Gathering valedictorians and representatives from the Class of 2026, the event was attended by about 300 guests, including NUS Pro-Chancellors Mr Po'ad Mattar and Mrs Theresa Foo; NUS Chairman Mr Hsieh Fu Hua; NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye; and NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean.

The 14-day season opened with graduates from the NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education taking the stage on 9 July and unfolded over 39 ceremonies, concluding with graduates from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. It also saw honorary degrees conferred upon two outstanding leaders, Dr Kay Kuok Oon Kwong and Professor Lim Pin.

Leading the night’s proceedings before an audience that included faculty, staff and alumni, were two student representatives from the Class of 2026. In their welcome remarks, Ms Lim Min Hui, a Life Sciences graduate from the Faculty of Science, and Mr Reddy Kannan Yugesh, a Political Science graduate from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, reminisced on the highlights of their university life and paid tribute to their peers and professors who made their time at NUS all the more memorable.

Passing the torch

This year’s Commencement Dinner departed from tradition, featuring back-to-back speeches by the preceding and current Presidents of the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) — both of whom are part of this year’s graduating cohort.

Mr Sean Pang, 46^th NUSSU President and Bachelor of Business Administration graduate from NUS Business School, who juggled academic commitments with caregiving responsibilities after his mother’s illness, paid a heartfelt tribute to those who came before him. He cited his parents’ sacrifices that enabled him to be the first in his family to graduate from university, as well as prominent businessman Tan Jiak Kim’s efforts in galvanising the community to establish NUS’ medical school in 1905.

“Behind every degree scroll is a second, unwritten transcript, filled with the names of family, friends and community... Thank you for the sacrifices, both seen and unseen,” he said. Encouraging the graduating class to carry this legacy forward, he emphasised, “Gratitude cannot be where the story ends. What was given to us now becomes ours to carry forward.”

Taking over the stage from his predecessor was Mr Stephen Chen, a Life Sciences, Business Management and NUS College graduate. The 47^th NUSSU President built on his fellow graduate’s reference to “standing on the shoulders of giants”, drawing on each of his disciplines and sharing key takeaways for the next phase of life.

“Know what you want, focus on the things that you can change, and then just do it... As we enter this next phase of life holding onto our hopes, dreams and worries, let us take heart that we leave NUS equipped not only with more knowledge and skills, but that we leave more connected with one another,” he concluded.

A values-first education

In his speech at the event, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye built upon his first address to students at the inaugural Commencement ceremony, emphasising that the value of higher education lies not just in the accumulation of knowledge and wisdom, but, more importantly, in channelling them into a force of good to serve humanity.

Acknowledging the anxieties that confront the world today, from AI to geopolitical upheavals and climate change, Prof Tan exhorted the graduates not to give in to unease and apprehension.

“It would be easy to feel that the ground is shifting too quickly beneath us. But I want to be clear about where our footing comes from. The antidote to anxiety is not certainty. It is character and willpower. Because we are human and curious, we innovate; yet because we are human and fallible, we also make mistakes. This has been true of every generation before you, and it will be true of yours,” he said.

With a customary toast to the Class of 2026, he concluded: “Your time as students has ended, but your connection to this community has not... As we raise a glass tonight, we do so not only in celebration of what you all have achieved, but in anticipation of what you will do next.”

Many voices, one spirit

The dinner was interspersed with a pair of vocal performances by NUS student groups, who gave voice to the celebratory mood of the evening.

Taking the stage first was NUS Resonance, an a capella group that aims to connect with audiences across a variety of genres and styles to showcase the versatility and vibrancy of a capella music. The six-person ensemble delivered a selection of contemporary and timeless classics through rich harmonies and punchy vocal percussion, performing a “90s Dance Medley” and Tori Kelly’s rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing”.

NUS Voices, the University’s resident Mandopop interest group consisting of talented instrumentalists and vocalists, followed up with an act to remember, ending the night on a high note with a heartfelt cover of Jessie J’s “Flashlight” and an energetic medley of songs by hit K-pop group BLACKPINK, including “Kill This Love” and “Playing with Fire”.

This story concludes NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

Anthropology courses have been offered at NUS since the 1960s under the Department of Sociology. Building on that strong foundation, the University launched its standalone undergraduate major in Anthropology in 2022 and renamed the department the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, reflecting the discipline's growing prominence in teaching and research.

“At a time when AI is transforming many aspects of our lives, anthropology reminds us of the importance of understanding people, their experiences, cultures and relationships,” said Professor Vineeta Sinha, a fervent advocate for the introduction of the undergraduate major during her tenure as Head of Department.

The pioneer cohort’s graduation also comes at a time when anthropology's emphasis on understanding people, cultures and lived experiences has taken on renewed significance, Prof Sinha noted.

Comprising just 18 students, the cohort arrived as pioneers of the new major, without senior batches to learn from or established traditions to inherit. So they built a close-knit community of their own, organising welcome teas every semester, student-led reading groups, writing workshops, field trips and career talks. They also started the NUS Anthropology Circle, a Telegram community that connects students and faculty across different cohorts.

Beyond the community they have built, they leave behind something less tangible but equally enduring: a new way of thinking shaped by an anthropological lens.

A new generation of anthropologists

At its heart, anthropology is the study of people and asking why we think, behave and relate to one another the way we do.

For the inaugural cohort, anthropology was about learning to see the world through fresh eyes. Rather than providing easy answers, the discipline challenged them to reexamine familiar assumptions instead of accepting them at face value, appreciate diverse perspectives, and navigate complexity with curiosity and empathy, said graduates Michelle Zhuo and Delia Shamaney.

Through classroom discussions, fieldwork and ethnographic research on different cultures and communities, they learned to look beyond the surface of an issue. They believe this way of thinking will become increasingly important as artificial intelligence reshapes the way people live and work.

“Rather than preparing you for one particular job or career path, the knowledge and skills gained studying anthropology equips you with a way of understanding people and the world in depth,” said Michelle.

Indeed, that many students chose to pursue second majors or minors in disciplines ranging from Political Science and Philosophy, to courses outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, including Public Health and Chemistry, is a testament to how anthropological thinking complements a wide range of fields and careers.

The cohort also became ambassadors for the discipline, representing NUS at international academic conferences for the first time.

In 2025, four students co-organised a roundtable at the European Association of Social Anthropologists' Teaching Anthropology Network conference, while another presented honours research at an academic workshop organised by the Taiwan Society of Anthropology and Ethnology.

“We were fortunate to have a cohort of students who were confident and motivated enough to try their hands at serious academic work,” said Prof Sinha.

“Their enthusiasm has helped establish a vibrant student culture that future Anthropology majors will inherit.”

The human advantage

In addition to providing new perspectives, anthropology offers a much-needed counterbalance to rapid technological change.

“With AI rapidly technologising our realities, it is necessary to slow down and pay attention to the systems that affect our everyday lives. We need to evaluate, advocate and collaborate with communities who are often excluded and overlooked. This is where anthropology is relevant,” said fellow major Anna Wee.

As Delia put it, it is about ensuring that humans remain at the centre of the conversation even in an AI-driven future.

Her course mate Ethan Zhang added, “By asking what it means to be human, I not only learn about other people's experiences but also find my own place in the world.”

These are precisely the kinds of capabilities that will distinguish anthropology graduates in the years ahead, said Prof Sinha.

“Technology can process vast amounts of information, but it cannot fully interpret cultural contexts, emotions and the richness of human experience. Anthropology equips students to understand those complexities — and to ask what it means to be human in a rapidly changing world.”

When the Anthropology graduates first enrolled in 2022, there were naturally questions about what a brand-new major would look like and where it might lead. Four years on, they leave behind a legacy of curiosity, empathy and a deeper understanding of what it means to be human.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

Farming data for the community

One of the first things that Agrolitik founders Jayden Tan, Tsui Yi Wern, and Yong Li An did when they moved into THE HANGAR, a launchpad for early-stage start-ups by NUS Enterprise, was to plant a small garden.

They were testing Agrolitik’s precision farming tool, which would help fix common problems that Southeast Asian farmers face — insufficient knowledge on soil conditions leading to wastage from over-fertilising and over-watering, and inconsistent soil quality.

Agrolitik supports smallholder farmers through automation. Through its efforts, the start-up advances four of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Climate Action.

Once its sensor is stuck into the soil, Agrolitik’s mobile app gives farmers insights into soil moisture, temperature, pH and NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) levels. Building the app took some work. Yi Wern, a Computer Science major from the School of Computing, created multiple iterations of the application for a smoother user experience. She also factored in the possibility that some farmers could not read, and simplified both the language and user flow of the application.

Being incubated at THE HANGAR proved a great help. Fellow start-up founders became their first testers, providing feedback on app functionality and identifying bugs and glitches. But more than that, the spirit of entrepreneurship drove them to continuously improve their product and business model.

“They are deeply aspirational in building everything from nothing. There's a mutual accountability that forms around us,” said Jayden, referring to fellow start-up founders at BLOCK71.

Since Agrolitik’s start in November 2024, the trio have rolled out their product in Indonesia, and now sees over 40 users in more than 10 farms using their sensors and app.

In a trip to Medan in 2025, organised by Jayden, a Data Science and Analytics major at the College of Humanities and Sciences, the team conducted a field validation, the first on a farm after many tests in the garden. The feedback from farmers was positive. Most of the equipment on their farms were analogue, and they were intrigued by how the smart equipment could tell them about soil conditions.

Agrolitik was selected for the highly competitive Climate Catalysts Programme, an initiative by the United Nations Development Programme and Microsoft to empower youth-led ventures. The programme advances scalable innovations in clean air, food security, renewable energy, circular economy, and water to foster resilient communities across the Asia-Pacific.

Agrolitik’s expansion plans to Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam are on track. Following applications by Li An, a Computer Science major, to leading start-up programmes, Agrolitik has not only secured its spot at THE HANGAR but is now part of NUS Enterprise’s Venture Initiation Programme (Impact Track), which provides funding of up to S$10,000.

Solving pain points

For College of Design and Engineering student Leipakshi Gupta, pain kick-started her start-up journey. She had experienced back pain after sitting all day during her internship. Her doctor told her to “sit better and be more aware”. But the question was, how?

Together with co-founders Benecia Tang and NUS alumna Pragya Jha (Computing ‛25), she set out to build posture care start-up s’up in September 2025. Through wearable sensors attached with adhesive patches, the s’up’s app could provide actionable insights on spinal alignment throughout the day. These remind users about their posture while at the desk, whether they are hunched or twisting their spine while seated.

Leipakshi drew on her Electrical Engineering background to apply sensors for alignment tracking, while Benecia contributed market research experience from her Business Analytics modules in the School of Computing (SoC). She also applied her knowledge from launching a previous start-up and an NOC module on ideation.

But it was at the N-House residence that s’up really came together. There, they were kept accountable with N-house’s boot camp, which consisted of weekly check-ins with resident mentors and monthly pitch nights.

After presenting at Demo Day, where students showcase their start-ups and receive feedback, they refined their proposal for Pitch Night, which dangled a top funding prize of S$5,000.

Benecia and Leipakshi won second place and got a first taste of pitching s’up live. Building it from there was a learning journey in itself.

“In the beginning, I was very product-focused. I even thought of building a circuit myself,” said Leipakshi. But Benecia convinced her to get the prototype out fast.

“It's about getting validation before you have a very sophisticated, over-engineered product,” Leipakshi explained. Benecia talked to different stakeholders for ideas on how they could rapidly prototype “instead of wasting time on the nitty-gritty”.

They leaned on each other. Leipakshi was full of ideas, while Benecia was the voice of reason and kept them grounded. In 2026, they received the Venture Initiation Programme @ SoC grant, and will use the S$10,000 to move on to prototyping, user testing, product development, and manufacturing.

Currently they are working on automation to incorporate features like real-time form correction during workouts and reminders while users work. Its beta version was released in June 2026, with over 200 people on their waitlist who can provide feedback.

The founders are also speaking to physicians and doctors for insights. Their ultimate aim is to develop a medtech solution for those with chronic back pain. To kickstart this, s’up is working with the National University Hospital on a study timeline.

A nose for business

To launch her scent-based marketing business, Jocelyn Lim first had to keep her nose to the grindstone. Over a few months, she sent out over 80 personalised emails to pitch Scentura, a start-up she co-founded with fellow NUS Business School student Valerie Wong in August 2025.

Scentura aims to use food scents to help cold food businesses — which lack the natural, appetising smells of hot meals — strengthen brand identity and attract customers. Examples include caramel scents for pastry cafés and brownie scents for chocolate shops.

The idea first came to Valerie during her NOC programme in Shenzhen, where she found that many tea shops had distinct scents, creating memorable customer experiences. Jocelyn, who was attending an NOC programme in Toronto, found while working in a start-up there that it was invigorating — she wanted to be part of this culture where her impact was so visible.

When the pair met in N-House, Scentura took shape. They began preparing for Pitch Night with help from advisors and seniors. Fellow competitors chipped in too, helping with pitch practices where the pair showcased a coffee scent for a café. Fellow N-Housers even helped with brewing coffee to create the scent — a true display of camaraderie from N-House’s start-up community.

Valerie tapped the skills from her Business Analytics and Management & Organisation programme to prove that Scentura had a place in the market based on market analysis and data on the efficacy of scent marketing. Meanwhile, presenting and pitching came naturally to Jocelyn, who had often done both in her Marketing classes.

“Jocelyn speaks to the client — she’s like the heart of the business,” said Valerie. “And Valerie is the head,” Jocelyn added. “She's the logical side, thinking about and gathering data so our clients can trust us. That’s why I’m the heart; I get them excited!”

As part of the N-House experience, the pair could also consult resident mentors, attend founder talks for inspiration, and seek advice on problems they were facing. From these sessions, Jocelyn learnt that sales calls were not just pitches, but opportunities to refine Scentura to better suit clients’ needs.

The two have decided to go all in for the next few months after graduating. While they have moved out of N-House, they remain connected to its community through alumni events. They are now working on research and development for their first pilot with an ice cream shop.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

“I would learn how to get away with things,” quipped the 26-year-old psychology graduate from NUS. “Eventually… I realised I had a gift for listening to people and observing how they interacted in the world around me.”

Beneath the cheeky admission was a quality that has shaped his academic path: His innate ability to listen to people and understand how they navigated the world around them.

That instinct drew him to psychology, which he studied at both the polytechnic and university level. What appealed to him most about the discipline was the sense of hope it offered — the idea that even in difficult circumstances, people still had the agency to shape outcomes.

“Psychology is very much, ‘Yes, you’re in a dire situation, but you’re in control of yourself,’” he said. “You have some autonomy, some things in your life that you can influence.”

In 2024, while pursuing his psychology degree at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Joshua was forced to put this belief to the test.

After a fall sustained while bouldering left him in such severe pain that he nearly passed out, medical checks revealed that he had stage three testicular cancer, which had already spread to the lymph nodes in his abdominal area.

“I was quite angry about it (the diagnosis) for a couple of weeks,” he said. “It was the first time I had been angry in life, or at God, in a long while.”

The power of purpose

Although the diagnosis threw his future plans into disarray, Joshua kept his diagnosis largely private. He chose to share it only with family and close friends, mostly on a need-to-know basis.

They rallied together to support him, giving him some measure of comfort as he started to undergo the dreadful process of chemotherapy. “I didn’t want to live, but I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to do anything,” Joshua said, describing his darkest moments.

But as he watched his loved ones come together and pray for him, he discovered a new sense of purpose. During treatment, he wrote in his journal that if his ordeal would lead others to renew or find their faith and purpose in life, then his suffering would not be in vain.

Support came not just from family and friends, but also from the community at NUS.

As part of his minor in Community Development and Leadership, Joshua was involved in a year-long project at the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre (CTPCLC), but was not able to complete it due to his health circumstances at that time. When they heard about his diagnosis, they were sympathetic, constantly checking in on him and going so far as to offer to raise funds for him.

Their gestures of support demonstrated that the values they taught at the centre extended far beyond the classroom.

“The people at CTPCLC don’t just teach about community development — they really walk the talk to develop the community, even if it's just one student,” said Joshua.

After a six-month leave of absence to complete his treatment, Joshua returned to school with a different approach to the rest of his university journey.

“The diagnosis… gave me the courage to live a bit more unapologetically,” he said. “Let me ask the questions I want, let me study what I want. That’s the point of university, right? To push the boundaries of what is known.”

An empathetic approach to care

Motivated by his experience with cancer, Joshua took up a psychology module focused on patients and healthcare upon his return. “It was not a module I would have taken if not for cancer,” he said. “It helped me put my experiences in a clinical perspective.”

One such experience was when a fellow patient in his ward passed away during one of his hospital stays. “Every other patient in the ward was thinking, ‘That could have been me,’” he said.

It was a deeply confronting psychological experience, one that exacerbated the sense of isolation that often comes with a cancer diagnosis. “When the diagnosis came, everyone started talking to me like I was already dead,” he said.

It was only when he joined the Adolescent and Young Adults Oncology (AYAO) programme, run by the National Cancer Centre of Singapore, that he found enough breathing room to crack jokes about his condition.

“Having the space in the AYAO clinic to speak as if I was just another person with an experience of cancer was deeply helpful,” he said.

Now, he is bringing his unique blend of clinical expertise and lived experience to his role as Senior Programme Executive at the Singapore Cancer Society (SCS), where he has worked since January 2026, after completing his studies in November 2025, the same month he was declared cancer-free.

At SCS, Joshua runs programmes and support groups for cancer patients or survivors like himself. Beyond providing a listening ear, he connects them with others who may be able to relate directly to their experience.

For Joshua, the journey through cancer has reinforced the lesson that first drew him to psychology. While people may not always be able to choose what happens to them, they can find meaning in how they respond, and eventually offer support to others facing a similar challenge.

“I always tell people when they ask what words I have for other people going through a tough time: You need to find a reason,” he said.

“You need to find who or what you’re living for, and make sure that thing is bigger than yourself.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

At 16, Mervin Tee was clocking hours on a factory floor to give himself a second chance at retaking his GCE O-Levels. Two decades later, at 37, he holds a PhD from the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH), where he studied cognitive decline using neuroimaging.

Growing up in a low-income household with parents who did not have formal education, Mervin had little to no familial support when it came to carving out his academic path. The period of his O-Level exams was particularly challenging. The birth of his baby brother meant tighter finances and new responsibilities, as Mervin spent his free time helping his parents with his newborn sibling – a combination of pressures that unfortunately saw him failing his O-Levels.

As his family could not afford to send him back for another year of secondary school, Mervin decided to take on a full-time role at an elevator manufacturing factory to support himself while preparing to retake the exams. For 10 months, he worked 12 gruelling hours assembling elevator buttons, five days a week, earning only S$3.50 per hour. “I was hired by an agent, so 10 per cent of my salary goes to the agent too,” Mervin explained.

Working at the factory meant waking up at 5.30am and making a 1-hour journey. “By the time I was home, it was after 8pm. That was when I would continue to catch up with my revision for O-Levels,” he recounted.

Seeing his friends begin their studies at the junior colleges, he felt left behind. “I wondered if my life was going to remain that way for the rest of my life, given that I did not feel like I was academically capable.”

His determination landed him a spot at Republic Polytechnic (RP), where he enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences course, a field that aligned with his interests and strengths. Throughout his polytechnic life, Mervin continued working part-time to pay his school fees and sustain his own living allowance; he worked at two fast food chains concurrently and took on ad-hoc event jobs whenever he could. Through RP’s problem-based learning format, where groups of students independently learn about a topic and then teach the class, Mervin started to excel academically. Eventually, his efforts paid off as he was awarded a scholarship to pursue a degree in Food and Human Nutrition offered by Newcastle University in collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Technology.

“It dawned on me that perhaps the traditional teaching methods didn't suit me; it’s not that I wasn't capable. That's when things started to change.”

After graduation, Mervin worked as a researcher in a lab investigating gut microbiota, but found his work increasingly disconnected from the patients it was ultimately meant to help. That pursuit of meaningful purpose led him to social work, where he spent five years working to uplift low-income families, before an unexpected return to research led him to take on a PhD in Public Health at NUS.

Two PhDs, one household

The step back to research came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Mervin started learning data science through online courses.

Seeing his interest, his wife, Cindy Chan, 34, a researcher at SSHSPH, nudged him back towards research. “Why don’t you try it again?” she asked. He took the leap of faith in 2022 and began his doctorate in cognitive decline research at SSHSPH.

“I get an adrenaline rush from solving problems and finding something new,” Mervin shared. While he had found his years as a social worker meaningful in helping vulnerable communities, public health research offered a way to do that on a broader scale through policymaking.

At SSHSPH, Cindy channelled her decade-long expertise in children and adolescent nutrition into a PhD on promoting healthy lifestyles among primary school children through healthy eating and active living.

Much of that journey was shaped by her research supervisor, Associate Professor Mary Chong. “Even though she’s at the professor level, she’s always learning new things,” said Cindy. “The mindset of being open to learning, even when you have reached that level, inspired me to be like her.”

With Mervin diving into his PhD on cognitive decline using neuroimaging, the couple often found support in each other. “Whenever we face a roadblock, we start discussing and bounce ideas off each other,” he said.

His commitment to finish alongside Cindy — she had started a year before him — saw him complete his PhD in 2026, taking just three and a half years instead of the usual four or more years. “He wanted to catch up, so that we could graduate together,” she said.

Baby bonus

If juggling two PhDs was not challenging enough, Mervin and Cindy did it while expecting their first child. The timing was intentional — they had planned for their baby to arrive during the thesis-writing stage, after the bulk of data collection and analysis had been completed.

One unexpected benefit from their PhD journey was how it prepared them for parenthood. “If you are a typical employee, you work from eight to six and your mind switches off after six. For us, that has not been the case for the last four years,” said Mervin.

“We have always been working past midnight to keep our research going. When we converted that into caregiving, we realised our work duration was very similar. Our PhDs kind of prepped us for the fatigue that comes with being parents.”

Beyond the PhD

Outside of the lab, both Mervin and Cindy have cultivated interests that keep them grounded.

Mervin roasts his own coffee beans at home, approaching the craft with the same curiosity and dedication he brings to research. Cindy tends to her garden, sews her own clothes, and plays the violin, although the last has taken a backseat since their daughter arrived. Together, they share a love of hiking, including a memorable 11-day Nepal trek with SSHSPH colleagues in 2024.

For Mervin, the outdoors serves a deeper need. “Outdoor activities help me a lot,” he said. “When I go for a run or a hike, that’s when I start to realign my thoughts.”

Both plan to expand their research horizons. Mervin hopes to explore mental health research, drawing on his background in social work and public health. Cindy is keen to delve into adolescent behavioural science, an area she feels is under-researched.

They also share the same hopes for their daughter. While grateful for the opportunity to pursue their PhDs, they believe that self-worth is not defined by academic achievement alone. “As long as she is happy with what she does, we will gladly support whichever path she embarks on,” said Mervin.

It is a conviction shaped by their own journeys, from which they have derived much purpose, fulfilment, and personal growth.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

Huang Chao Hung: Of data science and musical numbers

While Huang Chao Hung, a double bassist with the NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO), enjoyed composing multimedia “diaries” featuring his own synthesised music and drawings, he didn’t always hit all the right notes. His friend had told him, “You have good intuition, but you don’t have strong training.”

This prompted the Data Science and Analytics major to take up music courses at the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), such as “Introduction to Classical Composition” and “Classical Styles and Romantic Spirits”. When NUS launched its Second Major in Performing Arts at YST as part of its Arts for All initiative to increase student participation in the arts and enhance interdisciplinary learning, he seized the opportunity.

“Music theory has always intrigued me. Though data science and music seem unrelated, both involve breaking down complex concepts into understandable ideas,” shared Chao Hung, 26.

For his YST capstone project in 2026, he took on multiple roles: as producer, composer, performer and script writer. The multimedia performance explored loneliness through instruments including the violin, double bass and piano, with visuals he had drawn projected on screen.

“I wanted to tell people that if you’re going through a phase of loneliness, you are not alone,” said Chao Hung.

He took the same storytelling approach when he organised NUSCO’s annual concert “In Bloom” in 2024 as a student leader. Rather than simply performing pieces, he led his team to create a narrative journey using seeds as a metaphor for people who blossom despite life’s challenges, complete with original graphics and synchronised projections.

Throughout his time leading NUS arts initiatives, Chao Hung found mentors in Ms Sing Mohli, Deputy Head of the Centre for the Arts at the NUS Office of Student Affairs and Mr Moses Gay, NUSCO conductor. “Working with them brought me to a higher level from just a student who follows instructions to someone who creates with a clear purpose and strategy,” he explained.

Beyond NUS, he performs with the Singapore Foochow Association and The Purple Symphony, an inclusive orchestra comprising musicians with and without disabilities. “It’s meaningful to play with people from different backgrounds and age groups who enjoy music like I do – hearing their stories and sharing mine,” he said.

Chao Hung will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics with Honours (Highest Distinction) and will notably be among the first batch of graduates from the Second Major in Performing Arts course. He plans to continue his twin passions after completing a Master’s in Data Science and Machine Learning at NUS, aiming for a public sector career while pursuing music. “I want to use data science to help citizens, while continuing to create and perform music that connects people.”

Toh Chang Hui: Trombonist has a blast giving back to the community

Toh Chang Hui was set to graduate with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering when he made the bold decision to change course. The reason: He had just secured a scholarship from YST to pursue a Bachelor of Music. It was a dream come true.

“I was already in the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) and knew I wanted to do music one day. I think I spent more time in the youth orchestra than in polytechnic studying,” said the 24-year-old wryly.

At YST, Chang Hui discovered that music education extended beyond performance. His Music, Collaboration & Production major required him to conceptualise and execute independent projects – developing skills in ideation, planning and community engagement.

Having received abundant support from YST and SNYO during his musical journey, he felt compelled to pay it forward. This shaped much of his time at YST, where he took on projects that created opportunities for young and developing musicians to perform, learn from professionals and grow as a community.

Amongst them was a YST Trombone Weekend in 2023, which he organised to allow budding musicians to perform side by side with Singapore Symphony Orchestra brass musicians. “I learnt a lot as I had to do everything from marketing to finance to securing sponsorships. I’m thankful to have YST faculty mentors like Mr Sam Armstrong and seniors who guide me along,” he shared.

That same year, he also co-founded SingaBones, a community trombone orchestra, encouraging trombonists of all levels to play together so less experienced players have the experience of playing alongside professionals. The group has since grown to about 100 members, ranging from secondary school students to professional musicians.

Chang Hui credits the overseas travel opportunities in YST for broadening his musical horizons. His exchange semester at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague in 2024 proved formative as he immersed himself in intensive hours of practice and was inspired by European peers who balanced rigorous musical training with part-time work.

The experience strengthened his belief in creating opportunities for others. Noticing that students there had limited opportunities to perform orchestral repertoire, he rallied peers to sight-read, rehearse and record Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony – all in one day. The project, which mirrored the intensity and discipline of professional music making, also marked his first time conducting an orchestra.

“Music is all about playing with others. I want to share my love for music and try to get as many people on board, just like my seniors did for me,” he said.

In August, Chang Hui will head to Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Texas to pursue a Master’s in Trombone Performance on a full scholarship.

Kuah Hui Min: Stringing worlds together with the guzheng

When Kuah Hui Min arrived at YST for orientation week, she faced an unexpected challenge: performing with 59 other students – all playing different instruments – to deliver a concert.

For over a decade, Kuah, 26, had played only traditional Chinese music on her guzheng, a traditional Chinese plucked string instrument. This collaborative exercise was unlike anything she had experienced before.

It was a refreshing foretaste of what her time at YST would be like, as her peers and mentors pushed her to explore how the guzheng can be presented beyond its traditional context. YST’s emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration from day one influenced her artistic identity.

“My peers were very spontaneous. We could just go into the practice room and start jamming music. Those small moments made my YST life enjoyable,” she said.

To expand her understanding of music, she enrolled in YST’s Music, Collaboration & Production programme. Through courses like Area Studies, she explored jazz and blues on guzheng, performing with her peers who played electric bass, percussion, drums and keyboard. She also experimented with electronics, connecting pickups to her guzheng and using digital audio software to explore new sonic possibilities.

She shared, “It made me realise the guzheng has many possibilities for experimentation.”

These multicultural influences inspired her 2026 capstone project titled “In Another Light”, featuring guzheng with a string quartet. She wanted to break the assumptions that Chinese instruments can only exist in the Chinese music world.

“The most challenging part was learning about western string quartet instruments, like their range, technique and what kind of phrasing would be suitable,” said Hui Min, who also teaches young children to play the guzheng.

She feels YST has helped shape her into a confident musician who can think critically, perform, collaborate and curate concerts across musical traditions.

“I don’t see myself as a traditional Chinese guzheng player, but as a musician who can do a lot of things, who just happens to play the guzheng,” she explained.

She hopes to continue collaborating with players of western instruments while imparting her knowledge to the younger generation. “I want to share my knowledge with younger students, and help them build a strong foundation,” she said.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, celebrating the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

Eliza Lim: Broadening her horizons

An innate curiosity has always fuelled Eliza Lim’s intellectual pursuits. While other teenagers might set aside their books after exams, Eliza was poring over a wide range of books after her A-Levels, from cosmology to geriatrics and human psychology.

“I didn’t grow up in a very good environment,” said Eliza, 24, who came from a low-income background. “Studying helped me to feel a sense of control in my life.”

She received financial aid from primary school to junior college and did not have access to private tuition.

She then set her sights on NUS, where she majored in philosophy at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, supported by a bursary.

It was her love for physics that led her to philosophy. “Philosophy was the first-ever science, before it branched out into physics. I found it very mathematical and I liked it a lot.”

Beyond her demanding academic schedule and extracurriculars, Eliza juggled multiple part-time jobs to support herself and her family. These included working as a freelance copywriter and teaching Japanese, a language she picked up during a year in Japan on an external scholarship.

In her third year, Eliza began applying to graduate school. Following Assistant Professor Lavinia Picollo and Associate Professor Daniel Waxman's advice, she decided to pursue a PhD in philosophy overseas to deepen global exposure. Her dedication paid off and she received an offer from the University of Oxford for their Bachelor of Philosophy in Philosophy course, a Master's level postgraduate degree. She also enrolled in advanced 4000-level philosophy courses, which exposed her to Master's and PhD-level topics, exploring abstract topics from mathematics to computational theory.

Eliza, who will graduate with Honours (Highest Distinction) for her Bachelor of Arts degree and plans to go into academia, particularly valued the investigative and analytical approach of these advanced classes, which offered greater independence in choosing research topics. “You can choose ideas that interest you most, write papers on them, and consider expanding on your research,” she noted.

“Learning philosophy helps us to make decisions. Decision theory can provide theories that explain why we are making certain choices, and encourage reflection on whether to pursue these choices,” she said.

“When I was younger, studying came from a place of desperation. Now, it comes from wanting to improve myself and contribute to society.”

Nicolette Koh: Advocating for inclusivity in healthcare

While most children grow up surrounded by sound, Nicolette Koh was no stranger to silence. Diagnosed with hearing loss at age two, Nicolette went for her first cochlear implant surgery when she was just five. After her second and third procedures at ages 12 and 13, her hearing improved.

Her personal journey with health sparked an early interest in medicine. Prescribed various medications after each surgery, Nicolette’s curiosity was piqued as she researched how the various components of these prescribed drugs aided her postoperative recovery.

This fascination deepened through chemistry and biology in secondary school, and later, pharmaceutical sciences in polytechnic.

“I wanted to help people through medicine, and this also formed part of my motivation to pursue pharmacy at NUS,” said Nicolette, 25.

The Bachelor of Pharmacy graduate from the Faculty of Science was drawn to NUS’ holistic curriculum which integrated all the pharmaceutical topics into distinct modules, with each focusing on a specific body system (i.e. gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory). In her first year, she and her batchmates also had the opportunity to study cadavers in anatomy classes, providing an up-close understanding of the human body.

Beyond academics, Nicolette was committed to disability advocacy throughout her time in NUS. In her third year, she led NUS SIGNapse, a sign language club comprising students from healthcare courses. As project director, she was instrumental in transitioning sign language classes from a peer-learning model to instruction by deaf instructors. This change allowed students to authentically learn both the language and culture, ultimately aiming to bridge communication gaps in healthcare, and improve access to healthcare for underrepresented communities.

Nicolette is resolute in continuing her advocacy for inclusivity in her future career.

“I aspire to be a pharmacist who cares for each and every patient,” said Nicolette, who has started her training as a pre-registration pharmacist at Changi General Hospital. “They aren’t just names on a piece of paper, but real people who deserve the best possible care, regardless of their condition.”

Yap Yu Ting: From patient’s daughter to doctor

Eight years ago, when her parents did not arrive to pick her up from canoe training, Yap Yu Ting knew something was amiss. Her intuition proved correct: her mother, a teacher, had been rushed to the hospital after suffering a severe headache and vomiting. Doctors diagnosed a ruptured aneurysm, necessitating emergency surgery.

Yu Ting, then 16, spent the following days at Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s intensive care unit. It was there, amidst the anxiety, that she experienced how the healthcare workers took the time to show her compassion.

“They were not only focused on how they could cure my mom, but also very caring,” the 24-year-old recalled. “Their clear explanations, reassurance and presence made the overwhelming situation more manageable.”

This powerful display of empathy ignited her dream of becoming a doctor — a path that would eventually lead her to the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) a few years later.

However, the journey to medical school was anything but easy. Her mother — who has since made a full recovery and returned to teaching part-time — was hospitalised for over a month, during which she underwent three major surgeries.

During this challenging period, Yu Ting juggled schoolwork, extracurriculars and the responsibility of caring for her younger brother, then only eight. She credits her years in competitive sports, with training sessions taking place both before and after school, for helping her develop the mettle to navigate tough times.

“I learnt a lot about time management and perseverance,” she said.

At NUS, Yu Ting continued her passion for sports, joining the NUS Dragon Boat Team. She competed in two major competitions: the 2023 Singapore Dragon Boat Association Century Race and the 2023 Prime Minister’s Challenge Cup, where her team placed second and third, respectively.

During competition seasons, she would balance rigorous training with her studies and spending time with her family — all while getting eight hours of sleep every night.

“Planning and prioritisation were essential,” she said. “My responsibilities and my passions do not always have to compete with each other.”

Now a house officer at Singapore General Hospital, the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) graduate is determined to embody the very qualities that inspired her as a teenager: compassion and sportsmanship.

“My coach used to tell us that we’re only as strong as our weakest player. We never left anyone behind,” she said. “I hope to carry the same values into my working life in healthcare.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, celebrating the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

Gan Xin Chen: Shooting for the stars

National shooter Gan Xin Chen first picked up a rifle when she was only 10 years old.  Intrigued by the sport, her fascination quickly blossomed into a lifelong love affair with shooting, taking her from local competitions to international events around the world.

Those experiences also shaped her academic interests. Travelling overseas exposed her to different cultures, political systems and ways of thinking, sparking a curiosity about international relations and global affairs.

That interest eventually led Xin Chen to pursue a double degree in history and political science at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, completing it in four years instead of the usual five, earning a place on the Dean’s List, and graduating with Honours (Highest Distinction).

While her life as a shooter and student may seem disparate at first, they overlap in many ways. “Participating in overseas competitions helped feed my interest in the world,” said Xin Chen. “History provides me with cultural context and the ability to read between the lines.”

She chose to pair political science with history in part because of NUS’ strong reputation in Southeast Asian history. Studying both subjects helped her appreciate the many dimensions of international relations, from culture and science to defence and security.

Xin Chen’s experiences as an athlete often reinforced what she learnt in the classroom. Travelling internationally for competitions gave her first-hand insights into how countries interact and cooperate.

She cited, for example, her experience of travelling overseas for competitions with the team’s air rifles, noting how the security checks varied between countries. While some allowed them to pass with minimal hassle due to diplomatic courtesies, others subjected them to more rigorous scrutiny.

“There’s a lot of undertones of diplomacy that you’ll observe in the sporting world... some things cannot be read or learnt,” she said.

While balancing academics and elite sports was demanding, Xin Chen found that the discipline she developed through shooting helped her navigate both.  “Learning how to control my emotions and stay focused during competitions was good personal growth,” she said. “It helped me in other aspects of my life as well.”

The same mindset shaped her approach to her studies. When assignments did not go as planned, she sought feedback from professors and worked to improve.

It is an academic feat she has replicated in the realm of sports.

Aside from clinching a bronze medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, she made her mark at the International Shooting Sport Federation World Cup in 2025, placing 16th in the mixed team event.

She has also been long-listed for the 2026 Asian Games, and will soon begin a career in public sector.

Reflecting on her journey, Xin Chen expects to draw on many of the lessons she learnt through sport.

“In a competition, you're bound to make mistakes,” she said. “Through shooting, I learned how to give myself grace and learn from them. No matter how much you train or prepare, you're still human.”

Oliver Lim: ‘Pressure is a privilege’

At 17 years old, Oliver Lim fell during a race and broke his thumb. The injury left the track and field athlete, who had inter-school competitions coming up, distraught.

But a visit to the doctor would ultimately shape his future career. “The doctor said, ‘I want to be able to help you achieve your dream,’” he recalled. Rather than simply treating Oliver's thumb, the doctor took the time to understand what the injury meant to him. Running wasn't just a sport - it was a huge part of Oliver's identity. Together, they discussed the risks and benefits of the available treatment options before making a shared decision that balanced his recovery with his hope of returning to competition.

Oliver went on to compete in the 4×400m relay wearing a protective hand guard and eventually clinched a gold medal with his team.

"What stayed with me wasn't just the decision itself," Oliver recalled. "It was that my doctor saw me as more than just a medical problem to fix. He recognised what running meant to me and took that into account when caring for me. That experience changed how I viewed medicine. I realised that being a doctor isn't just about treating a condition. It's about caring for the whole person.” In fact, Oliver was so inspired that he later applied to study medicine at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

Although he was rejected on his first attempt, he reapplied the following year and succeeded on his second try. Not only that, but he was even awarded the NUS Merit Scholarship, a prestigious accolade given to top performers.

“I didn’t expect it at all,” he said. “The scholarship gave me a certain level of financial freedom, allowing me to experience living in a hall and spend more time on training. More than that, after being rejected from medicine the first time, it felt like a form of validation that encouraged me to pursue both medicine and athletics wholeheartedly.”

Indeed, Oliver continued to chase his passion for running amid his hectic schedule. “When I’m running, I enter a flow state. Time stands still,” he said, adding that he had never been a gold medal favourite throughout his track and field career.

That changed with his “breakthrough” race in 2024. At the Singapore Athletics All Comers Meet, he shaved two seconds off his personal best in the 800m race to hit a timing of 1 minute and 59 seconds. The result helped earn him a place on the national team, and later gave him the confidence to test himself in the 1500m.

“I decided, ‘Okay, I’m going to treat this as a game,’” said Oliver. “My coach gave me a very specific race plan… I executed (the race) according to how he told me to do it.”

What began as an experiment quickly proved promising. Within a year, Oliver had improved enough to qualify for the Southeast Asian Games in 2025, where he recorded one of Singapore’s fastest 1500m performances in recent years.

Oliver said his experiences in medicine have also shaped the way he views success and setbacks. During his clinical training, he encountered situations that reminded him that not everything is within one’s control.

“It made me realise that it’s important to know your limits,” he said. “In life, we’re given the guise of control, but a lot of times, that’s not true. The best we can do is focus on what we can control and make the best out of the situation when things don't go as planned.”

Although it was hard to juggle studies and training, Oliver made it to the academic finish line and will graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in July.

Looking back, Oliver believes the lessons he learnt through sport have helped him navigate both medicine and athletics. “Pressure is a privilege,” he said. “It was a challenge and I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it if I put my mind to it.”

Oliver is now working as a house officer in the Internal Medicine department at a public hospital and will continue to pursue his dual passions for sports and medicine.

Joanna Wu: From mentee to mentor

When Joanna Wu first stepped into NUS, she had only one goal: try everything.

Having spent most of her life playing badminton competitively as a member of the National Intermediate Squad, Joanna graduated from junior college feeling unsure of what came next. “Other than badminton, I felt useless,” she said. “So in university, my goal was to try as many things as possible. I did not say no to any opportunity.”

This never-say-no attitude led the Real Estate undergraduate from NUS Business School to try out squash and tennis during her stints in Temasek Hall and Eusoff Hall. She even ventured beyond the arena of sports, joining the NUS Students’ Sports Club in 2022. There, she served as Project Director for RunNUS, an annual run that raises funds for the NUS Enhanced Financial Aid Scheme.

Her experiences helped her pick up a wide range of skills, from communication and stakeholder management to project planning and leadership. The skills proved valuable during her internships with CapitaLand and the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, where she deepened her knowledge of Real Estate through handling placemaking initiatives and property tax.

Yet the experiences she gained outside badminton ultimately brought her back to the sport. After dedicating four years to coaching badminton, Joanna and a business partner launched Wu Badminton Academy in 2025. The venture signalled her shift from mentee to mentor.

“I wanted to help players compete at a higher level,” she said, adding that starting her own school gave her the autonomy to run lessons as she saw fit.

Looking back, Joanna credits NUS with supporting her both on and off the court. As a recipient of the NUS Sports Scholarship, she benefitted from subsidised tuition fees, while staff from NUS’ Office Student Affairs (OSA) also conducted regular check-ins and supported her throughout her university journey.

The support extended beyond campus. OSA staff even turned up to cheer her on during the 2025 Summer World University Games in Germany, which she participated in as a member of NUS’ Badminton varsity team. “Their hotel was far away, but they came down whenever they could and supported us the whole time,” she said. “I was so lucky to have all these people behind me.”

The encouragement bolstered Joanna’s confidence, both as an athlete and as a student.

As Joanna graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate with Merit this July, an exciting new journey begins, one guided by lessons from both the classroom and the court.

Sean Pang: An empathetic leader and son

When Sean Pang became President of the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) in 2025, he made it his mission to help better support students.

Among his key achievements was a significant policy enhancement that allowed NUS students to carry their first-year Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory credits over to their second year. Previously, these credits – which allow students to take eligible classes without their letter grade impacting their final cumulative average point – would expire after the first year. This change offers students greater flexibility. 

While he advocated for the student body, Sean, a Bachelor of Business Administration graduate from NUS Business School, who had specialised in Finance, Marketing, and Leadership & Human Capital Management, faced an unexpected crisis in his final semester.

As he was preparing for a tutorial one morning, he received a call from his father: his mother had suffered a stroke and was admitted to the intensive care unit at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

"I'd be in the ward with her from 8pm to 8am, and my dad would take over from me each morning. We didn't know whether she could hear us at times, but we never wanted her to feel she was alone," recounted Sean.

But things took a turn for the worse. “I was in the ICU when she suddenly became unresponsive,” he added. The doctors informed his family that his mother, in her 70s, had experienced a further brain bleed, and would need to undergo a high-risk surgery.

At that point, Sean was juggling caregiving responsibilities with three final exams, individual assignments and presentations to complete.

“I felt that I should still try my best, because if my mom were conscious, then she’d also tell me not to miss my exams,” he said wryly.

His peers and professors from NUS Business School actively reached out during this tumultuous time, sending him class notes and offering emotional support. Sean’s mother managed to pull through, and he spent the next few months shuttling between the hospital, home and school. He eventually managed to graduate with Honours (Highest Distinction).

“Going through a family crisis in my final semester gave me a perspective I did not have before. I learnt what it actually feels like to be the one who needs support,” he said. “Strength is not about holding everything together by yourself, but knowing when to let others in.”

His personal experience deepened his understanding of mental health advocacy and student well-being initiatives he championed, including the UCare Mental Health Report presented to government stakeholders, and NUSSU Wellbeing Workshops to encourage students to engage in non-academic pursuits.

“I want to be the kind of leader who creates space for the people around him to be human – to struggle, to ask for help, and to find their way through,” he said.

Nur Harisa Binte Hassan: A family’s pride and joy

Nur Harisa Binte Hassan’s childhood fascination with crime dramas ignited a dream of pursuing forensic science. This ambition was further fuelled by a deeper, more personal motivation: her mother's unfulfilled desire for a university education due to financial constraints. “My mother was really determined to go to university when she was younger, but (didn’t) manage to because of financial reasons,” Harisa said. “That motivated me to try my best and go to university for her, as well.”

However, she did not do well enough to get into any of her chosen courses after A-levels.

She decided to defer attending university, opting instead for Temasek Polytechnic’s Diploma in Medical Biotechnology. Her initial aim was to graduate quickly and secure a good job to supplement the family income, as her father was grappling with the effects of diabetes on his health.

Three years later, she did well enough to pursue a degree in life sciences, offered by the Faculty of Science at NUS. Through fitDeen, an outdoor-based group under the NUS Muslim Society, she discovered a love for hiking and went on multiple expeditions, scaling mountains across Southeast Asia.

Just before her third year of study, her father’s diabetes unfortunately worsened and he began showing early signs of dementia. This meant her mother had to take on additional work to support the family, while Harisa and her sister stepped up as caregivers to her father, sharing responsibilities like taking turns to bring him to daycare and administering medication.

“You’d think that your parents’ health would only get bad when they become grandparents,” she said. “It’s a different feeling altogether, to have to take care of them earlier on in your life.”

Despite these immense challenges, Harisa found solace and strength in her strong support network at NUS, particularly her friends in the Muslim Society, whose shared faith and frequent encouragement uplifted her.

Reflecting on her journey, Harisa said, “We spend so much time wondering why bad things happen to us that we often forget to find the light in the darkness.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, celebrating the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!
 

Across diverse topics ranging from infectious diseases to language acquisition and the pedagogy of philosophy, undergraduates from the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) at NUS have demonstrated how undergraduate research can deepen understanding while contributing meaningfully to society.

Coming from different disciplines, NUS UROP undergraduates undertake research alongside academic mentors. The programme equips students with the knowledge and skills required for the inquiry process. Since 2023, students have also been able to deepen their research experience through the Research Experience (REx) programme, which offers a suite of research learning topics alongside financial grants to support their projects.

Diverse topics: From playful philosophy to dengue defence

For Joash Lee, there is room for play even in a highly theoretical field like Philosophy. The NUS Philosophy undergraduate set out to investigate whether playful pedagogy could encourage students to engage with philosophy as a way of thinking rather than merely an academic discipline. Under the supervision of Dr Sherice Ngaserin, Joash analysed qualitative data from students enrolled in her Philosophy of Games course, where Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs) were used to explore philosophical concepts and ethical decision-making.

Indeed, Joash found that immersing students in real-time gameplay that requires critical thinking, perspective-taking and nuanced moral reflection made abstract philosophical concepts more tangible and personally meaningful.  His research opens potential possibilities for teaching philosophy – and other traditionally theoretical disciplines – in more engaging and impactful ways.

Instead of targeting the dengue virus itself, NUS Biological Sciences undergraduate Sruthi Annamalai is studying the mosquito that carries it.

Shifting the focus from virus to vector, she isolated the salivary protein produced by the Aedes aegypti mosquito – known as Neutrophil Stimulating Factor 1 (NeSt1) – which enters the body alongside the dengue virus and attacks the immune cells, where the virus then replicates. Through molecular laboratory techniques, Sruthi's research with Professor Jayaraman Sivaraman uncovered the three-dimensional structure of NeSt1 and its interactions with human immune cells, providing a much-needed blueprint for scientists seeking to block its function.

Because NeSt1 is linked to the mosquito rather than any of the four unique strains of dengue, Sruthi’s findings could potentially solve the longstanding challenge of developing a tetravalent vaccine effective against all of them. In dengue-prone tropical regions such as Singapore, this strategy could complement existing vaccines and strengthen efforts to curb transmission.

Medication labels could convey more than just essential information about dosage, risks and safe usage – depending on how they are presented.

Utilising eye-tracking technology, Ziv Ng worked with Dr Mike Hou Minzheng and Dr Wong Chin Yi at the Institute of Policy Studies' Social Lab to track how people visually engaged with medication labels that differed in language and message framing. He found that the latter significantly influenced receptivity, suggesting that the way information is presented can meaningfully shape how individuals engage with health-related messages.

Beyond medication labels, the study is especially pertinent to broader discussions on public health communication and policy design, as healthcare institutions increasingly rely on behavioural interventions to promote healthier choices. Identifying effective communication strategies that capture attention and increase engagement is therefore crucial in improving healthcare outcomes.

Future-focused: Accelerating discoveries with AI

By keeping pace with rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), UROP participants are adopting emerging techniques and best practices in their research methodologies, fostering a research environment that combines technological innovation with rigorous scientific inquiry.

Working with Dr Steven Pan from NUS Psychology, REx Fellow Prathibaa Ramesh investigated whether self-generated or AI-generated mnemonics could help learners acquire Korean and Spanish vocabulary more effectively.

Despite AI’s growing capabilities, Prathibaa found that AI-generated mnemonics were less effective than self-created ones and performed no better than having no mnemonic aid at all. However, when learners took AI-generated mnemonics and adapted them in their own way, their learning outcomes matched those achieved through self-created mnemonics – suggesting that active engagement remains a key tenet in language learning.

Like humans, AI can evolve to solve complex problems more effectively and efficiently – this was Guo Wenjin’s ultimate goal when he embarked on his project with Assistant Professor Liu Yang from NUS Mathematics.

Borrowing from the concept of natural selection from Darwinian evolution, Wenjin used the OpenEvolve framework to see how AI could propose meaningful improvements to representational reasoning and coding tasks. Rather than making random modifications to computer programmes, he evaluated the AI’s performance and retained only the best-performing versions – a process which went through rounds of iteration. Over time, simple programmes evolved into increasingly capable solutions.

Refining AI through this evolutionary “trial-and-improvement” process highlights its potential in discovering better algorithms and solutions to complex problems in a range of fields, from scientific discovery to software engineering.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, celebrating the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

Sprinting through an HDB corridor with a defibrillator in hand, nursing student Cheok Xin Lin was responding to a cardiac arrest emergency in his community, knowing that every second before the paramedics arrived could mean the difference between life and death.

Netra and Xin Lin are two NUS students on very different paths, yet both realise that the most important lessons often take place outside the classroom.

Human faces behind the law

Netra joined NUS College’s inaugural intake in 2022, pursuing an interdisciplinary education alongside her law degree at NUS Law that introduced her to the human realities of the legal system.

Accumulating over 250 hours of pro bono work, including assisting in a capital drug trafficking case at the High Court, the 23-year-old found herself facing a side of the law that is not usually captured in textbooks.

“When you interact with accused persons, you realise more about their personal struggles. It forms a lot more empathy,” she said.

She found herself navigating a delicate balance as she felt for the families who watched their loved ones receive longer than expected sentences, yet as their legal assistant, she had to maintain a distance and remain professional.

These experiences reinforced the importance of access to justice. "A lot of people facing criminal charges do not have legal knowledge, which includes how to access legal help, making it very hard for them to navigate the system, understand their odds and ultimately come to a decision that they can accept – this is important so that they do not feel resigned to a certain fate," she said. 

From the courtroom to Thailand’s rice fields

NUS College also took Netra to the remote hills of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

As part of her Impact Experience (IEx) project — NUS College’s two-year capstone where students work alongside communities in Singapore and Southeast Asia — Netra made six trips over two years to a Karen village, helping farmers transition from corn to coffee farming.

Although she and her team were full of enthusiasm, reality quickly set in. The farmers, who had debts to service and livelihoods to protect, were wary after a failed non-governmental organisation-led coffee initiative years earlier.

Her professor, Associate Professor Peter Vail at NUS College, reminded her that it was about the journey, not the destination. “There are a lot of things outside your control, and you can’t really fixate on that,” she recounted.

Rather than push for a wholesale transition, the team adjusted their approach by introducing farmers to how coffee is made and distributed, the qualities the industry looks for, and connecting them to a network they could turn to in the future. “It’s about understanding what they want from you, rather than what you want to bring for them,” she said.

Paramedic to nurse

While Xin Lin started volunteering and responding to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) cases since his junior college days, serving as a brigade combat medic during his National Service (NS) was what deepened his interest in healthcare. After his NS, he continued volunteering with his constituency’s Community Emergency Response Team in Taman Jurong and continued responding to OHCAs through the myResponder app.

In those critical moments, he would work alongside paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force to support the affected individual, solidifying his interest in medicine.

Inspired by these experiences, Xin Lin entered NUS Nursing with aspirations of becoming a paramedic. As it turned out, a different calling awaited him.

As part of his NUS nursing training, Xin Lin was posted to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital for four weeks. Attached first to a neurosurgery ward and then to a neuro-rehabilitation ward, Xin Lin found himself following the same patient through both postings, from acute care to recovery.

He realised that while paramedics work to keep a patient alive until they reach the hospital, nurses stay for the whole journey. “In healthcare, nursing is one of the few careers, if not the only career, that stays with the patient throughout,” he said.

Over time, his ambition changed from becoming a paramedic to becoming a nurse, as he found himself drawn to the more sustained care that nursing provides.

To ensure Xin Lin knew what he was in for, his father stress-tested his commitment for several months by pointing out the long hours, the demands, and the thankless nature of nursing. He was undeterred.

“Nursing gives me a sense of accomplishment as I’m able to directly impact someone’s life, to literally try to save them,” said Xin Lin, who received a Ministry of Health Holdings scholarship to study nursing at NUS.

He will be bonded to Alexandra Hospital for four years upon graduation.

His role model

For 25-year-old Xin Lin, being a nurse means more than delivering care at the bedside. It is also about giving voice to the nursing profession.

As cohort representative, Xin Lin started a feedback channel where fellow nursing students could raise concerns directly with the school.

Acting as a bridge between the student body and faculty, he raised issues such as the discomfort of the traditional white nursing uniform during clinical postings, which eventually led the school to transition to scrubs.

“There’s sometimes a gap between what the student body feels and what the school sees, and someone has to bridge that,” he said.

Xin Lin credits Ms Mary Yeo Kim Luang, an Associate Adjunct Lecturer at NUS Nursing and nursing veteran with 58 years of experience, for leaving a deep impression on him through her stories of fearless advocacy for her patients and fellow nurses.

“I want to be a nurse who is vocal, who won’t be silent on things that don’t sit right,” he said.

Living their dreams

With her sights set on criminal law and white-collar crime, Netra is studying for her bar exam, while a training contract beckons in January 2027.

“My experiences at NUS have given me a much better idea of what I want, what I value, and what I think the law should do,” she said.

For Xin Lin, the journey to becoming a nurse begins at Alexandra Hospital. He also dreams of one day becoming a nurse clinician or even representing nursing on a bigger stage, giving voice to a profession he feels is underappreciated and undervalued.

“There’s so much more that you can do,” he said to aspiring nurses. “Don’t confine yourself to just what you see today.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, celebrating the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

Givson Ong: Design for a cause

When teachers at AWWA School go on Inclusive Journey trips, they support students with special needs, while observing, documenting, and preparing information for post-trip reporting.

To keep track of students’ progress, they use a mix of hand-written notes, mobile apps, and phone cameras – an approach that allows for flexibility in the moment, but also requires observations to be manually compiled after each trip.

Seeing an opportunity to improve this process, NUS Industrial Design student Givson Ong led the development of FieldNote, an AI-assisted documentation platform designed to help teachers capture observations, organise student progress records, and generate structured draft reports after each trip.

The project was developed as part of the Innovation and Design Capstone at the College of Design and Engineering at NUS, supervised by Mr Eugene Ee and Adjunct Professor Chan Tong Leong. The design direction and research approach behind FieldNote were shaped by a concurrent design thesis supervised by NUS Adjunct Associate Professor Jung-Joo Lee, through which Givson developed his understanding of co-design, stakeholder engagement, and design’s role in complex care contexts. To bring FieldNote from concept to prototype, Givson worked with an interdisciplinary student team comprising members from Communications and New Media, Data Science and Economics, and Mechanical Engineering.

Givson led the project by defining the problem space, shaping the design direction, and assembling a team whose collective strengths spanned qualitative research, software development, testing, and quantitative evaluation.

“I wanted to do projects where you can really engage a broader community, but you can't hope to solve problems or challenges with just a single discipline,” said Givson. “I was very lucky that I was able to access different departments in NUS.”

His role was to bridge these contributions through design, translating field research and co-design insights into a coherent platform for documentation, reflection and reporting during Inclusive Journey trips.

Through co-design workshops, interviews, and pilot testing with AWWA teachers, the team developed a platform that allows teachers to document observations in a more structured way. FieldNote supports note-taking, student profiles, checklist-based scoring, and AI-assisted writing suggestions to help teachers record observations more efficiently.

The project with AWWA began in Givson’s final year at NUS as his capstone project. Before this, he had also worked alongside Adj Assoc Prof Jung-Joo Lee on projects involving local hospitals and different stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem.

The experience has been gratifying. “I realised that design can have a broader impact on society, particularly for healthcare and community care. It pushed me to see that I can use my skills to support hospital staff or special needs educators,” said Givson, who plans to pursue a joint Master of Arts and Master of Science in Innovation Design Engineering at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London.

He continues to work with AWWA teachers to refine FieldNote, with the goal of supporting an internal innovation grant application within AWWA School for further development and deployment.

John Thng: Healthcare without borders

Healthcare challenges are complex, often calling for integrated solutions that bring together disciplines ranging from technology and engineering to social sciences and design.

Inspired by this need, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) student John Thng founded NUS HealthX in 2024. “What we needed was a platform that could bring all these disciplines together,” he said.

The idea grew out of his clinical attachments, innovation projects and hackathons, where he saw that solving healthcare problems often took more than medical knowledge alone. Clinicians could spot the unmet needs, but turning ideas into practical solutions meant working with engineers, designers, programmers and entrepreneurs.

NUS HealthX was founded to bridge this gap - by bringing together people from different disciplines on a regular basis so they could exchange ideas and brainstorm solutions for real-world healthcare challenges. Beyond fostering collaboration, the platform also creates opportunities for students to explore emerging fields through regular programmes on medical 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence and healthcare entrepreneurship, alongside international exchanges with partner institutions in the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan.

One of the platform's standout achievements is Design for Medicine, an interdisciplinary module developed with the Division of Industrial Design under the College of Design and Engineering at NUS and the Centre for Healthcare Simulation at NUS Medicine. The module was introduced in 2025 with an enrolment of 24 design and medical students and could see future iterations. It has also launched five student-led medical device projects, pairing medical and design students to tackle real clinical challenges – several of which have progressed to faculty showcases and innovation grant applications.

"Students often approach the same problem from very different perspectives," he said. "When you bring those perspectives together, you can arrive at solutions that may not have been possible within a single discipline."

John's interest in turning ideas into impact deepened during an internship where he evaluated emerging medical technologies and healthcare companies across Asia, Europe and the US. The experience taught him that great ideas alone are not enough — scaling healthcare innovation takes clinical insight, technological capability, regulatory know-how and investment support, all working in concert.

Since its founding, NUS HealthX has grown from a simple vision into a vibrant cross-disciplinary community reaching hundreds of students a year. John has since completed his undergraduate medical studies and now works as a junior doctor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at a local general hospital, but continues to chair NUS HealthX, which has secured grant funding, expanded its network, and built leadership structures so students can carry its mission forward.

"We're still a very young setup, but I hope HealthX can continue to empower future generations of students to take ownership of healthcare challenges and work together to address them," he said.

As his medical career unfolds, John hopes to make an impact not just through patient care, but by bridging healthcare, technology and innovation. "To me, that would be a meaningful career in medicine,” he concluded.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, celebrating the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!
 

Crossing the stage at the inaugural ceremony on 9 July 2026 were graduates from the NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education (SCALE), which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year. Some 57 graduates across two SCALE programmes – the Master of Science in Environmental Management and the pioneer cohort from the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation – received their degrees in the presence of their families and friends.

Presided over by the President of the Republic of Singapore and NUS Chancellor Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the event also saw the conferment of honorary degrees upon two outstanding leaders – Ms Kay Kuok Oon Kwong, Director of Shangri-La Hotel Limited (Singapore); and Professor Lim Pin, University Professor at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.  

The real test of education

Addressing the Class of 2026, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye acknowledged both the hopes and anxieties of the graduates as they prepare to step into a world dramatically transformed by AI. Prof Tan noted that higher education had equipped the graduates with more than just expertise in a field or discipline, but also the critical thinking, interdisciplinary mindset and sense of responsibility needed to build a better world. “In a world where technology can amplify both good and harm, values matter more than ever,” he emphasised.

Calling on graduates to contribute positively to their professions, communities and the wider world, he added: “As you step out today, you must realise that the future will not be defined by technological advances or economic trends, but by the choices people make. This is the real test of your education.” 

These themes of service and purpose were echoed in the honorary degrees conferred upon Ms Kuok and Prof Lim, the University’s highest tribute for exceptional individuals who have rendered distinguished service and made a lasting impact on Singapore and the world.

Ms Kay Kuok: ‘Education is not an end point, but a foundation’

Ms Kuok was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of her distinguished contributions to business and public service. A former member of the NUS Board of Trustees, she was cited for her exemplary leadership as founding Chair of the Yale-NUS College Governing Board – shaping Singapore’s first liberal arts college – and her pivotal role in its transition to NUS College.

Delivering the citation for Ms Kuok’s conferment, Professor Simon Chesterman, NUS Vice Provost (Educational Innovation) and Dean of NUS College, traced the arc of her remarkable career – from her early training as a barrister to her rise in corporate leadership through the Kuok Group’s Singapore entities and the Shangri-La Hotel, and her later stewardship of the National Healthcare Group. As Chair of the group, she guided one of Singapore’s largest healthcare systems, supported the establishment of the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, and provided steady leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, she was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for her lifetime of outstanding contributions to Singapore.

In a speech that paid tribute to the power of education and reflected on her time as Chair of the Yale-NUS College Governing Board, Ms Kuok advised graduates charting their futures in an increasingly interconnected world to continue seeking knowledge from real experiences and new challenges. "Be true to your values and to yourselves, and as you move forward, remember that education is not an end point," she said. “It is the foundation upon which you will continue building the rest of your life.”

Professor Lim Pin: ‘Carry the torch towards greater heights’ 

Prof Lim was also presented with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters in recognition of his transformative leadership in advancing NUS’ growth and international standing, and his lifetime of distinguished contributions to medicine, higher education and public policy.

Presenting the conferment citation, Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean of the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, lauded Prof Lim’s pioneering efforts that laid the foundations for NUS’ evolution into the university it is today. 

As NUS’ longest-serving Vice Chancellor, Prof Lim was instrumental in building Singapore’s scientific research capabilities, fostering an enduring research culture on campus, and championing interdisciplinary collaboration. By the time he stepped down in 2000, NUS had secured a multi-million-dollar annual research budget and established six research institutes. Appointed Vice-Chancellor in 1981 at just 45 years of age, Prof Lim later became the first professor to be named University Professor, NUS’ highest academic appointment.

Beyond the University, Prof Lim's counsel has been widely sought on matters of national importance spanning science, ethics and public policy. He has chaired the National Biotechnology Committee and the Bioethics Advisory Committee, among other appointments. For his achievements, he has been recognised with national honours, such as the Distinguished Service Order, and prestigious international accolades. 

In his acceptance speech, Prof Lim expressed his sense of privilege in having contributed to the University’s development throughout his career in medicine, education and leadership. Adding that he was heartened to see that NUS was ranked among the best in Asia and the world, he said, “I am confident that our Class of 2026 will keep the flame of excellence burning bright and carry the torch towards greater heights.”

Different experiences, shared perspectives

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Ms Ng Xi Min, valedictorian from the Master of Science in Environmental Management programme, offered a fitting tribute to SCALE’s 10^th anniversary as she reflected on the diverse paths taken by her fellow graduates. 

“Some of us came in as fresh graduates while others arrived from government, industry and many other fields. We all arrived with different experiences and perspectives, and yet through discussions, group projects and countless conversations, we learnt as much from each other as we did from our professors.”

Over the next two weeks, more than 13,000 graduates from the Class of 2026 are expected to take the stage across 39 ceremonies. The season concludes with the Commencement Dinner on Friday, 24 July 2026.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, celebrating the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

The honorary degrees were presented during the Main Ceremony of NUS Commencement 2026, presided by Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore and NUS Chancellor. The Honorary Degree is the University’s highest form of recognition for outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and had a great impact in Singapore and globally.

Ms Kay Kuok Oon Kwong was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, in recognition of her distinguished contributions to business and public service. She was recognised for her exemplary leadership as Chair of the Yale-NUS College Governing Board and her pivotal role in the transition from Yale-NUS College to NUS College.

Professor Lim Pin was also presented with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, as a tribute to his transformative leadership in advancing NUS’ growth and international standing, and his lifetime of distinguished contributions to medicine, higher education and public policy.

Ms Kuok and Prof Lim were joined by 57 graduates from the NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education, who received their degrees at the Main Ceremony today.

The NUS Class of 2026 comprises 17,953 graduates: 7,665 students will receive Bachelor’s degrees and 10,288 will receive graduate degrees. A total of 39 ceremonies will be held at the NUS University Cultural Centre over a period of 14 days, from 9 to 22 July 2026. NUS Commencement 2026 will conclude with the Commencement Dinner, which will be held on Friday, 24 July 2026.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “We are proud to present honorary degrees to Ms Kay Kuok and Professor Lim Pin who are well respected in their respective professional fields and beyond. They have contributed with great distinction to Singapore and the community, exemplifying exceptional vision in elevating standards beyond conventional benchmarks to create long-lasting, positive impact. NUS is particularly privileged to have benefitted from their leadership during their appointments with us, and we are delighted to celebrate their achievements today.”

Celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026, Prof Tan said, “Our newly minted NUS graduates have shown resilience, curiosity and excellence. These qualities will shape their journeys ahead as they pursue their aspirations. I encourage every graduate to carry the spirit of service, innovation and integrity, and apply their talents to make a positive impact in their communities and professions. I am confident that they will build a brighter future for Singapore and the world.”

This year, 156 students will be graduating as the pioneer cohort of 9 new programmes:

·        Master of Science (Artificial Intelligence and Innovation)

·        Master of Computing (Artificial Intelligence)

·        Master of Clinical Mental Health and Psychotherapy

·        Master of Science (Infectious Disease Emergencies)

·        Master of Science (Medical Pharmacology)

·        Master of Science (Sustainable Healthcare)

·        Master of Science (Artificial Intelligence for Science)

·        Master of Science (Climate Change and Sustainability)

·        Master of Audio Arts and Sciences

2026 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Ms Kay Kuok Oon Kwong

Ms Kay Kuok Oon Kwong is a Director of Shangri-La Hotel Limited (Singapore). She also sits on the Boards of Kuok (Singapore) Limited and its various subsidiaries, and Venture Corporation Limited. Ms Kuok was previously Executive Chairman of Allgreen Properties Limited, Managing Director of Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia) Berhad and Director of Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd.

Ms Kuok has made notable contributions to education, tourism, healthcare, the arts and the environment, serving and also having chaired and served on several other educational and community service organisations, industry groups and government bodies, including Singapore Business Federation, The Council for Board Diversity, Singapore Hotels Association, Mindfull Community Limited, Singapore Institute of International Affairs, National Healthcare Group Pte Ltd, MOH Holdings Pte Ltd, Singapore Tourism Board, NUS Board of Trustees, Yale-NUS College Governing Board, National Arts Council, South West CDC, Singapore Environment Council, National Environment Agency, The Courage Fund Limited and Northlight School.

Ms Kuok has received the Distinguished Service Order, Meritorious Service Medal, the Public Service Star (BEM) and the Public Service Medal (PSM) from the President of Singapore in 2023, 2015, 2005 and 1998 respectively. The Singapore Tourism Board honoured her with its Inaugural Award for Lifetime Achievement for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism in 2009 and its Special Recognition Award in 2004.

Ms Kuok is an Advocate and Solicitor (Barrister-at-Law) from Gray’s Inn, London.

Please refer to Annexe 1 for the Citation for Ms Kuok.

2026 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Professor Lim Pin

Professor Lim Pin is University Professor and Professor of Medicine at NUS. He is also the longest-serving Vice-Chancellor at NUS and the first professor to be conferred NUS' highest academic appointment, University Professor.

A Queen's Scholar in 1957, Prof Lim trained in Queen’s College Cambridge and King’s College Hospital London before returning to Singapore to build a career that spanned clinical medicine, research, and higher education leadership.

He made foundational contributions in research on magnesium metabolism, renal disease, thyroid disorders, and diabetes, publishing his findings in The New England Journal of Medicine and the British Medical Journal, and elevating local biomedical research to the world stage.

Prof Lim served as NUS’ Head of Medicine, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and subsequently Vice-Chancellor in 1981. He created and strengthened a lasting research culture on campus, tying promotion to research output and championing interdisciplinary collaboration. At the end of his tenure as Vice Chancellor in 2000, NUS had a multi-million-dollar annual research budget and half a dozen research institutes. He also transformed the way students learned, introducing the small-group tutorial system, the semester module structure, and the internet on campus.

Beyond the university, Prof Lim's counsel has been widely sought on matters of national importance. He chaired the National Biotechnology Committee and the Bioethics Advisory Committee, among others, earning a reputation for rigour, integrity and balance across science, ethics and public policy. His achievements have also been recognised at the highest levels, both nationally and internationally, including receiving the Public Administration Medal (Gold) (PPA), Meritorious Service Medal (PJG) and Distinguished Service Order (DUBC) from the President of Singapore in 1984, 1990 and 2000 respectively.

Please refer to Annexe 2 for the Citation for Prof Lim.

Whether it’s overcoming the age barrier or going the distance, these two graduates show how their thirst for learning can never be quenched. More than that, their NUS experience has also ignited their passion to give back.

Brian Ang: From numbers to nursing

By age 14, Brian Ang was determined to become a doctor, drawn by his interest in biology. But when he did not qualify for the triple science stream in secondary school, a key requirement to study medicine in university at that time, he had to rethink his path ahead.

He eventually chose to pursue actuarial studies at the Australian National University on a scholarship from the institution, building a successful career in a very different field.

Over 25 years in the insurance sector, Brian rose through the ranks to become Chief Actuary for Asia-Pacific in a multinational corporation based in Sydney, Australia, then moved to Hong Kong before eventually coming back to Singapore in 2012.

Yet, even though he enjoyed his role as an actuary, his passion for healthcare never quite went away.

With his 50s approaching and having reached what he felt was the pinnacle of his career, Brian began thinking seriously about whether he could still make that long-held passion for healthcare a part of his life. 

He considered different pathways into the field, which included a postgraduate medical degree and a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree via the Career Conversion Programme for Registered Nurses (CCP-RN) at the NUS Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing), which would take two years to complete.

“I wanted to work closely with patients, support them through their care journey, and be part of the team delivering care on the ground,” he said. “The CCP-RN felt like the right path because it would allow me to make that transition sooner and contribute in a practical and meaningful way.”

With full support from his wife and two teenage sons, he enrolled in the two-year BSc (Nursing) programme at NUS Nursing in 2024. His sons were particularly excited that their father was in school again. “They think it's pretty cool for Dad to be a full-time student, like they are,” said Brian, now 51.

In the programme, what he found refreshing was learning together with people from different backgrounds, like fresh A-level graduates, nursing students from polytechnic, and also people who were his age.

“We actually blended in together, studying common subjects. That was by far the biggest highlight,” he said.

Brian admits to struggling at times to keep up with the use of technology in daily interactions and class assignments. “I had to quickly learn what a Tele-Bubble was as that was how my classmates were communicating with one another!” he quipped.

“I will do my work in PowerPoint, and then these digitally-savvy kids have to then translate it into Canva on my behalf,” he said with a chuckle. “But over time, I got used to working their way as well,” he added.

He appreciated the academic rigour of the biological side of nursing, but was pleasantly surprised to also learn about palliative care, public and community health, ethics, and professionalism.

“These modules provide nursing students with a holistic framework of healthcare beyond bedside duties, contextualising our roles within the systemic challenges of an ageing population,” he said.

Clinical attachments helped him narrow down his interests, and he now hopes to pursue clinical research nursing in the long term. In particular, he is interested in the role of a “clinical translator” — someone who helps turn research and lab discoveries into real-world treatments, tools or improvements in patient care.

After graduation, Brian will begin his two-year bond as a Staff Nurse at National University Hospital.

Returning to school has reinforced the value of lifelong learning for him. “To me, lifelong learning is ultimately about having the willingness to remain teachable at any stage of life,” he said. “We can take the valuable skills we’ve spent decades building and redirect them towards a service to society.”

Hafiz Maruf Akbar: From kampung boy to Master’s holder

When Hafiz Maruf Akbar’s hometown of Aceh was hit by one of the most devastating tsunami in history that killed over 170,000 in 2004, he was only four years old. Yet, the tragic destruction of his hometown remains seared in his mind.

Beyond rebuilding the flattened village, the global attention that followed piqued his interest in the world. 

“As a child, I could not fully understand the scale of what had happened, but I remember seeing people from all over the world coming to Aceh to help us rebuild,” he said. “It made me realise that my small hometown was connected to something much bigger. I kept wondering: how does the world work, and how do people come together in times of crisis?”

The self-professed “kampung boy” lived in Aceh for the first 17 years of his life, finishing his high school education there, before moving to Jakarta to pursue a Bachelor in International Affairs on a scholarship at Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah.

“We realised that the disparity in the quality of education between the rural areas and the capital was very huge,” he explained. “If I wanted to grow and expose myself to more opportunities, I knew I had to leave Aceh and continue my education elsewhere.”

His move to Jakarta also paved the way for his younger brother, who later joined him in the capital to attend high school on a scholarship. For the family, education became a way to look beyond the limits of what was available in Aceh.

For him, leaving home was part of merantau, an Indonesian word commonly used in Sumatra that captures the idea of venturing beyond one’s hometown in search of knowledge and success before eventually returning to the community to give back.

After graduation, Hafiz worked in Indonesia as a policy analyst in the private sector for one-and-a-half years. The role gave him a closer look at how policy decisions could shape lives and communities — but it also made him realise how much more he wanted to learn and deepen his understanding of international affairs, sharpen his policy skills.

This led him to enrol at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at NUS in 2024 to pursue a Master in International Affairs on the Low Tuck Kwong Foundation Scholarship.

LKYSPP stood out to him for its strong focus on Southeast Asia, a region he had grown up in but wanted to understand more deeply.

“Coming from Indonesia, I wanted to study international affairs from a Southeast Asian perspective, not just through theories developed elsewhere,” he said. “Singapore is at the heart of the region, and LKYSPP gave me the chance to learn from professors and classmates who brought different experiences from across Asia and beyond.”

The skills he picked up proved useful when he returned to his hometown. When severe flooding struck Aceh in 2025, Hafiz was on the ground as a volunteer liaison, helping draft letters to the Indonesian government to allow the international community to enter and assist with relief efforts.

Outside of academics, he was heavily involved in the School’s football tournaments and was also Resident Assistant (RA) at College Green, the dedicated university housing for NUS postgraduate students.

One particularly unforgettable moment as an RA involved dealing with wildlife on campus. “Together with the relevant authorities, we successfully secured a baby cobra and also handled a monitor lizard situation,” said Hafiz with a laugh. “It certainly wasn't in the job description, but it's a story I'll never forget!”

With merantau in mind and his family’s support, he completed his Master’s Programme and was conferred the Dean’s Leadership Award at LKYSPP in 2026, an honour recognising his leadership contributions both within the School and the wider community.

Hafiz, who is considering a career in international development, credits the School with equipping him with useful skills and experiences.

“Through coursework, interaction with diverse classmates, and real-world experiences like the Aceh flood response, I've developed a deeper understanding of how policy, humanitarian action, and development intersect,” he said.
 
This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2026, celebrating the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2026. For more, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2026 on our social media channels!

Gathering valedictorians and representatives from the Class of 2025, along with the newly minted honorary graduates – Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Dr Noeleen Heyzer, and Dr Wong Ngit Liong – the dinner was attended by about 350 guests. They included NUS Pro-Chancellor Mr Po’ad Mattar, NUS Chairman Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, NUS Trustee Ms Chew Gek Khim, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye, as well as students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The celebratory night kicked off on a high note with an exuberant performance by students from various NUS Centre for the Arts dance groups. Specially choreographed for the occasion and blending influences from Indian, Chinese, Malay and Western artistic traditions, the piece showcased the multiculturalism and diversity of student life at NUS.

Leading the night’s proceedings were Class of 2025 graduates Ms Rachel Chin from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Mr Clement Ling from the NUS Faculty of Science. Reminiscing about university life and the vibrant community they encountered along the way, they recounted the highlights of their NUS journeys.

“Looking back, I’m really grateful for the many experiences I’ve had at NUS — from taking eye-opening modules and electives, to going on an unforgettable exchange programme, and getting to contribute to signature events like Open House and Commencement,” Ms Chin said.

For Mr Ling, graduating as part of the Class of 2025 during NUS’ 120th anniversary made his experience especially memorable. “Over the past four years, I’ve had the chance to explore my interests in science and technology, meet inspiring peers and professors, and contribute to the NUS community through different ways. It’s truly been a journey I’ll never forget.”

Lead with the heart

In his speech at the event, NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye commended the graduating class for their hard-won achievements, noting the determination and resilience that enabled them to rise above academic challenges, personal obstacles and periods of uncertainty.

He highlighted the strong foundation laid during their time at university – from the rigorous academic training to opportunities for personal growth and the lasting bonds they forged along the way. 

As they prepare to begin their next chapter, he encouraged the graduating class to stay grounded in the values that had shaped them and to lead with clarity and heart, drawing inspiration from NUS’ founding mission.

“Lead with your heart, with purpose lighting your way. This was the case in 1905, 120 years ago, when we started out as a small medical school for the community. Even as we have evolved and redefined our identity as an educational institution, we remain committed in our mission to serve our country and society,” he said.

Concluding his speech with a toast, he added, “Congratulations once again on this very important milestone and welcome to the NUS alumni family! You are the generation that will shape what comes next, leading us to NUS150… and beyond.”

Grit and resilience

Taking to the stage to address his fellow graduates, Mr Lee Yat Bun, Student Senior Advisor of the 46th NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) Executive Committee, offered a heartfelt message to his peers.

“Four years at NUS didn’t just earn us a degree. It gave us something more valuable – character. It taught us how to stay grounded in uncertainty, how to persevere under pressure, and how to lead in times of change,” said Mr Lee, an NUS Computing graduate in Computer Science who served two terms as NUSSU President between AY21/22 and AY22/23.

“As we step into the future as the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creators, we carry with us the grit, the resilience, and the adaptability that have been refined during our time here.”

The evening drew to a close with two musical performances by Elton and Friends, a band led by Mandopop singer-songwriter Elton Lee, a Class of 2025 graduate from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), who was accompanied by a string quartet comprising fellow YST graduates Reina Teo, Tan Xin Jie, Shannon Chan and Saran Charoennit.

Along with a stirring rendition of the classic ballad, “The Greatest Love of All”, the group also performed a poignant debut of “The Soundtrack of Youth” (谱写的青春), an original graduation song penned by Mr Lee, in a fitting close to the celebratory season.

This story concludes NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

The undergraduate, then 27, was about to sit his second-year mid-term exams on Women and Children’s Health. At 3am a few days prior, he had to rush his pregnant wife to the hospital as her contractions intensified. By afternoon, their daughter was born; by evening, he was back to his lecture notes, preparing for his exams. On the day his wife was discharged from the hospital, he sped to school for his exams after sending his family home — and aced them.

While his university life was not always so dramatic, it was an intense balancing act between family and studies during his time at NUS. Over four years, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Medical Corps regular welcomed two children, renovated his home, stayed combat fit — and, to top it off, graduated as valedictorian.

“I am deeply grateful to my wife, my family, my mentors, and everyone else who helped me in this journey. This is a validation of the sacrifices that not just me, but everyone supporting me, had to make,” said Bernard, 30, who received his Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Honours) degree on 10 July 2025.

The army medic’s journey to NUS Nursing began six years into his time in the medical corps. Bernard, who had a diploma in veterinary technology, decided he wanted to “close the gap” between himself and his peers who were nursing-trained.

The NUS programme offered a good mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on clinical work, noted Bernard, who received the SAF Military Domain Expert Scheme Study Award.
 

A hands-on approach to patient care

Transitioning from the rigours of military life to university took some getting used to at the beginning. “That time away from academia made it slightly challenging to readjust to the mindset of a student,” admitted Bernard.

But he soon hit his stride — armed with intellectual maturity, a steely resolve to soak up new knowledge, and existing skills in areas such as emergency resuscitation and triage.

He also benefitted from the guidance of NUS Nursing mentors such as Associate Professor Shefaly Shorey, who advised him on his thesis; as well as Assistant Professor Catherine Dong, whom he assisted with data collection, sample processing and more in-depth research studies such as the Heart-Brain Connection Translational Research Programme.

His clinical attachments left a deep impact. “We were taught theoretical frameworks — anatomy, physiology, how to assist doctors in providing better care. But an unexpected takeaway (was) how our patients taught us as well, because they have that lived experience of their own conditions,” he added.

He recalled encounters during home visits to patients as a student research assistant in Year 3, when he asked elderly stroke patients if they knew whether their condition had been caused by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain.

“When we asked them in (these) layman terms, they replied to us using medical terms, such as ‘ischaemic’ or ‘haemorrhagic’ stroke,” he said.

This experience taught him to view the patient-nurse dynamic in a different light.

“Instead of trying to micromanage them or (simply) educate them on their condition, we can shift to having a partnership with them,” he noted. “We should try to respect their knowledge and empower them to better manage their conditions.”
 

It takes a village

Beyond his studies, Bernard found time to captain the NUS Shooting Team — building on his leadership experience in the SAF, where he had led COVID-19 vaccinations at Selarang Camp and coordinated emergency preparedness for the National Day Parade.

He earned the NUS Achievement Award (Merit) for excellence in academics and sport, and also appeared on the Dean’s List.

Bernard credits his success to a robust support system at home, from his wife — the main caregiver of their children — to his parents and in-laws who stepped in regularly to help.

While an undergraduate, he carved out pockets of time to focus on schoolwork. After getting home in the evening, he would spend time with his daughter, before hitting the books from 10pm till as late as 2am after she had gone to bed. His NUS peers accommodated his schedule, agreeing to late-night Zoom meetings when they had to discuss groupwork.

Now back in the SAF Medical Corps and currently a Military Expert 4 Apprentice, Bernard believes his nursing training has given him a fuller, more patient-centric perspective of care.

“I hope I can be a leader who truly inspires trust and cultivates resilience in my men, and be someone who can champion continuous learning so we do not lose sight of our medical knowledge,” he added.

“My goal is to contribute towards advancing the standard of military medicine and integrate evidence-based care into our daily SAF operations.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

We speak to four graduates who are using the skills they learnt at NUS to contribute to causes they care about.

Dylan Ee, Edwin Chuah, Roshen Sidhu: Designing solutions for persons with disabilities

Tapping their EZ-Link cards at the MRT fare gate is a routine few commuters here give much thought to. But for individuals with muscle-related disorders, which affect basic movements like walking and standing, the simple action can be a challenging task.

Due to muscle weakness, even raising their arms to tap their EZ-link card or asking for assistance at the gantry can be a strenuous task, said Edwin Chuah.

This was a task for the final year biomedical engineering major to solve as part of his coursework in the course Assistive Technology for Persons with Disability offered under the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at NUS.

The course is also part of the Biomedical Engineering for Good (bGood) initiative under the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NUS CDE, which lets students tap their biomedical engineering skills to develop solutions for real-world problems through technical electives.

With the guidance of his professors, Edwin designed a prototype called ARMovin. The robotic exoskeleton is attached to the user’s wheelchair and aids with physical movement such as raising their arm.

ARMovin has since been tested successfully by Edwin’s client who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. “With ARMovin, I hope that (individuals with disabilities) will be able to use public transport to get around independently,” said Edwin.

His classmate, Dylan Ee, also took part in bGood with the aim of helping others. Together with his coursemate Roshen Sidhu, they developed WheeLift — a height-adjustable wheelchair that improves accessibility for users.

To their delight, the prototype, which took more than a year to develop, drew positive feedback from testers during a trial. “It wasn’t just a classroom project, it had a real purpose. Seeing our creation make a difference was quite rewarding,” said Dylan. 

The trio — who are friends from their polytechnic days and are all 26 years old — plan to launch a social enterprise to take their solutions to market in the future.

Explaining the decision, Roshen said, “One of the main challenges is that even with a promising prototype, it can be difficult to find someone to carry the work forward after the semester ends — whether to further develop it or to bring it to market or the intended users.”

Thus, they were inspired to set up the social enterprise, which they have yet to name. “(It) aims to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities as well as their caregivers by providing affordable and customisable (assistive) devices. We hope to address these unmet needs,” said Edwin.

Dylan credits the bGood programme for the fruitful journey. “The programme allowed me to see problems through the eyes of the user,” he said. More crucially, it taught him to use his engineering skills to improve the lives of others.

“The shift from building for functionality to building for meaningful impact has shaped how we approach this social enterprise,” he added.

Clarissa Ong: Using her small business to fundraise for animals 

While some people picked up new hobbies during the COVID-19 pandemic, NUS Life Sciences major Clarissa Ong turned hers into a business. In 2021, she set up an online shop called theclaywagon, which sells polymer clay handicrafts such as earrings and keychains.

The custom-made accessories were well-received — and she even managed to use her platform to raise funds for an animal shelter at risk of closing down.

“Although I was unsure how successful the fundraiser would be, I decided that there was no harm in giving it a shot,” said Clarissa, 23. “Through the efforts of myself and other generous donors, the shelter managed to avoid closure.”

Despite the promising start, building a business from scratch was not easy. As sales picked up, she had to juggle schoolwork with the time-consuming task of designing and handcrafting her wares.

She also had to navigate the unfamiliar world of business marketing. That prompted her to take up a communications course at the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS).

“I learnt how to market my brand more effectively and design better collateral, such as posters, name cards, and information sheets,” Clarissa said.

What started as curiosity quickly turned into deep interest. She eventually completed a minor in Communications and New Media, and picked up coding in R and intermediate Korean through CHS courses.

In 2024, she further honed her retail skills by displaying her clay crafts at the Student Entrepreneur’s Market — supported by the university store NUS Co-op — where she modified her product packaging and display to cater to walk-in customers.

Her efforts to grow her business paid off. She went on to score a collaboration with food delivery company Deliveroo and sushi restaurant Maki-san, which commissioned her to produce keychains for a Chinese New Year 2025 campaign.

“I hope my creations will be able to bring joy to those who see them while also supporting meaningful causes,” said Clarissa, who is also an NUS Merit Scholarship and NUS Science – Dennis H. Murphy Merit Scholarship holder.

Besides fundraising for animals in need, she has volunteered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development as a befriender under ComLink — a government initiative that aims to uplift lower-income families for greater social mobility.

Clarissa notes that volunteering has opened her eyes to real-world problems outside of campus. “I often found myself learning valuable lessons from the families I met and being inspired by their resilience, strength, and generosity even in the face of uncertainty.”

After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in science communication, which will marry her twin interests in life sciences and communications.

“NUS’ interdisciplinary approach has helped me develop key qualities like resilience and adaptability while equipping me with the skills to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to a broader audience,” she added.

Her work on theclaywagon shows no signs of stopping either, and she has since expanded its offerings to include handmade ceramic products. Spurred by her earlier fundraising success, she continues to donate some of her profits to animal shelters.

“I used to believe that only big actions could truly make a difference,” she added. “However, throughout my academic journey, I received a lot of help from those around me, which allowed me to understand that even small gestures could make a big impact.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Emily Yap: Healthcare from the heart

As people scrambled to stock up on essentials after Singapore raised the COVID-19 pandemic risk assessment to DORSCON Orange in February 2020, Emily Yap, who was a nursing undergraduate then, immediately worried for the safety of her grandmother, who was their family’s primary grocery shopper.

“If I’m worried about my grandmother, what about other elderly and low-income families? I felt that I needed to do something,” she said.

So she set up a ground-up initiative called Dunearn Youth with her friends in 2020, delivering groceries to the elderly and lower-income households. “Seeing the gratitude and relief on the faces of those we helped filled me with a warmth and purpose I had never experienced before,” said Emily. 

This experience led her to work in palliative care after completing her nursing degree in 2021. Working closely with palliative patients at Alexandra Hospital, she saw how life-limiting conditions impacted not just the patients, but their entire families, placing emotional and physical strain on caregivers.

As her passion and desire to help palliative patients and their caregivers grew, the Senior Staff Nurse enrolled in the Master of Public Health programme at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health in 2023 so she could play a more effective role in helping them overcome challenges.

Emily was drawn to the programme’s comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, which allowed her to pick up skills like developing health proposals and programme evaluation.

They came in handy when Emily and her group members were assessing a rehabilitation programme for the elderly and recommending interventions to make it more effective. “(These skills) help you understand not only what the main problem is, but also what contributes to it. And from there, we can identify where and how to apply interventions meaningfully,” she explained.

The one-year programme also helped Emily overcome her fear of speaking up. The change was sparked by a professor’s words when her class had remained silent instead of participating in a discussion: “The greatest skill a public health practitioner should have is the courage to speak up. Without it, there can be no progress.”

It spurred her to speak up at the workplace as an advocate for change. “It made me feel like it’s okay for me to say constructive things that can improve the current state (of things),” said Emily, now 26.

In 2023, Emily received the Healthcare Humanity Award (Individual) presented by the National University Health System. The award recognised not only her compassionate care for patients but also her efforts to extend that care beyond hospital walls, reaching out to support and uplift the wider community.

To Emily, the recognition is more than just a personal validation; it is a powerful call to action to continue creating impact through compassionate leadership as the founder of Dunearn Youth. As she spearheads programmes to combat social isolation among the elderly and envisions launching support systems for caregivers in the near future, she aspires to galvanise others toward building a kinder, more connected community, demonstrating how real change begins with people who care enough to act.

“I want to be more than just a participant, I hope to be a catalyst for positive change, using both my clinical insights and public health training to meet the needs of the people and ensure that no patient or caregiver falls through the cracks.”

Douglas Wong: Policymaking for the elderly

When Douglas Wong’s parents started planning for retirement, they realised that they would struggle with their current financial circumstances. His father, who worked in a wet market, was considered self-employed, and was mandated to contribute only to his Medisave account. Without adequate financial planning, he lacked financial support in other areas. 

Although Douglas managed to come up with solutions for them, there were many others who might not have the privilege of relying on trusted relatives for such support and advice. “That was when I thought perhaps public policy is that avenue for me to express my newfound drive for change in society,” said the 31-year-old.

He quit a promising job in airport operations planning and enrolled in the Master in Public Policy programme at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in 2023 with the goal of understanding social policies, including how to better manage seniors’ retirement needs.

Despite the steep learning curve, Douglas found the two-year programme comprehensive and rewarding, as it equipped him with a strong foundation in programming, data analysis, and economic frameworks for policy evaluation and development. To ensure he could keep up with discussions and communicate his ideas clearly, he took optional classes on effective writing and presentation skills and spent extra time studying the language of economics in public policy.

His cohort, which had a mix of international and local students, as well as the school’s cross-cultural programme, gave him insights into how outsiders viewed Singapore policies, and how they developed their own. Guest lectures by prominent figures in public policy, such as former Singapore Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, further enriched his learning.

In 2024, thanks to funding from LKYSPP, Douglas was able to go to Japan for his final-year project to study the issue of deploying manpower for long-term care as Singapore’s ageing population continues to grow. There, they spoke with various stakeholders — from Japanese civil servants to healthcare workers — to better understand their healthcare landscape and derive useful insights for Singapore.

He noted: “This goes beyond the ageing cohort, because while I am young now, I will become old in the future, and I very much hope to live in a society where we have a strong supporting workforce for healthcare.”

After graduation, Douglas hopes to join the public service as a policymaker and contribute to issues pertaining to the ageing population. “There are a lot of avenues within the public service to inch towards the kind of change that I envision for society,” he said.

Haja Mohideen: Building a strong foundation through lifelong learning

Three to four times a week over the past two years, Haja Mohideen swapped his civil engineer hard hat out for pen and paper at the NUS campus after office hours.

At 59, he holds a steady job as Lead Resident Engineer at Surbana Jurong Consultant Pte Ltd. But he believes one is never too old to learn. Despite having two bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and mechanical engineering and a graduate certificate in geotechnical engineering, he returned to school in 2023 to pursue the Master of Science (Civil Engineering) at NUS College of Design and Engineering.

Working on massive construction projects exposed him to the challenges of Singapore’s complex soil terrain and sparked his interest in understanding appropriate mitigation measures such as constructing additional support structures, maintaining adequate moisture levels, and monitoring soil compaction. He was also keen to learn techniques for constructing smaller structural beams and columns without compromising their strength.

The NUS programme — designed for working professionals in the civil engineering and built environment sector — was the perfect fit. The lessons on site evaluation and new engineering techniques like high-strength concrete and composite construction came in useful at work almost immediately. During an excavation, for instance, he taught his colleagues to identify different types of soil they encountered.

The two-year programme also taught him cutting-edge software in the labs, which further honed his technical skills. But the highlight of his time at NUS was the culture of support.

“(The staff) offered personalised academic advice and really helped me assess my capacity. They recommended a suitable number of courses I could take each semester,” he said, adding that his professors would hop onto Zoom calls with him whenever the need arose.

As the oldest student in the cohort, he picked up collaborative problem-solving skills and tech capabilities from his younger classmates. The learning went both ways, as in return, Haja shared with them practical insights from his work experience and advice on time management and building a successful career.

“One of the most powerful things you can do for yourself is to take your future seriously,” he said. “When procrastination whispers that you will do it later, don’t listen, do it now. You don’t have to be perfect, but every step you take towards being organised is a step towards being in control of your life.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Sindhu Mohan and Vishnu Sundaresan: Helping people Snowball to the best version of themselves

It started as a chance meeting in New York, then snowballed into something much bigger. In 2023, Sindhu Mohan, 20, and Vishnu Sundaresan, 22, found themselves paired up for a project while attending the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programme. They had to come up with a tech start-up idea, and their discussions soon revealed a shared frustration – effective time management in an age of endless distractions.

“I had to juggle school, the social media agency I started, and content creation for my personal brand, so I became crazy about optimising my time,” said Sindhu, who graduated on 15 July 2025 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from NUS Business School. 

The NOC project, which started as an AI productivity assistant, would later evolve into a social app, Snowball, focusing on helping people specifically with their personal time management. Snowball essentially lets users log any goal, hobby, habit or any activity that they consider a “win”. Users can choose whether to keep each log private, shared with only close friends, or opened to everyone. It takes inspiration from similar apps like Duolingo and Instagram, but with an opposite aim – encouraging users to get off their phones to engage in meaningful activities in the real world, which they can then log in Snowball to share their progress with others.

After returning to Singapore in 2024, the duo secured a S$10,000 grant from the NUS Venture Initiation Programme. Snowball soft-launched in April 2025 for beta testing and now has over 100 users. After getting their start at NUS Enterprise's The Hangar, an on-campus incubator, they applied to The Furnace, an incubator under the NUS School of Computing's (NUS Computing), for additional office space during the semester.

“We also get access to mentorship at The Furnace and have even been able to hire interns, thanks to NUS Computing,” said Vishnu, who graduated with a Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours (Distinction) on 12 July 2025. Crediting the internships and core modules he took in school for strengthening his technical skill set, Vishnu noted that he also honed his leadership skills while serving as a Residential Assistant at Tembusu College.  

For Sindhu, staying at ENterprise House (N-House), an entrepreneurship-themed student residence, introduced her to the world of tech start-ups. Her N-House friends nudged her to apply to NOC. A pivotal year being immersed in the New York City start-up ecosystem made her decide to pursue launching a tech start-up instead of continuing with the marketing agency she was already familiar with running.

Snowball is now targeting a market launch on 14 July. The co-founders have also set their sights on bringing the app to the United States, where inspiration for the app first took shape.

Andre Lim and Jed Ng: Empowering students through AI-powered education

Sitting in a corner of University Town’s Starbucks, two young men – Andre Lim and Jed Ng – scrutinised lines of computer code. They were building something that could change the way students learn. 

Such evenings were common for the co-founders of Check, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered agent which provides hyper-personalised help for students from secondary school to junior college. Launched in April 2025, the first-of-its-kind tutoring experience takes in queries from students and responds with curriculum-specific help.

Check was born out of Andre’s passion to help students learn better, having founded Singapore’s largest tutoring YouTube channel and a tuition centre. Some of his students, he recounted, hated studying geography but changed their minds after lessons with him, and are even pursuing the subject now.

To better cater to each student, Andre reimagined learning as a hyper-personalised experience powered by AI. But the NUS Business School graduate, now 25, knew he needed tech expertise to bring his idea to life. Andre coincidentally reconnected with Jed via LinkedIn, a peer from NUS Computing who had also attended the same secondary school. “I had always been drawn to start-ups over traditional corporate internships, so I started Check with Andre as a side project during my internship, to prototype ideas and explore possibilities,” Jed recalled, and what began as a side project soon evolved into a start-up.

Despite not having a computing background, Andre was no stranger to AI. During his field service project (FSP) in his final year, he worked with a healthtech company to launch an AI chatbot for doctors, giving him valuable experience and the idea to start an AI business. “NUS equips us well with theoretical knowledge, and ending the course with an FSP was a great way to apply what we had learned in a real-world setting,” said Andre.

Going on overseas exchanges — from attending a conference at the Harvard College in Asia Program to a semester-long Student Exchange Programme in Norway — also gave Andre valuable insights into diverse education systems, which would be handy when Check goes global.

For Jed, his computer science modules armed him with foundational knowledge. “For instance, the software engineering modules were instrumental in teaching me some of the best practices,” he said. 

Besides initial funding from Iterative, a start-up accelerator focused on ventures in Southeast Asia, Check has also drawn the interest of some 30 local and overseas investors. Since its launch, the platform has gained over 200 users, with the majority of them being junior college students. “Our goal is to make private tuition accessible at scale,” said Andre.

Andre graduated on 15 July 2025 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship with Honours (Distinction), while Jed graduated on 12 July 2025 with a Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours.

Xie Qihuang: From pills to pixels – bridging the gap between patient care and technology

Xie Qihuang’s friends and relatives told him that taking a gap year would derail his carefully planned career. They were worried about adding another year to his already lengthy journey, which included a four-year scholarship bond. But Qihuang, a 26-year-old NUS Pharmacy graduate, took a leap of faith and used the time to participate in the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programme. That decision would sow the seeds for Hesyra, his ambitious healthtech project aimed at helping to digitalise mundane administrative tasks so that healthcare providers can focus on patient care. 

To broaden his worldview, Qihuang opted for the year-long NOC programme in Sweden, driven by two key factors: its thriving health-tech scene and its unique 'lagom' culture, a Swedish word which embodies their philosophy of balance and moderation in all aspects of life. He wanted to learn from one of the leading healthcare innovation hubs in Europe while also being exposed to a more balanced life philosophy, a stark contrast to his experience in Singapore. This journey of discovery included studying Entrepreneurial Studies at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and interning at a health-tech firm, Encare.

As a product management intern at Encare, Qihuang helped design a feature that enabled hospitals to benchmark surgical outcomes using metrics that were not only technically feasible but, more importantly, clinically meaningful. The experience proved transformative. “Technologists may spot inefficiencies, but clinicians understand the reasons behind them, which are often rooted in patient safety or care continuity. These experiences taught me to bridge both worlds, translating the nuanced needs of healthcare professionals and patients into the language of data analysts and engineers,” he said. 

The pieces came together during an NOC module, when Qihuang revisited an NUS MedTech Society project with the Singapore Cancer Society — a chatbot to help cancer patients access critical information. The experience had also exposed him to the reality of patients struggling to have all their questions answered within limited consultation time. When he returned to Singapore, he decided to build on these inspirations and set up Hesyra in April 2024. The name Hesyra combines the "He–" syllable, symbolising health and healing, with the "–syr" syllable, which is a blend between a system and scribe – reflecting Qihuang’s vision of supporting clinicians with tools that allow them to truly hear and be present in the conversation with their patients.

While not a registered company yet, Hesyra’s first product — an ambient transcription tool that transcribes doctor-patient conversations and generates comprehensive notes — is being tested in private clinics ahead of its launch on 31 July 2025. The solution removes the need for notetaking, allowing doctors to give more time and attention to patients, maximising consultations for them.

“My supervisor in Sweden once told me that there are a thousand things I can do, but only a few that will move the needle. For me, moving the needle means combining clinical experience with an entrepreneurial mindset. I aim to start on the frontlines of pharmacy, understanding the challenges my colleagues and patients face, and use that first-hand experience to build technology that truly serves them,” said Qihuang.

Qihuang will be graduating today, 17 July 2025, with a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours (Highest Distinction). Even as he embarks on his pharmacy career in a public hospital after Commencement, he remains focused on his long-term vision of innovating within the healthcare space. He is dedicated to scaling Hesyra in his own time, transforming his frontline experience into practical, tech-enabled solutions that improve the lives of patients and the workflows of clinicians.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Rebecca Ong: Composure under pressure on and off the piste

As the creepy figure dressed as a vampire slowly made her way on stage, the audience at Playhouse 2023/24, NUS Medical Society’s annual drama production, watched on in fear and suspense. Nailing the corpse-like role was Rebecca Ong Jia Min, who starred in the original play titled The Department of Occult Medicine. She had auditioned for the role to enjoy another side of university life. “I wanted to experience the arts, and NUS gave me that chance.”

This shot at theatrical exploration was a refreshing departure for the passionate athlete and one of many experiences Rebecca embraced during her university years. Having picked up fencing in 2011 when she was 10, Rebecca has represented Singapore in multiple Southeast Asian (SEA) Games since 2019. She was part of the team that won Singapore’s first gold in women’s team épée at the 2022 SEA Games.

“We trained very hard and cohesively. During the matches, we each knew our roles because we had practised as a team many times before. We knew when we had to go all out to score points and when we had to focus on holding the score. We fought hard together and cheered each other on,” she said.

Rebecca credits her many years in competitive sports for setting a foundation for her medical career. She is currently a house officer at the National University Hospital.

“Fencing and medicine both demand split-second decision-making under pressure,” she explained. “In a bout that’s only three minutes long, you don’t have time to think twice. It’s similar to emergency situations we encounter in the hospital.”

Her university journey also offered many opportunities to explore different areas of interest during the elective periods, from tending to snakebite victims in Taiwan as part of a rural medicine elective to studying oil painting in Rome for a fine art elective. 

“Overall, the NUS Medicine curriculum has been very enriching. It has given me many eye-opening experiences and some of the fondest memories of my university days,” she reflected. Due to the demanding schedule while transitioning from student to doctor, Rebecca has scaled back her fencing commitments for now, but continues to spar with her juniors and give them pointers to improve. 

“Just like in medicine, I’ve realised that I really enjoy taking time to learn about others’ lives and offer help where I can,” she said. 

Rebecca graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery on 10 July 2025. 

Mirza Nabil: Building mental fortitude through martial arts 

For Mirza Nabil Putra Azhar, silat is more than a sport — it was a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He had enrolled in the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies in 2021, when most classes were held online. But while on the silat mats at the Multipurpose Sports Hall, he found the engagement he had been craving in a pandemic-disrupted world.

“Silat was my second home,” he said. “I heard about silat for the very first time during orientation. The NUS Silat Captain back then described the student sports group as a family — and that’s exactly what it became for me.”

Over four years, Mirza rose through the ranks at NUS Silat, clinching golds in the artistic team category at the National Tertiary Silat Competitions in 2022 and 2023, a gold in the doubles category at the same competition in 2023, as well as a bronze at the 2024 ASEAN University Games.

He cites venturing out of his comfort zone as his biggest achievement. “It wasn’t the medals. It was pushing myself to compete in two categories. That was my personal mountain,” he noted. “When I did it, it proved to me that I could handle more than I had thought possible.”

His journey was not always smooth. He had to deal with a series of personal losses, including the passing of his uncle and grandmother.

During that time, he drew strength from his loved ones and found solace in the practice of silat. “Sharing my struggles with my close friends and family helped. I would say silat also helped my mental health — I was able to see steady progress in this physical endeavour, and that really boosted my confidence.”

Mirza also discovered another passion through his nursing course: the field of mental health. “The importance of reaching out to others is underrated. Your emotions are valid, and you must know how to articulate them,” he said. It was also this discovery that inspired his graduation thesis on psychotherapeutic interventions that improve the psychological well-being of Muslims with depression.

Beyond the classroom, Mirza served as the Vice President and Head of Programmes for the NUS Muslim Society, where he led numerous initiatives to uplift the student community, strengthen bonds within the wider campus population, and contribute meaningfully to society at large.

He will continue to pursue his deep passion for mental wellbeing and serving others when he embarks on his career as a nurse with the Institute of Mental Health in August.

Mirza graduated on 10 July 2025 with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Honours (Highest Distinction).

Vivien Tai: Syncing to focus and discipline

Asked by a friend to give artistic swimming a try at age 10, Vivien Tai Wen Ting gamely said yes — and eventually went on to make a splash in the artistic swimming arena.

After she qualified for the national team, one of her earliest memorable achievements was a gold in the team free routine at the 2017 SEA Games. She then went on to captain the team at the 2023 Asian Games, where they placed fifth – Singapore’s best-ever team showing at the regional competition.

Juggling the intense training with her Bachelor of Pharmacy studies was no walk in the park. During weekdays, Vivien would spend her days at school before heading off for training in the evening. The pace hardly let up on weekends – she would train from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and from 8am to 1pm on Sundays.

“There were days I wanted to give up. But the responsibility that I owed to the team is what kept me going on hard days,” she shared.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she would even attend online classes by the poolside to be on time for training. She is grateful to her professors and schoolmates, who would check in on her if she missed any classes or needed to catch up on her schoolwork.

“I knew I had to plan ahead and manage my time well. In university, it’s very hard to catch up on a backlog, so I could not afford to fall behind,” she said.

NUS also made provisions for her when competitions clashed with her exams. For instance, she took her final examinations during the summer vacation break in 2023 due to her Asian Games commitments. “That kind of understanding was so crucial,” said Vivien.

She has since retired from competitive artistic swimming and is now working as an event operations executive at Singapore Aquatics while continuing to coach on the side. Nevertheless, she holds dear the precious lessons from her training days. “Artistic swimming taught me fortitude, time management, and empathy — especially on the bad days, when emotions are running high, you have to try to consider all points of view. These are qualities that go far beyond the pool”.

Vivien is confident that the breadth of her experiences will serve her well when she embarks on the journey towards obtaining her pharmacy license in the near future.

On 17 July 2025, Vivien will be graduating with a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours (Distinction).

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Elton Lee: Writing pop music for the stars

The NUS University Cultural Centre Theatre filled with enthusiastic cheers as Elton Lee walked among the audience, waving his hands and getting them to sing along to the hit, “Just the Way You Are”, by Bruno Mars. 

This rousing pop concert was the capstone project of Elton, a student at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST) with a major in Music, Collaboration & Production and a minor in Entrepreneurship. From stage management and music arrangement to event promotion and marketing, he pulled off the one-man show with panache.

But this was far from his first brush with music production. Elton picked up songwriting in secondary school and began penning songs professionally for local productions and well-known artistes when he was 17.

Elton found early on that in addition to his passion for singing, songwriting allowed him to better express his emotions and thoughts. What started as a creative outlet soon blossomed into a professional career, when his composition was published as a sub-theme song for a local drama on Mediacorp in 2016. He then progressed to producing music and writing songs for artistes like South Korean boy band THE BOYZ, and Mandopop singers Rita Wang Yijin, and Jocie Guo. Since then, Elton has continued writing several theme songs for Mediacorp, some of which were nominated for the annual Mediacorp Star Awards (红星大奖).

Even as an established pop songwriter, Elton wanted to solidify his foundation in music production to get to the next level. This urge to strengthen his music production knowledge led him to join YST in 2021.

Elton attributes his success in staging the concert for his graduation capstone project on 14 March 2025 to those who supported him behind the scenes.

“I collaborated with my cohort mates who performed as my string orchestra, NUS VOICES students who were part of my pop band, and the NUS Arts Production Crew who managed the lighting of my entire show. The show would not have been possible without their contributions and expertise,” he said.

The concert was part of the NUS Arts Festival lineup, and the staff at the NUS Centre For The Arts (CFA) provided guidance on the event organisation process. Elton also enjoyed curating the set list of his own concert — creative freedom that not many pop singers who have signed management contracts get. Drawing together the combined support received, he ultimately chose to stage a show centred around emotional ballads, performing six original songs and seven covers.

More broadly, during his years at YST, Elton’s professors tailored their lessons to support his budding Mandopop career and help him enrich his music. Elton learnt, for instance, to arrange music to suit live performances and write string quartet scores for pop ballads. “After joining YST, I discovered how to bring my music to life — having a pop string quartet, accompanied by a pop band, along with lush ballads,” he said.

Beyond YST’s academic grounding, Elton’s journey at NUS expanded his musical stage and horizons. He joined the student band in King Edward VII Hall and VOICES, a student arts group for Mandopop musicians, performing in harmony with other music enthusiasts. These activities opened the doors to bigger opportunities — in 2023, Elton performed with the Asian Cultural Symphony Orchestra, and in 2024, he performed with the Singapore Chinese Orchestra alongside Dr Liang Wern Fook, a pioneer in a genre of songs originating from Singapore known as Xinyao. 

Alongside these diverse experiences, Elton continued to actively advance his career as a singer-songwriter. A pivotal experience was teaming up with a fellow YST student, Jeffery Tan, to write and produce a song titled “Remember to Forget”. This song was developed as part of Elton’s Year 1 Project, where he was the composer, vocalist, and arranger, while Jeffery handled the production and mixing. It won the Best Song Award at the 2022 SG:SW I Write the Songs, a national Mandopop songwriting festival.

More recently, Elton had the opportunity to be an ambassador for the 2025 SG:SW festival, where he encouraged the next generation of singer-songwriters to find their voice and share their stories.

Elton, who released a five-song EP in 2024, is preparing for a new release later this year. He hopes to continue improving as a singer-songwriter and make music that touches the hearts of his listeners.

“I want to use my talents in songwriting to create lasting memories for people,” he shared.

On that note, Elton will be releasing a graduation song in July 2025 titled “The Soundtrack of Youth(谱写的青春)”, which he will be performing at the NUS Commencement Dinner, as a tribute to his peers and all graduating students. The accompanying music video was filmed at the YST building in NUS.

Elton will graduate with a Bachelor of Music in Music, Collaboration, and Production with Honours (Distinction) with a minor in Entrepreneurship on 21 July 2025.

Bian Tong: Jazzing up lives

For Bian Tong, jazz is not just a blend of rhythm and melody but a powerful tool for social good. That vision took centre stage at Gardens by the Bay in April 2025, when he gathered hundreds of nursing home seniors and volunteers to celebrate Singapore’s 60^th birthday and UNESCO International Jazz Day.

As the crowd grooved to the smooth rhythms and brassy tunes at the JASG60 event by The Jazzlings, a youth jazz collective helmed by Bian Tong, he was reminded of how music can bring communities together and bridge generations.

The Business Analytics major from the NUS School of Computing (NUS Computing) founded The Jazzlings in 2023, when he was discovered along with some members of the NUS Jazz Band at the NUS Commencement dinner. After enjoying their performance, Professor Chong Yap Seng, Dean of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, invited them to perform at a formal dinner at the school.

The gig was to take place just two days after the Commencement dinner, and Bian Tong, who plays the saxophone, had to decide on a name for the group on the spot. He went with The Jazzlings, a nod to their constant learning journey in jazz.

Since then, The Jazzlings has grown from a collective of 13 members to a commercial outfit of almost 60 performers. It hit a six-figure revenue in 2024.

While music and business analytics are worlds apart, The Jazzlings’ success, in some ways, can be attributed to Bian Tong’s flair for business. Learning about topics like profit and cost in class and witnessing the ups and downs of start-ups he worked with as External Liaison Director of the NUS Entrepreneurship Society, meant he was well-equipped to run the collective. As founding director, he deals with logistics, accounts, marketing and more.

At times, he was so busy running the start-up that he struggled to meet academic deadlines. “JASG60, for example, was just a random idea that came to me, but it took so much away from me and away from my academics,” Bian Tong shared.

Thankfully, his course mates would remind him of upcoming deadlines and share their notes. Professors also answered his questions in the wee hours of the night. Their support went beyond his schoolwork. Some engaged The Jazzlings for gigs, while others gave ideas for expansion.

“A huge shoutout to all my professors. From Prof Chong, who started it all and even funded our jersey, to Assoc Prof Loy Hui Chieh from the Department of Philosophy at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Assoc Prof Ben Leong from the Department of Computer Science at NUS Computing, who were very supportive and advised me on what The Jazzlings should do.”

Bian Tong also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Associate Professor Kang Hway Chuan, who is the Master of West Wing of NUS College (NUSC), for supporting The Jazzlings by allowing them to use his master’s commons at NUSC for rehearsals. Assoc Prof Kang is also from the Department of Chemistry at the NUS Faculty of Science.

The collective also volunteers at hospitals and teaches jazz every fortnight at Changi Prison, a suggestion from Dr Norman Vasu, a Senior Lecturer at NUSC. Through jazz lessons, they stay in touch with offenders even after their release and connect them with social enterprise Architects of Life, which helps ex-offenders with reintegration.

As The Jazzlings continues to spread its wings, music is becoming an increasingly viable career option for Bian Tong.

“I’ll devote more time to The Jazzlings and see how it goes. But, of course, if that doesn’t work out, I can always fall back on my Business Analytics degree,” he said.

Bian Tong received his Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics with Honours (Merit) on 11 July 2025.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

This year’s Commencement also marked the conferment of honorary degrees on three distinguished leaders for their accomplishments in their respective fields. They were Ambassador-at-Large Chan Heng Chee from the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs; social scientist Dr Noeleen Heyzer, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Rector of NUS’ Ridge View Residential College; as well as global technology pioneer Mr Wong Ngit Liong, Executive Chairman and founder of Venture Corporation.

All three leaders, who are former NUS Trustees, were conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters at a ceremony presided over by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, on 14 July 2025. The event at the University Cultural Centre took place during a ceremony for the Class of 2025 graduates from NUS Business School, which is also celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year.

The Honorary Degree is the University’s highest tribute to outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and made a noteworthy impact on Singapore and the world.

“We are very proud to confer honorary degrees this year on three eminent leaders and visionaries – Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Dr Noeleen Heyzer and Mr Wong Ngit Liong – all of whom have distinguished themselves through excellence and innovation in their fields, and elevated Singapore’s standing on the international stage. Their profound accomplishments are a testament to their exceptional capabilities and steadfast commitment to the advancement of society and betterment of communities in Singapore and beyond,” NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said in a statement.

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee: A leading figure in diplomacy, geopolitics and public policy

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, an NUS alumna, was recognised for her distinguished work in policy studies, international relations and intellectual think tanks, marking a lifetime of contributions to scholarship, diplomacy and civic life.

A leading voice on Singaporean politics, she was the first female head of Political Science at NUS and the founding director of the NUS Institute of Policy Studies think tank.

She has served as Singapore’s United Nations (UN) Representative and Ambassador to the United States of America, bringing scholarly rigour as well as diplomatic finesse to the world stage. Her 16 years in Washington deepened ties between Singapore and the US, culminating in the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, for which her contributions were honoured in Singapore and internationally.

As a public intellectual, her contributions have included serving on the Council for Minority Rights and launching the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, where she was the Former Chair.  She was also a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2024.

“Throughout her career, Ambassador Chan has helped to shape how Singapore understands itself and how Singapore is understood by the world — as an academic, as a diplomat, and now as one of our leading intellectuals,” Professor Simon Chesterman, NUS Vice Provost (Educational Innovation) and Dean of NUS College, said in his delivery of the citation for her conferment. “Ambassador Chan brings together a rare combination of intellectual independence, global experience, and a deep and abiding commitment to public service.”

Taking to the stage to offer her thoughts on the future, she emphasised to the graduates the importance of cultivating intellectual curiosity and an awareness of geopolitics in an era when artificial intelligence is disrupting life and work, and unpredictability is the new normal. “Try to understand and follow what is happening in the world and in your country.  It is crucial for your future. . . . going forward, geopolitics is an inescapable part of our future, and we should be prepared to ride it, and to deal with it.”

Dr Noeleen Heyzer: A legacy of peace and justice

Dr Noeleen Heyzer, an NUS alumna who served as Trustee from 2013 to 2019, was honoured for her visionary leadership in advancing the empowerment of women globally, raising Singapore's international profile and making a global impact through her service at the UN and beyond.

A trailblazer of women’s empowerment across the world, Dr Noeleen was the first woman from outside North America to head the UN Development Fund for Women, turning it from a modest entity into a global force. She was also the first woman to serve as Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, leading the commission in advancing regional cooperation.

As the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Timor-Leste and later as Special Envoy on Myanmar, she worked closely with conflict-affected communities and leaders to forge paths toward peace. Beyond her efforts in advancing peace, her work in global governance has continued through her service on many boards and committees, including the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation. 

In her citation for Dr Noeleen’s conferment, Associate Professor Leong Ching, NUS Vice Provost (Student Life) and Acting Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, lauded Dr Noeleen for her courage and clarity of purpose. “Her leadership has redefined the nature of power itself — as a force for dignity, inclusion, and transformation. She has dedicated her life to building a more peaceful and sustainable world.”

“[In various settings], she brought integrity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to dialogue and justice,” she added.

In her acceptance speech, Dr Noeleen encouraged the graduates to hold firm to their values and uplift societies by reshaping the world in positive ways. “Be the leaders who build not just companies, but weave communities. Use your talents not only to grow economies, but to reimagine them. Let your success be measured by achievements that uplift people, that value human dignity and care for our planet,” she told the graduates.

Mr Wong Ngit Liong: A visionary leader in business, education and public service

Mr Wong Ngit Liong was lauded for his achievements as a leader and pioneer in the global technology industry, contributions to Singapore’s higher education and national development, and dedication to public service through active involvement on national boards and committees.

As Executive Chairman and founder of Venture Corporation, he has been instrumental in the company’s transformation from a start-up in electronics manufacturing services to a leading provider of technology services, products and solutions worldwide, exemplifying visionary leadership and strategic foresight.

As Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2016, Mr Wong’s steadfast leadership and bold vision transformed NUS from a respected local teaching institution into a leading global university highly regarded for its scholarship and research.

Mr Wong’s dedication to public service is further reflected in his active participation in numerous national committees, such as the Economic Development Board, the then-Trade Development Board, DBS Bank, and Singapore Exchange. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to Singapore, he has been conferred the Meritorious Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Order.

“Mr Wong has made lasting contributions to Singapore’s higher education and national development. . . . He was instrumental in driving major reforms that propelled NUS into the ranks of the world’s top universities,” Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, said in his citation for Mr Wong’s conferment. “His leadership was crucial in the corporatisation of the university and its structural transformation.”

Lauding NUS’ progress as an educational powerhouse, Mr Wong said, “NUS has grown tremendously and developed into a mighty river of life, pregnant with new knowledge, innovative research, contributing relevant and impactful services and solutions to Singapore and the world.”

“The world today needs new analyses and deep, strategic thinking and also bold execution. NUS is capable of playing that vital role going forward,” he added.

During the ceremony, close to 100 graduates from the Master of Urban Planning and Bachelor of Science with Honours (Real Estate) Concurrent Degree Programme, as well as the Bachelor of Science with Honours (Real Estate) Double Degree Programme, took to the stage to applause from their families and friends.

The occasion was also marked by an uplifting performance by JDN Party Quest, comprising graduands from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music who delivered a whimsical rendition of “Dancing Sea Otter” from the popular online game MapleStory, and a nostalgic performance of “Rasa Sayang”.

The spirit of the season was aptly captured by Mr Tan Kah Yong, valedictorian from the NUS Business School. “Our ability to step out of our comfort zones, adapt and grab opportunities that come our way is something that we all have inside us, and something that we can do as we move on to the workforce,” he said. “Most importantly, let us believe in ourselves, put in the effort and trust the process, and I’m sure we will be a better version of who we are today.”

This year’s Commencement season began on 10 July 2025, with 35 ceremonies scheduled until 21 July 2025. The celebrations will culminate in the Commencement Dinner, to be held on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. 

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Read the press release on the Honorary Graduates. 
 

The honorary degrees were presented during a Special Ceremony, held as part of the NUS Commencement 2025, presided by Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration. The Honorary Degree is the University’s highest form of recognition for outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and have had a noteworthy impact in Singapore and globally.

This year's Commencement holds added significance as the University commemorates its 120th anniversary – celebrating a proud legacy of excellence, innovation, and service.

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, an NUS alumna, was recognised for her distinguished work in policy studies, international relations and intellectual think-tanks, marking a lifetime of contributions to scholarship, diplomacy and civic life.

Dr Noeleen Heyzer, who is also an NUS alumna, was honoured for her visionary leadership in advancing the empowerment of women globally, raising Singapore's international profile and making global impact through her service at the United Nations (UN) and beyond.

Mr Wong Ngit Liong was lauded for his achievements as a leader and pioneer in the global technology industry, contributions to Singapore’s higher education and national development, and dedication to public service through active involvement on national boards and committees.

The NUS Class of 2025 comprises 17,646 graduates: 7,948 students will receive Bachelor’s degrees and 9,698 will receive graduate degrees. A total of 35 ceremonies will be held at the NUS University Cultural Centre over a period of 12 days, from 10 to 21 July 2025. NUS Commencement 2025 will conclude with the Commencement Dinner, which will be held on 22 July 2025.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “We are very proud to confer honorary degrees this year on three eminent leaders and visionaries – Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Dr Noeleen Heyzer and Mr Wong Ngit Liong – all of whom have distinguished themselves through excellence and innovation in their fields, and elevated Singapore’s standing on the international stage. Their profound accomplishments are a testament to their exceptional capabilities and steadfast commitment to the advancement of society and betterment of communities in Singapore and beyond. They have greatly inspired us with the journeys they have taken and we are celebrating the achievements of these outstanding individuals today.”

This year, 268 students will be graduating as the pioneer cohort of 13 programmes:

• Master of Science (Behavioural and Implementation Sciences in Health)
• Master of Science (Precision Health and Medicine)
• Master of Science (Applied Biomedicine)
• Bachelor of Information Technology
• Master of Arts (Japanese Visual Cultures)
• Master of Science (Strategic Analysis and Innovation)
• Master of Science (Data Science for Sustainability)
• Master of Science (Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainability)
• Master of Science (Physics for Technology)
• Master of Pharmacy (Clinical Pharmacy)
• Master of Science (Semiconductor Technology and Operations)
• Bachelor of Engineering (Infrastructure and Project Management)
• Master of Design in Integrated Design

2025 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Ambassador Chan Heng Chee

Ambassador Chan Heng Chee began her career as a political scientist, graduating with First Class Honours in Political Science from the University of Singapore, a Master of Arts degree from Cornell University, and a PhD from the University of Singapore.

She taught at NUS and became the University’s first female head of Political Science. Through award-winning books, she established herself as a leading voice on Singaporean politics, unafraid to ask discomfiting questions and bring clarity to complex issues. She was next appointed to lead the new Institute of Policy Studies, which remains an influential think tank.

In 1989, as Singapore’s United Nations Representative and Ambassador to the United States of America, Ambassador Chan brought scholarly rigour as well as diplomatic finesse to the world stage. Her 16 years in Washington deepened ties, culminating in the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Her contributions were honoured in Singapore and internationally.

Ambassador Chan has also made significant achievements as a public intellectual, joining the Council for Minority Rights and launching another think-tank: the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities.

Throughout her career, Ambassador Chan, who also served as a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2012 to 2024, has helped shape how Singapore understands itself and how it is understood by the world — as an academic, a diplomat, and leading intellectual. She brings together a rare combination of intellectual independence, global experience, and a deep commitment to public service.

Please refer to Annex 1 for the Citation for Ambassador Chan Heng Chee.

2025 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Dr Noeleen Heyzer

A trailblazer of women’s empowerment across the world, Dr Noeleen Heyzer’s leadership has redefined the nature of power itself – as a force for dignity, inclusion, and transformation.  She has dedicated her life to building a more peaceful and sustainable world and raised Singapore's international profile during her career at the United Nations (UN) and beyond.

Dr Noeleen was the first woman from outside North America to head the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). During her tenure, she transformed UNIFEM from a small organisation into a leading powerhouse empowering woman globally. She was instrumental in securing the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognises women as essential to peace and security, and post-conflict recovery.

Dr Noeleen was the first woman to serve as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) since its founding in 1947. Under her leadership, ESCAP grew in profile and stature, advancing regional cooperation rooted in equity, resilience, and sustainable development.

Dr Noeleen’s courage and clarity of purpose have shaped peacebuilding efforts in some of the world’s most fragile contexts. As the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for Timor-Leste and later as Special Envoy on Myanmar, she worked closely with conflict-affected communities and leaders to forge paths toward peace.

Dr Noeleen has made global impact through her service in many local and international boards and committees, including UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Board on Mediation. Dr Noeleen also served as a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2019. She is also the Rector of NUS Ridge View Residential College, where she continues to inspire generations of young Singaporeans.

Please refer to Annex 2 for the Citation for Dr Noeleen.

2025 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Mr Wong Ngit Liong

Mr Wong Ngit Liong is a distinguished leader and pioneer in the global technology industry. As Executive Chairman and founder of Venture Corporation, he has been instrumental in building the company into a leading provider of technology services, products, and solutions worldwide. Since its inception in 1984, Mr Wong has led Venture Corporation’s evolution from a start-up in electronics manufacturing services into a globally recognised technology powerhouse, exemplifying visionary leadership and strategic foresight.

Mr Wong holds a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Malaya, a Master of Science in Electronics Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (Fulbright Scholar), and a Master of Business Administration (with Distinction) from McGill University. His professional career began at Hewlett-Packard (HP), where he played a pivotal role in expanding HP’s operations in Singapore and Malaysia.

In addition to his corporate leadership, Mr Wong has made lasting contributions to Singapore’s higher education landscape and national development. As Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2016, he was instrumental in driving major reforms that propelled NUS into the ranks of the world’s top universities. His leadership was crucial in the corporatisation of the university and its structural transformation.

Mr Wong’s dedication to public service is reflected in his active participation on numerous national boards and committees, including the Economic Development Board, the then-Trade Development Board, DBS Bank, Singapore Exchange, the Committee to Review Salaries of Political Appointment Holders, the Constitutional Commission to Review the Elected Presidency, and the 2002 Economic Review Committee. In recognition of his exceptional service and contributions to Singapore, Mr Wong has been conferred the Meritorious Service Medal and the Distinguished Service Order.

Please refer to Annex 3 for the Citation for Mr Wong.

At 36, he is graduating from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with a Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours, majoring in Communications and New Media (CNM) – a milestone that marks not just academic achievement, but a powerful personal turnaround.

With his driven and enterprising outlook, it is hard to tell that Mason had drifted off course in his early 20s, grappling with academic pressures, emotional setbacks, and decisions that would eventually derail his life.

However, Mason held on to slivers of hope – buoyed by love and support from his mother – and eventually found his way back from a period marked by instability, depression and eventual incarceration.

Battling darkness and depression

Mason’s journey was fraught with early setbacks. He dropped out of Victoria Junior College at 17 and left Temasek Polytechnic midway through his final year. He was by then hooked on weed – having started “smoking socially” at gatherings – and lured by the profits from hosting poker games in a rented apartment.

He fell into severe depression after a friend failed to repay a large sum of money. Devastated, he retreated to Thailand and spent months playing video games as well as taking drugs to stave off the emptiness.

His addiction did not stop even after he returned to Singapore. “My mental state was completely haywire,” said Mason, recalling those dark times when he was wracked by depression and the sinking feeling that he had let his family down.

At 24, the age many consider to be their physical prime, Mason struggled to even climb a flight of stairs and was dependent on opioids and other debilitating drugs to make it through the day. Physically and mentally, he was at an all-time low.

Not long after, the Central Narcotics Bureau came knocking on his door and Mason was sentenced to five years in jail on drug-related charges.

An unexpected lifeline and path to redemption

Ironically, his years in Tanah Merah Prison were the happiest part of his 20s, Mason said. Living by the motto “every day spent here is another day closer to home”, he saw prison time as an opportunity rather than just punishment.

“I remember my mother telling me when I was at my lowest point, that ‘Mummy will never give up on you’. That cut through a lot of the pain I was feeling and made me want to turn my life around,” Mason recounted.

Enrolling in prison school, he found the structured environment a boon for his studies. “There’s no social media, there’s no TV, there’s nothing else I can do. I just sat in front of class and paid attention and did my homework,” he said.

The laser focus paid off. In 2021, Mason completed his A levels, becoming Prison School’s top student with five As and one B. This caught the attention of Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, then-Minister of State for Home Affairs, during a visit to meet the graduating cohort.

When Assoc Prof Faishal asked about his plans, Mason shared that he would like to pursue further studies. Given his good conduct and rehabilitation progress, Mason was assessed by the Singapore Prison Service to be suitable to be emplaced on a community-based programme, where he served the tail-end of his sentence in the community. He was emplaced in the community programme for a period of three months. In addition, Mason received the Yellow Ribbon Fund STAR (Skills Training Assistance to Restart) Bursary, which fully covered his university tuition fees.

Mason’s acceptance into NUS signalled a fresh start for him after prison. He was eager not to let his past define him. 

Slightly apprehensive at being a fresh undergraduate at 32 – almost 10 years older than his peers – Mason kept mostly to himself, worried about the age gap and how readily his peers would accept him because of his past.

However, most of his fears were unfounded. “Everybody took (my past) quite coolly. I think Gen Zs don’t really bother about such stuff,” he quipped.

Determined to make up for his late start in adulting, Mason grew adept at juggling multiple commitments. To earn an income as he baulked at the thought of relying on his parents for pocket money, he sold high-end vacuum cleaners in between tutorials – something he excelled at owing to his knack for persuasion.

His academic work in the NUS CNM Department further honed his communication and rhetorical skills and taught him to sharpen his persuasive powers.

A key highlight for Mason was the Consulting as a Communication and Career Skill course by CNM Adjunct Associate Professor, Dr Alan Tea. His clear articulation and deep insights into the nuances of corporate language in Business-to-Business (B2B) versus Business-to-Consumer (B2C) sales were an eye-opener. The course not only sharpened his consulting skills but also provided knowledge he could directly apply to his own sales work. Inspired by the experience, Mason dedicated his thesis to examining the differences in consulting strategies and approaches between B2B and B2C contexts, under Dr Tea’s guidance.

Dr Jinna Tay’s media course, which delved into the complex disruptions of Singapore’s national identities, media texts and institutions through the media production and policies that shape them, and included an industry visit to Mediacorp, was also an experience he deeply relished.

While some of his peers fretted over their grades, Mason was largely unfazed by university. “I’ve been through severe depression, I’ve been through jail, so nothing really gets to me that much,” he said, matter-of-factly.

He also found time to captain and manage an adult football team, volunteer at Meet-the-People sessions and elderly home visits in the Cheng San neighbourhood, and take travel breaks.

“So, when people tell me they don’t have time to do anything, I cannot relate,” he said.

Proof of what’s possible

A graduation scroll marks not just an academic achievement, but also a personal milestone.

“I’ve quit junior college, I’ve quit polytechnic, so I told myself, I’m going to finish this, no matter what. I’m going to prove to people I can complete all these things at once,” said Mason, who is grateful to his family, girlfriend, and professors like Dr Tea and Dr Tay for motivating him.

“I feel the greatest sense of achievement when I tell people I’ve managed to complete university while juggling work.”

Having obtained his Real Estate Salesperson certification during his four years in NUS, Mason plans to become a property agent and also harbours dreams of launching his own premium streetwear brand one day.

In the meantime, he is in a good mental space and is busy paying it forward. He delivers talks at the prison school and recently shared his experiences at the Singapore Boys’ Home – an arrangement by the NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates.

Mason’s journey from the depths of addiction to the peaks of academic and personal fulfilment is proof that with resilience, resolve, and the right support, transformation is possible at any stage of life.

“It really just boils down to your mindset and how much you really want something,” he said.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Jade Ow: Singapore’s trailblazing deaf actress

As a teenager, Jade Ow was always told that her voice was not “standard or conventional” enough for theatre. Born with moderate-severe deafness, she turned instead to visual arts, literature, and dance as outlets of expression.

But Jade still longed to break into theatre. In 2021, she decided to take a leap of faith and enrolled in Theatre Studies at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, with a minor in Chinese Translation.

“I had a really difficult time convincing people at first that I could go into theatre,” admitted the 23-year-old. Her family was also worried about the financial viability of theatre as a career.  

Thankfully, she found a “support crew” at NUS. “Teachers came together to really help me with my journey, and I’m very grateful for them,” she shared. For instance, Dr Noorlinah Mohamed, who taught the course Voice Studies and Production, guided her through intensive voice and speech training in her second year.

The Student Accessibility Unit also equipped her with assistive speech-to-text technologies, helping her fill in the gaps when she lip-read during conversations and classes. They even connected her with theatre professionals, including director and disability arts advocate Peter Sau, who is currently her mentor in ART:DIS Singapore, a non-profit that advocates for opportunities for persons with disabilities within the arts scene. These experiences honed her craft and expanded her industry network.

By 2023, Jade had found not only her voice, but also her calling. Today, she has carved a niche for herself as one of Singapore’s few deaf actresses.

“Every chance to put myself out there is one step closer to where I want to be… It’s not really about achieving an Oscar or a 金马奖 (Golden Horse Award),” she said. “To me, the highest level of artistry is getting to that level where I feel satisfaction when I am performing.”

Her biggest role to date is her breakthrough autobiographical performance in Through The Looking Glass, directed by Claire Teo, and performed as part of the Light to Night Festival in conjunction with Singapore Art Week 2025. She credits NUS for providing a rare confluence of cultural diversity, academic freedom, and advocacy platforms. “I don’t think I could have gotten such a journey anywhere else in the world,” she noted.

Her family has since thrown their support behind her career choice. Post-graduation, she continues her journey as a theatre professional, while working with arts entities such as the National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Drama Educators Association to promote disability arts in the region.

She also wishes to inspire other disabled artists. “I’m hoping to visit more special education schools, share my experience as an artist and disability advocate, and encourage students to see the arts as a path they can take too,” she said.

Ng Ziqin: Blending law with a love for writing  

Ng Ziqin’s passion for the literary arts began before her NUS days. She started writing novels in secondary school, completing a coming-of-age novel, Every School a Good School, just before entering university. The book was a 2022 Epigram Books Fiction Prize finalist.

During her four years at NUS Law, Ziqin led University Court Friends, a pro bono project under the faculty’s pro bono group; served as Editor-in-Chief of its digital publication, Justified; and taught writing classes via Book-a-Writer, a programme started by literary non-profit SingLit Station.

For the 23-year-old, who lived on campus for two years under the NUS College (NUSC) programme, law and writing are two sides of the same craft. “NUS taught me what kind of lawyer — and person — I want to be,” she said. “I want to keep being someone who finds purpose in my job and maintains a personality and friends outside of work.”

At NUSC, she honed her short-story writing skills through the Global Experience (GEx) Paris programme, choosing a course centred on the arts, diplomacy, and social innovation. During the month-long programme, which included language classes and seminars, she found time to visit 18 museums in Brussels, Paris, Villers-Cotterêts and Giverny. This immersive journey inspired a collection of five short stories, titled Tales from the Pyramides, currently unpublished.

Ziqin even found a way to merge her interest in law and creative writing. For instance, she joined the scriptwriting team for Law IV, an annual musical traditionally staged by the graduating law cohort. 

These creative projects are ways of “exploring authenticity”. This process is critical for Ziqin who “draws from lived experience” to pen her stories.

Ziqin will be preparing for the Bar exam in the coming months — but that doesn’t mean she is putting her creative work on the backburner.

When time allows, she hopes to spend the latter half of 2025 working on her next novel, about a university student stranded with a Chinese ethnic minority tribe during a trip to China.

The idea was sparked by her visit to Betel Nut Valley in Hainan, a lived experience she wishes to capture in writing.

Stephanie Peck: Finding purpose in poetry and psychology

In the quaint, seaside town of Swanage, England, with its chalk cliffs and sea breeze echoing with bird cries, Stephanie Peck and her friends came to a realisation: life was bigger than the woes they faced as secondary school students.

“It was so peaceful, our brains couldn’t handle it,” she said with a laugh. 

“The adolescent period is not easy. (Psychologists) call it a period of storm and stress,” said Stephanie. Then 15, she was in Swanage to learn about geography. But the trip ended up sparking her curiosity about the human mind and mental health.

Now 23, she has traversed an eclectic academic journey. She initially enrolled in medicine, but eventually switched to psychology, along with a double minor in English Literature and Southeast Asian Studies at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. In hindsight, the arts was the right place as she grew creatively and academically.

During her five years in the College of Alice & Peter Tan (CAPT), a pivotal moment came in 2022 when she took the course Identities in Asia. It was taught by Senior Lecturer, Dr Kankana Mukhopadhyay, who encouraged the budding poet to submit poetry reflecting on the course’s field trips.

With Dr Kankana’s support, Stephanie launched “Beginner’s Guide to Writing Poetry”, the following year, a reading and writing group she facilitated within CAPT for her final three semesters. One participant, who had long wished to learn to write poetry but never had the chance, described the sessions as “an answered prayer”.

In 2024, Stephanie took her love for the arts abroad to Botswana for a two-month teaching internship at Delta Waters International School in Maun, a key partner of CAPT’s Study Trips for Engagement and EnRichment (STEER) programme. There she taught English, Literature, and Creative Writing to secondary and primary school students.

Post-graduation, Stephanie hopes to pursue clinical psychology, kickstarting her career in the mental health and social service sectors.

“What draws me to both poetry and psychology is their shared power to surprise — to shift a person’s perspective when they feel stuck. Sometimes, change begins with simply seeing things differently,” she said.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

But some, in particular, have to overcome far greater challenges – from facing financial difficulties to managing a loved one’s illness. Two graduates in the NUS Class of 2025 in particular, have shown grit and gumption through adversity.

Sebastian Eu: From overcoming personal adversity to launching a career in finance

When he was 11 years old, Sebastian Eu’s grandparents sat him down and broke the news: his father had been in a motorbike accident in Malaysia. His right leg had been amputated, causing Sebastian’s mother to take unpaid leave from her job in a semiconductor assembly line to care for him.

That news marked a turn in the family’s fortunes. While Sebastian’s family could once afford to dine out and buy him toys and games, they now had to cut back on expenses as medical bills piled up. His mother stepped up, taking on part-time work in addition to her full-time job to pay the bills.

Seeing how hard his mother worked, he also did his best to help. “I still (wanted) to get toys and games, but I realised it was… tough on my mum,” recalled the now-27-year-old. “She could afford it, but it meant that something had to be cut elsewhere in our finances.”

He continued to be prudent, exercising frugality whenever he could. “I would go for cheaper alternatives when I was eating out, whether in school or with my friends. It helped me build my saving habits,” he added.

These childhood experiences shaped his decision to study business, which he hoped would help him secure a stable job. In 2021, Sebastian enrolled in NUS’ Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programme, with his tuition fees paid for by bursaries such as the government-funded Higher Education Bursary.

Then he put his ambitions to work. Knowing that finance was a deeply competitive field, he invested his time into finding out more about the industry and networking with experts.

One of the first things he did was join the NUS Asset & Wealth Management Club, a student-led interest group that regularly invited industry professionals for sharing sessions. “I would stay behind and talk to (them),” he said, adding that the conversations sparked his curiosity about working in a private bank.

He decided to find out. After polishing his resume with the help of an NUS Business School career advisor, he successfully applied for an internship at the Bank of Singapore in his third year. It was time to suit up for corporate life.

“It was my first finance and banking stint, so I really didn’t know what to expect. I had to learn on the job,” he noted. “Things move quickly, and sometimes (the situation) can be volatile. Going to work was a refreshing experience because I wasn’t doing the same thing every day.”

Having dipped his toes into finance, Sebastian was ready to dive in headlong. In his final summer, he applied for another internship with HSBC’s global private banking division. His strong performance and dedication during the stint led to a full-time offer as a graduate analyst post-graduation.

The first person he told was his mum, who was overjoyed as she was worried whether he could find a job. But she was his inspiration. “Looking at how hard my mum worked was (one of) the reasons I pushed myself so hard,” he said.

Julia Liaw: How chance led to a career in law

Growing up, Julia Liaw spent a lot of time in libraries. The reason: She did not have a phone.

Money was tight for her family, especially with two other siblings and a mother battling chronic illnesses. So Julia whiled away her time among the shelves, devouring Enid Blyton books. She went so often that the librarian memorised her identity card number.

“That, in part, was why I decided to pursue law. It’s such a reading-inclined industry,” said Julia, 24. But her journey from libraries to law school came about by chance.

Attracted by the breadth of the curriculum, she initially applied for the liberal arts programme at Yale-NUS College. It was her mother who nudged her towards something more “practical” and encouraged her to pursue a professional degree like law. 

After doing the math and factoring in financial aid and a study award she had received from Yale-NUS, Julia realised that studying both — via the Double Degree Programme in Law and Liberal Arts — seemed like the best of both worlds, both academically and economically. She signed on the dotted line, kickstarting her university journey. But it wasn’t always easy.

“In my first year of law school, I struggled a lot academically,” Julia admitted. “It was only in my second year, after going around and seeking guidance from my peers, that I started figuring things out.” Her grades improved so much that she clinched the Most Improved Student Award and secured a place on the Dean’s List.

Despite her academic struggles, Julia continued to push herself outside her comfort zone in other ways. She volunteered as a tuition teacher and student peer counsellor, and even took up extra-curricular activities like ultimate frisbee.

“My experiences growing up contributed to the reasons why I do what I do. When I was a kid, I wished I had more tuition, but I didn’t want my parents to spend money on it,” she said. That was why she volunteered with TEACH SG, an NUS initiative that allows NUS students to mentor youth from disadvantaged families.

She also found time for pro bono work, where she helped the elderly navigate legal matters and crafted publications to raise awareness for sexual assault survivors – work that she found deeply meaningful. “Pro bono work keeps me grounded. It’s the human aspect of law,” she explained. She also joined NUS Law’s Pro Bono Group and its Mooting and Debating Club (MDC), on top of working a slew of part-time jobs outside of school for income. Her days were hectic, often packed to the brim from morning to midnight.

Her experiences challenged her and helped her grow through discomfort. One example was the B.A. Mallal Moot, Singapore’s oldest and most prestigious mooting competition, organised by the MDC.

“It made me very uncomfortable going in front of people and speaking when you can’t fully predict the questions that are coming to you. I really disliked it, but I did it because I disliked it,” she said. “It’s made me a clearer thinker, a better speaker, and someone who can see both sides of a point. These are soft skills which I think are the most valuable things I can get out of law school.”

Most importantly, she seized opportunities to have fun — such as travelling to Malaysia for an impromptu dive trip together with a group of friends from Yale-NUS. As her time at university draws to a close, she has planned her next step. Apart from joining a reputable law firm, Julia intends to continue her pro bono work as far as possible.

“I might have a high threshold for burnout – perhaps my circumstances have made things easier for me in that way,” she said with a laugh. “But there are still a lot of things for me to learn when I go into the workplace, and I am excited to grow, both as a lawyer and as a person.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Sophie Xie: When presence is a present

For Sophie Xie Jia Lin, medicine is as much about human connection as it is about clinical knowledge.

Back in junior college, she was drawn to pursuing medicine as a career for its blend of academic rigour and deep human connection. Now undergoing supervised clinical practice in Internal Medicine at the National University Hospital, the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) graduate recalls a recent encounter that affirmed her career choice.

“One of the patients whom I discharged came to give me a hug. She told me, ‘You are a good doctor and I love you because you made me feel cared for.’ I hadn’t thought much about what I’d done for her, but that was when I realised that being present can be as powerful as any procedure,” she said. “Moments like these really make my job a lot more meaningful.”

Her journey at NUS Medicine also took her beyond the wards and lecture halls. She participated in projects like NUS Medicine’s Receiving and Giving (RAG) and Flag performance in her first year, even when the COVID-19 pandemic meant recording choreography over Zoom.

In her second year, she co-led the production as part of the organising committee, drawing on her years of training in Chinese dance and her interest in choreography and film to direct the project. “These creative outlets have been essential in helping me stay grounded and reconnect with myself outside of medicine. I see a parallel between my journey in medicine and in the arts – just as I continue to grow in clinical knowledge, I also seek new ways to grow in my pursuits. I think the beauty of NUS Medicine lies in the fact that I had the freedom and opportunities to continue exploring and growing even outside of class,” said the former resident of King Edward VII Hall (KEVII), home to many students from NUS Medicine.

Sophie also teamed up with fellow medical student Joseph Lim, from the same graduating class of 2025, to produce two short films. “Filmmaking was a really interesting opportunity for me to see how different art mediums can convey a message and give the audience this very visceral feeling,” she said.

When she felt isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic, she leaned on her KEVII family. “There was a strong sense of camaraderie all across NUS Medicine. From clinical rotations to preparing for exams, we had each other’s backs,” she said.

Looking ahead, Sophie aims to pursue a career in Internal Medicine, where she hopes to provide continuity of care and spend meaningful time with patients, in line with her belief that medicine is, at its core, about human connection. “Medicine stimulated me intellectually. But more than that, it has given me the space to form deep human bonds,” she noted. “[Medicine] is a very humbling journey, with many things to learn. There’s an analogy that I try to practise: life is like hiking a mountain. When we look forward, it feels endless and tough, but when we take a pause and look back, we realise we have actually come such a long way.”

Ashlee Tan: Diving deep into medicine and sport

When her best friend said she wanted to be a paediatrician when she grew up, a young Ashlee Tan Yi Xuan adopted the same dream.

This fun childhood wish turned into a firm ambition as she grew older. One striking moment was a project in primary school, where she learnt about less fortunate children in impoverished parts of the world with no access to proper healthcare.

Seeing medicine as a way to contribute to society, Ashlee, who is also a national diver, applied to study MBBS at NUS Medicine. However, at her admission interview in 2019,  someone advised her to pick between her first love — diving, which she had picked up at the age of 11 — and her medical studies.

But she took the plunge anyway. “I didn’t think it was possible to thrive at NUS Medicine while continuing to pursue competitive diving,” she said. “Everyone said medicine was too intense. As it turns out, if you really want it, you’ll find a way.”

And so she did, even taking a gap year in 2023 to train full-time. The decision came after the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, held right after her final exams in Year 3.

“It was brutal — studying and training simultaneously. I could not even fly to Hanoi together with the rest of my team because I still had practical exams,” she recalled. “We missed out on silver, but that reignited the fire in me and I realised that I was not ready to hang up my swimming suit.”

The gap year culminated in the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, where she narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Olympics. “It wasn’t the result I wanted, but it reminded me I could compete at that level. It gave me more confidence to tackle not just diving but medical school too,” she recounted.

Training 30 hours a week during her gap year and maintaining a lighter but consistent schedule after returning to school helped to hone her time management skills. Her strategies for managing her time well included doing up colour-coded physical timetables and task lists. Although she focused on full-time training, she still spent at least two hours studying every day, which helped make her final year more manageable.

“I’m very visual. Planning helped me stop panicking. And nothing beats the satisfaction of striking a task off my to-do list,” she explained.

Ashlee is still putting in the hours at the pool as she eyes the 2028 Olympics. Now undergoing clinical training at the internal medicine division of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, she shared, “I’ve learned to make quality count more than quantity. It’s about pacing myself and training smart.”

One piece of advice she would give her younger self? “Go all in, even from the first year. Don’t assume anything is impossible,” she laughed.

Ang Jing Xuan: Seeing the person behind the patient

Caring is at the heart of nursing. For Ang Jing Xuan, that meant understanding the person and not just the condition.

This inspired him to take on a second major in Sociology while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies. One early clinical placement confirmed that he was on the right path.

“I was caring for an elderly patient who kept coming back for the same condition,” he recalled. “Medically, everything was right. But she told me, ‘It’s hard when you’re doing this alone.’ That hit me. It wasn’t just a physical problem, it was a social one too.”

Sociology gave him the vocabulary to articulate what he was observing — and the tools to respond. “Nursing taught me to notice the details of a patient’s condition, but Sociology taught me to notice the bigger picture,” he explained.

He applied this approach beyond the hospital wards, including during a 2024 summer internship at DBS, where he helped gamify a customer service initiative. “After watching how the bank managed change with empathy, patiently teaching their staff how to use new technology, I thought I could bring this human-centred perspective back to nursing,” he said.

Juggling a second major was challenging. “I’d overload my semesters just to feel productive,” he confessed. “But during exam season, panic would hit. My friends and I turned it into a late-night mission: staying up till 3am, quizzing each other and trying every trick to cram those slides into our heads. We were all over-caffeinated, half-delirious, but we got through it together.”

Now on the cusp of his nursing career, Jing Xuan is drawn to the adrenaline rush of the emergency wards and intensive care units. But he also hopes to use his training in Sociology to improve systems and support patients more holistically.

“I don’t just see a diagnosis anymore,” he said. “I see the person behind it — and all the structures that they’re navigating. That perspective has made me more thoughtful, more curious, and more committed to finding ways we can support people in their everyday lives. I also want to make a small but real change in nursing, perhaps by finding ways to streamline patient care or support staff during their most hectic shifts.”

 

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Gathering valedictorians and representatives from the Class of 2024, the dinner was attended by more than 330 guests, including NUS Pro-Chancellors Mr Po’ad Mattar and Professor S Jayakumar; NUS Chairman Mr Hsieh Fu Hua; NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye; University Professor Wang Gungwu; NUS trustees, as well as faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Reflecting on the theme of the evening, hosts Ms Suhaana Khanna, a Class of 2024 graduate from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and Justin See, a final-year student from NUS Business School, exchanged highlights about their university life – from stimulating classes to eye-opening exchange programmes – as they paid tribute to the support system of professors, teachers, peers and family members.

A changing of the seasons

In his speech at the event, Prof Tan remarked on the conclusion of another Commencement season, drawing parallels between transitions in the academic calendar with seasonal changes in nature and the various stages of a career journey. Spring, he explained, is a period of learning and growth as fresh graduates enter the working world with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Later in the summer, they would see their talents, skills and competencies in full bloom as they climb the corporate ladder.

In contrast to the cyclical nature of the seasons, however, today’s career trajectories do not follow a predictable pattern – they are increasingly dynamic and ever-evolving. “With the exponential growth of technological advances that are transforming all industries at every level, we must continue learning to keep pace,” Prof Tan emphasised.

He cited two Class of 2024 graduates whose inspiring journeys demonstrate that it is never too late to embrace new challenges: Mr Khaider Bin Khalid, an NUS Computing alumnus who returned to pursue his undergraduate degree in Nursing after more than three decades in the banking sector, and Dr Jade Soh who earned her PhD in Public Health (Biostatistics) after choosing to reignite her passion for learning in 2018. 

Underscoring his point on the certainty of change, he said: “Each season comes with its own challenges and rewards – change is inevitable and growth is intentional. Be fully present and appreciative, for each of these moments will culminate in an extraordinary life.”

Raising a toast to the graduating class, he concluded, “May your life be anchored in purpose to steer your course, drive your resilience and fill you with deep joy.”

Speaking to his fellow graduates, Mr Huang Ziwei, 45th President of the NUS Students’ Union and an FASS graduate, credited his peers for the resilience, passion and drive that propelled them through the toughest times of university life, which for the Class of 2024 began with the unprecedented challenge of a global pandemic. 

Reflecting on his NUS experience, he recounted the plethora of opportunities provided by the University, which included staying in a hostel, captaining a badminton team and eventually serving as president of the student body. “I hope that your time in NUS has been one of the best you have had in your lives, as it certainly was for me,” he said, thanking the graduates’ families and friends for seeing them through their NUS journeys.

Acknowledging the fear and trepidation that may accompany their first steps into the workforce, he encouraged his fellow graduates to persevere and approach their future careers with confidence. “I believe with the knowledge, skills and experience that NUS has equipped us, we should be confident in ourselves that we are able to shape our own future, and be the change we want to see,” he said.   

A harmony of the traditional and contemporary

In keeping with the celebratory tone of the evening, a fusion of engaging music and dance performances showcased the University’s diversity of talents and its vibrant student life. 

NUS Ilsa Tari, which works with both traditional and contemporary styles of Malay dance, led with a traditional dance piece, Tari Zapin Desak. Performed in the style of Tarian Zapin, which translates to Zapin dance, this Malay dance form is typically presented during joyous occasions such as weddings.

NUS Voices, the University’s Mandopop interest group that prides itself on creating and sharing music that speaks to the heart and soul, followed up with soulful renditions of Zac Efron and Zendaya’s “Rewrite The Stars” and Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” serenading the audience with their dulcet tones.

The night ended on a high note with an energetic dance performance by NUS Funkstyles that brought the essence of the funk genre to life, choreographed to the funky beats of "Copchase" by Grooveline Horns. 

This story is the final instalment of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

As she enters the working world armed with a Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours (Distinction) in Communications and New Media (CNM), she is excited to apply herself to the media and communications industry and learn all that she can, in the hopes of contributing back to her community and to causes close to her heart in the future.

Leaning on community in the midst of adversity

When she enrolled at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in August 2020, Aisha opted to stay on campus in a big step towards becoming more independent and moving out of her comfort zone, and became a resident of Ridge View Residential College (RVRC).

Along with the pandemic situation which caused her father to lose his income, and worrying about her mother’s health having just completed chemotherapy treatment, the strain and stress began to take its toll on her mental health at the end of her first year. “I was very emotional and was not motivated to carry out my daily routines for some time. That was when I decided to seek help,” She recounted.

The years before becoming an undergraduate at NUS were not easy for Aisha, especially when her mother, whom she is the closest to, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer when she was in junior college. This put a strain on her family, especially since her mother was the primary breadwinner.

Despite her best efforts to stay strong, Aisha was eventually diagnosed with Anxiety and Major Depressive Disorder in 2021.

“Learning to manage the condition with medication and better self-awareness and stress management was challenging. My migraines worsened in university, which made focusing on my studies tougher,” she recalled.

That was when Aisha learnt that it was okay to reach out and tap on one of the benefits of staying on campus – the supportive network and community she had around her. In fact, she managed to stay at RVRC for four years – up to her final year – and credits the support from Resident Fellows and friends at RVRC, as well as the Department of CNM, for building up her confidence and resilience.

“They were kind and made time to check in on me to make sure I was doing well. When I needed help, they were always there,” she shared.

She vividly recalls one instance of the show of support. “I was feeling stressed in my final year about juggling tough courses with multiple leadership roles while caring for my dad who had then just suffered a stroke, and I texted CNM Associate Professor Elmie Nekmat one night for advice. He is also a Resident Fellow in RVRC and met me that same night to advise me on how to balance this personal issue with my existing school commitments. That was something I deeply appreciated.”

Aisha also benefitted from a Mendaki Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy, the Higher Education Community Bursary and the NUS Residential College Bursary which helped with her tuition and residential college fees and living expenses, alleviating her family’s financial burden during the pandemic.

A passionate mental health advocate

Motivated by her personal experiences, she joined the RVRC Peer Student Supporters (RVRC PSS) to promote mental well-being and provide a listening ear to RVRC residents. As Chairperson, she organised events to provide safe spaces for connections between residents and professional counsellors from charitable organisations, as well as small group sessions with mental wellness speakers on topics such as mindfulness and stress management. Trained to provide peer support, she also counselled residents in need and those who personally reached out.

A curiosity to understand attitudes towards mental health issues even sparked Aisha’s interest to research on online reactions to digital stories of Singaporeans suffering from mental health issues as the topic of her Honours thesis. 

She said, “The work that RVRC PSS does is important as it creates awareness and promotes discussion about a topic that is not talked about enough. If through these efforts, we can help even one person, that’s all that matters.”

A community leader that promotes the understanding of the Malay culture

As a Malay-Muslim, Aisha was keen to enhance community engagement and awareness of her community’s culture and religion on campus.

Together with a close RVRC friend, she spearheaded the organisation of RVRC’s first Ramadan/Hari Raya event in 2023. Titled “Raya with Ridge”, it featured a sharing session on the influence of Malay culture on Hari Raya as well as vibrant cultural performances by NUS Dikir (Malay choral singing), NUS Silat and RVTarian (a traditional Malay dance group from RVRC). The event’s success prompted Aisha to organise it a second time and on a larger scale in RVRC earlier this year.

Aisha said, “RVRC has been very supportive in my growth, encouraging residents like me to embark on passion projects. They are more than happy for you to explore and support any initiatives that you are passionate about if you have the capacity to do so. ‘Raya with Ridge’ is one good example.”

Eager to serve the broader Malay-Muslim student community, she organised “eMpower 2024” – a major collaborative event by the NUS Malay Language Society (PBMUKS) and the NUS Muslim Society (NUSMS) that aimed to prepare Malay and Muslim students for life post-graduation through talks on careers, finance matters, marriage preparation and even the buying of first homes. Another event she led was Jom Ke NUS (Let’s Go to NUS) – an outreach event by PBMUKS for pre-university students to understand what student life is like on campus, where she also initiated a pre-event content series on TikTok and YouTube for outreach.

Ms Sadaf Ansari, RVRC Director of Studies and Senior Lecturer, who journeyed with Aisha through her four years in university, is proud of her. “Aisha inspires through service. She is exemplary among her peers in finding the courage to talk about the complex issue of mental health openly and advocating for more awareness about it. Her display of leadership in initiatives on Malay culture and Islam have also directly contributed to the scaling up of overall cultural and religious awareness in RVRC and NUS.”

A career in the media and communications industry

Aisha has set her sights on a career in media and communications – having grown to particularly enjoy the experience of applying the communications knowledge and skills she learnt as a CNM student while leading the many events she has done on campus.

“I’m keen to learn new skills in the industry as I plan to become a communications strategist,” she enthuses. “I want to gain as much experience as possible and I hope to eventually contribute back to my community and even to the mental health cause. This is my plan right now and I’m excited to see what the future brings.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

NUS provides a garden of campus life opportunities for students to bloom, equipping them with key capabilities and essential soft skills to thrive not only in the present but the future. We speak to three recent graduates who pursued multi-faceted interests during their time in NUS – from setting up an independent record label, to organising community events, or cultivating a thriving hostel community.

Sidharth Premnath: Engineering a symphony of experiences

Sidharth Premnath, 24, felt his heart pounding moments before he took the stage. His performance at the Singapore Art Week would be his biggest since he started producing electronic music on his laptop when he was just 12.

Stylishly clad in shades, a black T-shirt and jeans, the performer in Sidharth took over as he belted his original composition, set against background music he created.

“It was an amazing opportunity to showcase my work,” he said of the January 2024 event, where he performed as part of the NUS Electronic Music Lab, a student interest group that focuses on original composition and production of electronic music through the medium of digital software and electronic audio technology. “Music is my release, artwork, and expression,” enthused Sidharth who graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) with Honours (Merit) from NUS College of Design and Engineering on 17 July 2024.

In fact, it was in his dormitory room in Tembusu College where he conceived his record label Exfil Records, which organised its first concert in March 2024 and has a few more in the pipeline.

Such opportunities to pursue varied interests and the interdisciplinary curriculum offered by Tembusu College appealed to him. “I studied STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) my whole life, and wanted to expand my breadth of knowledge. In Tembusu College, I could achieve that,” said Sidharth.

Besides his music venture, he is also considering an engineering career, believing firmly that his interdisciplinary educational background will be a boon.

“Most innovations are coming at the intersection of multiple industries, as opposed to being at the core of engineering or science,” he said, mentioning how, for example, in Natural Language Processing, computer scientists would also have to think about linguistics principles.

He wheeled out a cycling analogy for his education at Tembusu and NUS. “It’s like I’m taking out the training wheels now. I’m equipped with what I need and unafraid to take on any challenge,” he said.

Vivian Tan: Sowing seeds for others

The lush surroundings of NUS’ University Town are usually peaceful in the early morning air. In the wee hours of November 2023, however, Vivian Tan found herself swarmed by a flurry of activity ahead of NUS’ inaugural Plant-It-Forward (PIF) Day.

The event was part of Vivian’s final-year Field Service Project for NUS Business School Honours students. It was a meaningful initiative, she said, as PIF supported less privileged students while creating a positive environmental impact.

With her specialisation in marketing, Vivian and her team were involved in the event’s publicity and logistics, such as coming up with the idea of having 3D-printed planters (small plant pots) and an interactive collaborative batik painting. “It was very memorable to see how we could contribute to the event, bringing to life what we had planned,” she recounted.

The PIF Day was just one major highlight of her campus life. Another was getting to know Melissa Lim, an adjunct lecturer at NUS Business and also the founder and president of Brain Tumour Society Singapore.

Both Melissa and Vivian are brain tumour survivors. After more than 10 years in remission, Vivian is supporting others in the same situation, such as a peer from NUS College of Design and Engineering, whom she came to know through Melissa.

“It’s nice to help someone else with what I went through, so they are not as lost,” said the 23-year-old.

In the classroom, Vivian has also helped to nurture others as a teaching assistant, a role which she described as “daunting” at first.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours (Highest Distinction) on 21 July 2024, she will be taking on a management associate role at a telecommunications company.

“It’s amazing that I’ve come so far. From being afraid of speaking in class to feeling at ease in class discussions, taking on new experiences and leading a team. There’s a lot of gratitude as I met the right people to guide me,” she said.

Lim Choon Wei: Leading the charge in giving

It was an unusual but heartening sight for Lim Choon Wei and his teammates at the Raffles Volunteer Corps (RVC), a volunteering interest group at Raffles Hall (RH).

The dozens of “uncles” and “aunties” who worked at RH, whether in the kitchen or hall office, were well-dressed in formal attire. They were not here for work, but for a get-together where students showed their appreciation through heartfelt speeches and a catered meal. The first Hall Staff Appreciation was held in 2021 and has since remained an annual tradition at RH.

“We could see they (the hall staff) really enjoyed it,” said Choon Wei, age 24, who considered the event among the most significant in his NUS years.

Another was the Raffles Hall Information Outlet (RHino) programme started at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a free tuition clinic for underprivileged secondary students. RVC enlisted RH residents to teach these students subjects like Mathematics and English Language over Zoom. 

When Choon Wei became President of RVC in 2021, he led the charge for RHino to include non-academic subjects such as coding and photography. The programme won Merit for Community Service at the 2021 Student Life Awards (now known as the NUS Achievement Awards).

Perhaps more crucially, many of the 100 beneficiaries had only positive messages to share in their feedback. “What was heartwarming was that some would name their tutors. This shows how much impact the volunteers had made,” said Choon Wei, who became President of the RH Junior Common Room Committee during his final year.

The fresh graduate who graduated with a Bachelor of Social Sciences (Social Work) with Honours (Distinction) shared that his RH volunteering experiences have prepared him well for his current role as a social worker at SHINE Children and Youth Services .

As he moves on from his time at NUS and RH, what he will miss most is the friendships in the hall. “The late-night conversations over supper. Pockets of time to sit down, rest and have fun,” said Choon Wei with a smile.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

These were the fond words Rachel Quek had for the Office of Student Affairs’ (OSA) Student Accessibility Unit (SAU) when reflecting on her four years as an undergraduate at NUS.

Born with spina bifida and in a wheelchair since she was in primary school, Rachel was used to getting around in her wheelchair long before she first stepped foot into NUS.

Although a seasoned wheelchair user, navigating the hilly terrain of Kent Ridge campus and the decision to live on campus independently had challenged Rachel to step out of her comfort zone.

“I feel very thankful for the professors in NUS’ College of Alice and Peter Tan, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Department of History who were very aware of my needs as a wheelchair user yet did not ‘baby’ me because of it. They were respectful and conscious of the fact that I was a young adult who needed to find my own way around,” she said.

Rachel held on to the belief that her formative undergraduate years were a time for her to explore who she wanted to, and could, be. Armed with this conviction, she used the challenges that came her way as opportunities to grow and build up her resilience for life after graduation.

Thriving within a community of care

The three years she spent as a resident of the College of Alice and Peter Tan (CAPT) were special to Rachel. She enjoyed being able to connect with so many people from different disciplines and who had diverse approaches to undergraduate life.

Rachel had applied to live at CAPT because she was told of a past student with similar needs as hers who was very well taken care of there, and also because of the residential college’s many disabled-friendly features, such as barrier-free and inclusive toilets on every floor.

Staying in a suite with five other girls and learning to care for one another really enriched Rachel’s undergraduate years.

“The connections I made at CAPT formed the nexus of the friendships I forged at NUS. My experience of student life and hobbies centred around CAPT,” said Rachel, who was involved in student interest groups such as Jam City and Guitarpella, and was Vice Project Director of CAPT’s 10^th anniversary celebration, CAPT10, in 2022.

The college organised and offered plenty of activities for its residents to bond, learn together or sometimes even to unwind. Rachel recalls how simple social gatherings to enjoy mooncakes or ‘tang yuan’ together were a good way to take a break and gather at the pantry to relax.

While living on campus independently had proven to be one of the best decisions she made, Rachel realises that the decision was probably harder on her parents than it was for her. She said, “Their support and willingness to let go and let me be independent gave me a lot of confidence. They’ve always believed in me, and believed that I would figure things out for myself.”

Punching above her weight

In fact, it was precisely her parents’ encouragement for Rachel to always ‘follow her star’, which led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in History at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS).

Being inclined towards subjects in humanities, Rachel pursued pure humanities at A-Levels. It was then that her interest in history grew—she would spend a lot of time reading books, watching videos and listening to podcasts on historical topics.

Keen to explore a different pedagogic approach to history at the university level, Rachel signed up for history courses in her first year and punned, “the rest was history!”

As fate would have it, several of her history professors at FASS were also professors at CAPT, including Dr Daniel Jew whose field of research – particularly on Ancient Greece and Rome – fascinated her. It was no surprise then that she jumped at the opportunity to join Dr Jew to research on the connections between historic Sparta and Singapore as part of the NUS Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programme (UROP).

"I was initially assigned to look through newspaper articles for material that would be relevant and of interest to him for the research. But as I dug deeper, I chanced upon some interesting dynamics of gendered narratives and what Singapore under the British Empire was like.”

These discoveries not only became the topic for her final essay under the UROP, but also formed the basis of what the final research paper she was working on with Dr Jew would be. Because of this, Dr Jew has asked that Rachel be named as lead author for publication in a book chapter within Brill’s Companion to the Spartan Tradition (in press), for the hard work she had put in.

In expressing his admiration for Rachel’s commitment to her work, Dr Jew said, “It is very remarkable to have an undergraduate who is a full co-author for academic work at the lecturer’s level. Rachel is so far the only student I’ve had in 10 years who has contributed to research at this level, before even doing a Masters in History.”

Taking the training wheels off

While her years at NUS were filled with ups and downs, Rachel credits the SAU as well as the rest of the team under OSA for supporting her and many other students with disabilities.

Some older buildings and lecture rooms may not be retrofitted with accessibility features, and moving around the campus could also be challenging during peak hours when the internal shuttle buses are crowded.

“These occurrences taught me be more emotionally resilient, take things in my stride and problem-solve on my feet,” Rachel said.

OSA was also quick to help shift her classes to more disabled-friendly ones, and the University Campus Infrastructure team also arranged for vans to ferry her and other students who had similar transport needs from their halls and residences to class.

“I am nothing but grateful to everyone who’s helped look out for me and supported me in my journey to be more independent,” she reflected. “When I was younger, turning to someone else as an authority figure would have been my first response every time I faced a challenge. The experience at NUS has taught me to look beyond and rise above my circumstances in my own ways.”

While the job hunt was daunting especially since she was aware that recruiters may have had preconceived notions about her disability, she faced this challenge head on, with characteristic grit and determination.

Along with pursuing a career in heritage and history, Rachel hopes to one day complete a Masters in History.

“The more I face adversity, the more I want to push back against it and think, ‘There has to be a way to do it’,” she said.  

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

Both Faye Ng and Khaider Bin Khalid share their thoughts about their journeys through medical and nursing education respectively, showing how we can find personal contentment by pursuing our passions and making meaningful contributions to others' lives.

Faye Ng: A passion for the arts fuels this multi-talented doctor’s journey on the path less taken

Freshly-minted junior doctor Faye Ng is not the typical medical graduate you would imagine: she put her medical school studies on pause temporarily to pursue a gap year at a medtech start-up in the United States. During her time there, she started her own podcast interviewing diverse personalities there – from public health experts to venture capitalists. She is a dancer with two NUS dance groups on campus and a seasoned performer on stage. In her free time, she pens poetry and regular opinion-editorials on medical-themed topics for The Straits Times and TODAY.

Faye made the news in 2023 with her poem “A Pink Crease”, when she won the best poem published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, one of the world’s most cited medical journals.

Faye’s innate curiosity about the world and her love for patients and stories propel her to pursue medicine. “Every patient is unique and has a story that’s worth being told. I learn so much from just sitting with my patients and talking to them.”

Medical school is no walk in the park. From the third year of the five-year programme at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, students undertake postings in various hospitals and departments, including general surgery, internal medicine, and orthopaedics, as part of their clinical rotations. “It is a process of constantly adapting to different teams and expectations. Some specialities, such as emergency medicine, are very intense, as we deal with suffering and death on a day-to-day basis. I started writing as a way to process the emotions and events I’ve experienced, which can be quite heavy.”

“Being in medicine made me reflect on bigger ‘life’ questions as well,” she said. “For instance, I started thinking about concepts like what makes for a meaningful and well-lived life – does a longer lifespan necessarily make for a better life? Where is the trade-off between quantity and quality of life? What is truly in the best interests of the patient?  

Faye uses writing as an outlet to express herself and to think through some of these questions. “As a sentimental person, I document my memories through my writing so they won’t fade. Maybe one day I’ll look back and show my grandkids that these are the things that Grandma went through, processed, and created.”

Faye draws inspiration from other physician-writers. From modernist poet William Carlos Williams to modern-day author Paul Kalanithi, some physicians have been keenly attuned to the similarities between the scalpel and the pen. “As a writer, I find it most humbling whenever I receive responses from readers who find healing and resonance in my writing. It always surprises me that someone out there actually took the time to read what I wrote, made the effort to find my email, and reached out to share their thoughts.”

Besides writing, Faye is an avid dancer, a passion that kept her going through medical school. “Paradoxically, it was precisely because of my commitment to dance that I was able to weather the demands and stress of clinicals. Dance was always something I looked forward to at the end of a long week – it provided me structure, a semblance of normalcy, as well as friends and a community.”

“I’m very glad that I had the opportunity to join not one but two dance CCAs – NUS Dance Synergy and NUS Dance Ensemble. It made school life much more full-bodied and exciting. I had the chance to meet people from other faculties like Business and Engineering,” she shared.

“I wasn’t born a natural dancer,” she confided. “Dance taught me that I had so much to learn, and so much room to grow.”

Faye received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery on 14 July 2024. She is currently working as a House Officer in the Department of Internal Medicine at the National University Hospital.  

Khaider Khalid: Former executive in the finance sector finds fulfilment in a second career in nursing  

Khaider Bin Khalid had to resign from his previous position at an international bank not once but twice. The first time he did so in 2021, his manager was convinced that Khaider was making a rash decision, and asked him to stay for another year. Khaider acquiesced. But before the year was up, he knew that he had to heed the call to ascend what he described as “the second mountain”.

If the first mountain is marked by personal ambition, the second mountain is about deep relationships and a life of service. “I spent a good part of my life on the first mountain, in pursuit of career and wealth,” shared the former Senior Vice President in a bank technology department who used to manage more than 60 people across three countries at one point. 

“It was only when I had to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic that I realised I did not get to spend much time with my family. I missed my three children in their primary and secondary school years because I had to travel, and work late even on weekends. And I suddenly had to grapple with the fact that they were all grown up,” he said.

“But this was also one of the factors that made it easier for me to change careers. My youngest child is 23 and she has graduated, and all my daughters are financially independent,” he added.

The push factor, however, occurred at work. “I was on a call with a colleague who was younger than me. The very next day, I was told that he had died of a heart attack. We were all quite shocked. And I also encountered another incident where someone I knew was in ICU due to a heart attack. It left me wondering, am I waiting in the queue?” 

“I thought to myself: the money is good but it’s not worth it if my health is compromised. There’s no point going to ICU or spending three or four months on medical leave or having a chronic disease. I needed to learn about health.”

A change in course with a switch to nursing

Khaider said, “By chance, I stumbled on a website that shared some stories of people who had successfully executed a mid-career switch to nursing. I thought to myself, if these people can do it, I can do it too.”

“I applied for the accelerated 2-year Bachelor of Science (Nursing) career conversion programme at the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies under the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and was admitted. That was how I returned to NUS for the first time in 33 years,” he said. Khaider graduated from NUS with a Computer Science degree in 1989. “We were the third batch of Computer Science students. It was quite intense, so I’d never thought I’d step into this place again,” he quipped.

“I had to quickly change gears,” shared Khaider on the transition to nursing, “from the fast lane giving orders to a more deliberate one, listening to people.” 

His eldest daughter, Ms Khairunisa Binte Khaider, said that the family thought that he was joking initially but realised that he was serious when he signed up for talks on nursing and eventually went for the interview. “I was quite worried and wondered if he would be able to cope as nursing is a tough job, but seeing him persevere really inspired me.”

Khairunisa, who is also working in the healthcare sector, is in the process of completing a Master’s in Public Health at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. “When I was overwhelmed with work and studies, I would look at my dad and tell myself not to give up as he is truly an example of lifelong learning. He showed me how you can accomplish your dreams with hard work and faith in yourself.”

A career in nursing is no small feat but it can also prove rewarding. “I worked for 26 years in the same organisation, contributing to its success. But I had no personal connection with the people who benefitted, such as the shareholders or the senior management,” shared Khaider.

“In nursing, it’s different,” he added. “When my patients get better or when their family members thank me, there is a direct sense of gratitude, of having made a tangible difference.” Khaider will serve his three-year bond as a staff nurse at the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.

“On this second mountain, I want to find fulfilment, meaning, and happiness in serving others.”

Khaider received his Bachelor of Science (Nursing) on 14 July 2024. At 60, he is the oldest recipient of an undergraduate degree in the NUS Class of 2024.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

Armed with their strong technical proficiency, two NUS School of Computing graduates – Hannah Chia and Ng Jun Kang – are all set to make a positive impact. From empowering and supporting women in computing to helping the community, Hannah and Jun Kang are determined to play a part in creating a more inclusive society.

Hannah Chia: Empowering women in tech

Coding has always been a natural fit for Hannah, who loves to solve problems – an inclination that stemmed from her parents’ influence. When she first entered the Computer Science programme at NUS during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was one of only a handful of female students in her classes, fuelling her determination to advocate for fellow women in tech.

A stint under the NUS Overseas Colleges programme, where she interned in an majority-female team at an AI-driven healthcare company, made her believe she could change that outlook. “Being surrounded by girls who were thriving in computing, who could solve coding problems and discuss bugs, who shared similar interests as me, was an invigorating experience,” she said.

Inspired, Hannah sought to foster this supportive culture and sense of camaraderie among fellow female students at NUS Computing. She got together with a few of her female course mates and they spent months organising focus group interviews with other female computing students to understand their needs and challenges.

In August 2022, Women in Tech@NUS Computing (WiT) was launched, a student interest group dedicated to connecting, empowering and building a community of women in tech. From a modest group of seven members, WiT blossomed to 42 members by early 2024, and it is still growing. 

Over the years, WiT has organised forums where industry professionals share insights on navigating a male-dominated tech industry. They also facilitated small group discussions, called Lean in Circles, to create small, close-knit support groups for female NUS Computing students  to share their goals and thoughts, and discuss the challenges women in tech face.

As Co-President of WiT, she also started WinTech Wonderland, an initiative held over the December school break where participants embarked on a diverse range of projects, including partnerships with volunteer organisations like Project Lilacs, Growth Collective SG, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society Singapore, as well as self-initiated projects aimed at exploration and growth. It was an avenue for budding software engineers to hone the skills taught at NUS Computing and build their confidence by applying them to real-world scenarios. Their pilot programme in 2023 saw 54 women come together to form 14 teams. 

Aside from championing women, Hannah also participated in the School’s Computing for Voluntary Welfare Organisations initiative during her first summer break. She helped to computerise time-consuming administrative tasks, so the volunteers could focus more on helping their beneficiaries.

When asked how she balanced school and her slew of extra-curricular activities, Hannah credited her close friends, the incredible WiT committee, and professors. “I'm very thankful for my professors’ support. They strongly believed in my vision for WiT even when I had doubts about it. Their encouragement and faith in me pushed me to achieve my goals,” Hannah said.

On 15 July 2024, Hannah will be graduating with a Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours (Highest Distinction). She will also receive the NUSS Medal for Outstanding Achievement (2024) during her degree conferment ceremony, in recognition of her remarkable accomplishments.

As Hannah embarks on a new chapter as a Systems Analyst at a statutory board, she aspires to foster a stronger, more cohesive community among NUS Computing alumni, especially for fellow women graduates. “I hope that when people who attend WiT events see women from various fields pursuing and achieving their dreams, they’ll also be inspired to dream a little bit bigger.”

Ng Jun Kang: An inspiring journey marked by resilience and grit

People who know Jun Kang have been inspired by his remarkable resilience and grit. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to a brain injury at birth, he has to grapple with daily challenges, especially when carrying out tasks that require fine motor skills like walking and writing. However, this did not deter him from graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Electronic and Computer Engineering course with a near-perfect Grade Point Average of 3.9, earning him a spot in NUS Computing.

Starting university during the COVID-19 pandemic posed additional hurdles for Jun Kang – for instance, it was more difficult for him to make friends as classes were held online. Fortunately, Jun Kang managed to form a close-knit group of friends and was supported by dedicated professors.

Jun Kang shared, “On top of my family’s steadfast support, my mentors and close friends at NUS Computing have been an invaluable source of guidance and support.” He believes in keeping a positive mindset, as well as breaking down problems into manageable parts and tackling them one at a time.

While his decision to study computing was initially a practical consideration – he could work at a desk with only a computer, which suited his needs – Jun Kang later realised that he could use the skills acquired to contribute to society. “I aspire to apply my skills and contribute to impactful projects, particularly those that leverage technology to solve real-world problems and help communities, including people with disabilities,” he said.

Jun Kang will be graduating with a Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours (Distinction) on 15 July 2024. He is currently working as a software engineer at Google, one of the world’s largest tech companies, and he is also pursuing an online Master’s programme in Computer Science offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

Jade Soh Gek Sang: From a rocky start in education to earning a PhD

Brimming with resolve and a passion for knowledge, Jade exemplifies the qualities of a lifelong learner. Her educational journey started bumpy in the early 1980s when she had to transfer to a school with Primary 7 and 8 syllabuses because English was not one of her strengths. Despite taking a longer route, she did well in the GCE O-Level exams and secured a place in a polytechnic to pursue a Diploma in Accountancy.

Before starting her accountancy course, Jade took a trip to Indonesia with her classmates, where she experienced the warm hospitality and living conditions of the locals there. The visit inspired her to do something meaningful to help others, which compelled her to pursue a Diploma in Nursing at Nanyang Polytechnic.

With support from her parents, Jade continued her studies in Western Australia to complete a nursing degree in 1998. Following her graduation, Jade pursued a career in clinical trials and epidemiological research at the Ministry of Health and other hospitals in Singapore.

Her learning journey continued in 2007 at the age of 33 when she enrolled at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health (SSHSPH) for a part-time Master’s course in Public Health. “I want to thank NUS for providing me with a positive and supportive environment to expand my knowledge in clinical research,” Jade shared.

After completing her Master’s degree, Jade landed a job at the University of Manchester, which was an overseas university partner of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), teaching Statistics and Public Health subjects. She found teaching a very rewarding career. “With the new knowledge gained from my Master of Public Health degree, I was eager to discover how to nurture the next generation,” said Jade.

In 2018, the urge to upgrade struck again. Jade decided to return to NUS to pursue a PhD at the age of 45 – it was a natural choice for her as she enjoyed its nurturing environment. She was also impressed by the practical relevance of the public health courses offered by SSHSPH in meeting the ever-evolving global public health needs and those of the population.

Jade’s PhD studies were not without obstacles. In the third year of her PhD journey in 2020, Jade’s father had to be hospitalised for 117 days. Jade was grateful to Associate Professor Luo Nan, who was the Programme Director at that time, for allowing her to postpone her PhD Qualifying Exam twice to care for her father in the hospital.

Shortly after her father’s passing in early 2022, Jade’s mother was diagnosed with liver cancer, and she had to take a Leave of Absence from school to care for her mother. Jade recalled sitting on the hospital floor to work on her PhD thesis while waiting for her mother to see the doctor.

Jade is deeply appreciative of Professor Emily Ang, who was Head of the NUS Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies from 2019 to 2023, and Associate Professor Tai Bee Choo, her PhD supervisor from SSHSPH, who both supported her through her PhD studies. “In preparation for my PhD thesis, I was confident that my supervisor would be there to guide me through my ideas and give me input, allowing me to become an independent researcher,” said Jade.

Jade is currently an Assistant Professor with the Health and Social Sciences Cluster at SIT, educating and inspiring young minds in public health research. And Jade hopes her learning journey will encourage adults to embrace lifelong education. She has this advice to offer: “Learning is not about getting an A but about ABCD - Always Be Committed to your Development.”

Jade, at the age of 50, will be receiving her PhD degree in Public Health (Biostatistics) on 14 July 2024.

Bryan Tan Guang Jun: From ITE to Honours degree, and paying it forward to inspire others

At a young age, Bryan was aware of his strengths and he wanted to pursue a career in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Coming from a single-parent household, he had to take on multiple part-time jobs while studying to help defray living costs at home and support his mother in paying for his younger sister’s medical treatments.

“You only have one family,” said Bryan as he recounted the many hats he wore as a student and a breadwinner for his family through his teen years.

After completing his GCE N-Level, Bryan entered a two-year Higher NITEC in Chemical Technology programme at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College East through the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme, with his studies funded by the Howe Yoon Chong PSA scholarship. After graduating as the valedictorian of his cohort, Bryan enrolled in the Singapore Polytechnic’s Diploma in Chemical Engineering programme and was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship to Encourage Upgrading Award, which helped to cover his tuition fees.

Bryan later secured a place at NUS in 2021 to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering at the NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) and he was awarded the Singapore Industry Scholarship (SGIS).

Having benefitted from a good education funded generously by scholarships, Bryan pays it forward by dedicating his time to serve the community. At NUS, he was actively involved in different Student Ambassador activities, such as helping prospective students understand the undergraduate programmes offered at the University, sharing his overseas exchange experience to Scotland with incoming and current NUS students, and planning events and tours for his Department.

Outside of school, Bryan spends his weekends volunteering as a grassroots leader at the Limbang Youth Network, where he currently serves as Auditor and works closely with his office holders and other leaders to organise events for residents. He also demonstrated his community leadership skills by completing the Youth Corps Leaders one-year programme organised by the National Youth Council in December 2022.

But Bryan is not all work and no play. During the second semester of his second year at NUS, he had the opportunity to complete a Student Exchange Programme at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. His time there was marked with memorable experiences, including clay target shooting, camping outdoors along the lake at the Isle of Skye, and travelling around Europe.

Bryan also participated actively in student activities, such as NUS Ballroom, NUS Toastmasters, and the Chemical Engineering Student’s Society where he served as President of the Society from 2022 to 2023. “I was spoilt for choice and had many opportunities to try new things and hone my leadership abilities,” he said.

Looking back at his well-rounded experience at NUS, Bryan is grateful that the University offers students a lot of flexibility in managing their time, as this has allowed him to plan his academic timetable to explore new areas to enrich his student life.

“Don’t limit yourself because of where you came from. Dream big and think far,” said Bryan, who hopes his personal experience would inspire others who may be taking a similar academic pathway as he did.

Enjoying the fruits of his hard work, Bryan is currently travelling around Asia for his graduation trip and will be starting work soon to fulfil his bond under the SGIS scholarship.

Bryan will graduate with a Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering with Honours (Distinction) on 18 July 2024.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

Now, imagine going through all this while studying for a degree. Three student athletes who are graduating from NUS in July 2024 did just that, rising admirably to the challenge of balancing training, schoolwork, and competitions.

Jerome Teo Sze Yong: Finding his rhythm

Dancer Jerome Teo Sze Yong excels at displaying grace under pressure. At NUS, he was a national DanceSport athlete, President of Tembusu College’s Students’ Committee, and a double-degree major in Electrical Engineering and Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the NUS College of Design and Engineering and NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences respectively. In both student life and competitive ballroom dancing, this was his key secret: keeping perfect time.

“I tried to balance everything by knowing my priorities for each day, week and month,” said Jerome, 26, noting the importance of time management.

With dates of competitions confirmed months in advance, Jerome could dance to the beat of his schedule. “When am I a student? When am I an athlete? Most of the time, the situation was not binary," he said.

Sometimes he needed to spend more time in the ballroom, while sometimes the lecture notes waiting to be reviewed required his immediate attention.

Juggling a packed schedule, Jerome had to navigate purposefully. When he went for dance practice, he set out to accomplish specific objectives, such as working on smaller sections of a routine, building stamina, or honing fundamental techniques.

When he ran into scheduling issues which simple time management could not solve, NUS swooped in to help. In his freshman year in 2019, Jerome and his dance partner – his younger sister, Rachel Teo Jia Hui, who was also an NUS student – represented Singapore at the Southeast Asian Games. They won a silver and two bronze medals, but Jerome missed his end-of-semester exams.

“I wanted to make sure I could pass the modules and not have to retake them the next semester,” he recalled. “NUS was very supportive to make alternative arrangements, like make-up examinations at the start of the next semester.”

Jerome is taking a hiatus from DanceSport, and he is now working as a digital design engineer, designing hardware for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as smart home devices and smart lighting. “At any point in time, if I want to resume dancing, I can always return to it,” he added.

On 17 July 2024, Jerome will be graduating with Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) with Honours (Highest Distinction) and on 19 July 2024, he will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Honours (Highest Distinction).

Kok Hui Wen: Riding the waves

The most important thing about sports, said former competitive canoeist Kok Hui Wen, is to enjoy what you do. “As much as training is serious, it should be fun as well. It should fill you up,” she remarked.

This was what drove the water sports enthusiast, who studied Nursing with a second major in Public Health, to join NUS Canoeing and also surf in her own time.

Hui Wen, who started competitive canoeing in junior college, credits the sport for developing her resilience and self-assurance. “It gave me the confidence to know that whatever hardships I am facing now, I have what it takes to overcome it,” the 23-year-old said.

These qualities proved to be invaluable during her clinical postings as an NUS Nursing student. The first two years of Nursing studies were not easy for Hui Wen as she delved deeper into the complexity of the Nursing profession. The resilience that she developed from canoeing, her trust in her mentors, and the reassurance that she would eventually find her own footing in Nursing helped her navigate the period of uncertainty. “I am sure there’s a place in Nursing for me and I could value-add to healthcare in my own special way,” she reflected.

Keen to apply her healthcare knowledge to benefit the community, Hui Wen took on the role of Programme Head for Project Barrios, a nursing-led project that focused on providing health education for overseas and local communities. Initiated as an overseas Community Involvement Project, Hui Wen and her team restructured the project to serve underserved local communities during the COVID-19 period. They ran education programmes for the elderly, migrant workers and underprivileged children to raise awareness of common health ailments specific to each group and educate them on the prevention, early detection and community resources to mitigate these health risks.

The Nursing programme’s hybrid learning approach, with a mix of online tutorials and lectures as well as in-person classes, made it easier for her to fit canoeing and surfing into her schedule. During the semester, Hui Wen would sometimes travel to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka to ride the waves.

She has retired from canoeing, but still does recreational water sports such as surfing. For now, she is looking forward to starting her new job as a nurse at the National University Hospital.

Hui Wen will be graduating on 14 July 2024 with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Honours (Highest Distinction).

Toh Wei Soong: Diving into the deep end

National para-swimmer Toh Wei Soong pulled off a stunning victory at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, scooping up gold medals in backstroke, freestyle, and butterfly. But the competitions were not his only race against the clock.

Then a PPE undergraduate at NUS, he had spent the previous few years juggling classes and assignments on top of a gruelling training schedule for international competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games.

It was not easy. Wei Soong – who has Transverse Myelitis, a rare neurological condition affecting his lower spinal cord – had to take Leave of Absence to make time for swimming, and he also chose classes that best suited his training and competition schedule.

His passion for philosophy and interest in PPE since secondary school were what kept him going, said Wei Soong, who penned an Honours thesis on “A Wittgensteinian Solution to Vagueness”, and helped set up an undergraduate student academic journal for Philosophy – The Red Stone – during his time as Deputy Director for Publications for the Republic, a PPE undergraduate journal.

“I am very glad these journals are continuing to serve our communities, and giving students opportunities to learn how the publishing system works and to commemorate the best student essays from each semester,” noted the 25-year-old graduate of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and NUS College.

As a PPE student, Wei Soong enjoyed interacting with his peers on complex and broad-ranging topics during class. “Overall, I did have a lot of fun in my undergraduate degree and a lot of fun in learning the subjects,” he mused.

After more than a decade as a student athlete, Wei Soong, who is gearing up for the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games, will be focusing on swimming and savouring life as a full-time athlete.

On 19 July 2024, Wei Soong will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Honours (Merit).

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

These challenges can take many forms – like health or even finances – but they don’t hamper the ambition of these NUS graduates.

Pursuing a lifelong dream of improving lives and advocating justice

An only child coming from a humble background, Yan Jun Yi credits his parents for always supporting his dreams and ambitions.

“My parents did their absolute best to provide for me and I never wanted for anything. They supported me and helped me do well in school,” he said.

Still, knowing that they would always do what they could to help him go further and realise his goals, Jun Yi couldn’t help but worry about the financial strain university tuition fees would put on his parents.

“In secondary school as well as during my A-Levels, I excelled in the humanities. I developed an interest in law after realising how knowing the law can help people out of difficult situations.”

To keep his dreams of going to law school alive, Jun Yi applied for scholarships, and is thankful to have been awarded the OCBC Local Undergraduate Scholarship in 2020. The scholarship, together with the Higher Education Community Bursary, helped with his tuition fees and opened the door for him to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer without adding to his family’s financial burden.

Pursuing a law degree at NUS Faculty of Law (NUS Law) was exciting and intellectually stimulating for Jun Yi, and he attributes the Bachelor of Law or LLB programme’s academic rigour and opportunities for hands-on experiences as building blocks for a strong foundation for his career in his chosen field.

Citing Criminal Law and Trial Advocacy as two of his favourite courses, Jun Yi jumped at the opportunity to spend three months as a legal intern under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS). This allowed him to observe how CLAS lawyers helped to advocate for disenfranchised persons and ensure their rights to quality legal representation.

“This was definitely one of the most impactful and eye-opening experiences for me. Shadowing a practicing lawyer who does criminal representation work showed me that being an effective lawyer was as much about knowing the law as it was about being kind and caring towards your client.”

Beyond internships, Jun Yi also dedicated a lot of time during his undergraduate years to help others while putting his legal knowledge and skills to work both within and outside of NUS.

He participated in projects organised by the NUS Law Pro Bono Group (PBG) from 2021 to 2022, where he later also served as its Vice President for Internal Affairs.

As part of his duties as Vice President, Jun Yi was in charge of overseeing eight out of the numerous projects run by the Group, ensuring that Project Directors are given the support they need to run their pro bono projects smoothly. At the same time, he also personally participated in pro bono opportunities, such as serving as a student assistant in legal clinics, and simplifying legal information for laypersons.

“With how much time is spent in classes and studying the law, it is easy to lose sight of the wide, interesting world beyond the law. Volunteering outside school gave me a broader perspective on how I could contribute more meaningfully,” he reflected.

With ongoing financial support, including a NASA Exchange bursary from NUS, Jun Yi also was able to travel to the Netherlands in his third year at NUS Law.

“The six months I spend in Utrecht, Netherlands was amazing! I feel very lucky to have had the chance to experience the vibrant Utrecht University campus life and study law from the European perspective.” he enthused, “The cultural exchange with other Swedish, Polish, and Dutch students also enriched my outlook and perspective on life.”

Looking back, Jun Yi counts himself fortunate to have received support at almost every juncture of his life all the way through his undergraduate years so far. Beyond financial support, he credits his achievements to the love and support from his parents, to teachers who believed in him and encouraged him to pursue ambitious challenges, and to friends and mentors who helped build up his confidence.

After graduation, Jun Yi, who earned himself First Class Honours, is set to join a firm where he will be given the opportunity to experience different practice areas that will gird him to make an informed choice on his specialisation later on.

He says, “Being open-minded to different opportunities and methods to apply my skills has gotten me thus far. I am excited to see where I will go next.”

A thirst for knowledge that became an anchor in troubled waters

This fortitude and resilience is echoed in Edlyn Koh, who overcame health issues to pursue an active and fulfilling student life.

When she first started to experience double vision and itchiness in her eyes in 2021, she thought it was due to an eye infection that would eventually recover. Over the next year or so, however, her vision deteriorated and interventions like corrective lenses and medication did not help.

“My eyes would sting and I would get headaches. The pain and discomfort eventually started to affect my studies and also caused me to step away from indulging in cue sports,” Edlyn said.

It was only in early 2023, after worsening symptoms, that the devastating news was handed to her – she had MALT (mucosa-assisted lymphoid tissue) lymphoma under her eyelid. The diagnosis came as a shock to her—cancer was not something she thought she would have to deal with in the prime of her life.

The then-third year undergraduate at NUS Business School underwent six months of tests and treatment, including radiotherapy. During this time, she continued attending lessons as usual and made up for classes she missed through self-study and help from her teachers and classmates.

In addition to fatigue, the radiotherapy treatment also resulted in low calcium levels, which led to two broken feet after an innocuous fall, leaving her in a wheelchair for six weeks.

“During this time, I had difficulty attending classes which were not wheelchair accessible. Thankfully one of my lecturers, Mr Lee Yen Teik, was kind enough to shift his class to a wheelchair accessible location, and knowing what I was going through, even constantly encouraged me.” 

Fortunately, with the appropriate treatment, Edlyn’s eyesight improved and she made a full recovery. Edlyn has since resumed playing pool, a favourite pastime of hers, and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours (Distinction).

Looking back on her struggles with her health and eyesight, Edlyn is glad she didn’t let it get in the way of having the best possible experience through university.

“The four months I spent in Australia in 2022 as part of the Student Exchange Programme turned out to be one of my most memorable experiences during my time at NUS. I was initially worried about my eye condition as it was still bothering me then, but at that point it was assumed that it was a prolonged infection or allergic reaction. I’m glad I was able to go!”

Sharing a house with three other students and doing activities such as cooking and hiking together was really enjoyable, as Edlyn loves meeting and interacting with people.

In fact, it is the friendships and connections forged with classmates, peers and teachers at NUS that kept her going through some difficult times and helped her to stay focused on her school work.

“I really enjoy networking with people – it keeps my mind stimulated and feeds my thirst for knowledge. Chatting with my lecturers and professors one-on-one has deepened my knowledge and expanded my views about the world, including issues such as the impact of the pandemic on economies or how the rise of technology will shape jobs in the future.”

Having benefitted from the generosity of time that others have gifted her, Edlyn readily offers her own time to others to enrich her communities.

“When I was the team manager of my Cuesports Varsity team, I had many heart-to-heart talks with my team members about their struggles. They often joked that I was like the mother and counsellor of the team. It is rewarding to know that I’ve helped friends in need!” she laughs.

Edlyn says her encounter with cancer has also made her realise the importance of health and planning ahead. “I feel that one shouldn't overlook your health just because you're young. Even though you could be at the peak of your health, cancer can find anyone at any time.”

Having overcome her ailment and developed a passion for analytics and working with data, Edlyn is looking to move forward in building a career a business analyst in the financial sector, inspired by her accountant mother.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

Part of the graduating class of 2024, these twins specialising in food science and technology, computer engineering, and music share their experiences of learning, supporting and working with each other.

Michiryu Aquila and Michio Apollos: Enhancing public health through food science

A curiosity about a scientific discipline they were not exposed to before led fraternal twins Michio Apollos and Michiryu Aquila to pursue their undergraduate studies together at the Department of Food Science and Technology (FST) under the NUS Faculty of Science.

From a young age, the duo has always shared a common interest in the sciences, and was drawn to both the novelty and relevance of food science and technology to everyday life.

“Food science is relevant to a lot of people and there’s a human connection. For example, I can learn about healthy eating and, in turn, teach others to do the same,” said older brother Aquila, who graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology with Honours (Distinction), citing the aspect which influenced the brothers’ decisions to take up a Minor in Public Health as well.

“Food is an industry that is growing and quite in demand. There are a lot of companies trying to develop novel foods and I believe that the potential is great,” added Apollos who is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology with Honours (Highest Distinction) at their commencement ceremony on 12 July 2024.

For the twins, studying the same course strengthened their bond. On top of sharing the same schedule and group of friends, they also had the opportunity to collaborate on projects offered to them at NUS.

For instance, under NUS’ Design-Your-Own-Course scheme, they embarked on a journey to create an e-book which aimed to educate people about the science behind eggs. Over several months, they developed the content together with a groupmate, with Aquila and the groupmate illustrating the book, too. Their hard work eventually paid off – they clinched first prize at the inaugural geNiUSbooks awards, a competition launched by the University to recognise creative video and eBook resources produced by the NUS community.

They have also won individual awards. Apollos achieved the Kerry Prize, an award offered to NUS Food Science and Technology majors by Kerry Ingredients Singapore, for his outstanding academic results while Aquila received the A*STAR Research Internship Award during his internship stint.

Post-graduation, their bond remains unbreakable. The two hope to further their studies in human health and nutrition and eventually pursue a career in research.

Mahadevan Swati and Mahadevan Svetha: Programming with purpose

At 10 years old, Mahadevan Swati and Mahadevan Svetha took their first step into the world of programming, learning how to code and design basic algorithms. “We found programming very interesting and engaging, because it requires us to think on our feet and solve problems as we go,” elaborated Swati.

With both their parents being IT professionals, the twins’ passion for technology “runs in their blood”, explained Swati, the older sister.

“We saw what our parents were doing and were always quite curious about what coding was and what could be done with it,” added Svetha.

This interest that was sparked at a young age led to a passion for technology and a desire to contribute to Singapore’s vision of a smart nation, leading the twins to specialise in Computer Engineering at the NUS College of Design and Engineering. They will each be graduating on 17 July 2024 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering with Honours (Distinction).

Studying the same material was like “having a built-in study partner”, Svetha quipped, adding that their complementary strengths allowed them to collaborate seamlessly on projects. The two recalled teaming up during a self-driven summer programme at NUS to develop an application called “Modif”, a module review platform, from scratch. The app utilised advanced machine learning algorithms to offer new features such as chatbots, forums and a system that could rate modules based on reviews.

Their desire to put their coding skills to good use did not just stop there. Their mother also played a crucial role inspiring them to volunteer. “Our mother told us that we live in a society and not a vacuum. I think if we contribute even a little bit of time, it could help create a positive impact,” shared Swati.

As avid members of the Hougang Youth Network, a People’s Association grassroots committee, they regularly reach out to and host programmes for youths in the community. These include an upcoming 12-week tuition programme in collaboration with NUS Teach SG, an initiative that promotes social mobility and inclusiveness, to provide academic support for youths in need, as well as a series of robotics and coding workshops to expose youths to the field.

Their love for technology will continue in their careers. Swati will be working as a cybersecurity engineer, while Svetha is set to work as a software developer. They also plan to concurrently take up a part-time Master’s degree in computing or technology.

Zou Meng and Zou Zhang: Playing the same tune

For many, meeting a childhood idol would be a distant dream. Violinists Zou Meng and Zou Zhang, however, turned theirs into a reality when they chose to pursue their undergraduate studies in Music at the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST). They will both be graduating with a Bachelor of Music with Honours (Distinction) on 18 July 2024.

Hailing from a family of music lovers, the twins were exposed to classical music since childhood and began learning the violin at the age of five. It was then that they chanced upon a CD featuring Chinese-born American violinist Qian Zhou’s playing.

“I still remember it was the Dvorak collection, and it was so touching and magical,” older brother Zou Meng recalled, referencing Czech composer Antonin Dvorak.

They would soon make the decision to pursue music in middle school, where they had the honour of meeting their childhood idol. This marked the start of their close mentorship with Professor Qian, which continued when they made the shared decision to major in the violin under her tutelage at YST, where she is the Head of Strings.

Studying under the same mentor proved to be a valuable learning experience for Zou Meng and Zou Zhang as they could sit in on each other’s lessons and learn from one another. They were also able to share the stage in quartet and duet performances.

Even when they became rivals in music competitions, the tacit understanding between them allowed them to maintain a healthy sense of competition. Both are accomplished musicians who have received numerous prizes, notably clinching first and second place at the prestigious National Piano and Violin Competition 2023, organised by the Singapore Symphony Group.

Their success was made possible by the opportunities YST provided to hone their craft, expand their repertoire and perform with other talented musicians on fine violins from the esteemed Rin Collection courtesy of the Rin family.

YST also broadened their horizons to other areas of music. “I really enjoyed the diversity of the YST curriculum.  There are courses covering all aspects of music, from jazz to film music, even to marketing and outreach,” said Zou Zhang.

The music crescendos, as the twins plan to fine-tune their skills by pursuing Master’s degrees under Prof Qian at YST and sharpen their skills at competitions around the globe.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

The first of 31 ceremonies celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2024, the Main Ceremony saw graduates from the NUS Faculty of Science and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) receiving their degrees amid cheers and applause from family and friends. A total of 15,958 graduates will be marking this major milestone, with the final ceremony concluding on 21 July 2024.

Presiding over the Commencement ceremony for the first time as NUS Chancellor was Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, who became the University’s 11th Chancellor in 2023.

The momentous occasion also marked the conferment of honorary degrees on Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of the Supreme Court of Singapore and Mr Peter Ho, Senior Advisor to the Centre for Strategic Futures in the Prime Minister’s Office and Senior Fellow in the Civil Service College.

Architects of change

Delivering his address at the ceremony, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye expressed his firm belief that the Class of 2024 will be departing the University with the skills, mindsets and traits needed to make a strong impact and thrive in today’s ever-evolving environment.

In particular, he saluted the spirit of resilience exemplified by two graduates – Ms Aisha Shamsudin from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences who rose above her challenging personal circumstances to make the most of university life, and Mr Ng Jun Kang from NUS Computing, whose medical condition is no deterrent to his goal of employing technology to solve real-world problems.

Sketching out the myriad of pathways that lie ahead for this year’s cohort, Prof Tan encouraged them to go forth with purpose. “Be architects of change, champions of justice and trailblazers of innovation,” he asserted. “Whether you’re bound for boardrooms, laboratories, or paths less trodden, know that you are equipped with more than knowledge – you have within you the power to shape the future.”

Two outstanding leaders were also honoured as Honorary Graduates for the Class of 2024. The Honorary Degree is the University’s highest tribute to outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and made a great impact on Singapore and the world.

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon: A legal giant’s contributions to law and the Singapore civil justice system

Chief Justice Menon, an NUS Law alumnus from the Class of 1986, was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, in recognition of his distinguished leadership and outstanding contributions to the practice and adjudication of law in Singapore and the legal profession locally, regionally and internationally.

As Singapore’s sixth Attorney-General, Chief Justice Menon was responsible for all prosecutions in Singapore and for advising the Government on a wide range of legal issues, while in his capacity as Singapore’s fourth Chief Justice since 2012, he is known for his efforts in promoting access to justice. In 2019, he was distinguished with the Special Recognition award by the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group International for his contributions through the development of alternative dispute resolution.

A noted expert across multiple fields such as commercial litigation, insolvency, and construction law, he has also made major contributions as President of the ASEAN Law Association, been appointed to the Governing Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration, and is an elected member of the American Law Institute, attesting to his standing as an internationally recognised arbitrator and legal giant.

Delivering the citation for Chief Justice Menon’s conferment, Dean of NUS Law Professor Andrew Simester commended him for his exceptional contributions in private practice and public service. “Today, we honour not an office, not just a great judge, but a man,” Prof Simester said. “A man who has demonstrated exemplary service through leadership. A man who has predicated that leadership upon excellence. And a man who has led with a commitment to justice and the rule of law.”

In his speech, Chief Justice Menon cited various challenges facing the world today, from the looming climate crisis to the rise of artificial intelligence, urging the graduates to apply their ambition, skills and drive to make the world a better place.

“We will need you, our best and brightest minds across all disciplines, collectively, to develop new and innovative ways to address these challenges and their wide-ranging implications. These are matters that promise to outlive my generation,” he continued, urging them to “imagine solutions and responses for the good of Singapore and even of the world.”

“So, it is time to be excited; to be passionate and caring for our nation, our people and our world; and to be absolutely committed to doing our best to make a difference.”

Mr Peter Ho: A stellar career in public service with significant contributions to society and the nation

Mr Ho, a former Head of the Civil Service and one of Singapore’s finest public servants, was presented with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters for his distinguished service to Singapore as well as his wide-ranging contributions towards education and NUS.

Until his retirement in 2010, Mr Ho’s career in the public service spanned more than 34 years, with Permanent Secretary appointments in various ministries. Through his visionary leadership, he built a future-ready public service, significantly advanced Singapore’s interests in various areas such as defence, foreign affairs, security, urban planning and governance, and galvanised agencies to tackle cross-cutting national challenges.

“A Renaissance Man, Mr Ho has many areas of expertise, from governance, urban development and scenario planning to strategic futures,” said Associate Professor Suzaina Kadir, Vice Dean (Academic Affairs) at LKYSPP, who delivered the citation for Mr Ho’s conferment. His stellar service in the public sector, she noted, “has left an indelible mark on Singapore’s public service, policy-making and governance”.

Currently Chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore – among his many other roles – Mr Ho has gained international recognition for advancing Singapore’s brand of urban development. His service in the public sector has continued, particularly in education, as a former NUS Trustee from 2011 to 2023 and as a member of the LKYSPP’s Governing Board today. In 2022, he was conferred the NUS Outstanding Service Award for his significant contributions to the University.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Ho recounted his longstanding links with NUS, dating back to his early involvement in the inception of two research institutes – The Logistics Institute - Asia Pacific and Temasek Laboratories at NUS. Remarking on the University’s substantial progress and its rise in the rankings since then, Mr Ho challenged NUS to press on, scaling new peaks of excellence even in the face of intensifying competition.

“(NUS’) ambition and motivations must match the national ethos of excellence and achievement that drives Singapore,” he said. “Boldness – a willingness to take some risk, and the courage to act – must define NUS as a world-class university.”

Being human first

In his valedictory speech, Mr Yang Chen, who graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours from the Faculty of Science, reflected on the shared experiences of his graduating cohort, which included adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic when lessons moved online for nearly two years and witnessing the inspiring contributions of Singapore’s pharmacists to the healthcare response.

“The degrees we receive today mark the beginning of a new chapter, a chapter that may just be as unpredictable as when we first entered university. Regardless, let’s carry forward the resilience and dedication we have demonstrated,” he told his fellow graduates.

Speaking on behalf of his fellow graduates, LKYSPP valedictorian Mr Ethen Ong Yongsen congratulated the school on celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, having graduated over 3,500 leaders worldwide since its founding in 2004. Mr Ong, who graduated with a Master in Public Administration, offered a timely reminder to his fellow peers to treasure those human moments that paved their journey – from the long hours spent buried in papers to the occasional episodes of self-doubt. 

“Being human first means acknowledging our imperfections and leveraging our strengths. It means understanding that our power as public administrators comes not from a place of authority but from a place of empathy and service,” he emphasised. 

Closing his speech after extending his gratitude to the families, friends, and faculty members who have been pillars of support for the Class of 2024, he reiterated: “As we leave this prestigious institution, let us approach our careers with humour to keep us grounded, empathy to keep us connected, and determination to make a difference. Let us be human first, always.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!

Read the press release on the Honorary Graduates here.

The honorary degrees were conferred during the Main Ceremony of NUS Commencement 2024, presided by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore and NUS Chancellor. The Honorary Degree is the University’s highest form of recognition for outstanding individuals who have rendered distinguished service and had a great impact in Singapore and globally.

Chief Justice Menon, who is an NUS alumnus, was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws, in recognition of his distinguished leadership and outstanding contributions to the practice and adjudication of law in Singapore and the legal profession locally, regionally and internationally.

Mr Peter Ho was presented with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters, a tribute to his visionary leadership and distinguished services to Singapore in building a future-ready Public Service and advancing Singapore’s interests in various areas such as defence, foreign affairs, security, urban planning and governance, as well as his sterling and wide-ranging contributions towards education and NUS.

Chief Justice Menon and Mr Ho were joined by 261 graduates from the Faculty of Science, and 207 graduates from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, who received their degrees at the Main Ceremony today.

The NUS Class of 2024 comprises 15,958 graduates: 7,811 students will receive Bachelor’s degrees and 8,147 will receive graduate degrees. A total of 31 ceremonies will be held at the NUS University Cultural Centre over a period of 11 days, from 11 to 21 July 2024. NUS Commencement 2024 will conclude with the Commencement Dinner, which will be held on Friday, 26 July 2024.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “It is with great pride that we confer honorary degrees on two illustrious trailblazers – Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon and Mr Peter Ho – who have made an indelible mark on their respective fields, and contributed significantly to the advancement of society both in Singapore and beyond. Their commitment to excellence and exceptional dedication to serving others will be an inspiration to the NUS community as we celebrate their distinguished accomplishments and impact today.”

Addressing the Class of 2024, Prof Tan said, “NUS has prepared every one of you well for the road ahead through our rigorous intellectual and interdisciplinary training, deep domain expertise, and experiential learning experiences, as well as being imbued with the qualities of resilience and innovation. It is therefore my firm belief that our graduates have the skills, mindset, and personal traits needed to create strong impact, adapt, and thrive in this fast-paced and ever-evolving environment. I encourage all of you to go forth with purpose, be architects of change, champions of justice and trailblazers of innovation as you shape the future of Singapore.”

This year, 140 students will be graduating as the pioneer cohort of 4 programmes:

• Master of Science (Engineering Design and Innovation)
• Master of Music Leadership
• Master of Science (Robotics)
• Master of Science (Sustainable and Green Finance)

2024 Honorary Doctor of Laws Recipient – Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon

An NUS Law alumnus from the Class of 1986, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon has had a stellar legal career over three decades in private practice and public service.

After graduating from NUS with a Bachelor of Law (First Class Honours), he began his legal career with Shook Lin & Bok, and later became a partner at the firm. He co-founded WongPartnership in 1992, and later in 1995, he helped to build another firm, Rajah and Tann. He moved to international law firm, Jones Day, in 2003, and later returned to Rajah and Tann, where he became managing partner in 2009. In 2010, Chief Justice Menon became Singapore’s sixth Attorney-General. By 2012, he was a Justice of the Supreme Court and became Chief Justice a few months after that.

As Attorney-General, Chief Justice Menon implemented important advances in Singapore’s rules of criminal procedure, and especially in the law governing disclosure of evidence to defendants. As Chief Justice and President of the Singapore Academy of Law, he introduced new rigorous training programmes for practitioners. As part of the Steering Committee for the Legal Education Curriculum Reform project, he initiated major reforms in legal education, which significantly enhanced the skill-sets of future lawyers. By these means, Chief Justice Menon has championed the cause of making Singapore a leading provider of legal services, locally and internationally.

As a practitioner, Chief Justice Menon was a noted expert across multiple fields, including commercial litigation, insolvency, and construction law. He was also an internationally-recognised arbitrator, sought after both at home and abroad. In 2012, he was appointed to the Governing Board of the International Council for Commercial Arbitration based at the Peace Palace in the Hague, reflecting his prominence in this field.

As a judge, Chief Justice Menon’s judgments have helped to shape Singapore’s private law into probably the purest common-law jurisdiction in the world, a jurisdiction that is increasingly significant overseas.

Please refer to Annex 1 for the Citation for Chief Justice Menon.

2024 Honorary Doctor of Letters Recipient – Mr Peter Ho

Mr Peter Ho is currently Chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore, Chairman of the National Gallery Singapore, Chairman of the Social Science Research Council, Senior Advisor to the Centre for Strategic Futures in the Prime Minister’s Office, and Senior Fellow in the Civil Service College, amongst others.

Over the course of his sterling career, Mr Ho has served with distinction in many different roles. When he retired from the Singapore Administrative Service in 2010 after a career in the Public Service spanning more than 34 years, he was Head of Civil Service, concurrent with his other appointments of Permanent Secretary (Foreign Affairs), Permanent Secretary (National Security & Intelligence Coordination), and Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) in the Prime Minister’s Office. Before that, he was Permanent Secretary (Defence). He was also the inaugural Chairman of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Mr Ho continues to contribute to the public sector in various capacities after his retirement. Our education sector has benefitted greatly from his service and leadership, particularly here at NUS. He was a member of the NUS Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2023, and continues to be a member of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Governing Board, and the Board of Governors of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies at the Nanyang Technological University.

Mr Ho has many areas of expertise, from governance, urban development and scenario planning to strategic futures. After more than four decades of stellar service in the public sector, he has left an indelible mark on Singapore’s Public Service, policymaking and governance.

Please refer to Annex 2 for the Citation for Mr Ho.

Taking place at the dining hall of College of Alice & Peter Tan and Residential College 4, the dinner was graced by more than 300 guests, including NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS Chairman Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, NUS Pro-Chancellor Mr Po’ad Mattar, valedictorians and graduates from the Class of 2023, as well as faculty, staff, students and alumni.

Leading the night’s proceedings were two student ambassadors hailing from this year’s graduating cohort – Ms Natalie Anjasari Gordon from NUS Computing and Dr Mick Lee Chang Jie from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Trading anecdotes of their NUS experience – for Dr Lee, it was his second time graduating from NUS since obtaining his Life Sciences degree six years ago in 2017 – the duo paid tribute to the warm support of their professors, teachers and peers who were an unwavering source of encouragement to the new graduates.

Their sentiments were echoed by the Class of 2023 representative, Ms Lum Yen Yi, the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU)’s Student Deputy Welfare Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, who graduated from the College of Design and Engineering and NUS College.

In her speech, she expressed gratitude for the contributions of the professors and the community of friends and families who have supported the graduates on their academic journeys, which took an unexpected turn when the pandemic struck. Lauding the tenacity and dedication of her cohort, Ms Lum said: “We have grown into being different people from the day we first stepped foot here, from dealing with the implications of the pandemic, to discovering many things about ourselves – our passions, our values.”

“Now, we have the potential to make a difference. We are ready to give back to our community and society. Just as the way the people around us have allowed us to grow and achieve the things we strived for, we could pass it on by inspiring and empowering others to do the same,” she rallied.

Closing her speech, Ms Lum called on graduates to not only look back on their university years with pride and nostalgia, but to also “look forward to our future with hope and drive”.

Warmly toasting the Class of 2023 as they venture out into the world to make their mark, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye imparted valuable advice to the newly minted graduates – the importance of remaining open-minded and receptive to change, coupled with a positive attitude towards lifelong learning and self-improvement throughout their careers.

As they looked ahead to their next chapter, it is important to be mindful that the road ahead would bring both new places and opportunities, as well as the prospect of stormy weather and difficult terrain, noted Prof Tan. But fostering traits such as curiosity and engagement would, over time, broaden their perspectives and enable them to develop a greater understanding of themselves and an appreciation of the diverse world they live in, he added.

“With every change of scenery, there is an opportunity to learn and experience something new. If you have a mindset of being constantly curious, you are always prepared to explore, to venture into the unknown, past your comfort zones,” said Prof Tan.

“Over the past two weeks, we have seen many inspiring stories of graduating members of the Class of 2023 who overcame adversity, demonstrated unflagging persistence, and accomplished remarkable goals, often while supporting and encouraging others. I am therefore confident that the graduating cohort of 2023 is well-prepared and ready, to lead our society to the next onward leg of our journey,” he affirmed.

The sumptuous dinner was also punctuated by energetic student performances that enlivened the evening.

The NUS Dance Ensemble, a contemporary dance group that has earned recognition for their unconventional repertoire marrying classic and contemporary styles, delivered an expressive sequence titled “I’mpassioned?”. Choreographed by the group’s founder, Mr Zaini Mohd Tahir, the routine channelled the passion of life and reflections of a new chapter ahead.  

This was followed by a smooth performance by the NUS Jazz Band, known for exploring both traditional jazz standards as well as fresh and progressive compositions. Delivering a rich brew of captivating jazz music, they served up soulful renditions of “Just Friends”, “These Foolish Things”, and “Honeysuckle Rose”.

The night concluded with a captivating showcase by The Sound Surge, comprising musicians from the NUS Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. The group serenaded the audience with the evocative melodies of “Café 1930” from Argentine composer Astor Piazzola’s Histoire du Tango, arranged by Ms Toh Yan Ee, a graduate of the Conservatory.

This story is the final instalment of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels!

“I had never seen that side of Singapore before, but I found a lot of meaning in helping them,” he said.

At the time, Jian Wen had already secured a university’s offer to major in Business. But his experience made him re-evaluate his goals, opening his eyes to the work that needed to be done to uplift disadvantaged families.

“I often empathised with both the victims and the perpetrators of crimes, and naturally found myself thinking about how to help families beyond law enforcement,” he noted.

And so he took the leap to pursue Social Work at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

“People were shocked that I gave up a mainstream course for something more niche. But a life lived in the service of others is most meaningful,” he explained.

Power of peer support

He has no regrets. At NUS’ Department of Social Work – the first of its kind in Singapore when it opened in 1952 – he relished the insight he gained into what it means to serve the needs of the community. He had the chance to research real-world issues, as well as enrol in “comprehensive and hands-on” courses.

The shift to online lessons in 2020 meant that he had difficulty forming friendships in his first year. Thankfully, the 25-year-old found camaraderie in Ridge View Residential College (RVRC) where he planned events and welfare initiatives as part of the House Committee and Peer Mentorship Programme.

Inspired by stories of social workers helping others, he also led his college’s new Peer Student Supporters (PSS) group to promote mental wellness. As chairperson, he wanted to “help others help better” by equipping peers with the tools to support the community – for example through mock peer support sessions and by empowering them to run their own mental health events, such as “Mindfulness, Motivation and Matcha”.

Finding strengths, gaining skills

Besides taking on leadership positions, Jian Wen participated in the RVRC Programme, a General Education programme at his college. Through the “Workplace Readiness” module, he learnt that his strengths lay in adaptability and strategic thinking.

Meanwhile, the social work module “Values and Skills in Helping Relationships” taught him how to communicate empathetically and sensitively.

These skills helped him thrive during his social work internships at Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centre Community Services and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). During his placements, he provided casework support and conducted research for a range of cases and clients, and learnt first-hand how to contribute to the wellbeing of society.

“It was a great way to use the social work skills and knowledge that I gained from my degree in a community setting,” he said.

While Jian Wen has taken on two social work internships, he also has a second major in psychology and a minor in economics. He quipped: “Having the flexibility was a blessing because I could choose what I was interested in. But it was also a curse because I didn’t know what to commit to!”

Paying it forward

He credits financial aid from NUS with allowing him to make the most of his time at university. Thanks to the Higher Education Bursary and NUS Donated Bursary, he could lead a vibrant campus life without burdening his family.

Bolstered by the support, he ventured out of his comfort zone to seek new experiences. 

“I wasn’t someone who enjoyed telling others what to do, but somehow I found myself in multiple positions where I had to lead,” said Jian Wen, who graduated with Honours (Highest Distinction) on 15 July 2023. “These experiences have been important in helping me to grow.”

The role played by social workers has evolved through the decades. Today, Singapore’s population is larger and generally older, and to meet the needs of this changing demographic, people who pursue social work must be nimble and resilient.

Jian Wen, who saw first-hand the importance of social work at the height of the COVID pandemic, is up for the challenge. He will get to put his research, leadership and social work experiences to good use when he starts a full-time job in policy and research at MSF.

Underpinning all of this is his desire to pay forward the help he received. “I wanted to learn more about policy and research in the government, because it’s such a big force that impacts social workers and clients,” he said.

“Most of all, I hope to make an impact on the lives of low-income families, and empower them in their efforts to uplift themselves.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels!

Another of Jordan’s signature contributions to CAPT is transforming CAPTCoffee, originally a coffee interest group, into a student-run café within the residential college. A certified barista himself, Jordan developed a structured on-the-job training programme for junior baristas during the Morning Brew sessions, and over time, nurtured a competent service crew to operate the café on different shifts. 

CAPT is known for its community engagement programmes, and as a resident of the college, Jordan was involved in many of these initiatives. One memorable experience was the Constellations project under CAPT’s Active Community Engagement Wing, where he taught music to at-risk youths from the Singapore Boys’ Hostel during his second and third years. “Through my weekly sessions with the boys, I learned that even though we may have different family backgrounds, we share many common qualities as one people,” Jordan shared. 

In 2019, he also took on the role of a teaching assistant in the Study Trips for Engagement and EnRichment (STEER) Nepal programme, where he benefitted greatly from learning about the Nepalese culture, social dynamics, and conservation efforts.

Jordan also applied his Computer Science skills for a good cause through Project Sa’Bai in Cambodia, an initiative organised jointly by students from SoC and the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine) to improve healthcare accessibility in the country. During their stay in Cambodia, medical students conducted healthcare screening for the local community, while computing students, including Jordan, helped to build a patient-record system. “While my focus has mainly been on technology and computer science, this experience has allowed me to witness first-hand the immense impact that technology can have on the healthcare sector, especially in resource-constrained settings,” he recounted. 

An exciting career ahead 

Jordan, who will be receiving his Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours (Merit) today, is excited about the new chapter of his life after graduation. 

He will soon be starting work in a local digital bank as a Security Software Engineer, a job offer that came in recognition of his excellent performance during his internship with the company. His new job entails building tools for seamless integration, making decisions for security issues, as well as streamlining and automating processes. 

Jordan said, “The training in SoC is very relevant to my job. Although I had to pick up new skills during my internship, many of the competencies I’ve acquired during my undergraduate degree programme, such as programming and logical thinking, provided a strong foundation to grow my career in the IT sector.” 

This advocate of student life activities hopes to balance his work commitments with his diverse interests – and for now, these include “playing tchoukball and dodgeball competitively on a club level” and carrying on with his community engagement projects.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our more than 14,700 graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels! 

From finding green solutions for recycling medical waste to solving manpower shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic to using artificial intelligence (AI) for diagnosis of breast cancer, these three fresh graduates from NUS are budding entrepreneurs hoping to make the world a better place with their innovative solutions.

Ding Ning Ke: Engineering green solutions to protect the environment

A keen nature lover and problem solver, Ding Ning Ke, 23, found she could indulge in both passions when she enrolled in NUS Environmental Engineering in 2019. The tenacious student also took up a second major, the Innovation and Design Programme (iDP), which allowed her to use her primary engineering discipline to create products and solve environmental problems.  

In her second year at NUS, she put what she learnt to the test when the National University Hospital (NUH) approached her department head, who came to her with an important task – promote recycling in the pharmaceutical and medical industry. 

Ning Ke and her course mates discovered that there was a lack of recycling technology for medical blisters, the aluminium and plastic sheets that contain pills, leading to a huge amount of wastage. So, they acted on their hypothesis, which proposed using a green solvent to separate the plastic and aluminium, so that both could be recycled.

After proving it worked, Ning Ke together with three other founding members also from NUS Environmental Engineering, launched a start-up called Green Doctors Programme in September 2021 to develop and commercialise the technology. 

Ning Ke, who received her Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) degree with Honours (Distinction) on 10 July 2023, is currently working full-time to bring the technology to market. “We have been progressing well,” said Ning Ke. “The technology is maturing, we have been given grants and have even collaborated with NUH and Guardian Health & Beauty to collect medical blisters from the public. The next step is to create a prototype that can be sold.”

Rishab Patwari: Addressing manpower shortage in the cleaning sector

For many businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic was a dire threat, ravaging the economy and forcing many to shutter. Rishab Patwari, however, took the opportunity to venture into business. 

“There is no better time to start a company than during a recession,” said the 26-year-old. “Recessions mean that there are important problems in the world that need to be solved, and start-ups can offer some of the solutions.” 

This mindset led the robotics fanatic and NUS Computer Engineering cum iDP double major to use his skill sets to solve a unique issue – manpower shortages in the toilet cleaning industry. 

“After hearing my friend in the industry lament about manpower issues, I realised that current human resource management solutions were not enough,” said Rishab. “Replacing the manpower with autonomous robots seemed like a better solution.”

This idea formed the basis of Rishab’s project work under iDP in 2020, and together with his team, they successfully developed an autonomous toilet cleaning robot that could do repetitive tasks, like cleansing urinals and toilet bowls, efficiently. In July 2022, HiveBotics was incorporated. 

Another highlight in Rishab’s undergraduate experience was the NUS Overseas Colleges programme in Silicon Valley, where he honed his soft skills while studying at Stanford University and interning as an iOS Developer at a Silicon Valley start-up, Vida Health. Although COVID-19 cut short his stay, the three months Rishab spent in the United States offered him a wealth of new perspectives. The entrepreneurial zeal sparked by NUS and Stanford also played a key part in leading Rishab to co-found his own start-up.

“NUS was instrumental in HiveBotic’s success,” he said. “We were given financial help like grants, and there were plenty of training resources. The network we had access to at NUS was also very strong.” 

As the CEO of HiveBotics, Rishab is currently working to improve the design and functioning of the cleaning robot for commercialisation. Rishab will be receiving his Bachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering) degree with Honours (Distinction) on 13 July 2023.

Du Hao: Enabling life-saving impact using AI

With a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Du Hao’s PhD degree in Public Health from NUS’ Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health may come as a surprise. After all, the two disciplines seem disconnected. 

“I knew I wanted to use my engineering experience in healthcare applications,” explained the 30-year-old. “Healthcare matters the most to humans, and machine learning and deep learning can do so much for us. That is why I wanted to pursue my further studies in public health.” 

During his PhD studies, Du Hao and his team developed an AI tool for detecting breast cancer. After their model won a global challenge, they saw its true potential – and so did NUS. 

He was selected for the NUS Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP) in 2019, a programme that helps PhD candidates and researchers build their own start-ups. 

“With GRIP, we saw a chance to really help people with our technology,” he said. “GRIP helped us build our technology into a product. It also trained us in all aspects of creating a start-up, from pitching to building value.” 

Thanks to GRIP, Du Hao’s start-up FathomX was founded and incorporated in 2019. Its flagship product FxMammo is a diagnostic AI tool that doctors can use to detect early signs of breast cancer in mammograms more accurately and efficiently. 

As Chief Technology Officer of FathomX, Du Hao is now planning a prospective trial with three Singapore hospital clusters and the Health Promotion Board to evaluate the value of incorporating an AI solution to the Breast Screening Singapore programme.

FxMammo has been approved for diagnostic use in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific. He added, “My wish is for it to keep expanding, so that it can help as many people as possible.”

Du Hao received his PhD degree in Public Health on 6 July 2023.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our more than 14,700 graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels! 

During secondary school, Joshua excelled in a business-related subject known as Principles of Accounts, which he attained a distinction for during O-levels in 2014. However, having placed too much emphasis on his subject of interest he scored 34 points for his L1R5.

But that did not deter him from maintaining his keen interest in business. He enrolled into Republic Polytechnic’s Sports and Leisure Management course as many of the modules were related to business. Putting in long hours into his studies, Joshua excelled academically and even obtained an additional Diploma Plus Certificate in International Business (DPCIB) from Republic Polytechnic.

While enrolled in Republic Polytechnic, he co-founded a pantry management company, putting the business-related modules of his course of study to work. “It was a subscription-based venture where companies would pay monthly to get snacks and drinks replenished in their pantries, as well as free pantry equipment rentals,” said the 25-year-old. 

His stellar polytechnic results earned him a place in NUS Business School in 2019, where he picked a specialisation close to his heart – Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It was as close to his dream course as possible, given his strong passion for business.

During his time at NUS, Joshua received financial aid in the form of the Kwai Fong and Raymond Goh Scholarship, Higher Education Community Bursary and NUS Bursary.

“I chose NUS Business School as there was a lot of flexibility in how I could arrange my modules. Coupled with the financial help from the scholarship and bursaries in covering the tuition fees and daily expenses, I was able to focus on my studies and embark on solopreneurship while doing both fieldwork and research for my honours programme,” he explained.

When COVID-19 hit, he was forced to close the pantry management company down with offices being emptied out. But after experiencing the rush of building a business, he didn’t give up and went on to start another company called OfficeBud.

In fact, OfficeBud, a cloud-based employee experience platform, came out of a class project at NUS. The business idea was developed at The Hangar, NUS Enterprise’s start-up and entrepreneurial incubator, and early customers of OfficeBud included big names such as digital media giant DoubleVerify. Joshua also partnered with other start-ups, such as Immortalize.io, an eldercare start-up that he worked with during an entrepreneurship module that he took at NUS Business School.

“The Hangar provided me with a lot of support, like legal support,” said Joshua. “I was also able to join various business competitions through The Hangar.”

But while OfficeBud was successful, it shut down in January 2023 due to bugs in the system that were too costly to resolve. Despite the second body blow, he didn’t give up this time either.

His never-say-die attitude is evident even in his academic performance. Driven and diligent, he made it to his school’s Dean’s List two years in a row. Today, he continues to work with his professors on research projects and remains active in the start-up sphere.

For instance, he still freelances with Immortalize.io, and collaborates with Associate Professor Sarah Cheah of NUS Business School on a research project. 

He credits NUS as having been a big part of his entrepreneurship journey so far. “I learnt how to carve out a niche. NUS helped frame my mindset as an entrepreneur,” he said.

And he’s not quite done yet.

“Combining solopreneurship with freelance work provides me with a unique path of freedom and flexibility to work with, while creating value for people,” he added.

He is also grateful for his groupmates he had come across through his course of study at NUS as well as his Field Service Project team who were instrumental in his success.

Joshua will be receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with Honours (Highest Distinction) on 12 July 2023. In recognition of his outstanding academic performance, he will be awarded the KLP medal and prize (Innovation and Entrepreneurship) as the best graduating student in his specialisation.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our more than 14,700 graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels! 

Despite scoring 168 in his Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and not attaining a full GCE ‘N’ Level certificate as he did not meet the passing requirements for English, Ju Ying worked relentlessly towards his goal. Today, 31-year-old Ju Ying is a proud graduate of the NUS College of Design and Engineering, receiving a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) with Honours (Merit).

Continuing his father’s work

Ju Ying draws inspiration from his father in more ways than one. Working as a diver in the maritime industry for more than 20 years, the elder Mr Lek’s job requires him to be out at sea three-quarters of a year, away from the family.

Ju Ying’s father often spoke about his dangerous job of laying cables on the ocean bed to bring energy to users. This sparked Ju Ying’s keen interest in electrical engineering and led him to pursue a degree that would enable him to develop sustainable solutions to enhance people’s lives and continue his father’s work in a different way.

Daunted but undeterred

Life, however, does not always go as planned. As Ju Ying did not fare well in PSLE and N-Levels exams, his only option to continue his studies was to enrol in ITE. Looking upon it as his “last chance”, Ju Ying gave it his all. The hands-on education at ITE turned out to be well-suited for Ju Ying, who is adept in grasping knowledge through experiential learning. With an impressive grade point average (GPA) of 3.97 and at the recommendation of two ITE teaching staff, Ju Ying applied for and was granted a scholarship offered by SP Group. 

He went on to Singapore Polytechnic where he completed a Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with a GPA of 3.9. Upon graduation, he worked in SP Group as an Operation Officer with the Distribution Control & Customer Service team in Electricity Operations for two years, and was recommended by his supervisor to apply for another scholarship with the company to further his studies. Ju Ying was selected for the scholarship and was on his way to his dream school.

“My academic journey in NUS has been an eye-opener. An NUS education is like teaching us how to fish, and once you learn the skill, you can shape your own future. The teaching approach at NUS makes me want to find out more to further my understanding. The knowledge and skills I have gained in NUS will definitely help me in my future career,” said Ju Ying.

Paying it forward

Life may have thrown Ju Ying a few curve balls but he remains appreciative of how fortunate he has been, and is determined to give back to the community.

“I have never thought that I would be able to get into NUS... With guidance and support from those around me, as well as opportunities that were given to me, I managed to achieve a breakthrough,” he recounted. 

Ju Ying’s way of giving back is to set up study groups to help his peers who are experiencing academic challenges. At NUS, he initiated a study group with 10 other students in the same major during the COVID-19 pandemic. The group members have continued to support one another in their academic studies and mental wellbeing. In his polytechnic days, Ju Ying brought together a study group of 12 students, and at ITE, he rallied almost the entire class of 40 students to study together. These study groups also enabled him to form lifelong friendships.

Not one to keep the good things to himself, Ju Ying also recommended two members of his Final Year Project team – who are also in his study group – to apply for scholarships under SP Group.

While waiting to start his full-time job at SP Group in August as an Engineer under the company’s Engineering Development for GraduatEs (EDGE) programme, the former resident of Prince George’s Park Residence (PGPR) is currently a student assistant at Helix House, previously known as PGP R4. His contributions include sharing insights and suggestions from a student’s perspective on ways to enhance the living-learning experience at Helix House.

Soaring to greater heights

Ju Ying is not resting on his laurels. He is planning to apply for registration to be a professional engineer, and will also be pursuing a part-time Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our more than 14,700 graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels! 

For two fresh graduates of the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), the rigorous medical training was made easier through support from the school and those around them.

Aqilah Faaiqah: Caring for her mother inspired interest in palliative care

Armed with a diploma in Biomedical Science from Republic Polytechnic, Aqilah Faaiqah Binte Haji Shamsuri knew that she loved two things: science and helping people. But it was her experience with compassionate medical professionals who cared for her cancer-stricken mother during her final year in polytechnic that inspired her to be a doctor.

Aqilah’s medical school journey was far from easy. In her fourth year, she received devastating news – her mother’s cancer had relapsed. Aqilah had to juggle studies while being her mother’s sole caregiver. During the over 100 days that her mother spent in the hospital, she stayed over five days a week, going home only to shower and change.

This was in the midst of her finals, where she had to study at her mother’s bedside. While preparing for one particular clinical exam, Aqilah felt anxious. “I did not feel prepared. I was not confident,” she said. Before she left the ward to sit for the exam, her mother wrapped her hands around Aqilah’s, looked her in the eyes, and said: “You got this.”

These words calmed her. To Aqilah’s surprise, one of the clinical cases she had managed to practise with her partner, was tested during the exam. She felt affirmed.

NUS Medicine was also “very supportive and allowed me to change postings to the hospital my mother was at because they knew I had to be there with her”, she added. Scholarships from the University meant that she did not have to worry about school fees too, especially since money was tight during her mother’s treatment period.

After pulling through that academic year, she decided to take a gap year to care for her mother and herself. Sadly, her mother passed away that same year. A grief-stricken Aqilah found solace in baking. What began as a coping mechanism quickly turned into a passion.

She received rave reviews for her sourdough bread. With the encouragement of her friends and family, she started a baking business as a form of tribute to her mother. She named her enterprise “Ibu Roti” – the name means yeast in Malay, but “ibu” was also what she called her mother. “I found it therapeutic to bake bread because it reminded me of the moments I spent with my mum,” she said.

The time spent with her mother by her bedside opened Aqilah’s eyes to an aspect of medicine that is often overlooked – palliative care. She saw how the palliative care team went beyond their call of duty to support her mother in her final days.

“This is the type of doctor I want to be – to treat patients and really get to know them beyond their medical condition,” she said.

To aspiring doctors, Aqilah has these words of encouragement: “Medicine is a long journey. You need to know your purpose in pursuing it in the first place – as long as this is clear, no matter how hard the journey gets, you can always come back to it.”

Aqilah received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from NUS on 8 July 2023.

Claire Tan: Learning through serving

It was a passion for people, coupled with her inclination towards the sciences, that motivated Claire Tan to study medicine. “Medicine allowed me to study what I like, and at the same time, see a purpose in what I was studying as I help others,” she said.

At NUS, she also put her love for helping others into action. As the Project Director of Project iRemember – a local community health project initiated by NUS Medicine students – she helped to raise awareness on geriatric mental health issues and dementia. These are causes close to her heart as her grandmother suffers from dementia.

Together with agencies such as TOUCH Cluster Support and the Agency for Integrated Care, Claire and her team conducted health screenings and weekly activities, such as music and Zumba classes, for seniors who were at risk of social isolation.

Through these initiatives, she learnt how to lead a team and form sustainable partnerships with organisations. “At first, I was just chasing KPIs (key performance indicators), like how many people would. Then I realised that the bonds we formed were equally, if not more, valuable,” she noted.

Claire’s commitment to serving others also brought her to vulnerable groups at the other end of the age spectrum. Under the Neighbourhood Health Service Kids, another student-run initiative at NUS Medicine, she helped children from lower-income families who were at risk of developmental delays.

Although they could not interact much with the kids during the COVID-19 pandemic, they managed to organise Zoom webinars where paediatricians from National University Hospital taught parents of these children how to manage common childhood conditions.

Claire has also earned a number of academic accolades. She counts the Jane Prize in Paediatrics, which she won in 2022 for her research paper on a rare blood disorder in children, as the most memorable.

The prize is awarded to outstanding clinical papers on paediatric subjects based on a student’s own research. “I was hoping to shed light on the high mortality of the condition and improve the care of these children. The award was a bonus,” she said.

The global learning opportunities offered by NUS also enabled Claire to expand her horizons through a four-week elective in Wales, where she visited clinics and hospitals.

And Claire deeply cherishes the friends she made in NUS – both in her faculty and in King Edward VII Hall. “It was a memorable five years, but I am thankful for the good friends and clinical group mates that supported me and made things easier,” she said.

Claire received her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (with Honours) degree from NUS on 8 July 2023.
 

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our more than 14,700 graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels! 

Although they are of different ages and backgrounds, the recent graduates share some striking similarities: they all entered the nursing course during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are graduating with a renewed passion for the healthcare industry.

Leong Yong Fei: Oldest student a role model for others

For Leong Yong Fei, having a double degree in economics and mathematics and a master’s degree in real estate from NUS were not enough – he is also a newly minted nursing graduate at his alma mater.

At 61, he is the oldest student to date in the Career Conversion Programme for Registered Nurses (CCP-RN). “When I asked my 28-year-old son to be my guarantor for the programme, he almost dropped out of his chair,” the former finance manager recalled with a laugh.

He learnt about the two-year programme through a Facebook advertisement in 2020. When he saw how frontline workers fought against COVID-19, he thought about his time as a medic during National Service and knew he had to sign up.

Once he convinced the interview board – and his family – that it was the right decision, the work began in earnest.  

In school, Yong Fei had to re-adjust to the rhythms of academic life. To keep pace with his academic workload, he maintained a steady routine of going to bed by 10pm so he could attend morning lectures and lab sessions, attentive and alert.

His efforts paid off when it came to the rigorous 32-week clinicals. Attached to the Singapore General Hospital and Outram Community Hospital, he had to attend to patients with intensive rehabilitation needs while shadowing other nurses, who were often surprised at his energy levels.

While he initially found it awkward that his course mates were approximately his children’s ages, he realised that he could connect with patients more naturally. He also relished the opportunity to learn how the human body responds to various medical interventions.

Eager to learn as much as he could to become a better nurse, he was not afraid to ask questions. “Mature students in the CCP programme don’t just accept things at face value; they want to know why this thing does what it does,” he said.

Yong Fei will be receiving his Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree from NUS on 9 July. Now that he has graduated, he will fulfil his three-year bond with his sponsoring organisation, Outram Community Hospital, where he hopes to help as many patients as possible.

Muhammad Luqman: Nursing degree opens other doors in healthcare industry

Muhammad Luqman always knew that he wanted to study Nursing – although being a nurse was not necessarily his ultimate goal.

At the age of 15, he started working and providing various first aid services, which he continued until 2021 when he led the operations team in an ambulance service business. 

He was inspired to join Nursing because of his late grandmother, who had passed away from cancer just three months after falling ill. While his experience as a medic helped him care for her, he wanted a better understanding of her condition and how to alleviate her pain. “If I had a full understanding of the possible options then, I would have brought her home from the hospital and taken care of her,” said Luqman, now 24.

NUS Nursing, he believed, would strengthen his healthcare knowledge and provide a solid foundation for him to serve elsewhere in the healthcare industry. True enough, after being posted to several institutions, he explored his options and decided to apply his hard-earned experience to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) as a Paramedic Officer. He had always wanted to serve on the frontline, especially in a pre-hospital care setting. He is currently serving in the EMS Department – Readiness Branch, where he strives to ensure operational readiness and effectiveness of frontline units.

With a newfound “understanding of the entire healthcare ecosystem”, he is able to streamline different types of care to the patients and prepare them for hospital admittance.

“NUS has done a good job at providing that foundation,” said Luqman, who will receive a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree from NUS on 9 July. “Now I understand the trajectory of the injury and what kind of care I can provide.”

Drawing parallels between his current job and that of a nurse’s, he said: “At the heart of it, we are caring for others, making sure the care they get is streamlined and boosting their quality of care.”

Jessalyn Soh: A long but fulfilling journey

Inspired by her mum, Jessalyn Soh has always wanted to be a nurse. Her mother, a nurse of over 40 years, used to take her around the neighbourhood and region when helping communities with their healthcare needs for free. However, her route to fulfilling her nursing dream was a bumpy one.

Though she wanted to study Nursing in polytechnic, her banking certificate from the Institute of Technical Education did not allow her to apply for the course at that time. The next best alternative, she said, was to enrol for the Health Service Management course at Republic Polytechnic. After her diploma, she successfully applied for and entered NUS Nursing in 2019, on a Ministry of Health Holdings Healthcare Merit Award.

But once in university, she was faced with a new challenge – at 24 years old, she felt older than most of her peers. She often wondered if she had the strength and energy to keep up with them in a tough programme. “I thought being an older student meant that I was less capable than them,” she said. 

Now 28, she realises that her age is a strength ­– for example, her experiences made it easier for her to relate to her patients. 

At NUS, she had various opportunities to develop new skills – for instance, she picked up a new language, Bahasa Indonesia, which enabled her to communicate with more patients. Interactive lessons at the anatomy labs also gave her a first-hand view of the intricacies of internal organs and their inter-related parts.

She forged strong friendships with her peers. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we would send messages like ‘Today you can do it!’ to our group chat every morning,” she recalled.

Jessalyn, who will soon start work at the National University Hospital, said that having a can-do attitude helped her through university: “Don’t be afraid, and don’t think that your age is going to be a disadvantage. Just try!”

On 9 July 2023, Jessalyn will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Honours (Distinction) from NUS.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our more than 14,700 graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels! 

Matthew matriculated as an NUS student in the Faculty of Science’s Department of Pharmacy in 2017. However, his studies were disrupted in 2018 when he was diagnosed with lymphoma – a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system – during the second semester of his first year of studies. After a six-month long medical leave, he resumed undergraduate studies in 2019. This was interrupted a second time when he had to take another year-long medical leave when he suffered a relapse. He resumed his studies as a sophomore at the start of the next academic year in August 2020.

Going beyond the letter grade

The cancer diagnosis changed how Matthew viewed the role of academics in his life.

“Being a typical student, I tried my best in achieving stellar grades in my freshman year,” said Matthew. Comparison with peers and the desire to keep up led to sacrificed sleep for late-night studying.

“It was only after my diagnosis of lymphoma in 2018 that I took a step back and reflected on the life I lived before my diagnosis. How meaningless it was to get caught up in this rat race of achieving academic excellence when it can be so easily robbed at the expense of my health,” shared Matthew.  

With this immense recognition that there was more to life than the paper chase, Matthew no longer felt the need to be wholly focused on grades but took each module as a learning opportunity. “It felt very liberating to learn without imposing expectations on myself to strive for the top percentile. I did not look for unrestricted electives to intentionally pull up my overall academic performance. Instead, I took modules that I was interested in and could further my knowledge in becoming a more patient-centric pharmacist in time to come.”

Learning as a patient

While being treated as a patient, Matthew had the opportunity to learn more about oncology, the study of cancer. He was curious about the medications he was taking and how they helped in his recovery. Upon finding out that Matthew was a Pharmacy student, the nurses, pharmacists and doctors treating him took the time, where possible, to share information about his treatment while he was lucid.

“I also had multiple opportunities to learn how medication dispensing counselling was performed. As the ward pharmacist counselled me on the dosing regimen of each medication – such as the frequency of administration, and steps to take if I missed a dose – and showed me empathy throughout the process, I made a mental note to adopt the counselling techniques used,” said Matthew.

He was able to put his observations to practice as a Year 2 student during an NUS Pharmacy module when he was tasked to perform dispensing counselling using a mock prescription. After the assessment, he received feedback from the examiner that it was unexpected for a student to counsel so empathetically and naturally.

This comment was a tremendous encouragement to Matthew. “It gave significance to my experience that I had thought was something to be ashamed about. It was also a reason to cement my career as a pharmacist with an attitude to take every opportunity as a learning experience, whether good or bad.”

The support of the Pharmacy family

Matthew is greatly appreciative of how Associate Professor Ho Han Kiat and Dr Chng Hui Ting from NUS Pharmacy would regularly check in with him when he was away on leave of absence to find out how he was doing. He was also inspired by his lecturers Professor Eric Chan, Associate Professor Doreen Tan, and Dr Chng who made efforts to engage students, despite the limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic, so students could learn better.

Beyond the academic faculty, Matthew also found professional guidance through the Inspiring Students in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science through Interaction and Enrichment (InSPIRxE) mentorship programme, a programme organised by the NUS Pharmaceutical Society Academic Committee and NUS Pharmacy Alumni Group. His mentors, Ms Chung Wing Lam and Ms Cheryl Lim, current pharmacists and NUS alumni, provided listening ears and advice which helped him navigate his journey as a pharmacist to be.

Finding purpose amidst change

A significant source of strength for Matthew in his journey was his religious faith. He also forged deep friendships within the NUS Catholic Students’ Society which provided immense support. “Meeting with like-minded individuals who journey together as a community really pulled me through the rough patches in university and gave me perspectives on what I should treasure above all else.”

Matthew is currently a pre-registration pharmacist with the National University Hospital. He aspires to become an oncologist specialist pharmacist, and possibly venture into educating the next generation of pharmacists. Prior to this, on the advice of his lecturers with experience treating cancer patients, he aims to gain exposure to treating patients with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Such conditions affect patients over a longer period and could pose complications to cancer treatment.

“It helps to have some milestones in place to work towards, but if there is one thing I learn from my cancer experience, it is to embrace change. Sometimes life is not going to be so smooth-sailing and there may be circumstances that will require me to pivot and realign my goals,” said Matthew.

Reflecting on his undergraduate journey, Matthew has these words of encouragement for students: “Life is not a rat race, but a journey of self-discovery to understand what it means to live as humans. Seize every opportunity as your chance to gain valuable experience, whether it may end in success or failure. Trust that this will eventually pay dividends in the future, even if you don’t understand its significance at present.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our more than 14,700 graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels! 

For as long as she can remember, becoming a lawyer had been a dream for Jolene as she had always wanted to advocate for others. But she opted to study mass communications as her family’s financial situation meant that they could not afford the fees for law school.   

Now, Jolene is bidding farewell to NUS with more than she had hoped for. She has won accolades in international and local moots, chaired events and led student clubs, started peer support groups to give back to the community she loves, and even received the prestigious National University of Singapore Society medal for outstanding all-round achievements in NUS.

Few would have guessed the journey the 26-year-old took to get here.

A journey of self-discovery

Fresh from graduating among the top of her cohort with a diploma in Mass Communications in 2017, Jolene was offered a scholarship to complete a degree in public policy and global affairs at a local university.

But she decided to put her studies on hold and chose instead to do volunteer work in Cambodia for a year. “I’ve always had a passion for working with underprivileged communities and making a positive change with my time,” Jolene shared.

However, her stint there was cut short when she met with an accident that left her left arm severely injured, forcing her to return to Singapore where she spent over a year recovering. It dawned on her that accidents come with heavy liabilities and brushes with the law. “It made real for me the importance of a legal education and the need to understand the interactions between law and society,” she recalled. 

Her epiphany post-Cambodia pushed her to take a chance and apply to NUS Law, ranked as Asia’s top law school. She was elated and surprised by the admission offer, which had set her on a different path. “This debunked a misconception I had – that my polytechnic background would disadvantage me in the application process. My financial concerns were also put to rest when I received scholarships and bursaries to help with tuition fees and schooling expenses – which I am really grateful for.”

Making the most of opportunities

At NUS Law, Jolene found herself challenged by the intellectual rigour of her classes and immensely enjoyed the times spent discussing legal concepts and issues with her professors and peers.

“Lessons were tough but fulfilling,” she reflected. “What I find remarkable is that the way our professors challenge us to critically consider all perspectives when approaching a problem has fundamentally changed the way I think.” 

Along the way, the shy student also discovered a newfound passion – mooting. This was unexpected as she finds public speaking nerve-wracking. However, her curiosity was piqued after taking a compulsory mooting course.

Jolene went on to do NUS proud in mooting competitions. Her strong performances earned her second place at Drew & Napier’s Advocacy Cup in 2022, and an honourable mention as Best Speaker at the 2023 VIS East International Commercial Arbitration Competition.

She credits the mentorship she received for helping her overcome her fears. “Thanks to the strong ties between NUS Law and its alumni, I was lucky to have some of the best coaches guide me throughout the process.”

Just as how mooting requires the appreciation of different legal opinions to understand the broader picture, Jolene says people from different backgrounds and disciplines can add value to law school and the legal industry.

She elaborated: “Instead of disadvantaging me, I realised that my mass communications background helped me contribute a commercial perspective in classes. The same applies in legal practice; I am a piece in the bigger picture of what it means to read and practice law.”

Building up the student community

Being the first in her family to attend university, Jolene had initially decided to focus all her attention on doing well academically. However, the support from professors and the School, along with the close ties she developed with her seniors, motivated her to take on leadership roles that helped her grow in confidence and contribute to the student community.

Serving as the chairperson in the Freshman Orientation Central Committee in her first year, she led a team to pivot effectively to online orientation activities for law freshmen when COVID-19 hit. In her second year, she took up the post of Law Club Vice President and made good on the Club’s promises to improve student welfare such as advocating for the provision of sanitary products in women’s toilets at the Bukit Timah Campus (BTC), an initiative that was eventually expanded to other NUS campuses.

Witnessing the challenges faced by students as they adapted to the migration of school activities online during COVID, Jolene co-founded student group Spaces@BTC to raise awareness and provide mental well-being support to law students through activities like horse therapy and terrarium workshops.

The formation of Spaces@BTC led to the birth of the Peer Support Group (PSG@Spaces), which works with the NUS Office of Student Affairs and the Health Promotion Board to train students to provide a listening ear to peers – something Jolene takes special pride in.

“The initiatives are my way of giving back for all the support I have received and I am glad they have helped strengthened the sense of community and care for students,” she said.

Added NUS Law Associate Professor Eleanor Wong who had the pleasure of working with Jolene in many of her roles as a student leader over the years, “She is a rare gem who stands out precisely because she doesn’t put herself first; instead, she inspires through service, leads through example and excels through uplifting her peers.”

After graduation, Jolene is set on an exciting career in international arbitration, confident that the strong foundation she is starting from stands her in good stead as she assists companies and individuals to resolve cross-border disputes.

Reflecting on her time in NUS Law, Jolene shared, “My journey has had its ups and downs but the strong community ties, the mentorship and intellectual journey I had been on have only served to strengthen my conviction to pursue a legal career.”

Keenly aware of the power and duty that come with her role, she added: “Lawyers are officers of the court and I know I am in a unique position to support people, groups and even organisations with their legal issues and to further the public good. It is an important responsibility and I am excited about what my future holds.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2023, which celebrates the achievements of our more than 14,700 graduates from the Class of 2023. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2023 on our social media channels!