08
December
2022
|
08:26
Asia/Singapore

Two NUS students awarded Schwarzman Scholarship, to join eighth cohort in August 2023

Two students from NUS have been selected for the prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship, and will join the eighth batch of 151 scholars for graduate studies at Tsinghua University come August 2023.

Both in their final year at NUS, Hans Sebastian Mulyawan from NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) and Ryan Kueh from Yale-NUS College were selected through a rigorous application process which saw nearly 3,000 applicants, of whom 400 candidates from 60 countries were interviewed.

The Schwarzman Scholarship, established in 2016, is a one-year fully-funded Master’s programme in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. The scholarship is awarded to up to 200 graduates yearly, selecting candidates for their outstanding leadership qualities and the potential to understand and bridge cultural and political differences.

“I am excited by the eighth cohort’s potential,” said Mr Stephen A. Schwarzman, Founding Trustee of Schwarzman Scholars. “As the geopolitical landscape grows more complex each day, I am inspired by this year’s selected Scholars and their readiness to engage thoughtfully with global issues and drive change. We are confident that this inspiring cohort of young leaders will make the most of this unique opportunity.”

Crossroads of talents and passions

A young man of multiple talents and interests, Hans concurrently pursues his passion for entrepreneurship and a keen interest in public and foreign policy alongside his academic studies in Industrial Systems Engineering and Management (ISEM). This unusual yet fulfilling combination has inspired him to engage with more like-minded, impact-focused global student leaders in the Schwarzman Scholars programme.

Hans credits his interdisciplinary studies at CDE where he is also pursuing a second major in Business Analytics, as well as his entrepreneurial journey with NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) for his scientific approach to testing assumptions and designing problem-focused solutions. Through his stint at NOC, Hans was able to jumpstart his education financing start-up, huCap, which aims to partner top tech bootcamps to offer income share agreements as a financing option for students. He believes these two experiences, along with his data analytics and project management skills, will enable him to lead with more awareness and conviction. 

On top of his academic and entrepreneurial commitments, Hans also demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Students' Association in Singapore. He would later be further nurtured in the Republic of Indonesia's Presidential Executive Office's first-ever leadership school, and selected for the Young Leaders for Indonesia 2022 programme by global management consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

Associate Professor Ng Sze Hui, Head of the Department of ISEM at CDE said, “On behalf of ISEM and CDE, I’d like to congratulate Hans on his scholarship and wish him all the best for his time in Beijing. Having been an active member of the NUS student community, along with his passion for accessible education and entrepreneurship, Hans will find a lot of inspiration and have a lot to contribute to the community of Schwartzman Scholars.”

Multi-disciplinary application and creating social impact

Ryan, who majors in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at Yale-NUS College, is a strong believer in multi-disciplinary application and has taken on different internships to deepen his knowledge in the areas of business, international affairs, and public policy. Most recently, he was a Global Markets Summer Analyst at J.P. Morgan covering Currencies and Rates in Emerging Markets, with other experiences in energy consulting, political consulting, and public policy.

Ryan is also passionate about creating social impact. He was a part of the leadership team for the NUS chapter for Conjunct Consulting, a social organisation that provides consulting services for other social organisations. At Conjunct Consulting, Ryan spearheaded HackforGood, the organisation’s first hackathon focused on generating technology solutions for social enterprises, and developed long-term sustainable housing models for the Autism Resource Centre, with the project laying the groundwork for the Autism Enabling Masterplan.

Nilanjana Pal, Director of Yale-NUS Centre for International & Professional Experience (CIPE) said, “Yale-NUS College is extremely pleased that one of our students has been selected to join the Schwarzman Scholars programme. Ryan is an incredibly driven and intellectually curious young man whose commitment to and passion for social impact has defined his professional, academic and personal trajectory. The Schwarzman Scholarship will provide him with unparalleled opportunities to understand China’s role in the world – through rigorous academic work, access to an extensive network of peers and mentors and numerous opportunities for travel and cultural immersion. We look forward to seeing his future achievements and wish him all the best for his next endeavour.”

Learning from the best and brightest around the world

Schwarzman Scholars will live in Beijing for a year of study and cultural immersion — attending lectures, travelling around the region, and developing a better understanding of China.

Hans said he was keen to take part in the scholarship’s opportunities for collaboration and multi-cultural exchanges. “I’m hopeful for what's to come - living with impact-led leaders from across the world that would bridge multicultural perspectives and ideas,” said Hans. “I am also really looking forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with young leaders from different nations and learning how China grows its human capital by developing its standardised educational system,” he added.

Ryan said he hoped to understand China's role in the world more closely through the scholarship. “Through the programme, I hope to meet and work with other like-minded individuals who have the same goal of bridging gaps between China and the world,” he shared.

Read more about the Schwarzman Scholarship here, and visit the Centre for Future-ready Graduates website for updates on application information.

Read Yale-NUS College's press release here.