Coming home to Bukit Timah for a rollin’ good time

This year’s Bukit Timah Homecoming celebrations took alumni on a journey back to the Rollin’ Good Times. Not only did they relive fond memories, they were also brought up to date on some key current developments as well as glimpses into the future – all in the comfort of their own home.

Organised by NUS Alumni Relations and co-hosted by NUS Law and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS (LKY School, the annual homecoming kicked off with a strong virtual lineup. Taking flight in a hybrid format, the celebrations included programmes webstreamed live from the NUS Bukit Timah Campus (BTC) Auditorium as well as pre-recorded videos. Due to the COVID-19 Heightened Alert restrictions, there was only a sparse gathering at the BTC, with many joining in via Zoom.

Co-founders of treatsure, CEO Mr Preston Wong (Business ’13, Law ’ 16) and CTO Mr Kenneth Ham (Computing ’17) engaged online audience with current developments and innovations in the food sustainability space amidst the pandemic, while the NUS Mind Science Centre presented an interesting perspective of combining modern medicine with Chinese medicine (TCM) for better longevity via a stimulating pre-recorded talk.

Alumni also recorded a series of song and dance performances as well as a Flash Mob to showcase their creativity and talent. A 30-minute line dancing workshop encouraged those at home to get on their feet and dance along with the NUS Alumni Sing-Along members. The fun segment was followed up by a nostalgic NUS Senior Alumni Tea & Chat session with alumni Ms Anna Leong (Business ’81), Assoc Prof Lawrence Chia (Science ’69) and Mr Rohan Kamis (Accountancy ’75) as they reminisced about the good old days.

To broaden minds and provoke prescient thoughts, Professor Danny Quah, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and Professor Simon Chesterman, Dean of NUS Law led an Interactive Dialogue on ‘The Future of Work: AI as Destructive Creation or Creative Destruction?’. It was an enlightening session as the two deans discussed opportunities and threats posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the role that work plays in one’s identity. Participants raised similarly thought-provoking questions in an interactive exchange.

Alumni were wowed and moved by the poem presentations by Dr Rosemary Khoo (Arts and Social Sciences ’65), Mr Richard Low (Arts and Social Sciences ’69), and Dr Oliver Seet (Arts and Social Sciences ’59) which brought back emotional memories. Bringing the hybrid event to a close, NUS Alumni Sing-Along and Silver Jam performed the chart-topping hits of the yesteryears – Let’s Twist Again and Stand by Me.

The afternoon was capped off by a prize presentation of the Bukit Timah’s Got Talent Contest, which saw creative entries from enthusiastic alumni who showcased their flair for performing. The event came to a fruitful close with NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye’s uplifting address as he took the opportunity to congratulate the Class of 1971 on their golden jubilee.

Segments of Bukit Timah Homecoming are now available for viewing here. 

By NUS Alumni Relations