In the annals of Singapore’s history, certain names echo with a resonance that transcends time. Arumugam Vijiaratnam, a name perhaps less known to the masses but etched indelibly into the foundation of Singapore’s sporting and engineering legacy, is one such icon. He wasn’t just the first Singaporean engineer, or the only Singaporean to represent the country in four major sports—hockey, football, cricket, and rugby—but a beacon of relentless passion, resilience, and purpose.
From the field of sports to the scaffolding of nation-building, Dr. Vijiaratnam embodied the belief that one individual can truly make a difference—a belief that still inspires generations.
Arumugam Vijiaratnam: A Childhood Rooted in Simplicity, Driven by Vision
Born on 24 August 1921 in Ipoh, Malaysia, Arumugam Vijiaratnam moved to Singapore to pursue his education at Victoria School. A brilliant student and natural sportsman, his school days were filled with equal parts academic pursuit and afternoon football games with friends. He proved that sports and studies were not rivals, but companions—an idea still revolutionary today.
Despite being offered a spot at the prestigious Raffles Institution, fate led him to Victoria School—a twist that didn’t deter his ambition but sharpened it. He would later say, “We never wanted to lose. But whenever we lost, we took it positively.”
Beating the Odds: The Making of Singapore’s First Engineer
In an era where Asian engineers were unheard of, Arumugam Vijiaratnam dared to dream differently. He was awarded a Public Works Department (PWD) scholarship in 1940 to study engineering at Kuala Lumpur Technical College. Yet, the onset of World War II and the Japanese occupation disrupted his academic journey. Still, with undeterred spirit, he resumed his studies amidst the turmoil and graduated top of his class.
The British, however, refused to recognize his Japanese-era diploma. Undaunted, he undertook a correspondence course for the London Matriculation and passed with flying colors in 1948. His sports credentials—especially as a state-level cricketer—helped him secure a second scholarship in 1949, leading him to Brighton College of Advanced Technology in the UK.
Here, not only did he earn his engineering degree, but he also captained the cricket and hockey teams, proving excellence wasn’t a matter of focus, but of heart.
Quadruple International: A Sporting Legend Like No Other
Between 1946 and 1956, Arumugam Vijiaratnam represented Singapore in four different sports, a record that remains untouched. His love for football began on dusty school grounds, where minimal equipment and maximum enthusiasm was all it took. Soccer was his first love—“It needed just a ball and a friend,” he once quipped.
While studying in Kuala Lumpur, he dominated the football scene, picked up cricket, and later added rugby to his portfolio. A thigh injury saw him switch to hockey, where he shone as a striker. In 1956, at the age of 35, he was selected for the Melbourne Olympics. There, he led Singapore to a stunning 6–1 victory against the United States, scoring nine of the team’s 28 total goals.
This feat earned him a place in the Singapore Guinness Book of Records as the only Quadruple International athlete, a testament to his extraordinary versatility and relentless drive.
From Engineer to Nation-Builder
Upon his return from England in 1953, Arumugam Vijiaratnam joined the Public Works Department, where he was soon seconded to the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA). For 17 years, he spearheaded major national infrastructure projects, including pioneering Singapore’s containerisation programme and playing a pivotal role in the land reclamation works for Changi Airport—an achievement later mentioned in Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s memoir From Third World to First.
Arumugam Vijiaratnam eventually rose to the position of Chief Engineer and later, Director of Engineering at PSA, retiring at the age of 75—but never stepping away from service.
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
Dr. Vijiaratnam’s post-retirement years were far from quiet. He was appointed the first Pro-Chancellor of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in 1992, serving until 2005. His influence extended to public service—chairing the Tamil Murasu newspaper, serving on the Presidential Council for Minority Rights, the Hindu Endowments Board, and various government bodies including the Science Council and Liquor Licensing Board.
Notably, Arumugam Vijiaratnam was the first Asian vice-president of the Institution of Structural Engineers (UK), breaking racial barriers on an international stage.
The Human Behind the Hero
Despite his immense accomplishments, those who met Arumugam Vijiaratnam recall a humble, grounded man who never lost sight of his roots. Arumugam Vijiaratnam credited much of his success to simply seizing the opportunities presented to him. His personal motto was straightforward yet profound: “Make the best of what you have to make your country proud.”
Even in his 90s, he could vividly recount his golden moments—Olympic glory, engineering milestones, and the friendships forged on the field. He led a full life, rich in service, ambition, and humility.
Immortalised in Print and Memory
In March 2016, shortly after his passing, the book “Engineered for Success” was launched to chronicle his remarkable journey. It’s more than a biography—it’s a tribute to a man who turned obstacles into stepping stones, and personal passion into national pride.
Arumugam Vijiaratnam passed away peacefully at home in 2016, survived by a son and three daughters. His wife, Yogasoundary, had passed in 2011. Though gone, his legacy continues to inspire students, athletes, engineers, and dreamers across Singapore and beyond.
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