NUSSU alumni give back
Bonded by a common mission to deepen student engagement and champion student welfare, the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) and NUSSU Alumni organised a homecoming and fundraising dinner on 30 July at the Kent Ridge Guild House. Themed Esperanza — the Spanish word for “hope” — the event served to reconnect generations of Union volunteers as they relived memories of their undergraduate years while raising funds to support and improve the lives of needy students.
The dinner was attended by more than 200 Union alumni, volunteers and partners, including former Speaker of Parliament Mr Tan Soo Khoon who served in the Students’ Union while studying at the then University of Singapore in the late 1960s. Those in attendance contributed generously to the newly set up NUSSU and NUSSU Alumni Bursary Endowed Fund, exceeding the target amount with a total of $151,000 raised. The fund will be used to provide bursaries of up to $2,250 each for needy NUS undergraduates.
“It is heartening to see our current and past Students’ Union volunteers come together to create a positive ripple effect towards an impactful cause," said current NUSSU President Loo Weng Heng.
Kok Seng (left) and Weng Heng performing at Esperanza
During the dinner, guests were entertained with musical and magic performances. Highlights included songs performed by long-time volunteers and recent graduates Kellie Chong from NUS Design and Environment and Angelique Chang from NUS Arts and Social Sciences; an erhu-piano fusion instrumental duet by President of the 31st NUSSU Council Mr Ho Junyi and his wife; as well as enchanting serenades by Weng Heng together with former NUSSU Presidents Mr Lim Kok Seng and Mr Donald Koh, of the 36th and 29th NUSSU Council respectively.
NUSSU Alumni President Mr Soh Yi Da (35th NUSSU Council) expressed his immense gratitude to the guests and their contributions to the University. “We have shown that with a connected and engaged alumni, we can do so much more together as one NUS!" he said.
By NUS Students’ Union.
