He portrayed and personified chemistry and much of the hopes of our university and community.

He was there as the first Singaporean to be Professor of Chemistry and Head of Department.

He was there when our celebrated Chemistry Department had a dinner to mark the 80^th Anniversary of both Department and Faculty.

His presence together with that of our President, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan on 6 June 2009 gave a very special touch to the occasion.  Emeritus Professor Kiang's presence, in a very real way, gave many the opportunity to personally, or vicariously, thank him for the inputs and inspiration he gave to so many. It must also have been very satisfying for him to see the success of so many of his former students. He even gave a most moving impromptu speech!

These were not only significant and wide-ranging but also included many historic firsts.  Graduating with a  First Class Diploma in Science from Raffles College in 1938, his academic career and contributions commenced with a Demonstratorship in Chemistry.  Appointments as Lecturer, Professor and Head of Department followed.  He also served as Dean of Science, Master of Raffles Hall and a member of both the University Senate and Council.   He helped build the Chemistry Department in the crucial post-war years, and later led it to be a key national institution.  He was both forward looking and far reaching in influence and impact.  Besides attending to the dire needs of teaching and research he also introduced APPLIED CHEMISTRY.  This initiative and innovation evolved into Chemical Engineering and was later transferred as the Department's and Faculty's contribution to our younger and growing Engineering Faculty.  He also sowed the seeds that saw the development of Food Science and Microbiology in our University.

His big-hearted concerns benefitted many far and wide.  Even in the 1950s he served in the setting-up of a division of the University in Kuala Lumpur.  In 1975 he responded to the need to lead the Chemistry Department at the Nanyang University.  This significantly and perhaps providentially, paved the way for the merger that saw the birth of our National University of Singapore.

His experience and expertise was much sought after in many quarters.  He was invited to address many conferences -- national, regional and international. His contributions to industry not only included his regular consultancy, advisory and, Board or Committee role, but also a stint when he served as a full-time Technical Director in one firm and as Technical Consultant in another in the 70s.

From his earliest days he was popular and respected in sports and social circles.  Even in his student days in the late 30s he had served as Vice-Chairman of the Raffles College Students’ Union.  Throughout his life he was active in the Graduate Society, serving as President of NUSS and chairing its Building and Fund-raising Committee.  Just as the Science Tower in the Bukit Timah Campus stands tall as a tribute to his dynamism and dedication to academia so would the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House be a tribute of his love and loyalty for his alma mater, alumni and friends.

Although his very attainments are reward enough yet it is significant and satisfying to see him recognized by so many.  He was among the first local academics to be conferred the coveted title of EMERITUS PROFESSOR.  He was an early recipient of the NUS Distinguished Alumni Service Award and  the Faculty's Distinguished Science Alumni Award.  The Malaysian Scientific Association conferred on him a Fellowship in 1972 and their Silver Jubilee Award in 1980 while the Institut Kimia Malaysia made him Fellow in 1974 and gave him their Gold Medal in 1987.  In that year he also received a National day Award in the form of the Public Service Medal.

Perhaps more than the plethora of prestigious prizes he seemed most appreciative when NUS, the Faculty and the Department set up the THE KIANG AI KIM SCHOLARSHIP FUND.  It was launched on his 85^th Birthday and graced by friends and family and former students.  Distinguished dignitaries included President S.R. Nathan.  While he was undoubtedly touched and thankful for this honour and generous gesture yet, more important, was the assistance, benefit and encouragement these Scholarships bring.  These include the deserving and the best who have the promise and potential to excel and contribute like the way E/P Kiang did.  In this and other ways the legacy of E/P Kiang lives on.

While NUS, the Faculty and Department share in the Family's loss of a truly great man whom we all shall miss, yet we take comfort that he has returned to his Creator and Master and that his influence and impact lives on in the lives of those he has helped and inspired including these KIANG AI KIM SCHOLARS.  We rejoice that he had been able to see first hand the benefits of this Scholarship .

We take this opportunity to once again thank all those who have joined hearts and hands to make this timely Scholarship possible and that has brought such pride and joy to dear 'Prof'.  Respecting the family's wishes not to send flowers the Faculty did not send a wreath.  Instead  the Faculty has tried to express its sentiments by encouraging all concerned to donate generously towards this most worthy and honourable cause.