Welcome aboard, freshmen!

Freshmen reciting the NUS pledge at the ceremony

NUS welcomed some 2,200 incoming students with a showcase of grooves and moves by home-grown talents at the annual Freshmen Inauguration Ceremony, held at the University Cultural Centre today. The students also gained some insightful advice from both the NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan and outgoing NUS Students' Union (NUSSU) President Mr Lim Kok Seng at the event.

In his thought-provoking welcome address titled "The question is what is the question?, Prof Tan posited, "Asking the right questions will help each of us to seek ways to develop the skills that we need, and to look for the opportunities and pathways that will help us move closer to the answers and solutions that matter the most.

He challenged the freshmen to consider two questions, during their time at NUS, "Can I get to know and understand myself much more deeply, and honestly? and "How can I prepare myself so that I will be able to tackle problems in areas where I have very little domain knowledge? Additionally, Prof Tan encouraged students to ask questions about major societal and global issues, and to reflect on what their generation could do about them.

Mr Lim, in his address, spoke of a few highlights that the students could look forward to. This ranged from the grade-free first semester to the monumental Rag Day on 7 August, held at The Float @ Marina Bay. He also urged them to make the most of their time at NUS.

"I myself have commenced this year and I realise that you leave this campus with many new experiences and cherished moments and you realise how each of us, the bright spots of the future, can contribute different ideas and share dreams, and we shape this whole community in our own unique ways, said Mr Lim. He then led the freshmen in a recitation of the NUS pledge.

During the Ceremony, the NUS senior management and administrators; faculty deans, and hall and residential college masters; and the NUSSU Council were introduced through several video presentations to the students.

Held in two sessions, the Freshmen Inauguration Ceremony was organised by NUSSU and the Office of Student Affairs.

A freshman reading out words of advice from a current student