Nanyang University (, also known as Nantah (), was a university in Singapore between 1956 and 1980. During its existence, it was Singapore's only private university in the Chinese language. In 1980, Nanyang University was merged with the University of Singapore to form the National University of Singapore (NUS). It was only until 2005 that another private school in Singapore, SIM University, was established. History Establishment The idea of a Chinese university in Singapore to provide higher education to the Chinese community was first mooted by Tan Lark Sye in 1953, then chairman of the Singapore Hokkien Association. A fund was set up for this purpose, drawing donations from people of all walks of life and with Tan himself donating $5 million. The Singapore Hokkien Association donated 500 acres (2 km2) in the western Jurong area, which was then largely undeveloped rural land. Nanyang University conducted a flag-raising on 15 March 1956 and started classes on the 30th of that month, offering courses in the arts, sciences and commerce. The first phase of the university building programme was completed two years later, and the university held its official opening ceremony 30 March 1958, with the Governor of Singapore William Goode as guest of honour. External Reviews In January 1959, the Government of Singapore and the university commissioned the first major review of the university. Led by Professor S. L. Prescott, the commission reported unfavourably on the administration of the university, library and laboratory facilities, academic staff and terms of employment, research culture, and curriculum. The commission refused to recommend that the government recognize Nantah degrees. In July 1959, Dr Gwee Ah Leng (魏雅聆) chaired a commission to follow up on the Prescott report. The Gwee commission submitted its report in November 1959, which was published by the Legislative Assembly in February 1960. The Gwee commission recommended that recruitment of students be broadened to other language streams, the learning of the national language, Malay, and wider use of English in instruction. In January 1965, Professor Wang Gungwu of the University of Malaya was appointed to chair a committee to review the curriculum of Nanyang University. The Committee reported in May 1965. Meanwhile, in August 1965, Singapore separated from the Federation of Malaysia as an independent republic. In September 1965, the committee was released and the university accepted the recommendations, triggering students protests, petitions, and boycotts of classes and examinations. Merger with