Half a century after leaving the lecture halls, and with many having retired and moved on from the cons-truction sites of our youth, the Civil Engineering Class of 1976, University of Singapore, gathered once more – not with blueprints and engineering texts in hand, but with stories, laughter, and enduring camaraderie.
As in several past reunion gatherings across different parts of West and East Malaysia, this Golden Jubilee Reunion fittingly began on the golf course, for a selected few classmates who, despite our advancing age, could still boast of supple back coils and fluid arm swings. Seven players, three from Malaysia and four from Singapore, teed off in a friendly two-day contest at the Forest City and Palm Resort golf courses respectively, just ahead of the main celebrations. Played in excellent spirit and marked by good-natured rivalry, the matches were closely fought. This year, the Singaporean visitors from across the Causeway narrowly edged out a victory, turning the tables on their Malaysian counterparts who had enjoyed winning form in previous years. It was a delightful prelude, stirring the tone for the fun and cheer that would define the days ahead.
The Reunion proper then opened with a grand dinner on 25 March 2026, attended by 29 classmates and several of their spouses, making a total headcount of 49 pax, setting the stage for an evening that was as vibrant as it was heartfelt.
The organising committee had thoughtfully curated a programme that encoura-ged interaction, nostalgia, and plenty of good humour.
The event commenced with a speech by the emcee. Both reflective and light-hearted, it presented moments of gratitude for harmonious minds, healthy bodies and spiritedness, and appreciation for friendships that have stood the test of time.
A particularly touching high-light came in the form of two original songs, composed by one of our own. “五十年同窗情” was presented live as a solo item, while “Built to Last” was performed by the few musically enthused among us, capturing shared journeys, amusing anecdotes recounted from yesteryear undergrad classes, and the spirit of friendship that spanned across five remarkable decades.
Music continued to fill the air as other classmates and the wives took to the stage, each performance adding its own charm and personality to the evening.
Laughter reached an uproarious intensity during the cleverly designed “Who Am I” quiz, where baby and toddler photographs of several classmates were displayed on screen to tantalise the imagi-nation of the dinner guests to decipher their identities. The wives, in particular, delighted in the challenge, often expressing disbelief at how the cherubic faces in the photos had transformed into the distinguished gentlemen seated before them.
A lively lucky draw was also conducted by two seasoned hosts. Peppered with humour and surprises, it kept spirits high and laughter riotous.
The celebration continued into the following day, as a group of 37 classmates and spouses embarked on an excursion filled with discovery and scenic beauty.
Travelling together by bus, the group explored a protected mangrove swamp and coastal ecosystem.
Located at Tanjung Piai, Johor, it serves as a State National Park and is recognised as a Ramsar site of international importance, featuring coastal mangroves, mudflats, and diverse fauna, significantly avowed as being pinned at the southernmost tip of mainland Asia.
A visit next to a bee farm had everyone ‘zapped’, despite the bees being of the stingless species. Fresh honey for tasting was extracted from the honeycomb by the owner / operator, with bees swarming around their hives as if to protect their treasures built up through hard work.
The classmates and their spouses also experienced the rustic charm of a suburb pineapple farm, feasted not only by the sweet taste of freshly harvested first fruits, but informative knowledge shared by the owner host about the planting process and quality selection criteria of the local fruit.
The itinerary for the day rounded up with a visit to the Forest City project, developed on a man-made island very close to Singapore. Weaved in as part of the program by the organi-sing team, courtesy of pre-arrangements made by one of us, this inclusion returned us instinctively to familiar engineering roots, inter alia investment prospects – a very tenable ‘resort-home so near to home’ for some.
These excursions offered not just sightseeing, but shared moments of wonder and renewed connection. Between destinations, the group indulged in sumptuous meals that provided both nourishment and yet more opportunities for animated conversation and laughter. Every stop, every meal, and every group photo taken simply reaffirmed the bonds forged so many years ago.
The reunion drew to a marvelous close with a final breakfast congregation at the Sunway Big Box hotel where most had stayed.
It was a morning filled with warm smiles, lingering conver-sations, and countless photographs – each snapshot an attempt to capture the spirit of togetherness that had defined the past three days.
The 50th Anniversary Reunion Event may have officially ended on 27 March 2026. But as farewells were exchanged, there was a palpable buzz of excitement and anticipation shared among all present: when will be the next reunion event, and who will be organising it!
This is not the first, and it certainly won’t be the last occasion our cohorts and their wives have gathered in joy and laughter to celebrate our bonding that has remained strong and enduring as ever.
Fifty years on and still counting, the foundation laid in youth, etched in the classrooms of our fine alma mater (University of Singapore, now NUS) continues to hold firm – an unshakeable structure built not of steel and concrete, but of trust, memories, and lifelong companionship.
As the lyrics of one of the original song compositions went …
“Cementing ties and bonds,
Rest on foundation strong,
That’s where we belong!
We were Built To Last,
CE’76 Class …”
This is our lived chapter of shared glory coming full circle and still rolling on!
