Enabling students to take flight
More than 5,000 NUS students have completed Roots & Wings 1.0, a groundbreaking foundational life skills module based on the science of human potential. NUS is the first university in the world to offer all freshmen this signature programme, specially designed to help them hone social emotional intelligence, allowing them to thrive in a global environment of change and uncertainty.
Conceptualised and facilitated by NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG), the programme aims to prepare students for an increasingly complex and competitive world. The programme draws on the latest psychology, neuroscience and leadership research and experience from NUS and leading global thought leaders.
Year 1 NUS Arts and Social Sciences student Parkhi Agarwal, who attended the closing workshop on 3 November, felt that it taught her to reflect more on her feelings, thoughts and actions. “I think it will really help me in my day-to-day life and my career,” she said. Another participant who found the workshop useful was Tan Men Shu, a Year 3 student from NUS Engineering. He liked the portions on empathy and mindfulness, saying, “We usually get caught up in life, and mindfulness helps me take a step back.”
Students participated actively in the interactive 90-minute workshop
Students who want a more in-depth experience can opt for Roots & Wings 2.0, which involves 12 weeks of weekly tutorials, each lasting 90 minutes. The blended learning programme also includes e-modules, readings, homework, a capstone project done in groups of four and an individual project. Feedback from the pilot batch of 100 students was very positive, as they found the content relevant and timely. The second run of Roots & Wings 2.0 has been over-subscribed, with many eager students placed on a waitlist.
The Centre is not resting on its laurels however. CFG Director Ms Crystal Lim-Leahy said that they are working on incorporating new content on industry awareness, personal branding and storytelling for the next round. The team takes feedback very seriously as well.
Said Ms Lim-Leahy, “Every round of Roots & Wings content is also shaped by the last generation of graduates. For instance we have a new seminar on relationship and collaboration that was inspired by the capstone projects from last semester’s students.” CFG is exploring providing modular credits for the revised Roots & Wings programme in the future as new content and exercises are included, she added.
