3 years of NS was a challenge but the Swiss spirit held me in good stead. Over the past 25 years I had held leadership positions as CFO and CEO of some Top Fortune 20 comapnies in the Oil and Gas, and Automotive Industry covering the Asia Pacific region. I recently retired and is serving in Charities in the Catholic church and also 2 other VWO
What does being a member of Swiss Alumni Association mean to me?
Swiss Cottage was a relatively poor school during my days .Having my gestative education in Kuala Lumpur , I view Swiss Cottage as giving me a second chance to succeed and become a graduate in Singapore. The Teamship , Leadership values, knowledge and will to succeed instilled through Swiss education in sports and scholistic pursiuts are some of my greatest asssets garnered from Swiss Cottage . I have been successful in my careers and I am committed to support Swiss Cottage to Greater Heights especially in helping our weaker students to do well.
Reuben Kam
Graduated in 2008
Background
I am currently working as a Regular with the Singapore Police Force. The fruitful thing about my time in Swiss was CCA time. This is a time whereby people from different classes gather and learn things that the Text book doesn’t have.
What does being a member of the Swiss Alumni Association mean to you?
It is more of giving back to the school.