Building bigger dreams together

The NUS Students' Union (NUSSU) returned to University Town this year for its annual Rag event — a vision which proved no less than magical – capping the spectacular show with the announcement of a whopping over $472,000 raised from Flag Day 2016, the highest amount raised in five years. 

From left: NUS President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye together with NUSSU President Loo Weng Heng and Flag Day Project Director Jeffrey Lee presenting the cheque to officials of Community Chest Singapore

Themed "Big World, Bigger Dreams", Rag Day 2016 sought to encapsulate the spirit of going beyond for NUSSU Rag & Flag to create a larger impact on society. Donning colourful costumes and bright beaming smiles, hundreds of freshmen took centrestage and dazzled the crowd with their creative dance moves in celebration of this unique over half-a-century-old NUS tradition. The intricate designs and vivid colours of the floats, made from recycled materials, also transformed University Town into a vibrant multihued wonderland.

Prof Tan Eng Chye admiring the float created by NUS Business

According to NUSSU President Loo Weng Heng, participating in Rag and Flag is "a rite of passage for all NUS freshmen". Thanking all participants for their unwavering support, he said, “This experience will serve to foster teamwork, empathy and compassion among our fellow students.” He added that it brings camaraderie to the fore, as freshmen and their seniors work together to help the less privileged in our community.

Also for the first time in Rag history, the six Halls of Residence came together to put up a spectacular combined showcase. Exploring the journey through the past, present and future of time and space, the six halls intrigued the spectators with their captivating performances which raised questions about social norms and future possibilities for humanity.

The six halls of NUS banded together to put up a 27-minute performance

“It was a great opportunity to learn from other halls and meet new people. It’s heartening to see the halls of NUS coming together as one and sharing the collective spirit," said freshman Sheryl Lim, Year 1 Environmental Studies.

Eusoff Hall's performance was set in a futuristic world

Flag Day, which took place earlier on 2 August, saw more than 7,000 freshmen and senior students making their way to different parts of Singapore, from the early hours of the morning to seek donations from the general public. The amount raised will benefit 23 beneficiaries supported by Community Chest Singapore.

Rag and Flag is an annual NUS project which traces its roots to Welfare Week in 1957. On Flag Day, the students will collect donations from the general public for various beneficiaries. Following which, RAG — known as Receive and Give — showcases performances from the students to show appreciation for the donations.

Since 2000, NUS students have raised more than $7 million in donations for its beneficiaries through the annual NUSSU Flag Day. For their efforts, they have received the Community Chest Special Events Gold or Platinum Awards on an annual basis since 2003.

By Manali Mehta, NUSSU Vice-President and Year 4 Communications and New Media

Winners of Rag Day 2016

Gold

• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
• School of Business
• Faculty of Science
• Faculty of Law
• Eusoff Hall

Silver

• Kent Ridge Hall
• Sheares Halls
• King Edward VII Hall
• Department of Pharmacy
• Faculty of Dentistry
• School of Design & Environment
• Faculty of Engineering

Bronze

• University Scholars Programme
• Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences
• School of Computing
• Raffles Hall
• Temasek Hall

Platinum Award: Kent Ridge Hall
(For breaking its record of amount raised with a collection of $199,615.60 through flag efforts)

Friend of the Community Award: Department of Pharmacy