\r\nStudents from the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science yesterday emerged champions of the 30th NUS Geography Challenge, a national competition organised by the Department of Geography<\/a>\u00a0at the National University of Singapore (NUS).<\/p>\r\nThe milestone edition brought together close to 500 students from over 120 secondary schools across Singapore - the largest participation to date - to examine this year's theme, \"City For Tomorrow: Shaping Our Liveable Future.\"<\/p>\r\nThe theme challenged students to think about how cities like Singapore can remain liveable while balancing competing priorities such as housing, infrastructure, green spaces and environmental sustainability.<\/p>\r\nIn the Grand Finals, the top five teams competed across three rounds: A Judges Round, \"GeoPardy\" quiz segment (Jeopardy-style quiz), and a fast-paced Speed Round. Teams were tested not only on their geographical knowledge, but also their ability to analyse urban liveability challenges and communicate their ideas effectively.<\/p>\r\n\"What stood out amongst the top teams in the 30th NUS Geography Challenge was the calibre of teamwork and presentation skills,\" said Professor Tim Bunnell from the NUS Department of Geography and finals judge. \"Geography provides students not only with applied and analytical skills for planning and policy but also with a human-level appreciation of lived, social environments.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_33743\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Teams huddled over the Geo-Trail map, designed in the spirit of \"The Amazing Race, during the semi-finals, analysing checkpoint locations and plotting their routes. With the freedom to chart their own paths, students strategised the most efficient way between stations while tackling geography questions grounded in each site's surrounding environment.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nHe noted that the finalists showed a strong understanding of complex urban planning challenges, and a clear grasp of how Singapore's Master Plan and Green Plan shape sustainability, green spaces, and community policies in developing a liveable city. \"It was enlightening to see how they combined analytical thinking, field observations, and creative ideas, engaging with urban liveability challenges through fresh perspectives.\"<\/p>\r\nField investigations across Singapore<\/strong><\/p>\r\nDuring the Geo-Trail semi-finals held earlier during the day yesterday, participants carried out field-based investigations at seven checkpoints across downtown and suburban Singapore, including one-north Park, Enabling Village by SG Enable, Toa Payoh Central, Smith Street in Chinatown, and grovve, Singapore's first integrated youth-focused wellness centre. Each site was strategically selected to showcase different aspects of city planning, from environmental sustainability and green spaces to accessibility and social inclusivity.<\/p>\r\nAt each location, students made on-site observations and discussed how cities can be designed not just for efficiency, but for inclusivity, sustainability, and well-being. They also considered how, beyond physical infrastructure, different communities experience shared urban spaces, and how cities can balance competing priorities such as housing, recreation, heritage preservation, and environmental protection.<\/p>\r\nMs Ong Lay Kheng from Tanjong\u00a0Katong\u00a0Girls' School,\u00a0which participated in this year's competition, is appreciative that students get to explore different parts of Singapore in the Geo-Trail.<\/p>\r\n\"Rather than studying concepts abstractly, students examine actual urban infrastructure and develop innovative solutions, transforming them from passive learners into active problem-solvers,\" said Ms Ong who teaches geography at the school.<\/p>\r\nNurturing future geography talent<\/strong><\/p>\r\nMr Vijay Liew, Group Director (Corporate Development) (Designate) of Urban Redevelopment Authority, one of the competition's partners, said competitions like the NUS Geography Challenge help nurture students' interest in cities and urban planning, and grow awareness on how planners balance challenges such as climate resilience and competing land uses to shape Singapore's future.<\/p>\r\n\"Such programmes encourage our youths to think critically and creatively about Singapore's urban challenges, and do their part to make our city even more liveable.\"<\/p>\r\nBeyond the competition, students who show strong aptitude may be invited to the Geography Talent Development Programme organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), which prepares students to represent Singapore at the International Geography Olympiad.<\/p>\r\nMs Leah Aw, MOE's Director of Humanities, Curriculum Planning and Development Division (CPDD) said that the NUS Geography Challenge is an important platform for discovering and nurturing Singapore's future geography talent, as it connects classroom learning with vital contemporary issues like urban sustainability and environmental stewardship, making learning more dynamic and empowering.<\/p>\r\n\"MOE's Talent Development Programme then helps the most promising students deepen their expertise, with an opportunity to represent Singapore at the International Geography Olympiad,\" said Ms Aw.<\/p>\r\nSingapore has performed strongly in the international competition, including placing first in 2022 among teams from 54 countries.<\/p>\r\nOrganisers hope the competition will continue to inspire young people to develop a deeper interest in geography and the complex challenges shaping cities and environments around the world.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 29 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS leads Asia in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026<\/a><\/h3>25 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_33720\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS had 28 subjects ranked in the global top 10 in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings by Subject 2026, with seven placing in the global top three.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe National University of Singapore (NUS) has achieved its strongest performance in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS WUR) by Subject since the subject rankings were introduced in 2011. In the 2026 edition released on 25 March 2026, a record 28 NUS subjects were placed in the global top 10, with seven ranked among the global top three.<\/p>\r\nThis milestone marks a continued upward trajectory for NUS, with the number of subject placements in the top 10 rising from 14 subjects in 2023 to 19 in 2024, 22 in 2025, and now 28 in 2026 - effectively doubling over three years.<\/p>\r\n\"We are delighted that NUS has achieved its strongest performance to date in the QS World University Rankings by Subject\u2015with a record 28 subjects placed in the global top 10, among which seven are in the global top three. This broad-based recognition is a stellar testament to the talent and dedication of our faculty, researchers, staff, students and alumni,\" said Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost.<\/p>\r\n\"While rankings are one measure of excellence, this upward trajectory reflects our continued focus on delivering world-class education and driving research that creates real-world impact. It is heartening to see both our established strengths in areas like Engineering, Computing and Social Science, as well as significant progress in disciplines such as History, Environmental Sciences and Design, being recognised on the global stage.\"<\/p>\r\nSeven subjects topping the leaderboard<\/strong><\/p>\r\nAmong the seven subjects in the global top three, five are in Engineering & Technology, underscoring NUS' long-standing strength in the discipline. The University maintained its #3 global position in Social Policy & Administration and continued its upward momentum in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, climbing four places to enter the global top three.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_33719\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Humanities, 28 of NUS' 42 ranked subjects were placed among the world's top 10. [* Broad subject areas]<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nSeveral NUS subjects recorded notable improvements to enter the global top 10 in 2026. Anatomy & Physiology\u00a0and History both climbed eight places to rank 7th and 9th, respectively. Accounting & Finance rose two spots to 10th,\u00a0while Communication & Media Studies and Sociology advanced four and five places respectively to secure 10th<\/sup>\u00a0position globally.Broad-based improvements across disciplines<\/strong>\r\nNUS was ranked in\u00a042 subjects, with\u00a039 subjects\u00a0placed in the\u00a0global top 20 - up from 36 last year - reflecting sustained, broad-based excellence across disciplines. New entrants to the top 20 include Arts & Design and Dentistry, both ranked 19th, rising significantly from 30th<\/sup>\u00a0and\u00a032nd<\/sup>\u00a0respectively in 2025.<\/p>\r\nAcross the five broad subject areas in the QS WUR by Subject, NUS placed 8th<\/sup>\u00a0globally in both\u00a0Engineering & Technology\u00a0and\u00a0Social Sciences & Management. NUS was also ranked\u00a013th\u00a0in\u00a0Natural Sciences,\u00a014th\u00a0in\u00a0Life Sciences & Medicine and 17th\u00a0in\u00a0Arts & Humanities.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_33718\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS has consistently improved across all five broad subject areas, with these now being ranked in the top 20.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nNUS also recorded notable gains in the arts. Performing Arts rose significantly to 27th<\/sup>\u00a0globally (up from 44th<\/sup>\u00a0last year), while Music made its debut in the 26-50 band in the QS WUR by Subject.<\/p>\r\nLeading the pack in Asia and among the world's most improved universities<\/strong><\/p>\r\nThe QS WUR by Subject is an independent comparative analysis of academic offerings by universities worldwide. This year's edition evaluated more than 21,000 academic offerings from 1,912 institutions across 100 countries, spanning 55 academic disciplines and five broad subject areas.<\/p>\r\nSingapore continues to stand among the world's leading higher education systems, with 42 academic offerings ranked in the global top 10 - the third highest globally, behind only the United States (US, 271) and the United Kingdom (UK, 171) and more than triple its closest regional competitor, China, with 15.<\/p>\r\nNUS is the leading institution in Asia and among the best globally, with the sixth highest number of top-three subject entries worldwide - and the highest outside the US and UK. It is also among the most improved institutions, with 35 of its 45 previously ranked subjects climbing the tables. Among the 53 subject and broad subject area entries from Singapore, NUS emerged as the top-ranked university locally in 46 entries.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 25 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS Open House 2026: From the future of learning to the pulse of student life<\/a><\/h3>14 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18650\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] With programme booths, talks, special classes, campus tours, and student performances across University Town, NUS Open House 2026 offered visitors a comprehensive showcase of the breadth of NUS' degree offerings and its vibrant campus life.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nProspective students turned out in force for the NUS Open House 2026, one of the University's largest events of the year, with some 21,500 visitors packing University Town on 7 March for a first-hand look at the University's distinctive academic programmes and its vibrant campus community.<\/p>\r\nFeaturing an extensive line-up of programme booths, faculty talks, special classes, and campus tours, this year's event - which spotlighted NUS' suite of AI-focused programmes, cutting-edge innovations, and a sampling of student performances - also marked a new chapter for\u00a0NUS Law<\/a>, which hosted its entire showcase at UTown for the first time since\u00a0moving to Kent Ridge<\/a>\u00a0in January.<\/p>\r\nComplementing the full-day showcase was a six-day virtual segment featuring online talks on global and career opportunities, as well as information sessions by\u00a0NUS Business School<\/a>,\u00a0NUS Pharmacy<\/a>, and the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"I found the programme talks and student sharing sessions especially enjoyable and informative because they provided real insights into student life and the academic experience at NUS,\" said Suriya Selvarayar, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic student who is interested in applying to technology-related programmes.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\nNew \"AI+X\" degrees for emerging careers<\/strong>At a panel led by NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean entitled \"Earth, Space, Data and AI: Degrees that Launch You into the Future\", visitors were introduced to NUS' expanding slate of \"AI+X\" programmes, designed to integrate AI across diverse disciplines to meet the demand for new careers and fields driven by the technology.\r\nIts latest effort is the\u00a0new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme (GIX)<\/a>, the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, which welcomes its first cohort in August 2026. Co-hosted by the Department of Geography at the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0NUS Computing<\/a>, it will train students to synthesise earth, space, and environmental data - such as those collected by satellites, drones and mobile devices - with AI tools to tackle challenges in urban planning, transportation, and climate change. With courses spanning geography and computer science, and an emphasis on integrated problem-solving, the programme opens doors to sectors including smart cities and sustainable development, as well as the space and satellite industries.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18642\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Prospective students had the chance to hear from NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean (third from left) at a talk on NUS' suite of AI-focused degree programmes. Joining him were (from left to right) Associate Professor Peter Chan from the College of Design and Engineering, Associate Professor Kan Min-Yen from NUS Computing, Associate Professor Wang Yi-Chen from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Professor Gary Ang from NUS Enterprise.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThree other \"AI+X\" degrees were also highlighted. Admitting its second intake in August, the\u00a0Bachelor of Computing in Artificial Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0provides students with deep technical expertise, preparing them to design solutions to real-world problems using AI systems and models, grounded in a critical understanding of AI governance.<\/p>\r\nFormerly known as Information Systems, the\u00a0revamped Bachelor of Computing in Business Artificial Intelligence Systems<\/a>\u00a0integrates AI systems with business expertise to solve enterprise challenges and drive digital innovation.<\/p>\r\nAlso welcoming its second cohort in August is the\u00a0College of Design and Engineering<\/a>'s (CDE)\u00a0Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Machine Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0programme. Combining hardware, software, and AI, it prepares students to lead the applications of AI-enabled robotics - systems capable of sophisticated decisions and learning from their environments - in markets that are fast expanding beyond manufacturing to sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and logistics.<\/p>\r\nProf Thean emphasised that while NUS seeks to produce graduates who can capitalise on AI, the human element remains essential. \"New jobs and careers are emerging, and the question is how we prepare for them,\" he added, noting that the ultimate goal is for graduates to be adept at using the tools while possessing the critical thinking, decision-making and creativity to excel in the AI era.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18640\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (second from right) visited the various booths, including the CDE's showcase of its innovative projects and models.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nFuture-ready engineering\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\nAside from showcasing the new robotics and machine intelligence degree, CDE delivered a comprehensive overview of the available programmes tailored to the evolving landscape - from\u00a0Mechanical Engineering<\/a>\u00a0to the\u00a0Minor in Artificial Intelligence (Design and Engineering)<\/a>.<\/p>\r\nThe Mechanical Engineering talk explored AI's applications in a wide range of industries, from aeronautics and urban transportation to sustainable energy and future cities. Students were given an overview of their career prospects, ranging from thermal R&D engineers to process development scientists.<\/p>\r\nAnother exciting new programme highlighted was the Artificial Intelligence minor. In the light of AI's position as a national priority in Singapore, prospective students got a snapshot of the industry landscape, as well as how the minor's industry-focused approach provides hands-on learning experiences in fundamental AI concepts like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18638\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The interactive Innovation and Robotics Showcase drew visitors to experience the cutting-edge technological innovations created by NUS faculty and students that are transforming our world for the better.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n<\/article>\r\nInnovations in action<\/strong>An interactive experience awaited visitors at the Innovation and Robotics Showcase, which featured futuristic projects by faculty and students at CDE,\u00a0NUS College<\/a>\u00a0(NUSC), and the\u00a0Centre for Quantum Technologies<\/a>\u00a0(CQT) that exemplify the spirit of cutting-edge innovation at NUS.<\/p>\r\nCDE presented an array of technologies making an impact in the real world, from virtual reality simulations that help users identify safety hazards in the construction industry to robot dogs that assist in search and rescue operations in hazardous terrain.<\/p>\r\nNUSC's \"Gut Guard\", a gamified learning\u00a0Impact Experience<\/a> project that tackles misconceptions about gut health, as well as CQT's technologies developed for Singapore's National Quantum-Safe Network testbed, were also on display.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18637\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The College of Humanities and Sciences unveiled a refreshed programme booth experience, grouping related disciplines into thematic zones to help prospective students better understand each discipline and how they can be meaningfully combined within the college's flexible curriculum.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nExploring real-world connections at CHS<\/strong>CHS, which brings together the\u00a0Faculty of Science<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>, traded individual programme booths for immersive thematic zones, allowing visitors to understand how diverse disciplines converge in the real world as part of a new approach that brought its interdisciplinary ethos to life.\r\nIn \"Understanding People and Societies\", which linked anthropology with sociology and psychology, they explored the role of these social sciences in understanding human behaviour, while \"Science in our Lives\" demonstrated the interconnected fields of chemical, biological and pharmaceutical science in contributing to better therapies.<\/p>\r\nUnderscoring this approach was \"Beyond the Textbook: Play, Policy, and Plants\", a panel which gathered faculty members from three interdisciplinary courses to discuss timely issues such as the importance of play in learning, the multifaceted aspects of drug regulation, and the study of plants as a lens for examining Southeast Asia's ecology, communities and livelihoods.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18636\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Apart from introducing its new campus at University Town, Law hosted an engaging line-up of talks, moot court demonstrations and masterclasses to welcome prospective students.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new chapter at UTown<\/strong>Following its\u00a0relocation from Bukit Timah<\/a>\u00a0to Kent Ridge, NUS Law offered prospective students a one-stop shop of what the faculty had to offer, with mooting sessions, thought-provoking masterclasses, and talks that highlighted its world-class faculty and illustrious alumni network.\r\nUnlike previous years, visitors no longer needed to shuttle between both campuses to explore all the Open House activities, said Mr Justin Tan, NUS Law's Vice-Dean (Student Affairs), who gave a welcome talk to prospective students. Remarking on the vibrant setting of its newly upgraded campus, he said, \"I think (visitors) will really love the fact that there are literally thousands of people living in UTown's apartment blocks, all within a few minutes' walk of our new campus. This translates to endless possibilities for a fantastic undergraduate life!\"<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\nBeyond the books<\/strong>NUSC<\/a>, the University's honours college, held sessions showcasing its\u00a0Global Experience<\/a>\u00a0(GEx) programme, which immerses students in 14 overseas sites for a month to engage deeply with their themes. In GEx New York, students examine its identity as a global city, investigating its urban development and cultural heritage through interactions with high-level diplomats, non-government organisations, and industry professionals.\r\nNUS Nursing<\/a>\u00a0held special classes where users learned empathetic communication in palliative care by conversing with an AI chatbot, and showcased its\u00a0new Concurrent Degree Programme<\/a>, which combines the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Honours) with the Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics).<\/p>\r\nMeanwhile,\u00a0NUS Medicine<\/a> offered a hands-on look at the future of medical education through clinical simulations, virtual reality stations, and insightful talks on its curriculum.<\/p>\r\nInside scoop on residential life<\/strong>Through talks, booths, and guided tours, Masters, Resident Fellows, and student leaders from the Residential Colleges, Halls, and Houses offered prospective students insights on the culture of their residences, the partnership between resident fellows and residents, and the vast array of student-led initiatives that foster vibrancy, community spirit, and inclusivity.\r\nNUS' newest hostel, the sports-themed\u00a0Valour House<\/a>, highlighted its key pillars of courage, strength, and resilience - characteristics not just of athletes but of students - to demonstrate its culture of supporting sporting achievements and encouraging residents to step out of their comfort zones.<\/p>\r\nVibrancy of NUS student life<\/strong>A dynamic line-up of performances and showcases, spotlighting some of NUS' finest talents in the performing arts, was presented by the various student clubs and interest groups at the Student Village. From upbeat, catchy tunes by\u00a0NUS Fingerstyle Guitar<\/a>\u00a0and a capella groups\u00a0NUS Resonance<\/a>,\u00a0RHythm<\/a>\u00a0from Raffles Hall, and\u00a0Eusoff Chorapella<\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0Eusoff Hall<\/a>\u00a0to skilful renditions by\u00a0Helix House<\/a>'s Helix Band and\u00a0Sheares Hall<\/a>'s Sheares Band, visitors were treated to a glimpse into the vibrant student experience at NUS beyond academic pursuits.<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 13 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS to offer Asia\u2019s first bachelor\u2019s-level geospatial intelligence programme to integrate geospatial data analysis with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence<\/a><\/h3>08 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh of the Department of Geography spoke to prospective students about the new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme at the 2026 NUS Open House on 7 March 2026.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe National University of Singapore (NUS) will offer a new major in geospatial intelligence that will train students to harness geospatial data and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to address complex problems in climate change mitigation, smart city design, business planning and more.<\/p>\r\nThe study and use of geospatial or location data have evolved from a field focused on mapping and visualisation to one that supports prediction, assessment and decision-making. With the rapid growth of data from satellites, sensors and social activity, combined with advances in computing and AI, geospatial intelligence has become essential for policymakers and organisations to extract insights that emerge from spatial patterns, anticipate risks and drive change.<\/p>\r\nThis has created strong demand for professionals who not only have foundational skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to organise and visualise spatial data, but also expertise in geospatial data science and advanced tools that let them create digital twins of real-world environments, including cities, buildings, transport networks, natural landscapes, ecosystems and social spaces, to explore scenarios, test solutions and make better data-driven decisions.<\/p>\r\nTherefore, NUS' new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in\u00a0Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme<\/a>\u00a0(GIX), the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, meets this demand and builds a talent pipeline in geospatial intelligence.<\/p>\r\nThe four-year programme is offered by the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>, led by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the\u00a0School of Computing (SOC)<\/a>, which contributes expertise in AI, data science and computational methods.<\/p>\r\nThe joint programme leverages world-leading expertise from the Department of Geography and SOC, which are both ranked No.1 in Asia for their respective subjects and in the top ten globally, and the strategic positioning of NUS in Singapore where high-density land utilisations present unique sets of geospatial challenges.<\/p>\r\nGIX will be offered to students matriculating in Academic Year 2026\/2027, which begins in August 2026.<\/p>\r\nUnlocking deeper insights for spatial decisions<\/u><\/strong>In Singapore, policymakers have recognised the profound impact of geospatial information and technology on decision-making and societal development. To realise its vision of becoming \"a leading global geospatial hub\", the Singapore Geospatial Masterplan 2024-2033 emphasises greater geospatial adoption and the strengthening of core capabilities in this field.<\/p>\r\nGeospatial intelligence has many practical applications. Beyond urban planning, transport and connectivity, geospatial intelligence is also used in disaster preparedness and resilience, as well as business optimisation and supply chain strengthening. As AI enhances the analysis of large-scale spatial data for such purposes, demand for professionals who can integrate geospatial expertise with AI capabilities is growing rapidly.<\/p>\r\n\"The introduction of this new degree programme is timely as demand for and interest in AI-powered jobs soar,\" said GIX Programme Director Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh.<\/p>\r\n\"The new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme gives undergraduates a strong foundation in geographic thinking, computational skills and AI, giving them a real edge across sectors such as smart urban systems, logistics, climate risk management and real estate analytics,\" added Assoc Prof Feng, who teaches GIS courses at the Department of Geography.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Kan Min-Yen, Vice Dean (Undergraduate Studies), School of Computing, who is also a programme convenor, said the programme will draw interest from students keen to work on real-world issues such as disaster response, urban planning or climate adaptation.<\/p>\r\n\"The programme complements NUS' existing offerings for students who want to combine data, computing and domain knowledge to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. The offering greatly increases the spectrum of cross-disciplinary programmes available to prospective students,\" said Assoc Prof Kan.<\/p>\r\nA preview session for the new programme was held today at the NUS 2026 Open House. Close to 100 prospective students and parents turned up to learn more about this emerging growth field and potential career pathways for geospatial intelligence experts in government, tech, urban solutions and environmental sectors.<\/p>\r\nThe Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme reflects NUS' commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future, equipping them with the skills to analyse complex spatial data, uncover patterns and generate actionable insights across a range of industries and societal challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 7 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>New Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS to advance interdisciplinary research on complex societal challenges<\/a><\/h3>05 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18559\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Present at the launch of the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS today were (from left) CSSH Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dandan Qiao from NUS School of Computing; CSSH Co-Director Prof Atreyi Kankanhalli from NUS School of Computing; Prof Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS School of Computing; Prof Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology); Prof Lionel Wee, Dean of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; CSSH Co-Director Prof Peter Millican from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and Assoc Prof Miguel Escobar Varela from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new research centre at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is bringing together data science, AI and computational methods with deep insights from social sciences and humanities to better understand complex social phenomena and develop solutions to pressing societal challenges. By combining technological innovation with human insight, the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) aims to generate research that improves lives, strengthens institutions, preserves cultural knowledge, and shapes more inclusive and resilient societies in Singapore and beyond.<\/p>\r\n\r\nOfficially launched today, CSSH is the first in Singapore to systematically bring together computational social science and the humanities within a single centre to bridge research, policy and real-world applications.<\/p>\r\nThe Centre draws on expertise across disciplines including computing, new media, linguistics, geography, public policy and healthcare, amongst others. This interdisciplinary foundation enables CSSH to examine how digital technologies intersect with social systems, such as assessing the societal implications of AI-enabled platforms, using digital tools to help preserve Singapore's cultural heritage, and strengthening digital literacy in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\r\nNUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, \"Rapid advances in digital technologies and AI are transforming our world. But technological breakthroughs are only as valuable as the difference they make to peoples' lives. CSSH reflects NUS' commitment to ensuring that innovation translates to tangible improvements in how we live, work and build stronger communities. By integrating computational methods with social science and humanities, the Centre will help translate research insights into policies and practices that deliver real-world impact.\"<\/p>\r\nShe added that the Centre complements Singapore's broader push for innovative, responsible harnessing of technology and AI which emphasises that progress should be not only technically advanced, but trusted, inclusive and grounded in real social needs.<\/p>\r\nDriving real-world impact through interdisciplinary innovation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\r\nCSSH is led by Co-Directors Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the\u00a0NUS School of Computing<\/a>\u00a0and Professor Peter Millican from the\u00a0NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>. The Centre supports both seed funding for emerging ideas and larger projects, all designed to generate real-world impact.<\/p>\r\nProf Kankanhalli said, \"What distinguishes CSSH is our ability to study human behaviour, institutions and societies at a scale and depth that was not previously possible. By combining computational methods with rich domain expertise in the social sciences and humanities, we can uncover patterns, test ideas, and generate evidence that directly informs policy and practice. Our goal is not just to analyse social problems, but to help shape systems that work better for people.\"<\/p>\r\nSince beginning operations in the second half of 2024, CSSH has embarked on more than 50 interdisciplinary projects involving 105 researchers from across NUS and their external collaborators. The projects demonstrate the breadth of its work - from AI-enabled analysis of social media impacts to digital preservation of historical archives.<\/p>\r\nAmongst the major research projects currently being undertaken by CSSH is one titled \"Computational Social Simulations for Aiding Policy Design\", led by Prof Kankanhalli. In this five-year project, researchers from NUS and three other local universities are collaborating to develop an AI-driven social simulation platform for policymakers to help test and refine policy interventions before they are rolled out.<\/p>\r\nUsing large language models (LLMs), the platform will model diverse public personas to enable policymakers to conduct swift preliminary testing of policy ideas. The simulations will complement traditional research methods by reducing the frequency of costly, time-consuming large-scale surveys and field studies during early policy development, while retaining real-world validation and community engagement at critical decision points. CSSH Deputy Director Associate Professor Dandan Qiao from the NUS School of Computing is also contributing her expertise to the project.<\/p>\r\nAnother project titled \"The Jawi AI Project\", led by NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Miguel Escobar Varela, harnesses AI to enable large-scale transliteration and analysis of Jawi texts. Early Malay-language newspapers in Singapore, published between 1870 and 1970 were written in Jawi, a script few can read today.<\/p>\r\nIn collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB), the team comprising local and foreign experts is transforming thousands of archived pages into searchable Malay text, significantly expanding the range of materials available at NLB's digitised archives. Assoc Prof Escobar Varela, who is also Deputy Director at CSSH, noted that the project could significantly expand research into Malay-language journalism and public debate in the region, broadening how Singapore's history is understood and taught.<\/p>\r\nProf Millican highlighted that a core mission of CSSH is to break down the walls between disciplines. By connecting humanities and social science researchers with computing and data science experts, the Centre fosters collaborations that neither field could achieve alone. \"Many of today's biggest challenges demand both deep specialist insight and serious technical firepower\", he explained, \"whether they involve untangling complex social issues, tackling health crises, anticipating future problems, or building the tools to address these. CSSH provides a natural home for such interdisciplinary conversations.\"<\/p>\r\nHe added that the Centre looks forward to developing more projects addressing societal challenges to which computational insights can make the greatest difference. Focus areas include AI and emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental policy, population trends and demographic change, public health and social care, and the preservation and understanding of history and cultural heritage.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 4 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>EVENT | Work, Migration, Policy Implications | 19 Mar, 2:30-5:15 pm<\/a><\/h3>01 March 2026 <\/div>The Singapore Research Nexus at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) invites you to \u2018Work, Migration, Policy Implications\u2019, a policy outreach event that brings social science research into conversation with urgent questions of governance, labour, and family in our interconnected world.\r\n\r\nAcross three studies, we shall examine how Singapore operates as an aspirational reference for urban futures beyond its borders, as a site where migrant workers navigate systems of redress and care, and as a global city in which highly educated women negotiate work and motherhood commitments.\r\n\r\nBy bridging future-looking visions with grounded ethnographic and comparative research, this event speaks to policymakers, scholars and students interested in how work and mobility are governed, and how individuals, in turn, navigate and reshape these structures. Join us for an engaging discussion on the possibilities and limits of policy in shaping more just and inclusive societies.\r\n\r\n \tPlanning Africa\u2019s Singapore: Geographical Imagination and Practices\u2019 by Dr Allen XIAO (Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Geography)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018\u2018Complaint: Migrant Workers, Wage Theft, and the Possibilities of Care\u2019 by Nur Amali IBRAHIM (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018Opting For the Optionless: Comparing Stay-at-home Motherhood among College-educated Chinese Women in Shanghai, Singapore, and New York\u2019 by Zheng MU (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nDate and Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2026, 2:30-5:10 pm\r\n\r\nVenue: FASS AS7 Research Division Seminar Room (6-42) and Zoom\r\n\r\nVenue Address: NUS AS7 Shaw Foundation Building, 5 Arts Link, 117570\r\n\r\nRegister:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn-person here<\/a>\r\n\r\nvia Zoom here<\/a>\r\n\r\nGet the programme here<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/a><\/h3>28 February 2026 <\/div>The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement, was conceived amid global uncertainty shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. In such a rapidly shifting landscape, existing theories on free trade agreements (FTAs) may fall short in explaining or predicting RCEP\u2019s evolving impact. \u2018Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic\u2019, a Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 grant funded from 2025 to 2028, brings together a multidisciplinary team led by Assistant Professor Wei Luo (NUS Geography & NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health), Professor Dariusz W\u00f3jcik (NUS Geography), Assistant Professor Sanjana Goswami (NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy), Assistant Professor Chen Liu (NUS Economics), and Dr Rui Dai (University of Pennsylvania).<\/p>\r\nThe team aims to build the first near real-time, data-driven surveillance system for monitoring RCEP\u2019s impact \u2013 an innovative framework that blends computational analysis with human expertise. This system will support more responsive, evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN at a critical juncture for the region. Central to the project is the use of advanced analytical tools to track trade flows and uncover the structural forces shaping economic interactions among RCEP member states.<\/p>\r\nThe project has three core objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enrich the literature on FTA networks by incorporating the complex dynamics introduced by geopolitical shifts and liberalised trade regimes. Secondly, it aims to apply gravity models and other advanced techniques to examine the underlying drivers of trade flows, drawing on newly curated datasets that reflect real-time developments. Thirdly, it will analyse the broader macroeconomic implications of these trade dynamics, with a particular focus on post-pandemic recovery and regional integration.<\/p>\r\nTo meet these goals, the researchers will gather direct trade data and relevant proxies to build an empirical framework that can capture the structural determinants of trade under the RCEP agreement. In doing so, the study fills a key gap in quantitative research on modern FTAs, offering actionable insights to governments, economists, and strategic planners.<\/p>\r\nUltimately, the platform will provide practical guidance for ASEAN policymakers as they navigate the dual imperatives of deepening regional integration and managing external pressures. In highlighting the delicate balance between cooperation and protectionism, it seeks to position RCEP as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_16157\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"] Photo: iStock\/sarawuth702[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Mindset shifts for a kinder, happier Singapore<\/a><\/h3>20 February 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18447\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, opened the in-person Singapore Perspectives 2026 conference by discussing the history of the Singapore Pledge and how the founders viewed the pursuit of happiness and social cohesion.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nWhat does social cohesion have to do with happiness and the very notion of being Singaporean? Everything, if we examine the drafting and final phrasing of our National Pledge, said Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies<\/a>\u00a0(IPS) at NUS, at the annual Singapore Perspectives conference organised by the Institute in January 2026.<\/p>\r\nThe conference's discussions centred on the theme of Fraternity and explored ways to help Singaporeans connect with one another, even as technological disruption, cultural differences and competition pose a constant threat to unity. As the panellists discussed community and government interventions, a pattern emerged of key mindset shifts that must be embraced alongside such efforts for Singapore to become a kinder, more inclusive society.<\/p>\r\nSpeaking on the second day of the conference, Mr Devan used the historical context of the Pledge to frame the importance of nurturing social cohesion in Singapore. The original draft ended with a commitment to \"seek happiness and progress by helping one another\", which was later edited to read \"achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.\"<\/p>\r\nThe two versions taken together imply that the pursuit of happiness is a collective one for Singaporeans.<\/p>\r\nTaking individual ownership<\/strong>While Singaporeans often look to the government to address issues related to social cohesion, panellists at the first session, \"Rethinking Social Capital in a Smart Nation\", stressed that no policy or programme can succeed if individuals do not choose to engage with one another and build interpersonal trust. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with each of us to take ownership and nurture connections in our own everyday spaces.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18446\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr Ang Jin Shaun, Founder of Stranger Conversations; Professor Lim Sun Sun of Singapore Management University; Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Education; and Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Governance and Economy at IPS, who moderated the first panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nMs Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Ministry of Education, illustrated this through the different roles she plays - parent, sibling, neighbour and government official - and the contribution she can make in each. As a parent, she thinks about how she would manage her children's screen time and encourage them to converse with new people, while in her role at work, she considers what she can do to keep online spaces safe.<\/p>\r\nShe used a fellow panellist Mr Ang Jin Shaun's social initiative, Stranger Conversations, as an example of how simple, individual actions can collectively strengthen social cohesion. The sessions are initiated by hosts with a personal story or passion, creating a space for participants to listen and respond. \"We can't all be Stranger Conversations (hosts). Someone sets it up, other people attend, other people share. And if you're the person with the interesting story, then you come out and share because you can bring a group together.\"<\/p>\r\nSerendipitous encounters are becoming rarer as we spend more time interacting digitally, but meaningful connections can still be cultivated if we are brave enough to reach out and allow others to respond, said Mr Ang. \"It is sort of an act of service when you share something and make other people feel like they're not alone, because this topic that you are sharing is meaningful to others as well,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\"The question is, do we think that this level of connection is a need or a want? If we think it's a want and this is a lower priority, then that's going to get in the way of these serendipitous connections happening.\"<\/p>\r\nSeeing differences as relational, not oppositional<\/strong>In the second panel, \"Navigating Challenges to Social Cohesion,\" panellists examined how Singapore's diversity, sometimes seen as a fault line, can instead become a strength. Rather than fearing disagreement and division, Singaporeans can explore our differences through relationships and learn to see one another \"as people, not proxies for communities or belief systems,\" said Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder and director of non-governmental organisation The Whitehatters.<\/p>\r\nThe Whitehatters offers safe spaces and skilled facilitation to help people interact through dialogue, sports and the arts, and discuss topics like race and religion. Shared Ms Shahrany: \"It requires sustained effort to build trust and address tensions before they harden into divisions... Our task is not to reduce differences, but to ensure that differences are held in relationship rather than allowed to polarise.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18445\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Ms Shahrany Hassan, Founder and Director of The Whitehatters; Professor Elaine Ho of the Department of Geography at FASS and Asia Research Institute; Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance; and Associate Professor Razwana Begum of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who moderated the second panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nIn addition to shared interests like cooking, enjoying food and playing football, public spaces are another lever that should be used to encourage informal friendships through commonalities, said Professor Elaine Ho, who is Provost's Chair Professor of the\u00a0Department of Geography<\/a>\u00a0at the\u00a0Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>\u00a0(FASS) and Research Leader for the Migration and Mobilities Cluster at the\u00a0Asia Research Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"Not everything has to be structured programmes\u2026 As we design Singapore, we also need to think about building these kinds of spaces where people can get together informally,\" she said, highlighting sports fields and void decks, especially the more open designs in older estates, as examples of spaces that promote natural interactions.<\/p>\r\nRedefining merit<\/strong>The third panel, \"Building a More Inclusive and 'We First' Society\", grappled with the competitive nature that is inherent in Singapore's economic model and characteristic of its people. The mindset shift they called for was to redefine merit not just through words, but through action.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Vincent Chua of the\u00a0Department of Sociology and Anthropology<\/a>\u00a0at FASS explained three \"Rs\" of inequality that erode social cohesion: resource inequality, relational inequality and recognition inequality.<\/p>\r\nThe gradual reduction in income inequality has partially addressed resource inequality, though wealth inequality remains a tougher issue to tackle. Meanwhile, social mixing in public housing, schools and workplaces helps to reduce relational inequality, but a divide remains between public and private housing residents.<\/p>\r\nRecognition inequality is \"the last of the giants,\" said Assoc Prof Chua.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18444\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education; Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre; Associate Professor Vincent Chua of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at FASS; and Dr Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Society and Culture at IPS, who moderated the third panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\"Sixty years of meritocracy has taught us to see ourselves and others in a certain way - through the lenses of achievement,\" he said, explaining that this perspective conflates resources with respect and ties perceptions of human worth to indicators of success and achievement. \"How we see others determines how we treat them and how we relate to them, subsequently impacting social cohesion.\"<\/p>\r\nMoving beyond the usual calls to redefine success, Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, called on institutions to lead the way through their hiring processes and community involvement.<\/p>\r\nFor instance, instead of hiring on the basis of academic grades or typical achievements, employers should consider a broader range of qualifying capabilities. Community contributions should be rewarded, such as through awarding scholarships to young people who are doing ground-up work and recognising employees who volunteer for community causes.<\/p>\r\n\"When organisations begin to put more weightage on community contributions, that's how institutions\u2026 can change that metric of success within your organisations and provide the substance to being able to encourage young people to take this seriously,\" said Mr Soh.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 19 February 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore<\/a><\/h3>23 January 2026 <\/div>According to the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, Singapore could face increasingly extreme weather conditions, with more frequent scorching days, prolonged dry spells, and temperatures potentially rising by up to 5 degrees Celsius by 2100. These changes, driven by global climate change, will heighten the risks of heat stress, a condition where excessive heat overwhelms the body\u2019s ability to regulate itself. In densely built-up environments like Singapore, the canopy-layer urban heat island (CL-UHI) effect, caused by differences in land surface characteristics between urban and surrounding rural areas, intensifies temperature variability across the city.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn \u2018Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore\u2019 (<\/span>Sustainability<\/span><\/i>, 2023), Beatriz Sanchez (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology, Spain), Professor Matthias Roth (NUS Geography), Pratiman Patel (NUS Geography), and Andr\u00e9s Sim\u00f3n-Moral (TECHNALIA, Spain) developed a semi-empirical approach to model and map daily maximum urban heat island intensities in Singapore. Using over three years of observational temperature data from 26 sites around Singapore, the researchers first tested an existing empirical equation from previous research. While errors were reasonably low, the model did not capture patterns as well in Singapore compared to the other locations the original model was developed for.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo address this, the researchers derived their own equation using variables known to influence urban heat islands, such as land cover, building height, and meteorological conditions. Evaluation showed that their customised equation modelled daily maximum CL-UHI intensities reasonably well under different weather scenarios in Singapore, with the most intense heat islands occurring in highly developed central areas as expected. The resulting maps from the study can pinpoint vulnerable areas in need of cooling strategies to alleviate heat stress, a crucial challenge for an equatorial city like Singapore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nEmpirically tailored models like this offer an efficient way to estimate heat exposure and guide local adaptation efforts. This approach could also be valuable for other rapidly urbanising tropical regions experiencing rising temperatures due to global warming. With further refinements, similar techniques applied globally could promote climate-resilient urban development as cities increasingly face the impacts of climate change.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead the article <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_15621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2121\"] Photo: iStock\/southtownboy[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Arts for All enriches arts community within and beyond NUS<\/a><\/h3>22 January 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18359\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS Chinese Orchestra welcomed students from six junior colleges to play and learn together in a collaboration spurred by the Arts for All initiative. Above: The students pose after a fireside chat with composers Mr Wang Chenwei (centre left in front row, in blue) and Ms Hannah Hsieh (centre of front row, in black), forming the letter \"C\" with their hands and \"O\" with their mouths to represent the abbreviation for Chinese orchestra.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nTwo years after it was piloted in late 2023, the Arts for All (AFA)<\/a>\u00a0initiative is making waves in NUS, enabling students to embed the arts into their student life and learning journey - and beyond, through outreach efforts to younger musicians across Singapore.<\/p>\r\nEnriching the NUS student experience<\/strong>The AFA framework developed by the\u00a0NUS Office of Student Affairs<\/a>\u00a0Centre for the Arts<\/a>\u00a0(CFA) was designed to create access to the arts at various levels. It offers opportunities to initiate and participate in ground-up and student-led community initiatives, join extra-curricular activities and arts groups, and commit to year-long courses as part of four credit-bearing performing arts groups.<\/p>\r\nProgrammes administered by the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>\u00a0(YST) and CFA also enable students to pursue a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts using the credits earned from their participation in credit-bearing arts groups and courses. YST courses comprise the majority of additional courses that students can take to fulfil their Minor or Second Major requirements, and YST faculty contribute their expertise in assessing and grading students in the credit-bearing arts groups, which currently include the NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO), NUS Wind Symphony (NUSWS), NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) and NUS Chinese Dance.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Chan Tze Law, NUS Vice Dean of Students who oversees CFA and led the creation of AFA, described the initiative's intent as not being about producing more artists - \"though some students may discover their calling that way,\" he noted. Assoc Prof Chan, who is also\u00a0Vice Dean at YST, added that\u00a0\"it's about using the arts as a vehicle for developing a full range of human capabilities: creativity, resilience, moral reasoning, cultural intelligence, collaborative skills and the confidence to make something new in the world.\"<\/p>\r\nFrom August 2024 to May 2025 (AY2024\/2025), more than 10,000 students took part in student-led arts activities. These included the 22 programmes organised under\u00a0third space,\u00a0<\/i>an initiative to create arts gathering spaces on campus and provide more opportunities for arts encounters, and 30 programmes presented over eight weeks by extra-curricular activity and arts groups at the NUS Arts Festival.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18358\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"] The third space initiative hosts student-led programmes like this site-specific dance theatre piece, performed at the park adjoining NUS Central Library on 14 February 2025 as part of the NUS Arts Festival.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nEnrolment in the credit-bearing groups and courses increased by more than 40 per cent in AY2023\/2024 to more than 200 students in AY2024\/2025, with NUSWS even gaining enough members to form two wind symphonies. More students are also expressing interest in pursuing a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts.<\/p>\r\nInspiring younger artists in the broader arts scene<\/strong>A key factor in broadening AFA's impact beyond NUS is the initiative's requirement for all student groups to plan and produce two performances per academic year: one that showcases their excellence in their art form, and another that involves education or outreach.<\/p>\r\nOver the last two years, NUSWS, NUSSO and NUSCO have collaborated with local educational institutions, culminating in side-by-side concerts at NUS. NUSWS and NUSSO each partnered with one primary school in 2024, with NUSSO continuing its partnership in 2025, while NUSCO collaborated with six junior colleges (JCs) in 2025. CFA supported the groups in organising the practice sessions and concerts, with the two most recent concerts taking place in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18357\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUSSO members worked with young string players from Greenwood Primary School to present heartwarming side-by-side performances in 2024 and 2025.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe positive experience has been mutual amongst collaborators. NUS students get the opportunity to share their passion and inspire younger musicians, while the young musicians get exposure to new and different ways of learning together.<\/p>\r\nRenowned conductor Mr Moses Gay, who is a principal tutor at NUSCO, said, \"During rehearsals, I ask the NUSCO students to question things and give their own recommendations. This is part of making music together, but it was new to the JC students, and it sparked their curiosity.\"<\/p>\r\nUltimately, Mr Gay said that the vision is to build a community that encompasses both NUS and the broader arts community, from primary school students just beginning their musical journeys to JC students thinking about their tertiary education options.<\/p>\r\n\"Aside from sharing our art form within NUS, our university arts groups need to bring people in to see that NUS is vibrant, so they will want to be a part of this,\" said Mr Gay.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18356\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The NUSCO collaboration with the JCs gave the younger musicians a glimpse of how they could continue pursuing their art form in the next chapter of their education journey.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA\u00a0<\/strong>catalyst for revitalising traditional music forms<\/strong>The outreach efforts by NUS students through AFA have been an opportunity to breathe life into traditional music practices.<\/p>\r\nMr Gay, who also conducts the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, has observed that declining participation has resulted in many schools disbanding or downsizing their Chinese orchestras to chamber groups of 15 to 20 members, instead of the 60 to 100 in a typical orchestra. He therefore sought to rally as many JCs as possible to give young Chinese orchestra musicians the experience of playing in a large orchestra.<\/p>\r\nAssoc Prof Chan gave his full support, noting that by nurturing younger musicians, NUSCO will not only raise its profile among JC students who will apply to universities within the next couple of years, but also send a message to the broader arts community about the value of Chinese orchestra: \"NUS is paying attention.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18355\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Playing in a combined Chinese orchestra of about 130 was a memorable experience for the NUS and JC musicians, who were used to playing in smaller ensembles.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nJC and NUS students alike were thrilled at the opportunity to play in the combined orchestra of about 130 musicians. River Valley High School student Pang Wei Qing said that getting to connect with musicians from other COs made her feel more \"like part of a Chinese orchestra,\" while Tanya Toh, a student from Raffles Institution, described performing with such a large orchestra as \"an amazing experience.\"<\/p>\r\nSaid Sim Xin Yu, a Year 2\u00a0Pharmacy<\/a>\u00a0student who is NUSCO's concertmaster: \"It was one of the best concerts we've had since I joined NUSCO - the quality was better. I'm not sure if it's because there were more people, but if it's because of that, that's all the more reason to do these collaborations.\"<\/p>\r\nThe interactions between JC and NUS students during the rehearsals sparked conversations about what the younger musicians could do with the art form beyond JC, said first-year\u00a0Geography<\/a>\u00a0student Tara-Jade Sim. She shared: \"A lot of my juniors said they felt very unsure about CO. They're here because they have a passion for it, but they're struggling to see a future in continuing to pursue it.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18354\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS student Tara-Jade Sim (far left) connected with her Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra juniors during the NUSCO collaboration. Photo credit: Tara-Jade Sim<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nShowing the younger generation that there are avenues to continue playing and finding community in Chinese orchestra is key to keeping the art form alive, said Mr Gay, who shared that he hopes to add polytechnics to NUSCO's next collaboration.<\/p>\r\n\"No matter how well we play, a pipeline is still needed. We are addressing the core of the problem by reaching out to younger students, and during the concerts, we can share these ideas with three generations in the audience. If we do this with every school, there might be a chance to make CO more vibrant among the younger generation.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 22 January 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely<\/a><\/h3>20 January 2026 <\/div>Living alone in later life is often treated as a signal of social risk. The one-person household is easy to identify in administrative data and, as a result, frequently used as a proxy for loneliness in policy and service delivery.\r\n\r\nHowever, this assumption can be misleading.\r\n\r\nIn the opinion piece \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019 (Straits Times<\/em>, January 2026) by, Associate Professor Vincent Chua (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Professor Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho (NUS Geography and NUS Asia Research Institute), and Associate Professor Chen-Chieh Feng (NUS Geography) illustrate how numerous seniors who live alone remain socially active, mobile, and embedded in wide community networks in Singapore.\r\n\r\nThe editorial draws on their 2025 article in Ageing & Society<\/span><\/a><\/i>\u00a0titled \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019, where they conducted research on nearly 1,200 older Singaporeans, and found that while seniors living alone may be more likely to report loneliness, this risk is significantly reduced when they stay connected beyond the household. For instance, they may physically interact with others, communicate online, and move within their neighbourhoods \u2013 \u201cageing in networks\u201d across multiple places. As the authors point out, equating living alone with loneliness thus risks misdirecting attention and resources, overlooking seniors who may live with others but still experience isolation.\r\n\r\nRead \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019\u00a0 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nRead our post about \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18308\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"]
\r\nThe National University of Singapore (NUS) has achieved its strongest performance in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS WUR) by Subject since the subject rankings were introduced in 2011. In the 2026 edition released on 25 March 2026, a record 28 NUS subjects were placed in the global top 10, with seven ranked among the global top three.<\/p>\r\nThis milestone marks a continued upward trajectory for NUS, with the number of subject placements in the top 10 rising from 14 subjects in 2023 to 19 in 2024, 22 in 2025, and now 28 in 2026 - effectively doubling over three years.<\/p>\r\n\"We are delighted that NUS has achieved its strongest performance to date in the QS World University Rankings by Subject\u2015with a record 28 subjects placed in the global top 10, among which seven are in the global top three. This broad-based recognition is a stellar testament to the talent and dedication of our faculty, researchers, staff, students and alumni,\" said Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost.<\/p>\r\n\"While rankings are one measure of excellence, this upward trajectory reflects our continued focus on delivering world-class education and driving research that creates real-world impact. It is heartening to see both our established strengths in areas like Engineering, Computing and Social Science, as well as significant progress in disciplines such as History, Environmental Sciences and Design, being recognised on the global stage.\"<\/p>\r\nSeven subjects topping the leaderboard<\/strong><\/p>\r\nAmong the seven subjects in the global top three, five are in Engineering & Technology, underscoring NUS' long-standing strength in the discipline. The University maintained its #3 global position in Social Policy & Administration and continued its upward momentum in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, climbing four places to enter the global top three.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_33719\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Humanities, 28 of NUS' 42 ranked subjects were placed among the world's top 10. [* Broad subject areas]<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nSeveral NUS subjects recorded notable improvements to enter the global top 10 in 2026. Anatomy & Physiology\u00a0and History both climbed eight places to rank 7th and 9th, respectively. Accounting & Finance rose two spots to 10th,\u00a0while Communication & Media Studies and Sociology advanced four and five places respectively to secure 10th<\/sup>\u00a0position globally.Broad-based improvements across disciplines<\/strong>\r\nNUS was ranked in\u00a042 subjects, with\u00a039 subjects\u00a0placed in the\u00a0global top 20 - up from 36 last year - reflecting sustained, broad-based excellence across disciplines. New entrants to the top 20 include Arts & Design and Dentistry, both ranked 19th, rising significantly from 30th<\/sup>\u00a0and\u00a032nd<\/sup>\u00a0respectively in 2025.<\/p>\r\nAcross the five broad subject areas in the QS WUR by Subject, NUS placed 8th<\/sup>\u00a0globally in both\u00a0Engineering & Technology\u00a0and\u00a0Social Sciences & Management. NUS was also ranked\u00a013th\u00a0in\u00a0Natural Sciences,\u00a014th\u00a0in\u00a0Life Sciences & Medicine and 17th\u00a0in\u00a0Arts & Humanities.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_33718\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS has consistently improved across all five broad subject areas, with these now being ranked in the top 20.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nNUS also recorded notable gains in the arts. Performing Arts rose significantly to 27th<\/sup>\u00a0globally (up from 44th<\/sup>\u00a0last year), while Music made its debut in the 26-50 band in the QS WUR by Subject.<\/p>\r\nLeading the pack in Asia and among the world's most improved universities<\/strong><\/p>\r\nThe QS WUR by Subject is an independent comparative analysis of academic offerings by universities worldwide. This year's edition evaluated more than 21,000 academic offerings from 1,912 institutions across 100 countries, spanning 55 academic disciplines and five broad subject areas.<\/p>\r\nSingapore continues to stand among the world's leading higher education systems, with 42 academic offerings ranked in the global top 10 - the third highest globally, behind only the United States (US, 271) and the United Kingdom (UK, 171) and more than triple its closest regional competitor, China, with 15.<\/p>\r\nNUS is the leading institution in Asia and among the best globally, with the sixth highest number of top-three subject entries worldwide - and the highest outside the US and UK. It is also among the most improved institutions, with 35 of its 45 previously ranked subjects climbing the tables. Among the 53 subject and broad subject area entries from Singapore, NUS emerged as the top-ranked university locally in 46 entries.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 25 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS Open House 2026: From the future of learning to the pulse of student life<\/a><\/h3>14 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18650\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] With programme booths, talks, special classes, campus tours, and student performances across University Town, NUS Open House 2026 offered visitors a comprehensive showcase of the breadth of NUS' degree offerings and its vibrant campus life.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nProspective students turned out in force for the NUS Open House 2026, one of the University's largest events of the year, with some 21,500 visitors packing University Town on 7 March for a first-hand look at the University's distinctive academic programmes and its vibrant campus community.<\/p>\r\nFeaturing an extensive line-up of programme booths, faculty talks, special classes, and campus tours, this year's event - which spotlighted NUS' suite of AI-focused programmes, cutting-edge innovations, and a sampling of student performances - also marked a new chapter for\u00a0NUS Law<\/a>, which hosted its entire showcase at UTown for the first time since\u00a0moving to Kent Ridge<\/a>\u00a0in January.<\/p>\r\nComplementing the full-day showcase was a six-day virtual segment featuring online talks on global and career opportunities, as well as information sessions by\u00a0NUS Business School<\/a>,\u00a0NUS Pharmacy<\/a>, and the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"I found the programme talks and student sharing sessions especially enjoyable and informative because they provided real insights into student life and the academic experience at NUS,\" said Suriya Selvarayar, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic student who is interested in applying to technology-related programmes.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\nNew \"AI+X\" degrees for emerging careers<\/strong>At a panel led by NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean entitled \"Earth, Space, Data and AI: Degrees that Launch You into the Future\", visitors were introduced to NUS' expanding slate of \"AI+X\" programmes, designed to integrate AI across diverse disciplines to meet the demand for new careers and fields driven by the technology.\r\nIts latest effort is the\u00a0new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme (GIX)<\/a>, the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, which welcomes its first cohort in August 2026. Co-hosted by the Department of Geography at the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0NUS Computing<\/a>, it will train students to synthesise earth, space, and environmental data - such as those collected by satellites, drones and mobile devices - with AI tools to tackle challenges in urban planning, transportation, and climate change. With courses spanning geography and computer science, and an emphasis on integrated problem-solving, the programme opens doors to sectors including smart cities and sustainable development, as well as the space and satellite industries.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18642\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Prospective students had the chance to hear from NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean (third from left) at a talk on NUS' suite of AI-focused degree programmes. Joining him were (from left to right) Associate Professor Peter Chan from the College of Design and Engineering, Associate Professor Kan Min-Yen from NUS Computing, Associate Professor Wang Yi-Chen from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Professor Gary Ang from NUS Enterprise.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThree other \"AI+X\" degrees were also highlighted. Admitting its second intake in August, the\u00a0Bachelor of Computing in Artificial Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0provides students with deep technical expertise, preparing them to design solutions to real-world problems using AI systems and models, grounded in a critical understanding of AI governance.<\/p>\r\nFormerly known as Information Systems, the\u00a0revamped Bachelor of Computing in Business Artificial Intelligence Systems<\/a>\u00a0integrates AI systems with business expertise to solve enterprise challenges and drive digital innovation.<\/p>\r\nAlso welcoming its second cohort in August is the\u00a0College of Design and Engineering<\/a>'s (CDE)\u00a0Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Machine Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0programme. Combining hardware, software, and AI, it prepares students to lead the applications of AI-enabled robotics - systems capable of sophisticated decisions and learning from their environments - in markets that are fast expanding beyond manufacturing to sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and logistics.<\/p>\r\nProf Thean emphasised that while NUS seeks to produce graduates who can capitalise on AI, the human element remains essential. \"New jobs and careers are emerging, and the question is how we prepare for them,\" he added, noting that the ultimate goal is for graduates to be adept at using the tools while possessing the critical thinking, decision-making and creativity to excel in the AI era.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18640\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (second from right) visited the various booths, including the CDE's showcase of its innovative projects and models.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nFuture-ready engineering\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\nAside from showcasing the new robotics and machine intelligence degree, CDE delivered a comprehensive overview of the available programmes tailored to the evolving landscape - from\u00a0Mechanical Engineering<\/a>\u00a0to the\u00a0Minor in Artificial Intelligence (Design and Engineering)<\/a>.<\/p>\r\nThe Mechanical Engineering talk explored AI's applications in a wide range of industries, from aeronautics and urban transportation to sustainable energy and future cities. Students were given an overview of their career prospects, ranging from thermal R&D engineers to process development scientists.<\/p>\r\nAnother exciting new programme highlighted was the Artificial Intelligence minor. In the light of AI's position as a national priority in Singapore, prospective students got a snapshot of the industry landscape, as well as how the minor's industry-focused approach provides hands-on learning experiences in fundamental AI concepts like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18638\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The interactive Innovation and Robotics Showcase drew visitors to experience the cutting-edge technological innovations created by NUS faculty and students that are transforming our world for the better.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n<\/article>\r\nInnovations in action<\/strong>An interactive experience awaited visitors at the Innovation and Robotics Showcase, which featured futuristic projects by faculty and students at CDE,\u00a0NUS College<\/a>\u00a0(NUSC), and the\u00a0Centre for Quantum Technologies<\/a>\u00a0(CQT) that exemplify the spirit of cutting-edge innovation at NUS.<\/p>\r\nCDE presented an array of technologies making an impact in the real world, from virtual reality simulations that help users identify safety hazards in the construction industry to robot dogs that assist in search and rescue operations in hazardous terrain.<\/p>\r\nNUSC's \"Gut Guard\", a gamified learning\u00a0Impact Experience<\/a> project that tackles misconceptions about gut health, as well as CQT's technologies developed for Singapore's National Quantum-Safe Network testbed, were also on display.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18637\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The College of Humanities and Sciences unveiled a refreshed programme booth experience, grouping related disciplines into thematic zones to help prospective students better understand each discipline and how they can be meaningfully combined within the college's flexible curriculum.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nExploring real-world connections at CHS<\/strong>CHS, which brings together the\u00a0Faculty of Science<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>, traded individual programme booths for immersive thematic zones, allowing visitors to understand how diverse disciplines converge in the real world as part of a new approach that brought its interdisciplinary ethos to life.\r\nIn \"Understanding People and Societies\", which linked anthropology with sociology and psychology, they explored the role of these social sciences in understanding human behaviour, while \"Science in our Lives\" demonstrated the interconnected fields of chemical, biological and pharmaceutical science in contributing to better therapies.<\/p>\r\nUnderscoring this approach was \"Beyond the Textbook: Play, Policy, and Plants\", a panel which gathered faculty members from three interdisciplinary courses to discuss timely issues such as the importance of play in learning, the multifaceted aspects of drug regulation, and the study of plants as a lens for examining Southeast Asia's ecology, communities and livelihoods.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18636\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Apart from introducing its new campus at University Town, Law hosted an engaging line-up of talks, moot court demonstrations and masterclasses to welcome prospective students.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new chapter at UTown<\/strong>Following its\u00a0relocation from Bukit Timah<\/a>\u00a0to Kent Ridge, NUS Law offered prospective students a one-stop shop of what the faculty had to offer, with mooting sessions, thought-provoking masterclasses, and talks that highlighted its world-class faculty and illustrious alumni network.\r\nUnlike previous years, visitors no longer needed to shuttle between both campuses to explore all the Open House activities, said Mr Justin Tan, NUS Law's Vice-Dean (Student Affairs), who gave a welcome talk to prospective students. Remarking on the vibrant setting of its newly upgraded campus, he said, \"I think (visitors) will really love the fact that there are literally thousands of people living in UTown's apartment blocks, all within a few minutes' walk of our new campus. This translates to endless possibilities for a fantastic undergraduate life!\"<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\nBeyond the books<\/strong>NUSC<\/a>, the University's honours college, held sessions showcasing its\u00a0Global Experience<\/a>\u00a0(GEx) programme, which immerses students in 14 overseas sites for a month to engage deeply with their themes. In GEx New York, students examine its identity as a global city, investigating its urban development and cultural heritage through interactions with high-level diplomats, non-government organisations, and industry professionals.\r\nNUS Nursing<\/a>\u00a0held special classes where users learned empathetic communication in palliative care by conversing with an AI chatbot, and showcased its\u00a0new Concurrent Degree Programme<\/a>, which combines the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Honours) with the Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics).<\/p>\r\nMeanwhile,\u00a0NUS Medicine<\/a> offered a hands-on look at the future of medical education through clinical simulations, virtual reality stations, and insightful talks on its curriculum.<\/p>\r\nInside scoop on residential life<\/strong>Through talks, booths, and guided tours, Masters, Resident Fellows, and student leaders from the Residential Colleges, Halls, and Houses offered prospective students insights on the culture of their residences, the partnership between resident fellows and residents, and the vast array of student-led initiatives that foster vibrancy, community spirit, and inclusivity.\r\nNUS' newest hostel, the sports-themed\u00a0Valour House<\/a>, highlighted its key pillars of courage, strength, and resilience - characteristics not just of athletes but of students - to demonstrate its culture of supporting sporting achievements and encouraging residents to step out of their comfort zones.<\/p>\r\nVibrancy of NUS student life<\/strong>A dynamic line-up of performances and showcases, spotlighting some of NUS' finest talents in the performing arts, was presented by the various student clubs and interest groups at the Student Village. From upbeat, catchy tunes by\u00a0NUS Fingerstyle Guitar<\/a>\u00a0and a capella groups\u00a0NUS Resonance<\/a>,\u00a0RHythm<\/a>\u00a0from Raffles Hall, and\u00a0Eusoff Chorapella<\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0Eusoff Hall<\/a>\u00a0to skilful renditions by\u00a0Helix House<\/a>'s Helix Band and\u00a0Sheares Hall<\/a>'s Sheares Band, visitors were treated to a glimpse into the vibrant student experience at NUS beyond academic pursuits.<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 13 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS to offer Asia\u2019s first bachelor\u2019s-level geospatial intelligence programme to integrate geospatial data analysis with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence<\/a><\/h3>08 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh of the Department of Geography spoke to prospective students about the new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme at the 2026 NUS Open House on 7 March 2026.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe National University of Singapore (NUS) will offer a new major in geospatial intelligence that will train students to harness geospatial data and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to address complex problems in climate change mitigation, smart city design, business planning and more.<\/p>\r\nThe study and use of geospatial or location data have evolved from a field focused on mapping and visualisation to one that supports prediction, assessment and decision-making. With the rapid growth of data from satellites, sensors and social activity, combined with advances in computing and AI, geospatial intelligence has become essential for policymakers and organisations to extract insights that emerge from spatial patterns, anticipate risks and drive change.<\/p>\r\nThis has created strong demand for professionals who not only have foundational skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to organise and visualise spatial data, but also expertise in geospatial data science and advanced tools that let them create digital twins of real-world environments, including cities, buildings, transport networks, natural landscapes, ecosystems and social spaces, to explore scenarios, test solutions and make better data-driven decisions.<\/p>\r\nTherefore, NUS' new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in\u00a0Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme<\/a>\u00a0(GIX), the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, meets this demand and builds a talent pipeline in geospatial intelligence.<\/p>\r\nThe four-year programme is offered by the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>, led by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the\u00a0School of Computing (SOC)<\/a>, which contributes expertise in AI, data science and computational methods.<\/p>\r\nThe joint programme leverages world-leading expertise from the Department of Geography and SOC, which are both ranked No.1 in Asia for their respective subjects and in the top ten globally, and the strategic positioning of NUS in Singapore where high-density land utilisations present unique sets of geospatial challenges.<\/p>\r\nGIX will be offered to students matriculating in Academic Year 2026\/2027, which begins in August 2026.<\/p>\r\nUnlocking deeper insights for spatial decisions<\/u><\/strong>In Singapore, policymakers have recognised the profound impact of geospatial information and technology on decision-making and societal development. To realise its vision of becoming \"a leading global geospatial hub\", the Singapore Geospatial Masterplan 2024-2033 emphasises greater geospatial adoption and the strengthening of core capabilities in this field.<\/p>\r\nGeospatial intelligence has many practical applications. Beyond urban planning, transport and connectivity, geospatial intelligence is also used in disaster preparedness and resilience, as well as business optimisation and supply chain strengthening. As AI enhances the analysis of large-scale spatial data for such purposes, demand for professionals who can integrate geospatial expertise with AI capabilities is growing rapidly.<\/p>\r\n\"The introduction of this new degree programme is timely as demand for and interest in AI-powered jobs soar,\" said GIX Programme Director Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh.<\/p>\r\n\"The new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme gives undergraduates a strong foundation in geographic thinking, computational skills and AI, giving them a real edge across sectors such as smart urban systems, logistics, climate risk management and real estate analytics,\" added Assoc Prof Feng, who teaches GIS courses at the Department of Geography.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Kan Min-Yen, Vice Dean (Undergraduate Studies), School of Computing, who is also a programme convenor, said the programme will draw interest from students keen to work on real-world issues such as disaster response, urban planning or climate adaptation.<\/p>\r\n\"The programme complements NUS' existing offerings for students who want to combine data, computing and domain knowledge to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. The offering greatly increases the spectrum of cross-disciplinary programmes available to prospective students,\" said Assoc Prof Kan.<\/p>\r\nA preview session for the new programme was held today at the NUS 2026 Open House. Close to 100 prospective students and parents turned up to learn more about this emerging growth field and potential career pathways for geospatial intelligence experts in government, tech, urban solutions and environmental sectors.<\/p>\r\nThe Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme reflects NUS' commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future, equipping them with the skills to analyse complex spatial data, uncover patterns and generate actionable insights across a range of industries and societal challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 7 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>New Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS to advance interdisciplinary research on complex societal challenges<\/a><\/h3>05 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18559\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Present at the launch of the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS today were (from left) CSSH Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dandan Qiao from NUS School of Computing; CSSH Co-Director Prof Atreyi Kankanhalli from NUS School of Computing; Prof Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS School of Computing; Prof Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology); Prof Lionel Wee, Dean of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; CSSH Co-Director Prof Peter Millican from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and Assoc Prof Miguel Escobar Varela from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new research centre at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is bringing together data science, AI and computational methods with deep insights from social sciences and humanities to better understand complex social phenomena and develop solutions to pressing societal challenges. By combining technological innovation with human insight, the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) aims to generate research that improves lives, strengthens institutions, preserves cultural knowledge, and shapes more inclusive and resilient societies in Singapore and beyond.<\/p>\r\n\r\nOfficially launched today, CSSH is the first in Singapore to systematically bring together computational social science and the humanities within a single centre to bridge research, policy and real-world applications.<\/p>\r\nThe Centre draws on expertise across disciplines including computing, new media, linguistics, geography, public policy and healthcare, amongst others. This interdisciplinary foundation enables CSSH to examine how digital technologies intersect with social systems, such as assessing the societal implications of AI-enabled platforms, using digital tools to help preserve Singapore's cultural heritage, and strengthening digital literacy in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\r\nNUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, \"Rapid advances in digital technologies and AI are transforming our world. But technological breakthroughs are only as valuable as the difference they make to peoples' lives. CSSH reflects NUS' commitment to ensuring that innovation translates to tangible improvements in how we live, work and build stronger communities. By integrating computational methods with social science and humanities, the Centre will help translate research insights into policies and practices that deliver real-world impact.\"<\/p>\r\nShe added that the Centre complements Singapore's broader push for innovative, responsible harnessing of technology and AI which emphasises that progress should be not only technically advanced, but trusted, inclusive and grounded in real social needs.<\/p>\r\nDriving real-world impact through interdisciplinary innovation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\r\nCSSH is led by Co-Directors Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the\u00a0NUS School of Computing<\/a>\u00a0and Professor Peter Millican from the\u00a0NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>. The Centre supports both seed funding for emerging ideas and larger projects, all designed to generate real-world impact.<\/p>\r\nProf Kankanhalli said, \"What distinguishes CSSH is our ability to study human behaviour, institutions and societies at a scale and depth that was not previously possible. By combining computational methods with rich domain expertise in the social sciences and humanities, we can uncover patterns, test ideas, and generate evidence that directly informs policy and practice. Our goal is not just to analyse social problems, but to help shape systems that work better for people.\"<\/p>\r\nSince beginning operations in the second half of 2024, CSSH has embarked on more than 50 interdisciplinary projects involving 105 researchers from across NUS and their external collaborators. The projects demonstrate the breadth of its work - from AI-enabled analysis of social media impacts to digital preservation of historical archives.<\/p>\r\nAmongst the major research projects currently being undertaken by CSSH is one titled \"Computational Social Simulations for Aiding Policy Design\", led by Prof Kankanhalli. In this five-year project, researchers from NUS and three other local universities are collaborating to develop an AI-driven social simulation platform for policymakers to help test and refine policy interventions before they are rolled out.<\/p>\r\nUsing large language models (LLMs), the platform will model diverse public personas to enable policymakers to conduct swift preliminary testing of policy ideas. The simulations will complement traditional research methods by reducing the frequency of costly, time-consuming large-scale surveys and field studies during early policy development, while retaining real-world validation and community engagement at critical decision points. CSSH Deputy Director Associate Professor Dandan Qiao from the NUS School of Computing is also contributing her expertise to the project.<\/p>\r\nAnother project titled \"The Jawi AI Project\", led by NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Miguel Escobar Varela, harnesses AI to enable large-scale transliteration and analysis of Jawi texts. Early Malay-language newspapers in Singapore, published between 1870 and 1970 were written in Jawi, a script few can read today.<\/p>\r\nIn collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB), the team comprising local and foreign experts is transforming thousands of archived pages into searchable Malay text, significantly expanding the range of materials available at NLB's digitised archives. Assoc Prof Escobar Varela, who is also Deputy Director at CSSH, noted that the project could significantly expand research into Malay-language journalism and public debate in the region, broadening how Singapore's history is understood and taught.<\/p>\r\nProf Millican highlighted that a core mission of CSSH is to break down the walls between disciplines. By connecting humanities and social science researchers with computing and data science experts, the Centre fosters collaborations that neither field could achieve alone. \"Many of today's biggest challenges demand both deep specialist insight and serious technical firepower\", he explained, \"whether they involve untangling complex social issues, tackling health crises, anticipating future problems, or building the tools to address these. CSSH provides a natural home for such interdisciplinary conversations.\"<\/p>\r\nHe added that the Centre looks forward to developing more projects addressing societal challenges to which computational insights can make the greatest difference. Focus areas include AI and emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental policy, population trends and demographic change, public health and social care, and the preservation and understanding of history and cultural heritage.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 4 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>EVENT | Work, Migration, Policy Implications | 19 Mar, 2:30-5:15 pm<\/a><\/h3>01 March 2026 <\/div>The Singapore Research Nexus at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) invites you to \u2018Work, Migration, Policy Implications\u2019, a policy outreach event that brings social science research into conversation with urgent questions of governance, labour, and family in our interconnected world.\r\n\r\nAcross three studies, we shall examine how Singapore operates as an aspirational reference for urban futures beyond its borders, as a site where migrant workers navigate systems of redress and care, and as a global city in which highly educated women negotiate work and motherhood commitments.\r\n\r\nBy bridging future-looking visions with grounded ethnographic and comparative research, this event speaks to policymakers, scholars and students interested in how work and mobility are governed, and how individuals, in turn, navigate and reshape these structures. Join us for an engaging discussion on the possibilities and limits of policy in shaping more just and inclusive societies.\r\n\r\n \tPlanning Africa\u2019s Singapore: Geographical Imagination and Practices\u2019 by Dr Allen XIAO (Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Geography)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018\u2018Complaint: Migrant Workers, Wage Theft, and the Possibilities of Care\u2019 by Nur Amali IBRAHIM (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018Opting For the Optionless: Comparing Stay-at-home Motherhood among College-educated Chinese Women in Shanghai, Singapore, and New York\u2019 by Zheng MU (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nDate and Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2026, 2:30-5:10 pm\r\n\r\nVenue: FASS AS7 Research Division Seminar Room (6-42) and Zoom\r\n\r\nVenue Address: NUS AS7 Shaw Foundation Building, 5 Arts Link, 117570\r\n\r\nRegister:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn-person here<\/a>\r\n\r\nvia Zoom here<\/a>\r\n\r\nGet the programme here<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/a><\/h3>28 February 2026 <\/div>The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement, was conceived amid global uncertainty shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. In such a rapidly shifting landscape, existing theories on free trade agreements (FTAs) may fall short in explaining or predicting RCEP\u2019s evolving impact. \u2018Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic\u2019, a Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 grant funded from 2025 to 2028, brings together a multidisciplinary team led by Assistant Professor Wei Luo (NUS Geography & NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health), Professor Dariusz W\u00f3jcik (NUS Geography), Assistant Professor Sanjana Goswami (NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy), Assistant Professor Chen Liu (NUS Economics), and Dr Rui Dai (University of Pennsylvania).<\/p>\r\nThe team aims to build the first near real-time, data-driven surveillance system for monitoring RCEP\u2019s impact \u2013 an innovative framework that blends computational analysis with human expertise. This system will support more responsive, evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN at a critical juncture for the region. Central to the project is the use of advanced analytical tools to track trade flows and uncover the structural forces shaping economic interactions among RCEP member states.<\/p>\r\nThe project has three core objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enrich the literature on FTA networks by incorporating the complex dynamics introduced by geopolitical shifts and liberalised trade regimes. Secondly, it aims to apply gravity models and other advanced techniques to examine the underlying drivers of trade flows, drawing on newly curated datasets that reflect real-time developments. Thirdly, it will analyse the broader macroeconomic implications of these trade dynamics, with a particular focus on post-pandemic recovery and regional integration.<\/p>\r\nTo meet these goals, the researchers will gather direct trade data and relevant proxies to build an empirical framework that can capture the structural determinants of trade under the RCEP agreement. In doing so, the study fills a key gap in quantitative research on modern FTAs, offering actionable insights to governments, economists, and strategic planners.<\/p>\r\nUltimately, the platform will provide practical guidance for ASEAN policymakers as they navigate the dual imperatives of deepening regional integration and managing external pressures. In highlighting the delicate balance between cooperation and protectionism, it seeks to position RCEP as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_16157\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"] Photo: iStock\/sarawuth702[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Mindset shifts for a kinder, happier Singapore<\/a><\/h3>20 February 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18447\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, opened the in-person Singapore Perspectives 2026 conference by discussing the history of the Singapore Pledge and how the founders viewed the pursuit of happiness and social cohesion.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nWhat does social cohesion have to do with happiness and the very notion of being Singaporean? Everything, if we examine the drafting and final phrasing of our National Pledge, said Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies<\/a>\u00a0(IPS) at NUS, at the annual Singapore Perspectives conference organised by the Institute in January 2026.<\/p>\r\nThe conference's discussions centred on the theme of Fraternity and explored ways to help Singaporeans connect with one another, even as technological disruption, cultural differences and competition pose a constant threat to unity. As the panellists discussed community and government interventions, a pattern emerged of key mindset shifts that must be embraced alongside such efforts for Singapore to become a kinder, more inclusive society.<\/p>\r\nSpeaking on the second day of the conference, Mr Devan used the historical context of the Pledge to frame the importance of nurturing social cohesion in Singapore. The original draft ended with a commitment to \"seek happiness and progress by helping one another\", which was later edited to read \"achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.\"<\/p>\r\nThe two versions taken together imply that the pursuit of happiness is a collective one for Singaporeans.<\/p>\r\nTaking individual ownership<\/strong>While Singaporeans often look to the government to address issues related to social cohesion, panellists at the first session, \"Rethinking Social Capital in a Smart Nation\", stressed that no policy or programme can succeed if individuals do not choose to engage with one another and build interpersonal trust. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with each of us to take ownership and nurture connections in our own everyday spaces.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18446\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr Ang Jin Shaun, Founder of Stranger Conversations; Professor Lim Sun Sun of Singapore Management University; Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Education; and Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Governance and Economy at IPS, who moderated the first panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nMs Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Ministry of Education, illustrated this through the different roles she plays - parent, sibling, neighbour and government official - and the contribution she can make in each. As a parent, she thinks about how she would manage her children's screen time and encourage them to converse with new people, while in her role at work, she considers what she can do to keep online spaces safe.<\/p>\r\nShe used a fellow panellist Mr Ang Jin Shaun's social initiative, Stranger Conversations, as an example of how simple, individual actions can collectively strengthen social cohesion. The sessions are initiated by hosts with a personal story or passion, creating a space for participants to listen and respond. \"We can't all be Stranger Conversations (hosts). Someone sets it up, other people attend, other people share. And if you're the person with the interesting story, then you come out and share because you can bring a group together.\"<\/p>\r\nSerendipitous encounters are becoming rarer as we spend more time interacting digitally, but meaningful connections can still be cultivated if we are brave enough to reach out and allow others to respond, said Mr Ang. \"It is sort of an act of service when you share something and make other people feel like they're not alone, because this topic that you are sharing is meaningful to others as well,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\"The question is, do we think that this level of connection is a need or a want? If we think it's a want and this is a lower priority, then that's going to get in the way of these serendipitous connections happening.\"<\/p>\r\nSeeing differences as relational, not oppositional<\/strong>In the second panel, \"Navigating Challenges to Social Cohesion,\" panellists examined how Singapore's diversity, sometimes seen as a fault line, can instead become a strength. Rather than fearing disagreement and division, Singaporeans can explore our differences through relationships and learn to see one another \"as people, not proxies for communities or belief systems,\" said Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder and director of non-governmental organisation The Whitehatters.<\/p>\r\nThe Whitehatters offers safe spaces and skilled facilitation to help people interact through dialogue, sports and the arts, and discuss topics like race and religion. Shared Ms Shahrany: \"It requires sustained effort to build trust and address tensions before they harden into divisions... Our task is not to reduce differences, but to ensure that differences are held in relationship rather than allowed to polarise.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18445\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Ms Shahrany Hassan, Founder and Director of The Whitehatters; Professor Elaine Ho of the Department of Geography at FASS and Asia Research Institute; Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance; and Associate Professor Razwana Begum of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who moderated the second panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nIn addition to shared interests like cooking, enjoying food and playing football, public spaces are another lever that should be used to encourage informal friendships through commonalities, said Professor Elaine Ho, who is Provost's Chair Professor of the\u00a0Department of Geography<\/a>\u00a0at the\u00a0Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>\u00a0(FASS) and Research Leader for the Migration and Mobilities Cluster at the\u00a0Asia Research Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"Not everything has to be structured programmes\u2026 As we design Singapore, we also need to think about building these kinds of spaces where people can get together informally,\" she said, highlighting sports fields and void decks, especially the more open designs in older estates, as examples of spaces that promote natural interactions.<\/p>\r\nRedefining merit<\/strong>The third panel, \"Building a More Inclusive and 'We First' Society\", grappled with the competitive nature that is inherent in Singapore's economic model and characteristic of its people. The mindset shift they called for was to redefine merit not just through words, but through action.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Vincent Chua of the\u00a0Department of Sociology and Anthropology<\/a>\u00a0at FASS explained three \"Rs\" of inequality that erode social cohesion: resource inequality, relational inequality and recognition inequality.<\/p>\r\nThe gradual reduction in income inequality has partially addressed resource inequality, though wealth inequality remains a tougher issue to tackle. Meanwhile, social mixing in public housing, schools and workplaces helps to reduce relational inequality, but a divide remains between public and private housing residents.<\/p>\r\nRecognition inequality is \"the last of the giants,\" said Assoc Prof Chua.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18444\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education; Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre; Associate Professor Vincent Chua of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at FASS; and Dr Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Society and Culture at IPS, who moderated the third panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\"Sixty years of meritocracy has taught us to see ourselves and others in a certain way - through the lenses of achievement,\" he said, explaining that this perspective conflates resources with respect and ties perceptions of human worth to indicators of success and achievement. \"How we see others determines how we treat them and how we relate to them, subsequently impacting social cohesion.\"<\/p>\r\nMoving beyond the usual calls to redefine success, Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, called on institutions to lead the way through their hiring processes and community involvement.<\/p>\r\nFor instance, instead of hiring on the basis of academic grades or typical achievements, employers should consider a broader range of qualifying capabilities. Community contributions should be rewarded, such as through awarding scholarships to young people who are doing ground-up work and recognising employees who volunteer for community causes.<\/p>\r\n\"When organisations begin to put more weightage on community contributions, that's how institutions\u2026 can change that metric of success within your organisations and provide the substance to being able to encourage young people to take this seriously,\" said Mr Soh.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 19 February 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore<\/a><\/h3>23 January 2026 <\/div>According to the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, Singapore could face increasingly extreme weather conditions, with more frequent scorching days, prolonged dry spells, and temperatures potentially rising by up to 5 degrees Celsius by 2100. These changes, driven by global climate change, will heighten the risks of heat stress, a condition where excessive heat overwhelms the body\u2019s ability to regulate itself. In densely built-up environments like Singapore, the canopy-layer urban heat island (CL-UHI) effect, caused by differences in land surface characteristics between urban and surrounding rural areas, intensifies temperature variability across the city.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn \u2018Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore\u2019 (<\/span>Sustainability<\/span><\/i>, 2023), Beatriz Sanchez (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology, Spain), Professor Matthias Roth (NUS Geography), Pratiman Patel (NUS Geography), and Andr\u00e9s Sim\u00f3n-Moral (TECHNALIA, Spain) developed a semi-empirical approach to model and map daily maximum urban heat island intensities in Singapore. Using over three years of observational temperature data from 26 sites around Singapore, the researchers first tested an existing empirical equation from previous research. While errors were reasonably low, the model did not capture patterns as well in Singapore compared to the other locations the original model was developed for.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo address this, the researchers derived their own equation using variables known to influence urban heat islands, such as land cover, building height, and meteorological conditions. Evaluation showed that their customised equation modelled daily maximum CL-UHI intensities reasonably well under different weather scenarios in Singapore, with the most intense heat islands occurring in highly developed central areas as expected. The resulting maps from the study can pinpoint vulnerable areas in need of cooling strategies to alleviate heat stress, a crucial challenge for an equatorial city like Singapore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nEmpirically tailored models like this offer an efficient way to estimate heat exposure and guide local adaptation efforts. This approach could also be valuable for other rapidly urbanising tropical regions experiencing rising temperatures due to global warming. With further refinements, similar techniques applied globally could promote climate-resilient urban development as cities increasingly face the impacts of climate change.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead the article <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_15621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2121\"] Photo: iStock\/southtownboy[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Arts for All enriches arts community within and beyond NUS<\/a><\/h3>22 January 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18359\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS Chinese Orchestra welcomed students from six junior colleges to play and learn together in a collaboration spurred by the Arts for All initiative. Above: The students pose after a fireside chat with composers Mr Wang Chenwei (centre left in front row, in blue) and Ms Hannah Hsieh (centre of front row, in black), forming the letter \"C\" with their hands and \"O\" with their mouths to represent the abbreviation for Chinese orchestra.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nTwo years after it was piloted in late 2023, the Arts for All (AFA)<\/a>\u00a0initiative is making waves in NUS, enabling students to embed the arts into their student life and learning journey - and beyond, through outreach efforts to younger musicians across Singapore.<\/p>\r\nEnriching the NUS student experience<\/strong>The AFA framework developed by the\u00a0NUS Office of Student Affairs<\/a>\u00a0Centre for the Arts<\/a>\u00a0(CFA) was designed to create access to the arts at various levels. It offers opportunities to initiate and participate in ground-up and student-led community initiatives, join extra-curricular activities and arts groups, and commit to year-long courses as part of four credit-bearing performing arts groups.<\/p>\r\nProgrammes administered by the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>\u00a0(YST) and CFA also enable students to pursue a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts using the credits earned from their participation in credit-bearing arts groups and courses. YST courses comprise the majority of additional courses that students can take to fulfil their Minor or Second Major requirements, and YST faculty contribute their expertise in assessing and grading students in the credit-bearing arts groups, which currently include the NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO), NUS Wind Symphony (NUSWS), NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) and NUS Chinese Dance.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Chan Tze Law, NUS Vice Dean of Students who oversees CFA and led the creation of AFA, described the initiative's intent as not being about producing more artists - \"though some students may discover their calling that way,\" he noted. Assoc Prof Chan, who is also\u00a0Vice Dean at YST, added that\u00a0\"it's about using the arts as a vehicle for developing a full range of human capabilities: creativity, resilience, moral reasoning, cultural intelligence, collaborative skills and the confidence to make something new in the world.\"<\/p>\r\nFrom August 2024 to May 2025 (AY2024\/2025), more than 10,000 students took part in student-led arts activities. These included the 22 programmes organised under\u00a0third space,\u00a0<\/i>an initiative to create arts gathering spaces on campus and provide more opportunities for arts encounters, and 30 programmes presented over eight weeks by extra-curricular activity and arts groups at the NUS Arts Festival.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18358\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"] The third space initiative hosts student-led programmes like this site-specific dance theatre piece, performed at the park adjoining NUS Central Library on 14 February 2025 as part of the NUS Arts Festival.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nEnrolment in the credit-bearing groups and courses increased by more than 40 per cent in AY2023\/2024 to more than 200 students in AY2024\/2025, with NUSWS even gaining enough members to form two wind symphonies. More students are also expressing interest in pursuing a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts.<\/p>\r\nInspiring younger artists in the broader arts scene<\/strong>A key factor in broadening AFA's impact beyond NUS is the initiative's requirement for all student groups to plan and produce two performances per academic year: one that showcases their excellence in their art form, and another that involves education or outreach.<\/p>\r\nOver the last two years, NUSWS, NUSSO and NUSCO have collaborated with local educational institutions, culminating in side-by-side concerts at NUS. NUSWS and NUSSO each partnered with one primary school in 2024, with NUSSO continuing its partnership in 2025, while NUSCO collaborated with six junior colleges (JCs) in 2025. CFA supported the groups in organising the practice sessions and concerts, with the two most recent concerts taking place in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18357\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUSSO members worked with young string players from Greenwood Primary School to present heartwarming side-by-side performances in 2024 and 2025.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe positive experience has been mutual amongst collaborators. NUS students get the opportunity to share their passion and inspire younger musicians, while the young musicians get exposure to new and different ways of learning together.<\/p>\r\nRenowned conductor Mr Moses Gay, who is a principal tutor at NUSCO, said, \"During rehearsals, I ask the NUSCO students to question things and give their own recommendations. This is part of making music together, but it was new to the JC students, and it sparked their curiosity.\"<\/p>\r\nUltimately, Mr Gay said that the vision is to build a community that encompasses both NUS and the broader arts community, from primary school students just beginning their musical journeys to JC students thinking about their tertiary education options.<\/p>\r\n\"Aside from sharing our art form within NUS, our university arts groups need to bring people in to see that NUS is vibrant, so they will want to be a part of this,\" said Mr Gay.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18356\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The NUSCO collaboration with the JCs gave the younger musicians a glimpse of how they could continue pursuing their art form in the next chapter of their education journey.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA\u00a0<\/strong>catalyst for revitalising traditional music forms<\/strong>The outreach efforts by NUS students through AFA have been an opportunity to breathe life into traditional music practices.<\/p>\r\nMr Gay, who also conducts the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, has observed that declining participation has resulted in many schools disbanding or downsizing their Chinese orchestras to chamber groups of 15 to 20 members, instead of the 60 to 100 in a typical orchestra. He therefore sought to rally as many JCs as possible to give young Chinese orchestra musicians the experience of playing in a large orchestra.<\/p>\r\nAssoc Prof Chan gave his full support, noting that by nurturing younger musicians, NUSCO will not only raise its profile among JC students who will apply to universities within the next couple of years, but also send a message to the broader arts community about the value of Chinese orchestra: \"NUS is paying attention.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18355\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Playing in a combined Chinese orchestra of about 130 was a memorable experience for the NUS and JC musicians, who were used to playing in smaller ensembles.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nJC and NUS students alike were thrilled at the opportunity to play in the combined orchestra of about 130 musicians. River Valley High School student Pang Wei Qing said that getting to connect with musicians from other COs made her feel more \"like part of a Chinese orchestra,\" while Tanya Toh, a student from Raffles Institution, described performing with such a large orchestra as \"an amazing experience.\"<\/p>\r\nSaid Sim Xin Yu, a Year 2\u00a0Pharmacy<\/a>\u00a0student who is NUSCO's concertmaster: \"It was one of the best concerts we've had since I joined NUSCO - the quality was better. I'm not sure if it's because there were more people, but if it's because of that, that's all the more reason to do these collaborations.\"<\/p>\r\nThe interactions between JC and NUS students during the rehearsals sparked conversations about what the younger musicians could do with the art form beyond JC, said first-year\u00a0Geography<\/a>\u00a0student Tara-Jade Sim. She shared: \"A lot of my juniors said they felt very unsure about CO. They're here because they have a passion for it, but they're struggling to see a future in continuing to pursue it.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18354\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS student Tara-Jade Sim (far left) connected with her Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra juniors during the NUSCO collaboration. Photo credit: Tara-Jade Sim<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nShowing the younger generation that there are avenues to continue playing and finding community in Chinese orchestra is key to keeping the art form alive, said Mr Gay, who shared that he hopes to add polytechnics to NUSCO's next collaboration.<\/p>\r\n\"No matter how well we play, a pipeline is still needed. We are addressing the core of the problem by reaching out to younger students, and during the concerts, we can share these ideas with three generations in the audience. If we do this with every school, there might be a chance to make CO more vibrant among the younger generation.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 22 January 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely<\/a><\/h3>20 January 2026 <\/div>Living alone in later life is often treated as a signal of social risk. The one-person household is easy to identify in administrative data and, as a result, frequently used as a proxy for loneliness in policy and service delivery.\r\n\r\nHowever, this assumption can be misleading.\r\n\r\nIn the opinion piece \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019 (Straits Times<\/em>, January 2026) by, Associate Professor Vincent Chua (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Professor Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho (NUS Geography and NUS Asia Research Institute), and Associate Professor Chen-Chieh Feng (NUS Geography) illustrate how numerous seniors who live alone remain socially active, mobile, and embedded in wide community networks in Singapore.\r\n\r\nThe editorial draws on their 2025 article in Ageing & Society<\/span><\/a><\/i>\u00a0titled \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019, where they conducted research on nearly 1,200 older Singaporeans, and found that while seniors living alone may be more likely to report loneliness, this risk is significantly reduced when they stay connected beyond the household. For instance, they may physically interact with others, communicate online, and move within their neighbourhoods \u2013 \u201cageing in networks\u201d across multiple places. As the authors point out, equating living alone with loneliness thus risks misdirecting attention and resources, overlooking seniors who may live with others but still experience isolation.\r\n\r\nRead \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019\u00a0 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nRead our post about \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18308\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"]
\r\nProspective students turned out in force for the NUS Open House 2026, one of the University's largest events of the year, with some 21,500 visitors packing University Town on 7 March for a first-hand look at the University's distinctive academic programmes and its vibrant campus community.<\/p>\r\nFeaturing an extensive line-up of programme booths, faculty talks, special classes, and campus tours, this year's event - which spotlighted NUS' suite of AI-focused programmes, cutting-edge innovations, and a sampling of student performances - also marked a new chapter for\u00a0NUS Law<\/a>, which hosted its entire showcase at UTown for the first time since\u00a0moving to Kent Ridge<\/a>\u00a0in January.<\/p>\r\nComplementing the full-day showcase was a six-day virtual segment featuring online talks on global and career opportunities, as well as information sessions by\u00a0NUS Business School<\/a>,\u00a0NUS Pharmacy<\/a>, and the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"I found the programme talks and student sharing sessions especially enjoyable and informative because they provided real insights into student life and the academic experience at NUS,\" said Suriya Selvarayar, a Ngee Ann Polytechnic student who is interested in applying to technology-related programmes.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\nNew \"AI+X\" degrees for emerging careers<\/strong>At a panel led by NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean entitled \"Earth, Space, Data and AI: Degrees that Launch You into the Future\", visitors were introduced to NUS' expanding slate of \"AI+X\" programmes, designed to integrate AI across diverse disciplines to meet the demand for new careers and fields driven by the technology.\r\nIts latest effort is the\u00a0new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme (GIX)<\/a>, the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, which welcomes its first cohort in August 2026. Co-hosted by the Department of Geography at the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0NUS Computing<\/a>, it will train students to synthesise earth, space, and environmental data - such as those collected by satellites, drones and mobile devices - with AI tools to tackle challenges in urban planning, transportation, and climate change. With courses spanning geography and computer science, and an emphasis on integrated problem-solving, the programme opens doors to sectors including smart cities and sustainable development, as well as the space and satellite industries.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18642\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Prospective students had the chance to hear from NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean (third from left) at a talk on NUS' suite of AI-focused degree programmes. Joining him were (from left to right) Associate Professor Peter Chan from the College of Design and Engineering, Associate Professor Kan Min-Yen from NUS Computing, Associate Professor Wang Yi-Chen from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Professor Gary Ang from NUS Enterprise.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThree other \"AI+X\" degrees were also highlighted. Admitting its second intake in August, the\u00a0Bachelor of Computing in Artificial Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0provides students with deep technical expertise, preparing them to design solutions to real-world problems using AI systems and models, grounded in a critical understanding of AI governance.<\/p>\r\nFormerly known as Information Systems, the\u00a0revamped Bachelor of Computing in Business Artificial Intelligence Systems<\/a>\u00a0integrates AI systems with business expertise to solve enterprise challenges and drive digital innovation.<\/p>\r\nAlso welcoming its second cohort in August is the\u00a0College of Design and Engineering<\/a>'s (CDE)\u00a0Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Machine Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0programme. Combining hardware, software, and AI, it prepares students to lead the applications of AI-enabled robotics - systems capable of sophisticated decisions and learning from their environments - in markets that are fast expanding beyond manufacturing to sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and logistics.<\/p>\r\nProf Thean emphasised that while NUS seeks to produce graduates who can capitalise on AI, the human element remains essential. \"New jobs and careers are emerging, and the question is how we prepare for them,\" he added, noting that the ultimate goal is for graduates to be adept at using the tools while possessing the critical thinking, decision-making and creativity to excel in the AI era.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18640\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (second from right) visited the various booths, including the CDE's showcase of its innovative projects and models.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nFuture-ready engineering\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\nAside from showcasing the new robotics and machine intelligence degree, CDE delivered a comprehensive overview of the available programmes tailored to the evolving landscape - from\u00a0Mechanical Engineering<\/a>\u00a0to the\u00a0Minor in Artificial Intelligence (Design and Engineering)<\/a>.<\/p>\r\nThe Mechanical Engineering talk explored AI's applications in a wide range of industries, from aeronautics and urban transportation to sustainable energy and future cities. Students were given an overview of their career prospects, ranging from thermal R&D engineers to process development scientists.<\/p>\r\nAnother exciting new programme highlighted was the Artificial Intelligence minor. In the light of AI's position as a national priority in Singapore, prospective students got a snapshot of the industry landscape, as well as how the minor's industry-focused approach provides hands-on learning experiences in fundamental AI concepts like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18638\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The interactive Innovation and Robotics Showcase drew visitors to experience the cutting-edge technological innovations created by NUS faculty and students that are transforming our world for the better.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n<\/article>\r\nInnovations in action<\/strong>An interactive experience awaited visitors at the Innovation and Robotics Showcase, which featured futuristic projects by faculty and students at CDE,\u00a0NUS College<\/a>\u00a0(NUSC), and the\u00a0Centre for Quantum Technologies<\/a>\u00a0(CQT) that exemplify the spirit of cutting-edge innovation at NUS.<\/p>\r\nCDE presented an array of technologies making an impact in the real world, from virtual reality simulations that help users identify safety hazards in the construction industry to robot dogs that assist in search and rescue operations in hazardous terrain.<\/p>\r\nNUSC's \"Gut Guard\", a gamified learning\u00a0Impact Experience<\/a> project that tackles misconceptions about gut health, as well as CQT's technologies developed for Singapore's National Quantum-Safe Network testbed, were also on display.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18637\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The College of Humanities and Sciences unveiled a refreshed programme booth experience, grouping related disciplines into thematic zones to help prospective students better understand each discipline and how they can be meaningfully combined within the college's flexible curriculum.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nExploring real-world connections at CHS<\/strong>CHS, which brings together the\u00a0Faculty of Science<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>, traded individual programme booths for immersive thematic zones, allowing visitors to understand how diverse disciplines converge in the real world as part of a new approach that brought its interdisciplinary ethos to life.\r\nIn \"Understanding People and Societies\", which linked anthropology with sociology and psychology, they explored the role of these social sciences in understanding human behaviour, while \"Science in our Lives\" demonstrated the interconnected fields of chemical, biological and pharmaceutical science in contributing to better therapies.<\/p>\r\nUnderscoring this approach was \"Beyond the Textbook: Play, Policy, and Plants\", a panel which gathered faculty members from three interdisciplinary courses to discuss timely issues such as the importance of play in learning, the multifaceted aspects of drug regulation, and the study of plants as a lens for examining Southeast Asia's ecology, communities and livelihoods.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18636\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Apart from introducing its new campus at University Town, Law hosted an engaging line-up of talks, moot court demonstrations and masterclasses to welcome prospective students.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new chapter at UTown<\/strong>Following its\u00a0relocation from Bukit Timah<\/a>\u00a0to Kent Ridge, NUS Law offered prospective students a one-stop shop of what the faculty had to offer, with mooting sessions, thought-provoking masterclasses, and talks that highlighted its world-class faculty and illustrious alumni network.\r\nUnlike previous years, visitors no longer needed to shuttle between both campuses to explore all the Open House activities, said Mr Justin Tan, NUS Law's Vice-Dean (Student Affairs), who gave a welcome talk to prospective students. Remarking on the vibrant setting of its newly upgraded campus, he said, \"I think (visitors) will really love the fact that there are literally thousands of people living in UTown's apartment blocks, all within a few minutes' walk of our new campus. This translates to endless possibilities for a fantastic undergraduate life!\"<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\nBeyond the books<\/strong>NUSC<\/a>, the University's honours college, held sessions showcasing its\u00a0Global Experience<\/a>\u00a0(GEx) programme, which immerses students in 14 overseas sites for a month to engage deeply with their themes. In GEx New York, students examine its identity as a global city, investigating its urban development and cultural heritage through interactions with high-level diplomats, non-government organisations, and industry professionals.\r\nNUS Nursing<\/a>\u00a0held special classes where users learned empathetic communication in palliative care by conversing with an AI chatbot, and showcased its\u00a0new Concurrent Degree Programme<\/a>, which combines the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Honours) with the Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics).<\/p>\r\nMeanwhile,\u00a0NUS Medicine<\/a> offered a hands-on look at the future of medical education through clinical simulations, virtual reality stations, and insightful talks on its curriculum.<\/p>\r\nInside scoop on residential life<\/strong>Through talks, booths, and guided tours, Masters, Resident Fellows, and student leaders from the Residential Colleges, Halls, and Houses offered prospective students insights on the culture of their residences, the partnership between resident fellows and residents, and the vast array of student-led initiatives that foster vibrancy, community spirit, and inclusivity.\r\nNUS' newest hostel, the sports-themed\u00a0Valour House<\/a>, highlighted its key pillars of courage, strength, and resilience - characteristics not just of athletes but of students - to demonstrate its culture of supporting sporting achievements and encouraging residents to step out of their comfort zones.<\/p>\r\nVibrancy of NUS student life<\/strong>A dynamic line-up of performances and showcases, spotlighting some of NUS' finest talents in the performing arts, was presented by the various student clubs and interest groups at the Student Village. From upbeat, catchy tunes by\u00a0NUS Fingerstyle Guitar<\/a>\u00a0and a capella groups\u00a0NUS Resonance<\/a>,\u00a0RHythm<\/a>\u00a0from Raffles Hall, and\u00a0Eusoff Chorapella<\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0Eusoff Hall<\/a>\u00a0to skilful renditions by\u00a0Helix House<\/a>'s Helix Band and\u00a0Sheares Hall<\/a>'s Sheares Band, visitors were treated to a glimpse into the vibrant student experience at NUS beyond academic pursuits.<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 13 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS to offer Asia\u2019s first bachelor\u2019s-level geospatial intelligence programme to integrate geospatial data analysis with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence<\/a><\/h3>08 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh of the Department of Geography spoke to prospective students about the new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme at the 2026 NUS Open House on 7 March 2026.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe National University of Singapore (NUS) will offer a new major in geospatial intelligence that will train students to harness geospatial data and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to address complex problems in climate change mitigation, smart city design, business planning and more.<\/p>\r\nThe study and use of geospatial or location data have evolved from a field focused on mapping and visualisation to one that supports prediction, assessment and decision-making. With the rapid growth of data from satellites, sensors and social activity, combined with advances in computing and AI, geospatial intelligence has become essential for policymakers and organisations to extract insights that emerge from spatial patterns, anticipate risks and drive change.<\/p>\r\nThis has created strong demand for professionals who not only have foundational skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to organise and visualise spatial data, but also expertise in geospatial data science and advanced tools that let them create digital twins of real-world environments, including cities, buildings, transport networks, natural landscapes, ecosystems and social spaces, to explore scenarios, test solutions and make better data-driven decisions.<\/p>\r\nTherefore, NUS' new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in\u00a0Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme<\/a>\u00a0(GIX), the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, meets this demand and builds a talent pipeline in geospatial intelligence.<\/p>\r\nThe four-year programme is offered by the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>, led by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the\u00a0School of Computing (SOC)<\/a>, which contributes expertise in AI, data science and computational methods.<\/p>\r\nThe joint programme leverages world-leading expertise from the Department of Geography and SOC, which are both ranked No.1 in Asia for their respective subjects and in the top ten globally, and the strategic positioning of NUS in Singapore where high-density land utilisations present unique sets of geospatial challenges.<\/p>\r\nGIX will be offered to students matriculating in Academic Year 2026\/2027, which begins in August 2026.<\/p>\r\nUnlocking deeper insights for spatial decisions<\/u><\/strong>In Singapore, policymakers have recognised the profound impact of geospatial information and technology on decision-making and societal development. To realise its vision of becoming \"a leading global geospatial hub\", the Singapore Geospatial Masterplan 2024-2033 emphasises greater geospatial adoption and the strengthening of core capabilities in this field.<\/p>\r\nGeospatial intelligence has many practical applications. Beyond urban planning, transport and connectivity, geospatial intelligence is also used in disaster preparedness and resilience, as well as business optimisation and supply chain strengthening. As AI enhances the analysis of large-scale spatial data for such purposes, demand for professionals who can integrate geospatial expertise with AI capabilities is growing rapidly.<\/p>\r\n\"The introduction of this new degree programme is timely as demand for and interest in AI-powered jobs soar,\" said GIX Programme Director Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh.<\/p>\r\n\"The new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme gives undergraduates a strong foundation in geographic thinking, computational skills and AI, giving them a real edge across sectors such as smart urban systems, logistics, climate risk management and real estate analytics,\" added Assoc Prof Feng, who teaches GIS courses at the Department of Geography.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Kan Min-Yen, Vice Dean (Undergraduate Studies), School of Computing, who is also a programme convenor, said the programme will draw interest from students keen to work on real-world issues such as disaster response, urban planning or climate adaptation.<\/p>\r\n\"The programme complements NUS' existing offerings for students who want to combine data, computing and domain knowledge to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. The offering greatly increases the spectrum of cross-disciplinary programmes available to prospective students,\" said Assoc Prof Kan.<\/p>\r\nA preview session for the new programme was held today at the NUS 2026 Open House. Close to 100 prospective students and parents turned up to learn more about this emerging growth field and potential career pathways for geospatial intelligence experts in government, tech, urban solutions and environmental sectors.<\/p>\r\nThe Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme reflects NUS' commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future, equipping them with the skills to analyse complex spatial data, uncover patterns and generate actionable insights across a range of industries and societal challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 7 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>New Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS to advance interdisciplinary research on complex societal challenges<\/a><\/h3>05 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18559\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Present at the launch of the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS today were (from left) CSSH Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dandan Qiao from NUS School of Computing; CSSH Co-Director Prof Atreyi Kankanhalli from NUS School of Computing; Prof Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS School of Computing; Prof Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology); Prof Lionel Wee, Dean of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; CSSH Co-Director Prof Peter Millican from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and Assoc Prof Miguel Escobar Varela from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new research centre at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is bringing together data science, AI and computational methods with deep insights from social sciences and humanities to better understand complex social phenomena and develop solutions to pressing societal challenges. By combining technological innovation with human insight, the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) aims to generate research that improves lives, strengthens institutions, preserves cultural knowledge, and shapes more inclusive and resilient societies in Singapore and beyond.<\/p>\r\n\r\nOfficially launched today, CSSH is the first in Singapore to systematically bring together computational social science and the humanities within a single centre to bridge research, policy and real-world applications.<\/p>\r\nThe Centre draws on expertise across disciplines including computing, new media, linguistics, geography, public policy and healthcare, amongst others. This interdisciplinary foundation enables CSSH to examine how digital technologies intersect with social systems, such as assessing the societal implications of AI-enabled platforms, using digital tools to help preserve Singapore's cultural heritage, and strengthening digital literacy in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\r\nNUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, \"Rapid advances in digital technologies and AI are transforming our world. But technological breakthroughs are only as valuable as the difference they make to peoples' lives. CSSH reflects NUS' commitment to ensuring that innovation translates to tangible improvements in how we live, work and build stronger communities. By integrating computational methods with social science and humanities, the Centre will help translate research insights into policies and practices that deliver real-world impact.\"<\/p>\r\nShe added that the Centre complements Singapore's broader push for innovative, responsible harnessing of technology and AI which emphasises that progress should be not only technically advanced, but trusted, inclusive and grounded in real social needs.<\/p>\r\nDriving real-world impact through interdisciplinary innovation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\r\nCSSH is led by Co-Directors Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the\u00a0NUS School of Computing<\/a>\u00a0and Professor Peter Millican from the\u00a0NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>. The Centre supports both seed funding for emerging ideas and larger projects, all designed to generate real-world impact.<\/p>\r\nProf Kankanhalli said, \"What distinguishes CSSH is our ability to study human behaviour, institutions and societies at a scale and depth that was not previously possible. By combining computational methods with rich domain expertise in the social sciences and humanities, we can uncover patterns, test ideas, and generate evidence that directly informs policy and practice. Our goal is not just to analyse social problems, but to help shape systems that work better for people.\"<\/p>\r\nSince beginning operations in the second half of 2024, CSSH has embarked on more than 50 interdisciplinary projects involving 105 researchers from across NUS and their external collaborators. The projects demonstrate the breadth of its work - from AI-enabled analysis of social media impacts to digital preservation of historical archives.<\/p>\r\nAmongst the major research projects currently being undertaken by CSSH is one titled \"Computational Social Simulations for Aiding Policy Design\", led by Prof Kankanhalli. In this five-year project, researchers from NUS and three other local universities are collaborating to develop an AI-driven social simulation platform for policymakers to help test and refine policy interventions before they are rolled out.<\/p>\r\nUsing large language models (LLMs), the platform will model diverse public personas to enable policymakers to conduct swift preliminary testing of policy ideas. The simulations will complement traditional research methods by reducing the frequency of costly, time-consuming large-scale surveys and field studies during early policy development, while retaining real-world validation and community engagement at critical decision points. CSSH Deputy Director Associate Professor Dandan Qiao from the NUS School of Computing is also contributing her expertise to the project.<\/p>\r\nAnother project titled \"The Jawi AI Project\", led by NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Miguel Escobar Varela, harnesses AI to enable large-scale transliteration and analysis of Jawi texts. Early Malay-language newspapers in Singapore, published between 1870 and 1970 were written in Jawi, a script few can read today.<\/p>\r\nIn collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB), the team comprising local and foreign experts is transforming thousands of archived pages into searchable Malay text, significantly expanding the range of materials available at NLB's digitised archives. Assoc Prof Escobar Varela, who is also Deputy Director at CSSH, noted that the project could significantly expand research into Malay-language journalism and public debate in the region, broadening how Singapore's history is understood and taught.<\/p>\r\nProf Millican highlighted that a core mission of CSSH is to break down the walls between disciplines. By connecting humanities and social science researchers with computing and data science experts, the Centre fosters collaborations that neither field could achieve alone. \"Many of today's biggest challenges demand both deep specialist insight and serious technical firepower\", he explained, \"whether they involve untangling complex social issues, tackling health crises, anticipating future problems, or building the tools to address these. CSSH provides a natural home for such interdisciplinary conversations.\"<\/p>\r\nHe added that the Centre looks forward to developing more projects addressing societal challenges to which computational insights can make the greatest difference. Focus areas include AI and emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental policy, population trends and demographic change, public health and social care, and the preservation and understanding of history and cultural heritage.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 4 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>EVENT | Work, Migration, Policy Implications | 19 Mar, 2:30-5:15 pm<\/a><\/h3>01 March 2026 <\/div>The Singapore Research Nexus at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) invites you to \u2018Work, Migration, Policy Implications\u2019, a policy outreach event that brings social science research into conversation with urgent questions of governance, labour, and family in our interconnected world.\r\n\r\nAcross three studies, we shall examine how Singapore operates as an aspirational reference for urban futures beyond its borders, as a site where migrant workers navigate systems of redress and care, and as a global city in which highly educated women negotiate work and motherhood commitments.\r\n\r\nBy bridging future-looking visions with grounded ethnographic and comparative research, this event speaks to policymakers, scholars and students interested in how work and mobility are governed, and how individuals, in turn, navigate and reshape these structures. Join us for an engaging discussion on the possibilities and limits of policy in shaping more just and inclusive societies.\r\n\r\n \tPlanning Africa\u2019s Singapore: Geographical Imagination and Practices\u2019 by Dr Allen XIAO (Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Geography)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018\u2018Complaint: Migrant Workers, Wage Theft, and the Possibilities of Care\u2019 by Nur Amali IBRAHIM (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018Opting For the Optionless: Comparing Stay-at-home Motherhood among College-educated Chinese Women in Shanghai, Singapore, and New York\u2019 by Zheng MU (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nDate and Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2026, 2:30-5:10 pm\r\n\r\nVenue: FASS AS7 Research Division Seminar Room (6-42) and Zoom\r\n\r\nVenue Address: NUS AS7 Shaw Foundation Building, 5 Arts Link, 117570\r\n\r\nRegister:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn-person here<\/a>\r\n\r\nvia Zoom here<\/a>\r\n\r\nGet the programme here<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/a><\/h3>28 February 2026 <\/div>The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement, was conceived amid global uncertainty shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. In such a rapidly shifting landscape, existing theories on free trade agreements (FTAs) may fall short in explaining or predicting RCEP\u2019s evolving impact. \u2018Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic\u2019, a Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 grant funded from 2025 to 2028, brings together a multidisciplinary team led by Assistant Professor Wei Luo (NUS Geography & NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health), Professor Dariusz W\u00f3jcik (NUS Geography), Assistant Professor Sanjana Goswami (NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy), Assistant Professor Chen Liu (NUS Economics), and Dr Rui Dai (University of Pennsylvania).<\/p>\r\nThe team aims to build the first near real-time, data-driven surveillance system for monitoring RCEP\u2019s impact \u2013 an innovative framework that blends computational analysis with human expertise. This system will support more responsive, evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN at a critical juncture for the region. Central to the project is the use of advanced analytical tools to track trade flows and uncover the structural forces shaping economic interactions among RCEP member states.<\/p>\r\nThe project has three core objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enrich the literature on FTA networks by incorporating the complex dynamics introduced by geopolitical shifts and liberalised trade regimes. Secondly, it aims to apply gravity models and other advanced techniques to examine the underlying drivers of trade flows, drawing on newly curated datasets that reflect real-time developments. Thirdly, it will analyse the broader macroeconomic implications of these trade dynamics, with a particular focus on post-pandemic recovery and regional integration.<\/p>\r\nTo meet these goals, the researchers will gather direct trade data and relevant proxies to build an empirical framework that can capture the structural determinants of trade under the RCEP agreement. In doing so, the study fills a key gap in quantitative research on modern FTAs, offering actionable insights to governments, economists, and strategic planners.<\/p>\r\nUltimately, the platform will provide practical guidance for ASEAN policymakers as they navigate the dual imperatives of deepening regional integration and managing external pressures. In highlighting the delicate balance between cooperation and protectionism, it seeks to position RCEP as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_16157\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"] Photo: iStock\/sarawuth702[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Mindset shifts for a kinder, happier Singapore<\/a><\/h3>20 February 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18447\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, opened the in-person Singapore Perspectives 2026 conference by discussing the history of the Singapore Pledge and how the founders viewed the pursuit of happiness and social cohesion.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nWhat does social cohesion have to do with happiness and the very notion of being Singaporean? Everything, if we examine the drafting and final phrasing of our National Pledge, said Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies<\/a>\u00a0(IPS) at NUS, at the annual Singapore Perspectives conference organised by the Institute in January 2026.<\/p>\r\nThe conference's discussions centred on the theme of Fraternity and explored ways to help Singaporeans connect with one another, even as technological disruption, cultural differences and competition pose a constant threat to unity. As the panellists discussed community and government interventions, a pattern emerged of key mindset shifts that must be embraced alongside such efforts for Singapore to become a kinder, more inclusive society.<\/p>\r\nSpeaking on the second day of the conference, Mr Devan used the historical context of the Pledge to frame the importance of nurturing social cohesion in Singapore. The original draft ended with a commitment to \"seek happiness and progress by helping one another\", which was later edited to read \"achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.\"<\/p>\r\nThe two versions taken together imply that the pursuit of happiness is a collective one for Singaporeans.<\/p>\r\nTaking individual ownership<\/strong>While Singaporeans often look to the government to address issues related to social cohesion, panellists at the first session, \"Rethinking Social Capital in a Smart Nation\", stressed that no policy or programme can succeed if individuals do not choose to engage with one another and build interpersonal trust. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with each of us to take ownership and nurture connections in our own everyday spaces.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18446\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr Ang Jin Shaun, Founder of Stranger Conversations; Professor Lim Sun Sun of Singapore Management University; Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Education; and Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Governance and Economy at IPS, who moderated the first panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nMs Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Ministry of Education, illustrated this through the different roles she plays - parent, sibling, neighbour and government official - and the contribution she can make in each. As a parent, she thinks about how she would manage her children's screen time and encourage them to converse with new people, while in her role at work, she considers what she can do to keep online spaces safe.<\/p>\r\nShe used a fellow panellist Mr Ang Jin Shaun's social initiative, Stranger Conversations, as an example of how simple, individual actions can collectively strengthen social cohesion. The sessions are initiated by hosts with a personal story or passion, creating a space for participants to listen and respond. \"We can't all be Stranger Conversations (hosts). Someone sets it up, other people attend, other people share. And if you're the person with the interesting story, then you come out and share because you can bring a group together.\"<\/p>\r\nSerendipitous encounters are becoming rarer as we spend more time interacting digitally, but meaningful connections can still be cultivated if we are brave enough to reach out and allow others to respond, said Mr Ang. \"It is sort of an act of service when you share something and make other people feel like they're not alone, because this topic that you are sharing is meaningful to others as well,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\"The question is, do we think that this level of connection is a need or a want? If we think it's a want and this is a lower priority, then that's going to get in the way of these serendipitous connections happening.\"<\/p>\r\nSeeing differences as relational, not oppositional<\/strong>In the second panel, \"Navigating Challenges to Social Cohesion,\" panellists examined how Singapore's diversity, sometimes seen as a fault line, can instead become a strength. Rather than fearing disagreement and division, Singaporeans can explore our differences through relationships and learn to see one another \"as people, not proxies for communities or belief systems,\" said Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder and director of non-governmental organisation The Whitehatters.<\/p>\r\nThe Whitehatters offers safe spaces and skilled facilitation to help people interact through dialogue, sports and the arts, and discuss topics like race and religion. Shared Ms Shahrany: \"It requires sustained effort to build trust and address tensions before they harden into divisions... Our task is not to reduce differences, but to ensure that differences are held in relationship rather than allowed to polarise.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18445\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Ms Shahrany Hassan, Founder and Director of The Whitehatters; Professor Elaine Ho of the Department of Geography at FASS and Asia Research Institute; Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance; and Associate Professor Razwana Begum of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who moderated the second panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nIn addition to shared interests like cooking, enjoying food and playing football, public spaces are another lever that should be used to encourage informal friendships through commonalities, said Professor Elaine Ho, who is Provost's Chair Professor of the\u00a0Department of Geography<\/a>\u00a0at the\u00a0Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>\u00a0(FASS) and Research Leader for the Migration and Mobilities Cluster at the\u00a0Asia Research Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"Not everything has to be structured programmes\u2026 As we design Singapore, we also need to think about building these kinds of spaces where people can get together informally,\" she said, highlighting sports fields and void decks, especially the more open designs in older estates, as examples of spaces that promote natural interactions.<\/p>\r\nRedefining merit<\/strong>The third panel, \"Building a More Inclusive and 'We First' Society\", grappled with the competitive nature that is inherent in Singapore's economic model and characteristic of its people. The mindset shift they called for was to redefine merit not just through words, but through action.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Vincent Chua of the\u00a0Department of Sociology and Anthropology<\/a>\u00a0at FASS explained three \"Rs\" of inequality that erode social cohesion: resource inequality, relational inequality and recognition inequality.<\/p>\r\nThe gradual reduction in income inequality has partially addressed resource inequality, though wealth inequality remains a tougher issue to tackle. Meanwhile, social mixing in public housing, schools and workplaces helps to reduce relational inequality, but a divide remains between public and private housing residents.<\/p>\r\nRecognition inequality is \"the last of the giants,\" said Assoc Prof Chua.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18444\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education; Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre; Associate Professor Vincent Chua of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at FASS; and Dr Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Society and Culture at IPS, who moderated the third panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\"Sixty years of meritocracy has taught us to see ourselves and others in a certain way - through the lenses of achievement,\" he said, explaining that this perspective conflates resources with respect and ties perceptions of human worth to indicators of success and achievement. \"How we see others determines how we treat them and how we relate to them, subsequently impacting social cohesion.\"<\/p>\r\nMoving beyond the usual calls to redefine success, Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, called on institutions to lead the way through their hiring processes and community involvement.<\/p>\r\nFor instance, instead of hiring on the basis of academic grades or typical achievements, employers should consider a broader range of qualifying capabilities. Community contributions should be rewarded, such as through awarding scholarships to young people who are doing ground-up work and recognising employees who volunteer for community causes.<\/p>\r\n\"When organisations begin to put more weightage on community contributions, that's how institutions\u2026 can change that metric of success within your organisations and provide the substance to being able to encourage young people to take this seriously,\" said Mr Soh.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 19 February 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore<\/a><\/h3>23 January 2026 <\/div>According to the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, Singapore could face increasingly extreme weather conditions, with more frequent scorching days, prolonged dry spells, and temperatures potentially rising by up to 5 degrees Celsius by 2100. These changes, driven by global climate change, will heighten the risks of heat stress, a condition where excessive heat overwhelms the body\u2019s ability to regulate itself. In densely built-up environments like Singapore, the canopy-layer urban heat island (CL-UHI) effect, caused by differences in land surface characteristics between urban and surrounding rural areas, intensifies temperature variability across the city.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn \u2018Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore\u2019 (<\/span>Sustainability<\/span><\/i>, 2023), Beatriz Sanchez (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology, Spain), Professor Matthias Roth (NUS Geography), Pratiman Patel (NUS Geography), and Andr\u00e9s Sim\u00f3n-Moral (TECHNALIA, Spain) developed a semi-empirical approach to model and map daily maximum urban heat island intensities in Singapore. Using over three years of observational temperature data from 26 sites around Singapore, the researchers first tested an existing empirical equation from previous research. While errors were reasonably low, the model did not capture patterns as well in Singapore compared to the other locations the original model was developed for.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo address this, the researchers derived their own equation using variables known to influence urban heat islands, such as land cover, building height, and meteorological conditions. Evaluation showed that their customised equation modelled daily maximum CL-UHI intensities reasonably well under different weather scenarios in Singapore, with the most intense heat islands occurring in highly developed central areas as expected. The resulting maps from the study can pinpoint vulnerable areas in need of cooling strategies to alleviate heat stress, a crucial challenge for an equatorial city like Singapore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nEmpirically tailored models like this offer an efficient way to estimate heat exposure and guide local adaptation efforts. This approach could also be valuable for other rapidly urbanising tropical regions experiencing rising temperatures due to global warming. With further refinements, similar techniques applied globally could promote climate-resilient urban development as cities increasingly face the impacts of climate change.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead the article <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_15621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2121\"] Photo: iStock\/southtownboy[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Arts for All enriches arts community within and beyond NUS<\/a><\/h3>22 January 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18359\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS Chinese Orchestra welcomed students from six junior colleges to play and learn together in a collaboration spurred by the Arts for All initiative. Above: The students pose after a fireside chat with composers Mr Wang Chenwei (centre left in front row, in blue) and Ms Hannah Hsieh (centre of front row, in black), forming the letter \"C\" with their hands and \"O\" with their mouths to represent the abbreviation for Chinese orchestra.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nTwo years after it was piloted in late 2023, the Arts for All (AFA)<\/a>\u00a0initiative is making waves in NUS, enabling students to embed the arts into their student life and learning journey - and beyond, through outreach efforts to younger musicians across Singapore.<\/p>\r\nEnriching the NUS student experience<\/strong>The AFA framework developed by the\u00a0NUS Office of Student Affairs<\/a>\u00a0Centre for the Arts<\/a>\u00a0(CFA) was designed to create access to the arts at various levels. It offers opportunities to initiate and participate in ground-up and student-led community initiatives, join extra-curricular activities and arts groups, and commit to year-long courses as part of four credit-bearing performing arts groups.<\/p>\r\nProgrammes administered by the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>\u00a0(YST) and CFA also enable students to pursue a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts using the credits earned from their participation in credit-bearing arts groups and courses. YST courses comprise the majority of additional courses that students can take to fulfil their Minor or Second Major requirements, and YST faculty contribute their expertise in assessing and grading students in the credit-bearing arts groups, which currently include the NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO), NUS Wind Symphony (NUSWS), NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) and NUS Chinese Dance.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Chan Tze Law, NUS Vice Dean of Students who oversees CFA and led the creation of AFA, described the initiative's intent as not being about producing more artists - \"though some students may discover their calling that way,\" he noted. Assoc Prof Chan, who is also\u00a0Vice Dean at YST, added that\u00a0\"it's about using the arts as a vehicle for developing a full range of human capabilities: creativity, resilience, moral reasoning, cultural intelligence, collaborative skills and the confidence to make something new in the world.\"<\/p>\r\nFrom August 2024 to May 2025 (AY2024\/2025), more than 10,000 students took part in student-led arts activities. These included the 22 programmes organised under\u00a0third space,\u00a0<\/i>an initiative to create arts gathering spaces on campus and provide more opportunities for arts encounters, and 30 programmes presented over eight weeks by extra-curricular activity and arts groups at the NUS Arts Festival.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18358\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"] The third space initiative hosts student-led programmes like this site-specific dance theatre piece, performed at the park adjoining NUS Central Library on 14 February 2025 as part of the NUS Arts Festival.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nEnrolment in the credit-bearing groups and courses increased by more than 40 per cent in AY2023\/2024 to more than 200 students in AY2024\/2025, with NUSWS even gaining enough members to form two wind symphonies. More students are also expressing interest in pursuing a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts.<\/p>\r\nInspiring younger artists in the broader arts scene<\/strong>A key factor in broadening AFA's impact beyond NUS is the initiative's requirement for all student groups to plan and produce two performances per academic year: one that showcases their excellence in their art form, and another that involves education or outreach.<\/p>\r\nOver the last two years, NUSWS, NUSSO and NUSCO have collaborated with local educational institutions, culminating in side-by-side concerts at NUS. NUSWS and NUSSO each partnered with one primary school in 2024, with NUSSO continuing its partnership in 2025, while NUSCO collaborated with six junior colleges (JCs) in 2025. CFA supported the groups in organising the practice sessions and concerts, with the two most recent concerts taking place in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18357\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUSSO members worked with young string players from Greenwood Primary School to present heartwarming side-by-side performances in 2024 and 2025.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe positive experience has been mutual amongst collaborators. NUS students get the opportunity to share their passion and inspire younger musicians, while the young musicians get exposure to new and different ways of learning together.<\/p>\r\nRenowned conductor Mr Moses Gay, who is a principal tutor at NUSCO, said, \"During rehearsals, I ask the NUSCO students to question things and give their own recommendations. This is part of making music together, but it was new to the JC students, and it sparked their curiosity.\"<\/p>\r\nUltimately, Mr Gay said that the vision is to build a community that encompasses both NUS and the broader arts community, from primary school students just beginning their musical journeys to JC students thinking about their tertiary education options.<\/p>\r\n\"Aside from sharing our art form within NUS, our university arts groups need to bring people in to see that NUS is vibrant, so they will want to be a part of this,\" said Mr Gay.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18356\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The NUSCO collaboration with the JCs gave the younger musicians a glimpse of how they could continue pursuing their art form in the next chapter of their education journey.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA\u00a0<\/strong>catalyst for revitalising traditional music forms<\/strong>The outreach efforts by NUS students through AFA have been an opportunity to breathe life into traditional music practices.<\/p>\r\nMr Gay, who also conducts the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, has observed that declining participation has resulted in many schools disbanding or downsizing their Chinese orchestras to chamber groups of 15 to 20 members, instead of the 60 to 100 in a typical orchestra. He therefore sought to rally as many JCs as possible to give young Chinese orchestra musicians the experience of playing in a large orchestra.<\/p>\r\nAssoc Prof Chan gave his full support, noting that by nurturing younger musicians, NUSCO will not only raise its profile among JC students who will apply to universities within the next couple of years, but also send a message to the broader arts community about the value of Chinese orchestra: \"NUS is paying attention.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18355\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Playing in a combined Chinese orchestra of about 130 was a memorable experience for the NUS and JC musicians, who were used to playing in smaller ensembles.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nJC and NUS students alike were thrilled at the opportunity to play in the combined orchestra of about 130 musicians. River Valley High School student Pang Wei Qing said that getting to connect with musicians from other COs made her feel more \"like part of a Chinese orchestra,\" while Tanya Toh, a student from Raffles Institution, described performing with such a large orchestra as \"an amazing experience.\"<\/p>\r\nSaid Sim Xin Yu, a Year 2\u00a0Pharmacy<\/a>\u00a0student who is NUSCO's concertmaster: \"It was one of the best concerts we've had since I joined NUSCO - the quality was better. I'm not sure if it's because there were more people, but if it's because of that, that's all the more reason to do these collaborations.\"<\/p>\r\nThe interactions between JC and NUS students during the rehearsals sparked conversations about what the younger musicians could do with the art form beyond JC, said first-year\u00a0Geography<\/a>\u00a0student Tara-Jade Sim. She shared: \"A lot of my juniors said they felt very unsure about CO. They're here because they have a passion for it, but they're struggling to see a future in continuing to pursue it.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18354\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS student Tara-Jade Sim (far left) connected with her Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra juniors during the NUSCO collaboration. Photo credit: Tara-Jade Sim<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nShowing the younger generation that there are avenues to continue playing and finding community in Chinese orchestra is key to keeping the art form alive, said Mr Gay, who shared that he hopes to add polytechnics to NUSCO's next collaboration.<\/p>\r\n\"No matter how well we play, a pipeline is still needed. We are addressing the core of the problem by reaching out to younger students, and during the concerts, we can share these ideas with three generations in the audience. If we do this with every school, there might be a chance to make CO more vibrant among the younger generation.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 22 January 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely<\/a><\/h3>20 January 2026 <\/div>Living alone in later life is often treated as a signal of social risk. The one-person household is easy to identify in administrative data and, as a result, frequently used as a proxy for loneliness in policy and service delivery.\r\n\r\nHowever, this assumption can be misleading.\r\n\r\nIn the opinion piece \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019 (Straits Times<\/em>, January 2026) by, Associate Professor Vincent Chua (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Professor Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho (NUS Geography and NUS Asia Research Institute), and Associate Professor Chen-Chieh Feng (NUS Geography) illustrate how numerous seniors who live alone remain socially active, mobile, and embedded in wide community networks in Singapore.\r\n\r\nThe editorial draws on their 2025 article in Ageing & Society<\/span><\/a><\/i>\u00a0titled \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019, where they conducted research on nearly 1,200 older Singaporeans, and found that while seniors living alone may be more likely to report loneliness, this risk is significantly reduced when they stay connected beyond the household. For instance, they may physically interact with others, communicate online, and move within their neighbourhoods \u2013 \u201cageing in networks\u201d across multiple places. As the authors point out, equating living alone with loneliness thus risks misdirecting attention and resources, overlooking seniors who may live with others but still experience isolation.\r\n\r\nRead \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019\u00a0 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nRead our post about \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18308\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"]
New \"AI+X\" degrees for emerging careers<\/strong>At a panel led by NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean entitled \"Earth, Space, Data and AI: Degrees that Launch You into the Future\", visitors were introduced to NUS' expanding slate of \"AI+X\" programmes, designed to integrate AI across diverse disciplines to meet the demand for new careers and fields driven by the technology.\r\nIts latest effort is the\u00a0new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme (GIX)<\/a>, the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, which welcomes its first cohort in August 2026. Co-hosted by the Department of Geography at the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0NUS Computing<\/a>, it will train students to synthesise earth, space, and environmental data - such as those collected by satellites, drones and mobile devices - with AI tools to tackle challenges in urban planning, transportation, and climate change. With courses spanning geography and computer science, and an emphasis on integrated problem-solving, the programme opens doors to sectors including smart cities and sustainable development, as well as the space and satellite industries.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18642\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Prospective students had the chance to hear from NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean (third from left) at a talk on NUS' suite of AI-focused degree programmes. Joining him were (from left to right) Associate Professor Peter Chan from the College of Design and Engineering, Associate Professor Kan Min-Yen from NUS Computing, Associate Professor Wang Yi-Chen from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Professor Gary Ang from NUS Enterprise.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThree other \"AI+X\" degrees were also highlighted. Admitting its second intake in August, the\u00a0Bachelor of Computing in Artificial Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0provides students with deep technical expertise, preparing them to design solutions to real-world problems using AI systems and models, grounded in a critical understanding of AI governance.<\/p>\r\nFormerly known as Information Systems, the\u00a0revamped Bachelor of Computing in Business Artificial Intelligence Systems<\/a>\u00a0integrates AI systems with business expertise to solve enterprise challenges and drive digital innovation.<\/p>\r\nAlso welcoming its second cohort in August is the\u00a0College of Design and Engineering<\/a>'s (CDE)\u00a0Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics and Machine Intelligence<\/a>\u00a0programme. Combining hardware, software, and AI, it prepares students to lead the applications of AI-enabled robotics - systems capable of sophisticated decisions and learning from their environments - in markets that are fast expanding beyond manufacturing to sectors such as healthcare, agriculture and logistics.<\/p>\r\nProf Thean emphasised that while NUS seeks to produce graduates who can capitalise on AI, the human element remains essential. \"New jobs and careers are emerging, and the question is how we prepare for them,\" he added, noting that the ultimate goal is for graduates to be adept at using the tools while possessing the critical thinking, decision-making and creativity to excel in the AI era.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18640\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (second from right) visited the various booths, including the CDE's showcase of its innovative projects and models.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nFuture-ready engineering\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\nAside from showcasing the new robotics and machine intelligence degree, CDE delivered a comprehensive overview of the available programmes tailored to the evolving landscape - from\u00a0Mechanical Engineering<\/a>\u00a0to the\u00a0Minor in Artificial Intelligence (Design and Engineering)<\/a>.<\/p>\r\nThe Mechanical Engineering talk explored AI's applications in a wide range of industries, from aeronautics and urban transportation to sustainable energy and future cities. Students were given an overview of their career prospects, ranging from thermal R&D engineers to process development scientists.<\/p>\r\nAnother exciting new programme highlighted was the Artificial Intelligence minor. In the light of AI's position as a national priority in Singapore, prospective students got a snapshot of the industry landscape, as well as how the minor's industry-focused approach provides hands-on learning experiences in fundamental AI concepts like machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18638\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The interactive Innovation and Robotics Showcase drew visitors to experience the cutting-edge technological innovations created by NUS faculty and students that are transforming our world for the better.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n<\/article>\r\nInnovations in action<\/strong>An interactive experience awaited visitors at the Innovation and Robotics Showcase, which featured futuristic projects by faculty and students at CDE,\u00a0NUS College<\/a>\u00a0(NUSC), and the\u00a0Centre for Quantum Technologies<\/a>\u00a0(CQT) that exemplify the spirit of cutting-edge innovation at NUS.<\/p>\r\nCDE presented an array of technologies making an impact in the real world, from virtual reality simulations that help users identify safety hazards in the construction industry to robot dogs that assist in search and rescue operations in hazardous terrain.<\/p>\r\nNUSC's \"Gut Guard\", a gamified learning\u00a0Impact Experience<\/a> project that tackles misconceptions about gut health, as well as CQT's technologies developed for Singapore's National Quantum-Safe Network testbed, were also on display.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18637\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The College of Humanities and Sciences unveiled a refreshed programme booth experience, grouping related disciplines into thematic zones to help prospective students better understand each discipline and how they can be meaningfully combined within the college's flexible curriculum.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nExploring real-world connections at CHS<\/strong>CHS, which brings together the\u00a0Faculty of Science<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>, traded individual programme booths for immersive thematic zones, allowing visitors to understand how diverse disciplines converge in the real world as part of a new approach that brought its interdisciplinary ethos to life.\r\nIn \"Understanding People and Societies\", which linked anthropology with sociology and psychology, they explored the role of these social sciences in understanding human behaviour, while \"Science in our Lives\" demonstrated the interconnected fields of chemical, biological and pharmaceutical science in contributing to better therapies.<\/p>\r\nUnderscoring this approach was \"Beyond the Textbook: Play, Policy, and Plants\", a panel which gathered faculty members from three interdisciplinary courses to discuss timely issues such as the importance of play in learning, the multifaceted aspects of drug regulation, and the study of plants as a lens for examining Southeast Asia's ecology, communities and livelihoods.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18636\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Apart from introducing its new campus at University Town, Law hosted an engaging line-up of talks, moot court demonstrations and masterclasses to welcome prospective students.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new chapter at UTown<\/strong>Following its\u00a0relocation from Bukit Timah<\/a>\u00a0to Kent Ridge, NUS Law offered prospective students a one-stop shop of what the faculty had to offer, with mooting sessions, thought-provoking masterclasses, and talks that highlighted its world-class faculty and illustrious alumni network.\r\nUnlike previous years, visitors no longer needed to shuttle between both campuses to explore all the Open House activities, said Mr Justin Tan, NUS Law's Vice-Dean (Student Affairs), who gave a welcome talk to prospective students. Remarking on the vibrant setting of its newly upgraded campus, he said, \"I think (visitors) will really love the fact that there are literally thousands of people living in UTown's apartment blocks, all within a few minutes' walk of our new campus. This translates to endless possibilities for a fantastic undergraduate life!\"<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\nBeyond the books<\/strong>NUSC<\/a>, the University's honours college, held sessions showcasing its\u00a0Global Experience<\/a>\u00a0(GEx) programme, which immerses students in 14 overseas sites for a month to engage deeply with their themes. In GEx New York, students examine its identity as a global city, investigating its urban development and cultural heritage through interactions with high-level diplomats, non-government organisations, and industry professionals.\r\nNUS Nursing<\/a>\u00a0held special classes where users learned empathetic communication in palliative care by conversing with an AI chatbot, and showcased its\u00a0new Concurrent Degree Programme<\/a>, which combines the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Honours) with the Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics).<\/p>\r\nMeanwhile,\u00a0NUS Medicine<\/a> offered a hands-on look at the future of medical education through clinical simulations, virtual reality stations, and insightful talks on its curriculum.<\/p>\r\nInside scoop on residential life<\/strong>Through talks, booths, and guided tours, Masters, Resident Fellows, and student leaders from the Residential Colleges, Halls, and Houses offered prospective students insights on the culture of their residences, the partnership between resident fellows and residents, and the vast array of student-led initiatives that foster vibrancy, community spirit, and inclusivity.\r\nNUS' newest hostel, the sports-themed\u00a0Valour House<\/a>, highlighted its key pillars of courage, strength, and resilience - characteristics not just of athletes but of students - to demonstrate its culture of supporting sporting achievements and encouraging residents to step out of their comfort zones.<\/p>\r\nVibrancy of NUS student life<\/strong>A dynamic line-up of performances and showcases, spotlighting some of NUS' finest talents in the performing arts, was presented by the various student clubs and interest groups at the Student Village. From upbeat, catchy tunes by\u00a0NUS Fingerstyle Guitar<\/a>\u00a0and a capella groups\u00a0NUS Resonance<\/a>,\u00a0RHythm<\/a>\u00a0from Raffles Hall, and\u00a0Eusoff Chorapella<\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0Eusoff Hall<\/a>\u00a0to skilful renditions by\u00a0Helix House<\/a>'s Helix Band and\u00a0Sheares Hall<\/a>'s Sheares Band, visitors were treated to a glimpse into the vibrant student experience at NUS beyond academic pursuits.<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 13 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS to offer Asia\u2019s first bachelor\u2019s-level geospatial intelligence programme to integrate geospatial data analysis with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence<\/a><\/h3>08 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh of the Department of Geography spoke to prospective students about the new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme at the 2026 NUS Open House on 7 March 2026.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe National University of Singapore (NUS) will offer a new major in geospatial intelligence that will train students to harness geospatial data and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to address complex problems in climate change mitigation, smart city design, business planning and more.<\/p>\r\nThe study and use of geospatial or location data have evolved from a field focused on mapping and visualisation to one that supports prediction, assessment and decision-making. With the rapid growth of data from satellites, sensors and social activity, combined with advances in computing and AI, geospatial intelligence has become essential for policymakers and organisations to extract insights that emerge from spatial patterns, anticipate risks and drive change.<\/p>\r\nThis has created strong demand for professionals who not only have foundational skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to organise and visualise spatial data, but also expertise in geospatial data science and advanced tools that let them create digital twins of real-world environments, including cities, buildings, transport networks, natural landscapes, ecosystems and social spaces, to explore scenarios, test solutions and make better data-driven decisions.<\/p>\r\nTherefore, NUS' new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in\u00a0Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme<\/a>\u00a0(GIX), the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, meets this demand and builds a talent pipeline in geospatial intelligence.<\/p>\r\nThe four-year programme is offered by the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>, led by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the\u00a0School of Computing (SOC)<\/a>, which contributes expertise in AI, data science and computational methods.<\/p>\r\nThe joint programme leverages world-leading expertise from the Department of Geography and SOC, which are both ranked No.1 in Asia for their respective subjects and in the top ten globally, and the strategic positioning of NUS in Singapore where high-density land utilisations present unique sets of geospatial challenges.<\/p>\r\nGIX will be offered to students matriculating in Academic Year 2026\/2027, which begins in August 2026.<\/p>\r\nUnlocking deeper insights for spatial decisions<\/u><\/strong>In Singapore, policymakers have recognised the profound impact of geospatial information and technology on decision-making and societal development. To realise its vision of becoming \"a leading global geospatial hub\", the Singapore Geospatial Masterplan 2024-2033 emphasises greater geospatial adoption and the strengthening of core capabilities in this field.<\/p>\r\nGeospatial intelligence has many practical applications. Beyond urban planning, transport and connectivity, geospatial intelligence is also used in disaster preparedness and resilience, as well as business optimisation and supply chain strengthening. As AI enhances the analysis of large-scale spatial data for such purposes, demand for professionals who can integrate geospatial expertise with AI capabilities is growing rapidly.<\/p>\r\n\"The introduction of this new degree programme is timely as demand for and interest in AI-powered jobs soar,\" said GIX Programme Director Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh.<\/p>\r\n\"The new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme gives undergraduates a strong foundation in geographic thinking, computational skills and AI, giving them a real edge across sectors such as smart urban systems, logistics, climate risk management and real estate analytics,\" added Assoc Prof Feng, who teaches GIS courses at the Department of Geography.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Kan Min-Yen, Vice Dean (Undergraduate Studies), School of Computing, who is also a programme convenor, said the programme will draw interest from students keen to work on real-world issues such as disaster response, urban planning or climate adaptation.<\/p>\r\n\"The programme complements NUS' existing offerings for students who want to combine data, computing and domain knowledge to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. The offering greatly increases the spectrum of cross-disciplinary programmes available to prospective students,\" said Assoc Prof Kan.<\/p>\r\nA preview session for the new programme was held today at the NUS 2026 Open House. Close to 100 prospective students and parents turned up to learn more about this emerging growth field and potential career pathways for geospatial intelligence experts in government, tech, urban solutions and environmental sectors.<\/p>\r\nThe Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme reflects NUS' commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future, equipping them with the skills to analyse complex spatial data, uncover patterns and generate actionable insights across a range of industries and societal challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 7 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>New Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS to advance interdisciplinary research on complex societal challenges<\/a><\/h3>05 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18559\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Present at the launch of the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS today were (from left) CSSH Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dandan Qiao from NUS School of Computing; CSSH Co-Director Prof Atreyi Kankanhalli from NUS School of Computing; Prof Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS School of Computing; Prof Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology); Prof Lionel Wee, Dean of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; CSSH Co-Director Prof Peter Millican from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and Assoc Prof Miguel Escobar Varela from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new research centre at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is bringing together data science, AI and computational methods with deep insights from social sciences and humanities to better understand complex social phenomena and develop solutions to pressing societal challenges. By combining technological innovation with human insight, the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) aims to generate research that improves lives, strengthens institutions, preserves cultural knowledge, and shapes more inclusive and resilient societies in Singapore and beyond.<\/p>\r\n\r\nOfficially launched today, CSSH is the first in Singapore to systematically bring together computational social science and the humanities within a single centre to bridge research, policy and real-world applications.<\/p>\r\nThe Centre draws on expertise across disciplines including computing, new media, linguistics, geography, public policy and healthcare, amongst others. This interdisciplinary foundation enables CSSH to examine how digital technologies intersect with social systems, such as assessing the societal implications of AI-enabled platforms, using digital tools to help preserve Singapore's cultural heritage, and strengthening digital literacy in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\r\nNUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, \"Rapid advances in digital technologies and AI are transforming our world. But technological breakthroughs are only as valuable as the difference they make to peoples' lives. CSSH reflects NUS' commitment to ensuring that innovation translates to tangible improvements in how we live, work and build stronger communities. By integrating computational methods with social science and humanities, the Centre will help translate research insights into policies and practices that deliver real-world impact.\"<\/p>\r\nShe added that the Centre complements Singapore's broader push for innovative, responsible harnessing of technology and AI which emphasises that progress should be not only technically advanced, but trusted, inclusive and grounded in real social needs.<\/p>\r\nDriving real-world impact through interdisciplinary innovation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\r\nCSSH is led by Co-Directors Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the\u00a0NUS School of Computing<\/a>\u00a0and Professor Peter Millican from the\u00a0NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>. The Centre supports both seed funding for emerging ideas and larger projects, all designed to generate real-world impact.<\/p>\r\nProf Kankanhalli said, \"What distinguishes CSSH is our ability to study human behaviour, institutions and societies at a scale and depth that was not previously possible. By combining computational methods with rich domain expertise in the social sciences and humanities, we can uncover patterns, test ideas, and generate evidence that directly informs policy and practice. Our goal is not just to analyse social problems, but to help shape systems that work better for people.\"<\/p>\r\nSince beginning operations in the second half of 2024, CSSH has embarked on more than 50 interdisciplinary projects involving 105 researchers from across NUS and their external collaborators. The projects demonstrate the breadth of its work - from AI-enabled analysis of social media impacts to digital preservation of historical archives.<\/p>\r\nAmongst the major research projects currently being undertaken by CSSH is one titled \"Computational Social Simulations for Aiding Policy Design\", led by Prof Kankanhalli. In this five-year project, researchers from NUS and three other local universities are collaborating to develop an AI-driven social simulation platform for policymakers to help test and refine policy interventions before they are rolled out.<\/p>\r\nUsing large language models (LLMs), the platform will model diverse public personas to enable policymakers to conduct swift preliminary testing of policy ideas. The simulations will complement traditional research methods by reducing the frequency of costly, time-consuming large-scale surveys and field studies during early policy development, while retaining real-world validation and community engagement at critical decision points. CSSH Deputy Director Associate Professor Dandan Qiao from the NUS School of Computing is also contributing her expertise to the project.<\/p>\r\nAnother project titled \"The Jawi AI Project\", led by NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Miguel Escobar Varela, harnesses AI to enable large-scale transliteration and analysis of Jawi texts. Early Malay-language newspapers in Singapore, published between 1870 and 1970 were written in Jawi, a script few can read today.<\/p>\r\nIn collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB), the team comprising local and foreign experts is transforming thousands of archived pages into searchable Malay text, significantly expanding the range of materials available at NLB's digitised archives. Assoc Prof Escobar Varela, who is also Deputy Director at CSSH, noted that the project could significantly expand research into Malay-language journalism and public debate in the region, broadening how Singapore's history is understood and taught.<\/p>\r\nProf Millican highlighted that a core mission of CSSH is to break down the walls between disciplines. By connecting humanities and social science researchers with computing and data science experts, the Centre fosters collaborations that neither field could achieve alone. \"Many of today's biggest challenges demand both deep specialist insight and serious technical firepower\", he explained, \"whether they involve untangling complex social issues, tackling health crises, anticipating future problems, or building the tools to address these. CSSH provides a natural home for such interdisciplinary conversations.\"<\/p>\r\nHe added that the Centre looks forward to developing more projects addressing societal challenges to which computational insights can make the greatest difference. Focus areas include AI and emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental policy, population trends and demographic change, public health and social care, and the preservation and understanding of history and cultural heritage.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 4 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>EVENT | Work, Migration, Policy Implications | 19 Mar, 2:30-5:15 pm<\/a><\/h3>01 March 2026 <\/div>The Singapore Research Nexus at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) invites you to \u2018Work, Migration, Policy Implications\u2019, a policy outreach event that brings social science research into conversation with urgent questions of governance, labour, and family in our interconnected world.\r\n\r\nAcross three studies, we shall examine how Singapore operates as an aspirational reference for urban futures beyond its borders, as a site where migrant workers navigate systems of redress and care, and as a global city in which highly educated women negotiate work and motherhood commitments.\r\n\r\nBy bridging future-looking visions with grounded ethnographic and comparative research, this event speaks to policymakers, scholars and students interested in how work and mobility are governed, and how individuals, in turn, navigate and reshape these structures. Join us for an engaging discussion on the possibilities and limits of policy in shaping more just and inclusive societies.\r\n\r\n \tPlanning Africa\u2019s Singapore: Geographical Imagination and Practices\u2019 by Dr Allen XIAO (Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Geography)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018\u2018Complaint: Migrant Workers, Wage Theft, and the Possibilities of Care\u2019 by Nur Amali IBRAHIM (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018Opting For the Optionless: Comparing Stay-at-home Motherhood among College-educated Chinese Women in Shanghai, Singapore, and New York\u2019 by Zheng MU (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nDate and Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2026, 2:30-5:10 pm\r\n\r\nVenue: FASS AS7 Research Division Seminar Room (6-42) and Zoom\r\n\r\nVenue Address: NUS AS7 Shaw Foundation Building, 5 Arts Link, 117570\r\n\r\nRegister:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn-person here<\/a>\r\n\r\nvia Zoom here<\/a>\r\n\r\nGet the programme here<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/a><\/h3>28 February 2026 <\/div>The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement, was conceived amid global uncertainty shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. In such a rapidly shifting landscape, existing theories on free trade agreements (FTAs) may fall short in explaining or predicting RCEP\u2019s evolving impact. \u2018Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic\u2019, a Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 grant funded from 2025 to 2028, brings together a multidisciplinary team led by Assistant Professor Wei Luo (NUS Geography & NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health), Professor Dariusz W\u00f3jcik (NUS Geography), Assistant Professor Sanjana Goswami (NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy), Assistant Professor Chen Liu (NUS Economics), and Dr Rui Dai (University of Pennsylvania).<\/p>\r\nThe team aims to build the first near real-time, data-driven surveillance system for monitoring RCEP\u2019s impact \u2013 an innovative framework that blends computational analysis with human expertise. This system will support more responsive, evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN at a critical juncture for the region. Central to the project is the use of advanced analytical tools to track trade flows and uncover the structural forces shaping economic interactions among RCEP member states.<\/p>\r\nThe project has three core objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enrich the literature on FTA networks by incorporating the complex dynamics introduced by geopolitical shifts and liberalised trade regimes. Secondly, it aims to apply gravity models and other advanced techniques to examine the underlying drivers of trade flows, drawing on newly curated datasets that reflect real-time developments. Thirdly, it will analyse the broader macroeconomic implications of these trade dynamics, with a particular focus on post-pandemic recovery and regional integration.<\/p>\r\nTo meet these goals, the researchers will gather direct trade data and relevant proxies to build an empirical framework that can capture the structural determinants of trade under the RCEP agreement. In doing so, the study fills a key gap in quantitative research on modern FTAs, offering actionable insights to governments, economists, and strategic planners.<\/p>\r\nUltimately, the platform will provide practical guidance for ASEAN policymakers as they navigate the dual imperatives of deepening regional integration and managing external pressures. In highlighting the delicate balance between cooperation and protectionism, it seeks to position RCEP as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_16157\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"] Photo: iStock\/sarawuth702[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Mindset shifts for a kinder, happier Singapore<\/a><\/h3>20 February 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18447\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, opened the in-person Singapore Perspectives 2026 conference by discussing the history of the Singapore Pledge and how the founders viewed the pursuit of happiness and social cohesion.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nWhat does social cohesion have to do with happiness and the very notion of being Singaporean? Everything, if we examine the drafting and final phrasing of our National Pledge, said Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies<\/a>\u00a0(IPS) at NUS, at the annual Singapore Perspectives conference organised by the Institute in January 2026.<\/p>\r\nThe conference's discussions centred on the theme of Fraternity and explored ways to help Singaporeans connect with one another, even as technological disruption, cultural differences and competition pose a constant threat to unity. As the panellists discussed community and government interventions, a pattern emerged of key mindset shifts that must be embraced alongside such efforts for Singapore to become a kinder, more inclusive society.<\/p>\r\nSpeaking on the second day of the conference, Mr Devan used the historical context of the Pledge to frame the importance of nurturing social cohesion in Singapore. The original draft ended with a commitment to \"seek happiness and progress by helping one another\", which was later edited to read \"achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.\"<\/p>\r\nThe two versions taken together imply that the pursuit of happiness is a collective one for Singaporeans.<\/p>\r\nTaking individual ownership<\/strong>While Singaporeans often look to the government to address issues related to social cohesion, panellists at the first session, \"Rethinking Social Capital in a Smart Nation\", stressed that no policy or programme can succeed if individuals do not choose to engage with one another and build interpersonal trust. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with each of us to take ownership and nurture connections in our own everyday spaces.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18446\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr Ang Jin Shaun, Founder of Stranger Conversations; Professor Lim Sun Sun of Singapore Management University; Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Education; and Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Governance and Economy at IPS, who moderated the first panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nMs Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Ministry of Education, illustrated this through the different roles she plays - parent, sibling, neighbour and government official - and the contribution she can make in each. As a parent, she thinks about how she would manage her children's screen time and encourage them to converse with new people, while in her role at work, she considers what she can do to keep online spaces safe.<\/p>\r\nShe used a fellow panellist Mr Ang Jin Shaun's social initiative, Stranger Conversations, as an example of how simple, individual actions can collectively strengthen social cohesion. The sessions are initiated by hosts with a personal story or passion, creating a space for participants to listen and respond. \"We can't all be Stranger Conversations (hosts). Someone sets it up, other people attend, other people share. And if you're the person with the interesting story, then you come out and share because you can bring a group together.\"<\/p>\r\nSerendipitous encounters are becoming rarer as we spend more time interacting digitally, but meaningful connections can still be cultivated if we are brave enough to reach out and allow others to respond, said Mr Ang. \"It is sort of an act of service when you share something and make other people feel like they're not alone, because this topic that you are sharing is meaningful to others as well,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\"The question is, do we think that this level of connection is a need or a want? If we think it's a want and this is a lower priority, then that's going to get in the way of these serendipitous connections happening.\"<\/p>\r\nSeeing differences as relational, not oppositional<\/strong>In the second panel, \"Navigating Challenges to Social Cohesion,\" panellists examined how Singapore's diversity, sometimes seen as a fault line, can instead become a strength. Rather than fearing disagreement and division, Singaporeans can explore our differences through relationships and learn to see one another \"as people, not proxies for communities or belief systems,\" said Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder and director of non-governmental organisation The Whitehatters.<\/p>\r\nThe Whitehatters offers safe spaces and skilled facilitation to help people interact through dialogue, sports and the arts, and discuss topics like race and religion. Shared Ms Shahrany: \"It requires sustained effort to build trust and address tensions before they harden into divisions... Our task is not to reduce differences, but to ensure that differences are held in relationship rather than allowed to polarise.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18445\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Ms Shahrany Hassan, Founder and Director of The Whitehatters; Professor Elaine Ho of the Department of Geography at FASS and Asia Research Institute; Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance; and Associate Professor Razwana Begum of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who moderated the second panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nIn addition to shared interests like cooking, enjoying food and playing football, public spaces are another lever that should be used to encourage informal friendships through commonalities, said Professor Elaine Ho, who is Provost's Chair Professor of the\u00a0Department of Geography<\/a>\u00a0at the\u00a0Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>\u00a0(FASS) and Research Leader for the Migration and Mobilities Cluster at the\u00a0Asia Research Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"Not everything has to be structured programmes\u2026 As we design Singapore, we also need to think about building these kinds of spaces where people can get together informally,\" she said, highlighting sports fields and void decks, especially the more open designs in older estates, as examples of spaces that promote natural interactions.<\/p>\r\nRedefining merit<\/strong>The third panel, \"Building a More Inclusive and 'We First' Society\", grappled with the competitive nature that is inherent in Singapore's economic model and characteristic of its people. The mindset shift they called for was to redefine merit not just through words, but through action.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Vincent Chua of the\u00a0Department of Sociology and Anthropology<\/a>\u00a0at FASS explained three \"Rs\" of inequality that erode social cohesion: resource inequality, relational inequality and recognition inequality.<\/p>\r\nThe gradual reduction in income inequality has partially addressed resource inequality, though wealth inequality remains a tougher issue to tackle. Meanwhile, social mixing in public housing, schools and workplaces helps to reduce relational inequality, but a divide remains between public and private housing residents.<\/p>\r\nRecognition inequality is \"the last of the giants,\" said Assoc Prof Chua.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18444\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education; Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre; Associate Professor Vincent Chua of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at FASS; and Dr Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Society and Culture at IPS, who moderated the third panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\"Sixty years of meritocracy has taught us to see ourselves and others in a certain way - through the lenses of achievement,\" he said, explaining that this perspective conflates resources with respect and ties perceptions of human worth to indicators of success and achievement. \"How we see others determines how we treat them and how we relate to them, subsequently impacting social cohesion.\"<\/p>\r\nMoving beyond the usual calls to redefine success, Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, called on institutions to lead the way through their hiring processes and community involvement.<\/p>\r\nFor instance, instead of hiring on the basis of academic grades or typical achievements, employers should consider a broader range of qualifying capabilities. Community contributions should be rewarded, such as through awarding scholarships to young people who are doing ground-up work and recognising employees who volunteer for community causes.<\/p>\r\n\"When organisations begin to put more weightage on community contributions, that's how institutions\u2026 can change that metric of success within your organisations and provide the substance to being able to encourage young people to take this seriously,\" said Mr Soh.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 19 February 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore<\/a><\/h3>23 January 2026 <\/div>According to the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, Singapore could face increasingly extreme weather conditions, with more frequent scorching days, prolonged dry spells, and temperatures potentially rising by up to 5 degrees Celsius by 2100. These changes, driven by global climate change, will heighten the risks of heat stress, a condition where excessive heat overwhelms the body\u2019s ability to regulate itself. In densely built-up environments like Singapore, the canopy-layer urban heat island (CL-UHI) effect, caused by differences in land surface characteristics between urban and surrounding rural areas, intensifies temperature variability across the city.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn \u2018Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore\u2019 (<\/span>Sustainability<\/span><\/i>, 2023), Beatriz Sanchez (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology, Spain), Professor Matthias Roth (NUS Geography), Pratiman Patel (NUS Geography), and Andr\u00e9s Sim\u00f3n-Moral (TECHNALIA, Spain) developed a semi-empirical approach to model and map daily maximum urban heat island intensities in Singapore. Using over three years of observational temperature data from 26 sites around Singapore, the researchers first tested an existing empirical equation from previous research. While errors were reasonably low, the model did not capture patterns as well in Singapore compared to the other locations the original model was developed for.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo address this, the researchers derived their own equation using variables known to influence urban heat islands, such as land cover, building height, and meteorological conditions. Evaluation showed that their customised equation modelled daily maximum CL-UHI intensities reasonably well under different weather scenarios in Singapore, with the most intense heat islands occurring in highly developed central areas as expected. The resulting maps from the study can pinpoint vulnerable areas in need of cooling strategies to alleviate heat stress, a crucial challenge for an equatorial city like Singapore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nEmpirically tailored models like this offer an efficient way to estimate heat exposure and guide local adaptation efforts. This approach could also be valuable for other rapidly urbanising tropical regions experiencing rising temperatures due to global warming. With further refinements, similar techniques applied globally could promote climate-resilient urban development as cities increasingly face the impacts of climate change.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead the article <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_15621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2121\"] Photo: iStock\/southtownboy[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Arts for All enriches arts community within and beyond NUS<\/a><\/h3>22 January 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18359\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS Chinese Orchestra welcomed students from six junior colleges to play and learn together in a collaboration spurred by the Arts for All initiative. Above: The students pose after a fireside chat with composers Mr Wang Chenwei (centre left in front row, in blue) and Ms Hannah Hsieh (centre of front row, in black), forming the letter \"C\" with their hands and \"O\" with their mouths to represent the abbreviation for Chinese orchestra.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nTwo years after it was piloted in late 2023, the Arts for All (AFA)<\/a>\u00a0initiative is making waves in NUS, enabling students to embed the arts into their student life and learning journey - and beyond, through outreach efforts to younger musicians across Singapore.<\/p>\r\nEnriching the NUS student experience<\/strong>The AFA framework developed by the\u00a0NUS Office of Student Affairs<\/a>\u00a0Centre for the Arts<\/a>\u00a0(CFA) was designed to create access to the arts at various levels. It offers opportunities to initiate and participate in ground-up and student-led community initiatives, join extra-curricular activities and arts groups, and commit to year-long courses as part of four credit-bearing performing arts groups.<\/p>\r\nProgrammes administered by the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>\u00a0(YST) and CFA also enable students to pursue a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts using the credits earned from their participation in credit-bearing arts groups and courses. YST courses comprise the majority of additional courses that students can take to fulfil their Minor or Second Major requirements, and YST faculty contribute their expertise in assessing and grading students in the credit-bearing arts groups, which currently include the NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO), NUS Wind Symphony (NUSWS), NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) and NUS Chinese Dance.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Chan Tze Law, NUS Vice Dean of Students who oversees CFA and led the creation of AFA, described the initiative's intent as not being about producing more artists - \"though some students may discover their calling that way,\" he noted. Assoc Prof Chan, who is also\u00a0Vice Dean at YST, added that\u00a0\"it's about using the arts as a vehicle for developing a full range of human capabilities: creativity, resilience, moral reasoning, cultural intelligence, collaborative skills and the confidence to make something new in the world.\"<\/p>\r\nFrom August 2024 to May 2025 (AY2024\/2025), more than 10,000 students took part in student-led arts activities. These included the 22 programmes organised under\u00a0third space,\u00a0<\/i>an initiative to create arts gathering spaces on campus and provide more opportunities for arts encounters, and 30 programmes presented over eight weeks by extra-curricular activity and arts groups at the NUS Arts Festival.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18358\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"] The third space initiative hosts student-led programmes like this site-specific dance theatre piece, performed at the park adjoining NUS Central Library on 14 February 2025 as part of the NUS Arts Festival.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nEnrolment in the credit-bearing groups and courses increased by more than 40 per cent in AY2023\/2024 to more than 200 students in AY2024\/2025, with NUSWS even gaining enough members to form two wind symphonies. More students are also expressing interest in pursuing a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts.<\/p>\r\nInspiring younger artists in the broader arts scene<\/strong>A key factor in broadening AFA's impact beyond NUS is the initiative's requirement for all student groups to plan and produce two performances per academic year: one that showcases their excellence in their art form, and another that involves education or outreach.<\/p>\r\nOver the last two years, NUSWS, NUSSO and NUSCO have collaborated with local educational institutions, culminating in side-by-side concerts at NUS. NUSWS and NUSSO each partnered with one primary school in 2024, with NUSSO continuing its partnership in 2025, while NUSCO collaborated with six junior colleges (JCs) in 2025. CFA supported the groups in organising the practice sessions and concerts, with the two most recent concerts taking place in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18357\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUSSO members worked with young string players from Greenwood Primary School to present heartwarming side-by-side performances in 2024 and 2025.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe positive experience has been mutual amongst collaborators. NUS students get the opportunity to share their passion and inspire younger musicians, while the young musicians get exposure to new and different ways of learning together.<\/p>\r\nRenowned conductor Mr Moses Gay, who is a principal tutor at NUSCO, said, \"During rehearsals, I ask the NUSCO students to question things and give their own recommendations. This is part of making music together, but it was new to the JC students, and it sparked their curiosity.\"<\/p>\r\nUltimately, Mr Gay said that the vision is to build a community that encompasses both NUS and the broader arts community, from primary school students just beginning their musical journeys to JC students thinking about their tertiary education options.<\/p>\r\n\"Aside from sharing our art form within NUS, our university arts groups need to bring people in to see that NUS is vibrant, so they will want to be a part of this,\" said Mr Gay.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18356\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The NUSCO collaboration with the JCs gave the younger musicians a glimpse of how they could continue pursuing their art form in the next chapter of their education journey.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA\u00a0<\/strong>catalyst for revitalising traditional music forms<\/strong>The outreach efforts by NUS students through AFA have been an opportunity to breathe life into traditional music practices.<\/p>\r\nMr Gay, who also conducts the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, has observed that declining participation has resulted in many schools disbanding or downsizing their Chinese orchestras to chamber groups of 15 to 20 members, instead of the 60 to 100 in a typical orchestra. He therefore sought to rally as many JCs as possible to give young Chinese orchestra musicians the experience of playing in a large orchestra.<\/p>\r\nAssoc Prof Chan gave his full support, noting that by nurturing younger musicians, NUSCO will not only raise its profile among JC students who will apply to universities within the next couple of years, but also send a message to the broader arts community about the value of Chinese orchestra: \"NUS is paying attention.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18355\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Playing in a combined Chinese orchestra of about 130 was a memorable experience for the NUS and JC musicians, who were used to playing in smaller ensembles.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nJC and NUS students alike were thrilled at the opportunity to play in the combined orchestra of about 130 musicians. River Valley High School student Pang Wei Qing said that getting to connect with musicians from other COs made her feel more \"like part of a Chinese orchestra,\" while Tanya Toh, a student from Raffles Institution, described performing with such a large orchestra as \"an amazing experience.\"<\/p>\r\nSaid Sim Xin Yu, a Year 2\u00a0Pharmacy<\/a>\u00a0student who is NUSCO's concertmaster: \"It was one of the best concerts we've had since I joined NUSCO - the quality was better. I'm not sure if it's because there were more people, but if it's because of that, that's all the more reason to do these collaborations.\"<\/p>\r\nThe interactions between JC and NUS students during the rehearsals sparked conversations about what the younger musicians could do with the art form beyond JC, said first-year\u00a0Geography<\/a>\u00a0student Tara-Jade Sim. She shared: \"A lot of my juniors said they felt very unsure about CO. They're here because they have a passion for it, but they're struggling to see a future in continuing to pursue it.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18354\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS student Tara-Jade Sim (far left) connected with her Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra juniors during the NUSCO collaboration. Photo credit: Tara-Jade Sim<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nShowing the younger generation that there are avenues to continue playing and finding community in Chinese orchestra is key to keeping the art form alive, said Mr Gay, who shared that he hopes to add polytechnics to NUSCO's next collaboration.<\/p>\r\n\"No matter how well we play, a pipeline is still needed. We are addressing the core of the problem by reaching out to younger students, and during the concerts, we can share these ideas with three generations in the audience. If we do this with every school, there might be a chance to make CO more vibrant among the younger generation.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 22 January 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely<\/a><\/h3>20 January 2026 <\/div>Living alone in later life is often treated as a signal of social risk. The one-person household is easy to identify in administrative data and, as a result, frequently used as a proxy for loneliness in policy and service delivery.\r\n\r\nHowever, this assumption can be misleading.\r\n\r\nIn the opinion piece \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019 (Straits Times<\/em>, January 2026) by, Associate Professor Vincent Chua (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Professor Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho (NUS Geography and NUS Asia Research Institute), and Associate Professor Chen-Chieh Feng (NUS Geography) illustrate how numerous seniors who live alone remain socially active, mobile, and embedded in wide community networks in Singapore.\r\n\r\nThe editorial draws on their 2025 article in Ageing & Society<\/span><\/a><\/i>\u00a0titled \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019, where they conducted research on nearly 1,200 older Singaporeans, and found that while seniors living alone may be more likely to report loneliness, this risk is significantly reduced when they stay connected beyond the household. For instance, they may physically interact with others, communicate online, and move within their neighbourhoods \u2013 \u201cageing in networks\u201d across multiple places. As the authors point out, equating living alone with loneliness thus risks misdirecting attention and resources, overlooking seniors who may live with others but still experience isolation.\r\n\r\nRead \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019\u00a0 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nRead our post about \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18308\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"]
Exploring real-world connections at CHS<\/strong>CHS, which brings together the\u00a0Faculty of Science<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>, traded individual programme booths for immersive thematic zones, allowing visitors to understand how diverse disciplines converge in the real world as part of a new approach that brought its interdisciplinary ethos to life.\r\nIn \"Understanding People and Societies\", which linked anthropology with sociology and psychology, they explored the role of these social sciences in understanding human behaviour, while \"Science in our Lives\" demonstrated the interconnected fields of chemical, biological and pharmaceutical science in contributing to better therapies.<\/p>\r\nUnderscoring this approach was \"Beyond the Textbook: Play, Policy, and Plants\", a panel which gathered faculty members from three interdisciplinary courses to discuss timely issues such as the importance of play in learning, the multifaceted aspects of drug regulation, and the study of plants as a lens for examining Southeast Asia's ecology, communities and livelihoods.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18636\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Apart from introducing its new campus at University Town, Law hosted an engaging line-up of talks, moot court demonstrations and masterclasses to welcome prospective students.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new chapter at UTown<\/strong>Following its\u00a0relocation from Bukit Timah<\/a>\u00a0to Kent Ridge, NUS Law offered prospective students a one-stop shop of what the faculty had to offer, with mooting sessions, thought-provoking masterclasses, and talks that highlighted its world-class faculty and illustrious alumni network.\r\nUnlike previous years, visitors no longer needed to shuttle between both campuses to explore all the Open House activities, said Mr Justin Tan, NUS Law's Vice-Dean (Student Affairs), who gave a welcome talk to prospective students. Remarking on the vibrant setting of its newly upgraded campus, he said, \"I think (visitors) will really love the fact that there are literally thousands of people living in UTown's apartment blocks, all within a few minutes' walk of our new campus. This translates to endless possibilities for a fantastic undergraduate life!\"<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\nBeyond the books<\/strong>NUSC<\/a>, the University's honours college, held sessions showcasing its\u00a0Global Experience<\/a>\u00a0(GEx) programme, which immerses students in 14 overseas sites for a month to engage deeply with their themes. In GEx New York, students examine its identity as a global city, investigating its urban development and cultural heritage through interactions with high-level diplomats, non-government organisations, and industry professionals.\r\nNUS Nursing<\/a>\u00a0held special classes where users learned empathetic communication in palliative care by conversing with an AI chatbot, and showcased its\u00a0new Concurrent Degree Programme<\/a>, which combines the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Honours) with the Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics).<\/p>\r\nMeanwhile,\u00a0NUS Medicine<\/a> offered a hands-on look at the future of medical education through clinical simulations, virtual reality stations, and insightful talks on its curriculum.<\/p>\r\nInside scoop on residential life<\/strong>Through talks, booths, and guided tours, Masters, Resident Fellows, and student leaders from the Residential Colleges, Halls, and Houses offered prospective students insights on the culture of their residences, the partnership between resident fellows and residents, and the vast array of student-led initiatives that foster vibrancy, community spirit, and inclusivity.\r\nNUS' newest hostel, the sports-themed\u00a0Valour House<\/a>, highlighted its key pillars of courage, strength, and resilience - characteristics not just of athletes but of students - to demonstrate its culture of supporting sporting achievements and encouraging residents to step out of their comfort zones.<\/p>\r\nVibrancy of NUS student life<\/strong>A dynamic line-up of performances and showcases, spotlighting some of NUS' finest talents in the performing arts, was presented by the various student clubs and interest groups at the Student Village. From upbeat, catchy tunes by\u00a0NUS Fingerstyle Guitar<\/a>\u00a0and a capella groups\u00a0NUS Resonance<\/a>,\u00a0RHythm<\/a>\u00a0from Raffles Hall, and\u00a0Eusoff Chorapella<\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0Eusoff Hall<\/a>\u00a0to skilful renditions by\u00a0Helix House<\/a>'s Helix Band and\u00a0Sheares Hall<\/a>'s Sheares Band, visitors were treated to a glimpse into the vibrant student experience at NUS beyond academic pursuits.<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 13 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS to offer Asia\u2019s first bachelor\u2019s-level geospatial intelligence programme to integrate geospatial data analysis with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence<\/a><\/h3>08 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh of the Department of Geography spoke to prospective students about the new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme at the 2026 NUS Open House on 7 March 2026.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe National University of Singapore (NUS) will offer a new major in geospatial intelligence that will train students to harness geospatial data and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to address complex problems in climate change mitigation, smart city design, business planning and more.<\/p>\r\nThe study and use of geospatial or location data have evolved from a field focused on mapping and visualisation to one that supports prediction, assessment and decision-making. With the rapid growth of data from satellites, sensors and social activity, combined with advances in computing and AI, geospatial intelligence has become essential for policymakers and organisations to extract insights that emerge from spatial patterns, anticipate risks and drive change.<\/p>\r\nThis has created strong demand for professionals who not only have foundational skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to organise and visualise spatial data, but also expertise in geospatial data science and advanced tools that let them create digital twins of real-world environments, including cities, buildings, transport networks, natural landscapes, ecosystems and social spaces, to explore scenarios, test solutions and make better data-driven decisions.<\/p>\r\nTherefore, NUS' new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in\u00a0Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme<\/a>\u00a0(GIX), the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, meets this demand and builds a talent pipeline in geospatial intelligence.<\/p>\r\nThe four-year programme is offered by the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>, led by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the\u00a0School of Computing (SOC)<\/a>, which contributes expertise in AI, data science and computational methods.<\/p>\r\nThe joint programme leverages world-leading expertise from the Department of Geography and SOC, which are both ranked No.1 in Asia for their respective subjects and in the top ten globally, and the strategic positioning of NUS in Singapore where high-density land utilisations present unique sets of geospatial challenges.<\/p>\r\nGIX will be offered to students matriculating in Academic Year 2026\/2027, which begins in August 2026.<\/p>\r\nUnlocking deeper insights for spatial decisions<\/u><\/strong>In Singapore, policymakers have recognised the profound impact of geospatial information and technology on decision-making and societal development. To realise its vision of becoming \"a leading global geospatial hub\", the Singapore Geospatial Masterplan 2024-2033 emphasises greater geospatial adoption and the strengthening of core capabilities in this field.<\/p>\r\nGeospatial intelligence has many practical applications. Beyond urban planning, transport and connectivity, geospatial intelligence is also used in disaster preparedness and resilience, as well as business optimisation and supply chain strengthening. As AI enhances the analysis of large-scale spatial data for such purposes, demand for professionals who can integrate geospatial expertise with AI capabilities is growing rapidly.<\/p>\r\n\"The introduction of this new degree programme is timely as demand for and interest in AI-powered jobs soar,\" said GIX Programme Director Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh.<\/p>\r\n\"The new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme gives undergraduates a strong foundation in geographic thinking, computational skills and AI, giving them a real edge across sectors such as smart urban systems, logistics, climate risk management and real estate analytics,\" added Assoc Prof Feng, who teaches GIS courses at the Department of Geography.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Kan Min-Yen, Vice Dean (Undergraduate Studies), School of Computing, who is also a programme convenor, said the programme will draw interest from students keen to work on real-world issues such as disaster response, urban planning or climate adaptation.<\/p>\r\n\"The programme complements NUS' existing offerings for students who want to combine data, computing and domain knowledge to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. The offering greatly increases the spectrum of cross-disciplinary programmes available to prospective students,\" said Assoc Prof Kan.<\/p>\r\nA preview session for the new programme was held today at the NUS 2026 Open House. Close to 100 prospective students and parents turned up to learn more about this emerging growth field and potential career pathways for geospatial intelligence experts in government, tech, urban solutions and environmental sectors.<\/p>\r\nThe Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme reflects NUS' commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future, equipping them with the skills to analyse complex spatial data, uncover patterns and generate actionable insights across a range of industries and societal challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 7 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>New Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS to advance interdisciplinary research on complex societal challenges<\/a><\/h3>05 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18559\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Present at the launch of the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS today were (from left) CSSH Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dandan Qiao from NUS School of Computing; CSSH Co-Director Prof Atreyi Kankanhalli from NUS School of Computing; Prof Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS School of Computing; Prof Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology); Prof Lionel Wee, Dean of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; CSSH Co-Director Prof Peter Millican from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and Assoc Prof Miguel Escobar Varela from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new research centre at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is bringing together data science, AI and computational methods with deep insights from social sciences and humanities to better understand complex social phenomena and develop solutions to pressing societal challenges. By combining technological innovation with human insight, the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) aims to generate research that improves lives, strengthens institutions, preserves cultural knowledge, and shapes more inclusive and resilient societies in Singapore and beyond.<\/p>\r\n\r\nOfficially launched today, CSSH is the first in Singapore to systematically bring together computational social science and the humanities within a single centre to bridge research, policy and real-world applications.<\/p>\r\nThe Centre draws on expertise across disciplines including computing, new media, linguistics, geography, public policy and healthcare, amongst others. This interdisciplinary foundation enables CSSH to examine how digital technologies intersect with social systems, such as assessing the societal implications of AI-enabled platforms, using digital tools to help preserve Singapore's cultural heritage, and strengthening digital literacy in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\r\nNUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, \"Rapid advances in digital technologies and AI are transforming our world. But technological breakthroughs are only as valuable as the difference they make to peoples' lives. CSSH reflects NUS' commitment to ensuring that innovation translates to tangible improvements in how we live, work and build stronger communities. By integrating computational methods with social science and humanities, the Centre will help translate research insights into policies and practices that deliver real-world impact.\"<\/p>\r\nShe added that the Centre complements Singapore's broader push for innovative, responsible harnessing of technology and AI which emphasises that progress should be not only technically advanced, but trusted, inclusive and grounded in real social needs.<\/p>\r\nDriving real-world impact through interdisciplinary innovation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\r\nCSSH is led by Co-Directors Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the\u00a0NUS School of Computing<\/a>\u00a0and Professor Peter Millican from the\u00a0NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>. The Centre supports both seed funding for emerging ideas and larger projects, all designed to generate real-world impact.<\/p>\r\nProf Kankanhalli said, \"What distinguishes CSSH is our ability to study human behaviour, institutions and societies at a scale and depth that was not previously possible. By combining computational methods with rich domain expertise in the social sciences and humanities, we can uncover patterns, test ideas, and generate evidence that directly informs policy and practice. Our goal is not just to analyse social problems, but to help shape systems that work better for people.\"<\/p>\r\nSince beginning operations in the second half of 2024, CSSH has embarked on more than 50 interdisciplinary projects involving 105 researchers from across NUS and their external collaborators. The projects demonstrate the breadth of its work - from AI-enabled analysis of social media impacts to digital preservation of historical archives.<\/p>\r\nAmongst the major research projects currently being undertaken by CSSH is one titled \"Computational Social Simulations for Aiding Policy Design\", led by Prof Kankanhalli. In this five-year project, researchers from NUS and three other local universities are collaborating to develop an AI-driven social simulation platform for policymakers to help test and refine policy interventions before they are rolled out.<\/p>\r\nUsing large language models (LLMs), the platform will model diverse public personas to enable policymakers to conduct swift preliminary testing of policy ideas. The simulations will complement traditional research methods by reducing the frequency of costly, time-consuming large-scale surveys and field studies during early policy development, while retaining real-world validation and community engagement at critical decision points. CSSH Deputy Director Associate Professor Dandan Qiao from the NUS School of Computing is also contributing her expertise to the project.<\/p>\r\nAnother project titled \"The Jawi AI Project\", led by NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Miguel Escobar Varela, harnesses AI to enable large-scale transliteration and analysis of Jawi texts. Early Malay-language newspapers in Singapore, published between 1870 and 1970 were written in Jawi, a script few can read today.<\/p>\r\nIn collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB), the team comprising local and foreign experts is transforming thousands of archived pages into searchable Malay text, significantly expanding the range of materials available at NLB's digitised archives. Assoc Prof Escobar Varela, who is also Deputy Director at CSSH, noted that the project could significantly expand research into Malay-language journalism and public debate in the region, broadening how Singapore's history is understood and taught.<\/p>\r\nProf Millican highlighted that a core mission of CSSH is to break down the walls between disciplines. By connecting humanities and social science researchers with computing and data science experts, the Centre fosters collaborations that neither field could achieve alone. \"Many of today's biggest challenges demand both deep specialist insight and serious technical firepower\", he explained, \"whether they involve untangling complex social issues, tackling health crises, anticipating future problems, or building the tools to address these. CSSH provides a natural home for such interdisciplinary conversations.\"<\/p>\r\nHe added that the Centre looks forward to developing more projects addressing societal challenges to which computational insights can make the greatest difference. Focus areas include AI and emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental policy, population trends and demographic change, public health and social care, and the preservation and understanding of history and cultural heritage.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 4 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>EVENT | Work, Migration, Policy Implications | 19 Mar, 2:30-5:15 pm<\/a><\/h3>01 March 2026 <\/div>The Singapore Research Nexus at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) invites you to \u2018Work, Migration, Policy Implications\u2019, a policy outreach event that brings social science research into conversation with urgent questions of governance, labour, and family in our interconnected world.\r\n\r\nAcross three studies, we shall examine how Singapore operates as an aspirational reference for urban futures beyond its borders, as a site where migrant workers navigate systems of redress and care, and as a global city in which highly educated women negotiate work and motherhood commitments.\r\n\r\nBy bridging future-looking visions with grounded ethnographic and comparative research, this event speaks to policymakers, scholars and students interested in how work and mobility are governed, and how individuals, in turn, navigate and reshape these structures. Join us for an engaging discussion on the possibilities and limits of policy in shaping more just and inclusive societies.\r\n\r\n \tPlanning Africa\u2019s Singapore: Geographical Imagination and Practices\u2019 by Dr Allen XIAO (Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Geography)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018\u2018Complaint: Migrant Workers, Wage Theft, and the Possibilities of Care\u2019 by Nur Amali IBRAHIM (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018Opting For the Optionless: Comparing Stay-at-home Motherhood among College-educated Chinese Women in Shanghai, Singapore, and New York\u2019 by Zheng MU (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nDate and Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2026, 2:30-5:10 pm\r\n\r\nVenue: FASS AS7 Research Division Seminar Room (6-42) and Zoom\r\n\r\nVenue Address: NUS AS7 Shaw Foundation Building, 5 Arts Link, 117570\r\n\r\nRegister:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn-person here<\/a>\r\n\r\nvia Zoom here<\/a>\r\n\r\nGet the programme here<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/a><\/h3>28 February 2026 <\/div>The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement, was conceived amid global uncertainty shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. In such a rapidly shifting landscape, existing theories on free trade agreements (FTAs) may fall short in explaining or predicting RCEP\u2019s evolving impact. \u2018Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic\u2019, a Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 grant funded from 2025 to 2028, brings together a multidisciplinary team led by Assistant Professor Wei Luo (NUS Geography & NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health), Professor Dariusz W\u00f3jcik (NUS Geography), Assistant Professor Sanjana Goswami (NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy), Assistant Professor Chen Liu (NUS Economics), and Dr Rui Dai (University of Pennsylvania).<\/p>\r\nThe team aims to build the first near real-time, data-driven surveillance system for monitoring RCEP\u2019s impact \u2013 an innovative framework that blends computational analysis with human expertise. This system will support more responsive, evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN at a critical juncture for the region. Central to the project is the use of advanced analytical tools to track trade flows and uncover the structural forces shaping economic interactions among RCEP member states.<\/p>\r\nThe project has three core objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enrich the literature on FTA networks by incorporating the complex dynamics introduced by geopolitical shifts and liberalised trade regimes. Secondly, it aims to apply gravity models and other advanced techniques to examine the underlying drivers of trade flows, drawing on newly curated datasets that reflect real-time developments. Thirdly, it will analyse the broader macroeconomic implications of these trade dynamics, with a particular focus on post-pandemic recovery and regional integration.<\/p>\r\nTo meet these goals, the researchers will gather direct trade data and relevant proxies to build an empirical framework that can capture the structural determinants of trade under the RCEP agreement. In doing so, the study fills a key gap in quantitative research on modern FTAs, offering actionable insights to governments, economists, and strategic planners.<\/p>\r\nUltimately, the platform will provide practical guidance for ASEAN policymakers as they navigate the dual imperatives of deepening regional integration and managing external pressures. In highlighting the delicate balance between cooperation and protectionism, it seeks to position RCEP as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_16157\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"] Photo: iStock\/sarawuth702[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Mindset shifts for a kinder, happier Singapore<\/a><\/h3>20 February 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18447\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, opened the in-person Singapore Perspectives 2026 conference by discussing the history of the Singapore Pledge and how the founders viewed the pursuit of happiness and social cohesion.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nWhat does social cohesion have to do with happiness and the very notion of being Singaporean? Everything, if we examine the drafting and final phrasing of our National Pledge, said Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies<\/a>\u00a0(IPS) at NUS, at the annual Singapore Perspectives conference organised by the Institute in January 2026.<\/p>\r\nThe conference's discussions centred on the theme of Fraternity and explored ways to help Singaporeans connect with one another, even as technological disruption, cultural differences and competition pose a constant threat to unity. As the panellists discussed community and government interventions, a pattern emerged of key mindset shifts that must be embraced alongside such efforts for Singapore to become a kinder, more inclusive society.<\/p>\r\nSpeaking on the second day of the conference, Mr Devan used the historical context of the Pledge to frame the importance of nurturing social cohesion in Singapore. The original draft ended with a commitment to \"seek happiness and progress by helping one another\", which was later edited to read \"achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.\"<\/p>\r\nThe two versions taken together imply that the pursuit of happiness is a collective one for Singaporeans.<\/p>\r\nTaking individual ownership<\/strong>While Singaporeans often look to the government to address issues related to social cohesion, panellists at the first session, \"Rethinking Social Capital in a Smart Nation\", stressed that no policy or programme can succeed if individuals do not choose to engage with one another and build interpersonal trust. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with each of us to take ownership and nurture connections in our own everyday spaces.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18446\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr Ang Jin Shaun, Founder of Stranger Conversations; Professor Lim Sun Sun of Singapore Management University; Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Education; and Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Governance and Economy at IPS, who moderated the first panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nMs Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Ministry of Education, illustrated this through the different roles she plays - parent, sibling, neighbour and government official - and the contribution she can make in each. As a parent, she thinks about how she would manage her children's screen time and encourage them to converse with new people, while in her role at work, she considers what she can do to keep online spaces safe.<\/p>\r\nShe used a fellow panellist Mr Ang Jin Shaun's social initiative, Stranger Conversations, as an example of how simple, individual actions can collectively strengthen social cohesion. The sessions are initiated by hosts with a personal story or passion, creating a space for participants to listen and respond. \"We can't all be Stranger Conversations (hosts). Someone sets it up, other people attend, other people share. And if you're the person with the interesting story, then you come out and share because you can bring a group together.\"<\/p>\r\nSerendipitous encounters are becoming rarer as we spend more time interacting digitally, but meaningful connections can still be cultivated if we are brave enough to reach out and allow others to respond, said Mr Ang. \"It is sort of an act of service when you share something and make other people feel like they're not alone, because this topic that you are sharing is meaningful to others as well,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\"The question is, do we think that this level of connection is a need or a want? If we think it's a want and this is a lower priority, then that's going to get in the way of these serendipitous connections happening.\"<\/p>\r\nSeeing differences as relational, not oppositional<\/strong>In the second panel, \"Navigating Challenges to Social Cohesion,\" panellists examined how Singapore's diversity, sometimes seen as a fault line, can instead become a strength. Rather than fearing disagreement and division, Singaporeans can explore our differences through relationships and learn to see one another \"as people, not proxies for communities or belief systems,\" said Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder and director of non-governmental organisation The Whitehatters.<\/p>\r\nThe Whitehatters offers safe spaces and skilled facilitation to help people interact through dialogue, sports and the arts, and discuss topics like race and religion. Shared Ms Shahrany: \"It requires sustained effort to build trust and address tensions before they harden into divisions... Our task is not to reduce differences, but to ensure that differences are held in relationship rather than allowed to polarise.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18445\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Ms Shahrany Hassan, Founder and Director of The Whitehatters; Professor Elaine Ho of the Department of Geography at FASS and Asia Research Institute; Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance; and Associate Professor Razwana Begum of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who moderated the second panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nIn addition to shared interests like cooking, enjoying food and playing football, public spaces are another lever that should be used to encourage informal friendships through commonalities, said Professor Elaine Ho, who is Provost's Chair Professor of the\u00a0Department of Geography<\/a>\u00a0at the\u00a0Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>\u00a0(FASS) and Research Leader for the Migration and Mobilities Cluster at the\u00a0Asia Research Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"Not everything has to be structured programmes\u2026 As we design Singapore, we also need to think about building these kinds of spaces where people can get together informally,\" she said, highlighting sports fields and void decks, especially the more open designs in older estates, as examples of spaces that promote natural interactions.<\/p>\r\nRedefining merit<\/strong>The third panel, \"Building a More Inclusive and 'We First' Society\", grappled with the competitive nature that is inherent in Singapore's economic model and characteristic of its people. The mindset shift they called for was to redefine merit not just through words, but through action.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Vincent Chua of the\u00a0Department of Sociology and Anthropology<\/a>\u00a0at FASS explained three \"Rs\" of inequality that erode social cohesion: resource inequality, relational inequality and recognition inequality.<\/p>\r\nThe gradual reduction in income inequality has partially addressed resource inequality, though wealth inequality remains a tougher issue to tackle. Meanwhile, social mixing in public housing, schools and workplaces helps to reduce relational inequality, but a divide remains between public and private housing residents.<\/p>\r\nRecognition inequality is \"the last of the giants,\" said Assoc Prof Chua.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18444\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education; Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre; Associate Professor Vincent Chua of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at FASS; and Dr Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Society and Culture at IPS, who moderated the third panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\"Sixty years of meritocracy has taught us to see ourselves and others in a certain way - through the lenses of achievement,\" he said, explaining that this perspective conflates resources with respect and ties perceptions of human worth to indicators of success and achievement. \"How we see others determines how we treat them and how we relate to them, subsequently impacting social cohesion.\"<\/p>\r\nMoving beyond the usual calls to redefine success, Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, called on institutions to lead the way through their hiring processes and community involvement.<\/p>\r\nFor instance, instead of hiring on the basis of academic grades or typical achievements, employers should consider a broader range of qualifying capabilities. Community contributions should be rewarded, such as through awarding scholarships to young people who are doing ground-up work and recognising employees who volunteer for community causes.<\/p>\r\n\"When organisations begin to put more weightage on community contributions, that's how institutions\u2026 can change that metric of success within your organisations and provide the substance to being able to encourage young people to take this seriously,\" said Mr Soh.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 19 February 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore<\/a><\/h3>23 January 2026 <\/div>According to the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, Singapore could face increasingly extreme weather conditions, with more frequent scorching days, prolonged dry spells, and temperatures potentially rising by up to 5 degrees Celsius by 2100. These changes, driven by global climate change, will heighten the risks of heat stress, a condition where excessive heat overwhelms the body\u2019s ability to regulate itself. In densely built-up environments like Singapore, the canopy-layer urban heat island (CL-UHI) effect, caused by differences in land surface characteristics between urban and surrounding rural areas, intensifies temperature variability across the city.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn \u2018Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore\u2019 (<\/span>Sustainability<\/span><\/i>, 2023), Beatriz Sanchez (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology, Spain), Professor Matthias Roth (NUS Geography), Pratiman Patel (NUS Geography), and Andr\u00e9s Sim\u00f3n-Moral (TECHNALIA, Spain) developed a semi-empirical approach to model and map daily maximum urban heat island intensities in Singapore. Using over three years of observational temperature data from 26 sites around Singapore, the researchers first tested an existing empirical equation from previous research. While errors were reasonably low, the model did not capture patterns as well in Singapore compared to the other locations the original model was developed for.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo address this, the researchers derived their own equation using variables known to influence urban heat islands, such as land cover, building height, and meteorological conditions. Evaluation showed that their customised equation modelled daily maximum CL-UHI intensities reasonably well under different weather scenarios in Singapore, with the most intense heat islands occurring in highly developed central areas as expected. The resulting maps from the study can pinpoint vulnerable areas in need of cooling strategies to alleviate heat stress, a crucial challenge for an equatorial city like Singapore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nEmpirically tailored models like this offer an efficient way to estimate heat exposure and guide local adaptation efforts. This approach could also be valuable for other rapidly urbanising tropical regions experiencing rising temperatures due to global warming. With further refinements, similar techniques applied globally could promote climate-resilient urban development as cities increasingly face the impacts of climate change.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead the article <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_15621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2121\"] Photo: iStock\/southtownboy[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Arts for All enriches arts community within and beyond NUS<\/a><\/h3>22 January 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18359\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS Chinese Orchestra welcomed students from six junior colleges to play and learn together in a collaboration spurred by the Arts for All initiative. Above: The students pose after a fireside chat with composers Mr Wang Chenwei (centre left in front row, in blue) and Ms Hannah Hsieh (centre of front row, in black), forming the letter \"C\" with their hands and \"O\" with their mouths to represent the abbreviation for Chinese orchestra.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nTwo years after it was piloted in late 2023, the Arts for All (AFA)<\/a>\u00a0initiative is making waves in NUS, enabling students to embed the arts into their student life and learning journey - and beyond, through outreach efforts to younger musicians across Singapore.<\/p>\r\nEnriching the NUS student experience<\/strong>The AFA framework developed by the\u00a0NUS Office of Student Affairs<\/a>\u00a0Centre for the Arts<\/a>\u00a0(CFA) was designed to create access to the arts at various levels. It offers opportunities to initiate and participate in ground-up and student-led community initiatives, join extra-curricular activities and arts groups, and commit to year-long courses as part of four credit-bearing performing arts groups.<\/p>\r\nProgrammes administered by the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>\u00a0(YST) and CFA also enable students to pursue a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts using the credits earned from their participation in credit-bearing arts groups and courses. YST courses comprise the majority of additional courses that students can take to fulfil their Minor or Second Major requirements, and YST faculty contribute their expertise in assessing and grading students in the credit-bearing arts groups, which currently include the NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO), NUS Wind Symphony (NUSWS), NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) and NUS Chinese Dance.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Chan Tze Law, NUS Vice Dean of Students who oversees CFA and led the creation of AFA, described the initiative's intent as not being about producing more artists - \"though some students may discover their calling that way,\" he noted. Assoc Prof Chan, who is also\u00a0Vice Dean at YST, added that\u00a0\"it's about using the arts as a vehicle for developing a full range of human capabilities: creativity, resilience, moral reasoning, cultural intelligence, collaborative skills and the confidence to make something new in the world.\"<\/p>\r\nFrom August 2024 to May 2025 (AY2024\/2025), more than 10,000 students took part in student-led arts activities. These included the 22 programmes organised under\u00a0third space,\u00a0<\/i>an initiative to create arts gathering spaces on campus and provide more opportunities for arts encounters, and 30 programmes presented over eight weeks by extra-curricular activity and arts groups at the NUS Arts Festival.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18358\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"] The third space initiative hosts student-led programmes like this site-specific dance theatre piece, performed at the park adjoining NUS Central Library on 14 February 2025 as part of the NUS Arts Festival.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nEnrolment in the credit-bearing groups and courses increased by more than 40 per cent in AY2023\/2024 to more than 200 students in AY2024\/2025, with NUSWS even gaining enough members to form two wind symphonies. More students are also expressing interest in pursuing a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts.<\/p>\r\nInspiring younger artists in the broader arts scene<\/strong>A key factor in broadening AFA's impact beyond NUS is the initiative's requirement for all student groups to plan and produce two performances per academic year: one that showcases their excellence in their art form, and another that involves education or outreach.<\/p>\r\nOver the last two years, NUSWS, NUSSO and NUSCO have collaborated with local educational institutions, culminating in side-by-side concerts at NUS. NUSWS and NUSSO each partnered with one primary school in 2024, with NUSSO continuing its partnership in 2025, while NUSCO collaborated with six junior colleges (JCs) in 2025. CFA supported the groups in organising the practice sessions and concerts, with the two most recent concerts taking place in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18357\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUSSO members worked with young string players from Greenwood Primary School to present heartwarming side-by-side performances in 2024 and 2025.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe positive experience has been mutual amongst collaborators. NUS students get the opportunity to share their passion and inspire younger musicians, while the young musicians get exposure to new and different ways of learning together.<\/p>\r\nRenowned conductor Mr Moses Gay, who is a principal tutor at NUSCO, said, \"During rehearsals, I ask the NUSCO students to question things and give their own recommendations. This is part of making music together, but it was new to the JC students, and it sparked their curiosity.\"<\/p>\r\nUltimately, Mr Gay said that the vision is to build a community that encompasses both NUS and the broader arts community, from primary school students just beginning their musical journeys to JC students thinking about their tertiary education options.<\/p>\r\n\"Aside from sharing our art form within NUS, our university arts groups need to bring people in to see that NUS is vibrant, so they will want to be a part of this,\" said Mr Gay.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18356\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The NUSCO collaboration with the JCs gave the younger musicians a glimpse of how they could continue pursuing their art form in the next chapter of their education journey.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA\u00a0<\/strong>catalyst for revitalising traditional music forms<\/strong>The outreach efforts by NUS students through AFA have been an opportunity to breathe life into traditional music practices.<\/p>\r\nMr Gay, who also conducts the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, has observed that declining participation has resulted in many schools disbanding or downsizing their Chinese orchestras to chamber groups of 15 to 20 members, instead of the 60 to 100 in a typical orchestra. He therefore sought to rally as many JCs as possible to give young Chinese orchestra musicians the experience of playing in a large orchestra.<\/p>\r\nAssoc Prof Chan gave his full support, noting that by nurturing younger musicians, NUSCO will not only raise its profile among JC students who will apply to universities within the next couple of years, but also send a message to the broader arts community about the value of Chinese orchestra: \"NUS is paying attention.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18355\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Playing in a combined Chinese orchestra of about 130 was a memorable experience for the NUS and JC musicians, who were used to playing in smaller ensembles.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nJC and NUS students alike were thrilled at the opportunity to play in the combined orchestra of about 130 musicians. River Valley High School student Pang Wei Qing said that getting to connect with musicians from other COs made her feel more \"like part of a Chinese orchestra,\" while Tanya Toh, a student from Raffles Institution, described performing with such a large orchestra as \"an amazing experience.\"<\/p>\r\nSaid Sim Xin Yu, a Year 2\u00a0Pharmacy<\/a>\u00a0student who is NUSCO's concertmaster: \"It was one of the best concerts we've had since I joined NUSCO - the quality was better. I'm not sure if it's because there were more people, but if it's because of that, that's all the more reason to do these collaborations.\"<\/p>\r\nThe interactions between JC and NUS students during the rehearsals sparked conversations about what the younger musicians could do with the art form beyond JC, said first-year\u00a0Geography<\/a>\u00a0student Tara-Jade Sim. She shared: \"A lot of my juniors said they felt very unsure about CO. They're here because they have a passion for it, but they're struggling to see a future in continuing to pursue it.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18354\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS student Tara-Jade Sim (far left) connected with her Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra juniors during the NUSCO collaboration. Photo credit: Tara-Jade Sim<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nShowing the younger generation that there are avenues to continue playing and finding community in Chinese orchestra is key to keeping the art form alive, said Mr Gay, who shared that he hopes to add polytechnics to NUSCO's next collaboration.<\/p>\r\n\"No matter how well we play, a pipeline is still needed. We are addressing the core of the problem by reaching out to younger students, and during the concerts, we can share these ideas with three generations in the audience. If we do this with every school, there might be a chance to make CO more vibrant among the younger generation.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 22 January 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely<\/a><\/h3>20 January 2026 <\/div>Living alone in later life is often treated as a signal of social risk. The one-person household is easy to identify in administrative data and, as a result, frequently used as a proxy for loneliness in policy and service delivery.\r\n\r\nHowever, this assumption can be misleading.\r\n\r\nIn the opinion piece \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019 (Straits Times<\/em>, January 2026) by, Associate Professor Vincent Chua (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Professor Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho (NUS Geography and NUS Asia Research Institute), and Associate Professor Chen-Chieh Feng (NUS Geography) illustrate how numerous seniors who live alone remain socially active, mobile, and embedded in wide community networks in Singapore.\r\n\r\nThe editorial draws on their 2025 article in Ageing & Society<\/span><\/a><\/i>\u00a0titled \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019, where they conducted research on nearly 1,200 older Singaporeans, and found that while seniors living alone may be more likely to report loneliness, this risk is significantly reduced when they stay connected beyond the household. For instance, they may physically interact with others, communicate online, and move within their neighbourhoods \u2013 \u201cageing in networks\u201d across multiple places. As the authors point out, equating living alone with loneliness thus risks misdirecting attention and resources, overlooking seniors who may live with others but still experience isolation.\r\n\r\nRead \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019\u00a0 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nRead our post about \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18308\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"]
Beyond the books<\/strong>NUSC<\/a>, the University's honours college, held sessions showcasing its\u00a0Global Experience<\/a>\u00a0(GEx) programme, which immerses students in 14 overseas sites for a month to engage deeply with their themes. In GEx New York, students examine its identity as a global city, investigating its urban development and cultural heritage through interactions with high-level diplomats, non-government organisations, and industry professionals.\r\nNUS Nursing<\/a>\u00a0held special classes where users learned empathetic communication in palliative care by conversing with an AI chatbot, and showcased its\u00a0new Concurrent Degree Programme<\/a>, which combines the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Honours) with the Master of Science (Biomedical Informatics).<\/p>\r\nMeanwhile,\u00a0NUS Medicine<\/a> offered a hands-on look at the future of medical education through clinical simulations, virtual reality stations, and insightful talks on its curriculum.<\/p>\r\nInside scoop on residential life<\/strong>Through talks, booths, and guided tours, Masters, Resident Fellows, and student leaders from the Residential Colleges, Halls, and Houses offered prospective students insights on the culture of their residences, the partnership between resident fellows and residents, and the vast array of student-led initiatives that foster vibrancy, community spirit, and inclusivity.\r\nNUS' newest hostel, the sports-themed\u00a0Valour House<\/a>, highlighted its key pillars of courage, strength, and resilience - characteristics not just of athletes but of students - to demonstrate its culture of supporting sporting achievements and encouraging residents to step out of their comfort zones.<\/p>\r\nVibrancy of NUS student life<\/strong>A dynamic line-up of performances and showcases, spotlighting some of NUS' finest talents in the performing arts, was presented by the various student clubs and interest groups at the Student Village. From upbeat, catchy tunes by\u00a0NUS Fingerstyle Guitar<\/a>\u00a0and a capella groups\u00a0NUS Resonance<\/a>,\u00a0RHythm<\/a>\u00a0from Raffles Hall, and\u00a0Eusoff Chorapella<\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0Eusoff Hall<\/a>\u00a0to skilful renditions by\u00a0Helix House<\/a>'s Helix Band and\u00a0Sheares Hall<\/a>'s Sheares Band, visitors were treated to a glimpse into the vibrant student experience at NUS beyond academic pursuits.<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 13 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>NUS to offer Asia\u2019s first bachelor\u2019s-level geospatial intelligence programme to integrate geospatial data analysis with emerging technologies, artificial intelligence<\/a><\/h3>08 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh of the Department of Geography spoke to prospective students about the new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme at the 2026 NUS Open House on 7 March 2026.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe National University of Singapore (NUS) will offer a new major in geospatial intelligence that will train students to harness geospatial data and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to address complex problems in climate change mitigation, smart city design, business planning and more.<\/p>\r\nThe study and use of geospatial or location data have evolved from a field focused on mapping and visualisation to one that supports prediction, assessment and decision-making. With the rapid growth of data from satellites, sensors and social activity, combined with advances in computing and AI, geospatial intelligence has become essential for policymakers and organisations to extract insights that emerge from spatial patterns, anticipate risks and drive change.<\/p>\r\nThis has created strong demand for professionals who not only have foundational skills in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to organise and visualise spatial data, but also expertise in geospatial data science and advanced tools that let them create digital twins of real-world environments, including cities, buildings, transport networks, natural landscapes, ecosystems and social spaces, to explore scenarios, test solutions and make better data-driven decisions.<\/p>\r\nTherefore, NUS' new Bachelor of Science (Honours) in\u00a0Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme<\/a>\u00a0(GIX), the first bachelor's degree of its kind in Asia, meets this demand and builds a talent pipeline in geospatial intelligence.<\/p>\r\nThe four-year programme is offered by the\u00a0College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS)<\/a>, led by the Department of Geography at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with the\u00a0School of Computing (SOC)<\/a>, which contributes expertise in AI, data science and computational methods.<\/p>\r\nThe joint programme leverages world-leading expertise from the Department of Geography and SOC, which are both ranked No.1 in Asia for their respective subjects and in the top ten globally, and the strategic positioning of NUS in Singapore where high-density land utilisations present unique sets of geospatial challenges.<\/p>\r\nGIX will be offered to students matriculating in Academic Year 2026\/2027, which begins in August 2026.<\/p>\r\nUnlocking deeper insights for spatial decisions<\/u><\/strong>In Singapore, policymakers have recognised the profound impact of geospatial information and technology on decision-making and societal development. To realise its vision of becoming \"a leading global geospatial hub\", the Singapore Geospatial Masterplan 2024-2033 emphasises greater geospatial adoption and the strengthening of core capabilities in this field.<\/p>\r\nGeospatial intelligence has many practical applications. Beyond urban planning, transport and connectivity, geospatial intelligence is also used in disaster preparedness and resilience, as well as business optimisation and supply chain strengthening. As AI enhances the analysis of large-scale spatial data for such purposes, demand for professionals who can integrate geospatial expertise with AI capabilities is growing rapidly.<\/p>\r\n\"The introduction of this new degree programme is timely as demand for and interest in AI-powered jobs soar,\" said GIX Programme Director Associate Professor Feng Chen-Chieh.<\/p>\r\n\"The new Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme gives undergraduates a strong foundation in geographic thinking, computational skills and AI, giving them a real edge across sectors such as smart urban systems, logistics, climate risk management and real estate analytics,\" added Assoc Prof Feng, who teaches GIS courses at the Department of Geography.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Kan Min-Yen, Vice Dean (Undergraduate Studies), School of Computing, who is also a programme convenor, said the programme will draw interest from students keen to work on real-world issues such as disaster response, urban planning or climate adaptation.<\/p>\r\n\"The programme complements NUS' existing offerings for students who want to combine data, computing and domain knowledge to solve complex interdisciplinary problems. The offering greatly increases the spectrum of cross-disciplinary programmes available to prospective students,\" said Assoc Prof Kan.<\/p>\r\nA preview session for the new programme was held today at the NUS 2026 Open House. Close to 100 prospective students and parents turned up to learn more about this emerging growth field and potential career pathways for geospatial intelligence experts in government, tech, urban solutions and environmental sectors.<\/p>\r\nThe Geospatial Intelligence Cross-Disciplinary Programme reflects NUS' commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future, equipping them with the skills to analyse complex spatial data, uncover patterns and generate actionable insights across a range of industries and societal challenges.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 7 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>New Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS to advance interdisciplinary research on complex societal challenges<\/a><\/h3>05 March 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18559\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Present at the launch of the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities at NUS today were (from left) CSSH Deputy Director Assoc Prof Dandan Qiao from NUS School of Computing; CSSH Co-Director Prof Atreyi Kankanhalli from NUS School of Computing; Prof Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS School of Computing; Prof Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology); Prof Lionel Wee, Dean of NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; CSSH Co-Director Prof Peter Millican from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences; and Assoc Prof Miguel Escobar Varela from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA new research centre at the National University of Singapore (NUS) is bringing together data science, AI and computational methods with deep insights from social sciences and humanities to better understand complex social phenomena and develop solutions to pressing societal challenges. By combining technological innovation with human insight, the Centre for Computational Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) aims to generate research that improves lives, strengthens institutions, preserves cultural knowledge, and shapes more inclusive and resilient societies in Singapore and beyond.<\/p>\r\n\r\nOfficially launched today, CSSH is the first in Singapore to systematically bring together computational social science and the humanities within a single centre to bridge research, policy and real-world applications.<\/p>\r\nThe Centre draws on expertise across disciplines including computing, new media, linguistics, geography, public policy and healthcare, amongst others. This interdisciplinary foundation enables CSSH to examine how digital technologies intersect with social systems, such as assessing the societal implications of AI-enabled platforms, using digital tools to help preserve Singapore's cultural heritage, and strengthening digital literacy in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\r\nNUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, \"Rapid advances in digital technologies and AI are transforming our world. But technological breakthroughs are only as valuable as the difference they make to peoples' lives. CSSH reflects NUS' commitment to ensuring that innovation translates to tangible improvements in how we live, work and build stronger communities. By integrating computational methods with social science and humanities, the Centre will help translate research insights into policies and practices that deliver real-world impact.\"<\/p>\r\nShe added that the Centre complements Singapore's broader push for innovative, responsible harnessing of technology and AI which emphasises that progress should be not only technically advanced, but trusted, inclusive and grounded in real social needs.<\/p>\r\nDriving real-world impact through interdisciplinary innovation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\r\nCSSH is led by Co-Directors Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the\u00a0NUS School of Computing<\/a>\u00a0and Professor Peter Millican from the\u00a0NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>. The Centre supports both seed funding for emerging ideas and larger projects, all designed to generate real-world impact.<\/p>\r\nProf Kankanhalli said, \"What distinguishes CSSH is our ability to study human behaviour, institutions and societies at a scale and depth that was not previously possible. By combining computational methods with rich domain expertise in the social sciences and humanities, we can uncover patterns, test ideas, and generate evidence that directly informs policy and practice. Our goal is not just to analyse social problems, but to help shape systems that work better for people.\"<\/p>\r\nSince beginning operations in the second half of 2024, CSSH has embarked on more than 50 interdisciplinary projects involving 105 researchers from across NUS and their external collaborators. The projects demonstrate the breadth of its work - from AI-enabled analysis of social media impacts to digital preservation of historical archives.<\/p>\r\nAmongst the major research projects currently being undertaken by CSSH is one titled \"Computational Social Simulations for Aiding Policy Design\", led by Prof Kankanhalli. In this five-year project, researchers from NUS and three other local universities are collaborating to develop an AI-driven social simulation platform for policymakers to help test and refine policy interventions before they are rolled out.<\/p>\r\nUsing large language models (LLMs), the platform will model diverse public personas to enable policymakers to conduct swift preliminary testing of policy ideas. The simulations will complement traditional research methods by reducing the frequency of costly, time-consuming large-scale surveys and field studies during early policy development, while retaining real-world validation and community engagement at critical decision points. CSSH Deputy Director Associate Professor Dandan Qiao from the NUS School of Computing is also contributing her expertise to the project.<\/p>\r\nAnother project titled \"The Jawi AI Project\", led by NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Miguel Escobar Varela, harnesses AI to enable large-scale transliteration and analysis of Jawi texts. Early Malay-language newspapers in Singapore, published between 1870 and 1970 were written in Jawi, a script few can read today.<\/p>\r\nIn collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB), the team comprising local and foreign experts is transforming thousands of archived pages into searchable Malay text, significantly expanding the range of materials available at NLB's digitised archives. Assoc Prof Escobar Varela, who is also Deputy Director at CSSH, noted that the project could significantly expand research into Malay-language journalism and public debate in the region, broadening how Singapore's history is understood and taught.<\/p>\r\nProf Millican highlighted that a core mission of CSSH is to break down the walls between disciplines. By connecting humanities and social science researchers with computing and data science experts, the Centre fosters collaborations that neither field could achieve alone. \"Many of today's biggest challenges demand both deep specialist insight and serious technical firepower\", he explained, \"whether they involve untangling complex social issues, tackling health crises, anticipating future problems, or building the tools to address these. CSSH provides a natural home for such interdisciplinary conversations.\"<\/p>\r\nHe added that the Centre looks forward to developing more projects addressing societal challenges to which computational insights can make the greatest difference. Focus areas include AI and emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental policy, population trends and demographic change, public health and social care, and the preservation and understanding of history and cultural heritage.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 4 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>EVENT | Work, Migration, Policy Implications | 19 Mar, 2:30-5:15 pm<\/a><\/h3>01 March 2026 <\/div>The Singapore Research Nexus at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) invites you to \u2018Work, Migration, Policy Implications\u2019, a policy outreach event that brings social science research into conversation with urgent questions of governance, labour, and family in our interconnected world.\r\n\r\nAcross three studies, we shall examine how Singapore operates as an aspirational reference for urban futures beyond its borders, as a site where migrant workers navigate systems of redress and care, and as a global city in which highly educated women negotiate work and motherhood commitments.\r\n\r\nBy bridging future-looking visions with grounded ethnographic and comparative research, this event speaks to policymakers, scholars and students interested in how work and mobility are governed, and how individuals, in turn, navigate and reshape these structures. Join us for an engaging discussion on the possibilities and limits of policy in shaping more just and inclusive societies.\r\n\r\n \tPlanning Africa\u2019s Singapore: Geographical Imagination and Practices\u2019 by Dr Allen XIAO (Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Geography)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018\u2018Complaint: Migrant Workers, Wage Theft, and the Possibilities of Care\u2019 by Nur Amali IBRAHIM (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018Opting For the Optionless: Comparing Stay-at-home Motherhood among College-educated Chinese Women in Shanghai, Singapore, and New York\u2019 by Zheng MU (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nDate and Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2026, 2:30-5:10 pm\r\n\r\nVenue: FASS AS7 Research Division Seminar Room (6-42) and Zoom\r\n\r\nVenue Address: NUS AS7 Shaw Foundation Building, 5 Arts Link, 117570\r\n\r\nRegister:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn-person here<\/a>\r\n\r\nvia Zoom here<\/a>\r\n\r\nGet the programme here<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/a><\/h3>28 February 2026 <\/div>The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement, was conceived amid global uncertainty shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. In such a rapidly shifting landscape, existing theories on free trade agreements (FTAs) may fall short in explaining or predicting RCEP\u2019s evolving impact. \u2018Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic\u2019, a Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 grant funded from 2025 to 2028, brings together a multidisciplinary team led by Assistant Professor Wei Luo (NUS Geography & NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health), Professor Dariusz W\u00f3jcik (NUS Geography), Assistant Professor Sanjana Goswami (NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy), Assistant Professor Chen Liu (NUS Economics), and Dr Rui Dai (University of Pennsylvania).<\/p>\r\nThe team aims to build the first near real-time, data-driven surveillance system for monitoring RCEP\u2019s impact \u2013 an innovative framework that blends computational analysis with human expertise. This system will support more responsive, evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN at a critical juncture for the region. Central to the project is the use of advanced analytical tools to track trade flows and uncover the structural forces shaping economic interactions among RCEP member states.<\/p>\r\nThe project has three core objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enrich the literature on FTA networks by incorporating the complex dynamics introduced by geopolitical shifts and liberalised trade regimes. Secondly, it aims to apply gravity models and other advanced techniques to examine the underlying drivers of trade flows, drawing on newly curated datasets that reflect real-time developments. Thirdly, it will analyse the broader macroeconomic implications of these trade dynamics, with a particular focus on post-pandemic recovery and regional integration.<\/p>\r\nTo meet these goals, the researchers will gather direct trade data and relevant proxies to build an empirical framework that can capture the structural determinants of trade under the RCEP agreement. In doing so, the study fills a key gap in quantitative research on modern FTAs, offering actionable insights to governments, economists, and strategic planners.<\/p>\r\nUltimately, the platform will provide practical guidance for ASEAN policymakers as they navigate the dual imperatives of deepening regional integration and managing external pressures. In highlighting the delicate balance between cooperation and protectionism, it seeks to position RCEP as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_16157\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"] Photo: iStock\/sarawuth702[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Mindset shifts for a kinder, happier Singapore<\/a><\/h3>20 February 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18447\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, opened the in-person Singapore Perspectives 2026 conference by discussing the history of the Singapore Pledge and how the founders viewed the pursuit of happiness and social cohesion.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nWhat does social cohesion have to do with happiness and the very notion of being Singaporean? Everything, if we examine the drafting and final phrasing of our National Pledge, said Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies<\/a>\u00a0(IPS) at NUS, at the annual Singapore Perspectives conference organised by the Institute in January 2026.<\/p>\r\nThe conference's discussions centred on the theme of Fraternity and explored ways to help Singaporeans connect with one another, even as technological disruption, cultural differences and competition pose a constant threat to unity. As the panellists discussed community and government interventions, a pattern emerged of key mindset shifts that must be embraced alongside such efforts for Singapore to become a kinder, more inclusive society.<\/p>\r\nSpeaking on the second day of the conference, Mr Devan used the historical context of the Pledge to frame the importance of nurturing social cohesion in Singapore. The original draft ended with a commitment to \"seek happiness and progress by helping one another\", which was later edited to read \"achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.\"<\/p>\r\nThe two versions taken together imply that the pursuit of happiness is a collective one for Singaporeans.<\/p>\r\nTaking individual ownership<\/strong>While Singaporeans often look to the government to address issues related to social cohesion, panellists at the first session, \"Rethinking Social Capital in a Smart Nation\", stressed that no policy or programme can succeed if individuals do not choose to engage with one another and build interpersonal trust. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with each of us to take ownership and nurture connections in our own everyday spaces.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18446\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr Ang Jin Shaun, Founder of Stranger Conversations; Professor Lim Sun Sun of Singapore Management University; Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Education; and Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Governance and Economy at IPS, who moderated the first panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nMs Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Ministry of Education, illustrated this through the different roles she plays - parent, sibling, neighbour and government official - and the contribution she can make in each. As a parent, she thinks about how she would manage her children's screen time and encourage them to converse with new people, while in her role at work, she considers what she can do to keep online spaces safe.<\/p>\r\nShe used a fellow panellist Mr Ang Jin Shaun's social initiative, Stranger Conversations, as an example of how simple, individual actions can collectively strengthen social cohesion. The sessions are initiated by hosts with a personal story or passion, creating a space for participants to listen and respond. \"We can't all be Stranger Conversations (hosts). Someone sets it up, other people attend, other people share. And if you're the person with the interesting story, then you come out and share because you can bring a group together.\"<\/p>\r\nSerendipitous encounters are becoming rarer as we spend more time interacting digitally, but meaningful connections can still be cultivated if we are brave enough to reach out and allow others to respond, said Mr Ang. \"It is sort of an act of service when you share something and make other people feel like they're not alone, because this topic that you are sharing is meaningful to others as well,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\"The question is, do we think that this level of connection is a need or a want? If we think it's a want and this is a lower priority, then that's going to get in the way of these serendipitous connections happening.\"<\/p>\r\nSeeing differences as relational, not oppositional<\/strong>In the second panel, \"Navigating Challenges to Social Cohesion,\" panellists examined how Singapore's diversity, sometimes seen as a fault line, can instead become a strength. Rather than fearing disagreement and division, Singaporeans can explore our differences through relationships and learn to see one another \"as people, not proxies for communities or belief systems,\" said Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder and director of non-governmental organisation The Whitehatters.<\/p>\r\nThe Whitehatters offers safe spaces and skilled facilitation to help people interact through dialogue, sports and the arts, and discuss topics like race and religion. Shared Ms Shahrany: \"It requires sustained effort to build trust and address tensions before they harden into divisions... Our task is not to reduce differences, but to ensure that differences are held in relationship rather than allowed to polarise.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18445\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Ms Shahrany Hassan, Founder and Director of The Whitehatters; Professor Elaine Ho of the Department of Geography at FASS and Asia Research Institute; Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance; and Associate Professor Razwana Begum of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who moderated the second panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nIn addition to shared interests like cooking, enjoying food and playing football, public spaces are another lever that should be used to encourage informal friendships through commonalities, said Professor Elaine Ho, who is Provost's Chair Professor of the\u00a0Department of Geography<\/a>\u00a0at the\u00a0Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>\u00a0(FASS) and Research Leader for the Migration and Mobilities Cluster at the\u00a0Asia Research Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"Not everything has to be structured programmes\u2026 As we design Singapore, we also need to think about building these kinds of spaces where people can get together informally,\" she said, highlighting sports fields and void decks, especially the more open designs in older estates, as examples of spaces that promote natural interactions.<\/p>\r\nRedefining merit<\/strong>The third panel, \"Building a More Inclusive and 'We First' Society\", grappled with the competitive nature that is inherent in Singapore's economic model and characteristic of its people. The mindset shift they called for was to redefine merit not just through words, but through action.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Vincent Chua of the\u00a0Department of Sociology and Anthropology<\/a>\u00a0at FASS explained three \"Rs\" of inequality that erode social cohesion: resource inequality, relational inequality and recognition inequality.<\/p>\r\nThe gradual reduction in income inequality has partially addressed resource inequality, though wealth inequality remains a tougher issue to tackle. Meanwhile, social mixing in public housing, schools and workplaces helps to reduce relational inequality, but a divide remains between public and private housing residents.<\/p>\r\nRecognition inequality is \"the last of the giants,\" said Assoc Prof Chua.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18444\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education; Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre; Associate Professor Vincent Chua of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at FASS; and Dr Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Society and Culture at IPS, who moderated the third panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\"Sixty years of meritocracy has taught us to see ourselves and others in a certain way - through the lenses of achievement,\" he said, explaining that this perspective conflates resources with respect and ties perceptions of human worth to indicators of success and achievement. \"How we see others determines how we treat them and how we relate to them, subsequently impacting social cohesion.\"<\/p>\r\nMoving beyond the usual calls to redefine success, Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, called on institutions to lead the way through their hiring processes and community involvement.<\/p>\r\nFor instance, instead of hiring on the basis of academic grades or typical achievements, employers should consider a broader range of qualifying capabilities. Community contributions should be rewarded, such as through awarding scholarships to young people who are doing ground-up work and recognising employees who volunteer for community causes.<\/p>\r\n\"When organisations begin to put more weightage on community contributions, that's how institutions\u2026 can change that metric of success within your organisations and provide the substance to being able to encourage young people to take this seriously,\" said Mr Soh.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 19 February 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore<\/a><\/h3>23 January 2026 <\/div>According to the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, Singapore could face increasingly extreme weather conditions, with more frequent scorching days, prolonged dry spells, and temperatures potentially rising by up to 5 degrees Celsius by 2100. These changes, driven by global climate change, will heighten the risks of heat stress, a condition where excessive heat overwhelms the body\u2019s ability to regulate itself. In densely built-up environments like Singapore, the canopy-layer urban heat island (CL-UHI) effect, caused by differences in land surface characteristics between urban and surrounding rural areas, intensifies temperature variability across the city.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn \u2018Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore\u2019 (<\/span>Sustainability<\/span><\/i>, 2023), Beatriz Sanchez (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology, Spain), Professor Matthias Roth (NUS Geography), Pratiman Patel (NUS Geography), and Andr\u00e9s Sim\u00f3n-Moral (TECHNALIA, Spain) developed a semi-empirical approach to model and map daily maximum urban heat island intensities in Singapore. Using over three years of observational temperature data from 26 sites around Singapore, the researchers first tested an existing empirical equation from previous research. While errors were reasonably low, the model did not capture patterns as well in Singapore compared to the other locations the original model was developed for.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo address this, the researchers derived their own equation using variables known to influence urban heat islands, such as land cover, building height, and meteorological conditions. Evaluation showed that their customised equation modelled daily maximum CL-UHI intensities reasonably well under different weather scenarios in Singapore, with the most intense heat islands occurring in highly developed central areas as expected. The resulting maps from the study can pinpoint vulnerable areas in need of cooling strategies to alleviate heat stress, a crucial challenge for an equatorial city like Singapore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nEmpirically tailored models like this offer an efficient way to estimate heat exposure and guide local adaptation efforts. This approach could also be valuable for other rapidly urbanising tropical regions experiencing rising temperatures due to global warming. With further refinements, similar techniques applied globally could promote climate-resilient urban development as cities increasingly face the impacts of climate change.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead the article <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_15621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2121\"] Photo: iStock\/southtownboy[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Arts for All enriches arts community within and beyond NUS<\/a><\/h3>22 January 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18359\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS Chinese Orchestra welcomed students from six junior colleges to play and learn together in a collaboration spurred by the Arts for All initiative. Above: The students pose after a fireside chat with composers Mr Wang Chenwei (centre left in front row, in blue) and Ms Hannah Hsieh (centre of front row, in black), forming the letter \"C\" with their hands and \"O\" with their mouths to represent the abbreviation for Chinese orchestra.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nTwo years after it was piloted in late 2023, the Arts for All (AFA)<\/a>\u00a0initiative is making waves in NUS, enabling students to embed the arts into their student life and learning journey - and beyond, through outreach efforts to younger musicians across Singapore.<\/p>\r\nEnriching the NUS student experience<\/strong>The AFA framework developed by the\u00a0NUS Office of Student Affairs<\/a>\u00a0Centre for the Arts<\/a>\u00a0(CFA) was designed to create access to the arts at various levels. It offers opportunities to initiate and participate in ground-up and student-led community initiatives, join extra-curricular activities and arts groups, and commit to year-long courses as part of four credit-bearing performing arts groups.<\/p>\r\nProgrammes administered by the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>\u00a0(YST) and CFA also enable students to pursue a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts using the credits earned from their participation in credit-bearing arts groups and courses. YST courses comprise the majority of additional courses that students can take to fulfil their Minor or Second Major requirements, and YST faculty contribute their expertise in assessing and grading students in the credit-bearing arts groups, which currently include the NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO), NUS Wind Symphony (NUSWS), NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) and NUS Chinese Dance.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Chan Tze Law, NUS Vice Dean of Students who oversees CFA and led the creation of AFA, described the initiative's intent as not being about producing more artists - \"though some students may discover their calling that way,\" he noted. Assoc Prof Chan, who is also\u00a0Vice Dean at YST, added that\u00a0\"it's about using the arts as a vehicle for developing a full range of human capabilities: creativity, resilience, moral reasoning, cultural intelligence, collaborative skills and the confidence to make something new in the world.\"<\/p>\r\nFrom August 2024 to May 2025 (AY2024\/2025), more than 10,000 students took part in student-led arts activities. These included the 22 programmes organised under\u00a0third space,\u00a0<\/i>an initiative to create arts gathering spaces on campus and provide more opportunities for arts encounters, and 30 programmes presented over eight weeks by extra-curricular activity and arts groups at the NUS Arts Festival.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18358\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"] The third space initiative hosts student-led programmes like this site-specific dance theatre piece, performed at the park adjoining NUS Central Library on 14 February 2025 as part of the NUS Arts Festival.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nEnrolment in the credit-bearing groups and courses increased by more than 40 per cent in AY2023\/2024 to more than 200 students in AY2024\/2025, with NUSWS even gaining enough members to form two wind symphonies. More students are also expressing interest in pursuing a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts.<\/p>\r\nInspiring younger artists in the broader arts scene<\/strong>A key factor in broadening AFA's impact beyond NUS is the initiative's requirement for all student groups to plan and produce two performances per academic year: one that showcases their excellence in their art form, and another that involves education or outreach.<\/p>\r\nOver the last two years, NUSWS, NUSSO and NUSCO have collaborated with local educational institutions, culminating in side-by-side concerts at NUS. NUSWS and NUSSO each partnered with one primary school in 2024, with NUSSO continuing its partnership in 2025, while NUSCO collaborated with six junior colleges (JCs) in 2025. CFA supported the groups in organising the practice sessions and concerts, with the two most recent concerts taking place in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18357\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUSSO members worked with young string players from Greenwood Primary School to present heartwarming side-by-side performances in 2024 and 2025.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe positive experience has been mutual amongst collaborators. NUS students get the opportunity to share their passion and inspire younger musicians, while the young musicians get exposure to new and different ways of learning together.<\/p>\r\nRenowned conductor Mr Moses Gay, who is a principal tutor at NUSCO, said, \"During rehearsals, I ask the NUSCO students to question things and give their own recommendations. This is part of making music together, but it was new to the JC students, and it sparked their curiosity.\"<\/p>\r\nUltimately, Mr Gay said that the vision is to build a community that encompasses both NUS and the broader arts community, from primary school students just beginning their musical journeys to JC students thinking about their tertiary education options.<\/p>\r\n\"Aside from sharing our art form within NUS, our university arts groups need to bring people in to see that NUS is vibrant, so they will want to be a part of this,\" said Mr Gay.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18356\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The NUSCO collaboration with the JCs gave the younger musicians a glimpse of how they could continue pursuing their art form in the next chapter of their education journey.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA\u00a0<\/strong>catalyst for revitalising traditional music forms<\/strong>The outreach efforts by NUS students through AFA have been an opportunity to breathe life into traditional music practices.<\/p>\r\nMr Gay, who also conducts the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, has observed that declining participation has resulted in many schools disbanding or downsizing their Chinese orchestras to chamber groups of 15 to 20 members, instead of the 60 to 100 in a typical orchestra. He therefore sought to rally as many JCs as possible to give young Chinese orchestra musicians the experience of playing in a large orchestra.<\/p>\r\nAssoc Prof Chan gave his full support, noting that by nurturing younger musicians, NUSCO will not only raise its profile among JC students who will apply to universities within the next couple of years, but also send a message to the broader arts community about the value of Chinese orchestra: \"NUS is paying attention.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18355\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Playing in a combined Chinese orchestra of about 130 was a memorable experience for the NUS and JC musicians, who were used to playing in smaller ensembles.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nJC and NUS students alike were thrilled at the opportunity to play in the combined orchestra of about 130 musicians. River Valley High School student Pang Wei Qing said that getting to connect with musicians from other COs made her feel more \"like part of a Chinese orchestra,\" while Tanya Toh, a student from Raffles Institution, described performing with such a large orchestra as \"an amazing experience.\"<\/p>\r\nSaid Sim Xin Yu, a Year 2\u00a0Pharmacy<\/a>\u00a0student who is NUSCO's concertmaster: \"It was one of the best concerts we've had since I joined NUSCO - the quality was better. I'm not sure if it's because there were more people, but if it's because of that, that's all the more reason to do these collaborations.\"<\/p>\r\nThe interactions between JC and NUS students during the rehearsals sparked conversations about what the younger musicians could do with the art form beyond JC, said first-year\u00a0Geography<\/a>\u00a0student Tara-Jade Sim. She shared: \"A lot of my juniors said they felt very unsure about CO. They're here because they have a passion for it, but they're struggling to see a future in continuing to pursue it.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18354\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS student Tara-Jade Sim (far left) connected with her Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra juniors during the NUSCO collaboration. Photo credit: Tara-Jade Sim<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nShowing the younger generation that there are avenues to continue playing and finding community in Chinese orchestra is key to keeping the art form alive, said Mr Gay, who shared that he hopes to add polytechnics to NUSCO's next collaboration.<\/p>\r\n\"No matter how well we play, a pipeline is still needed. We are addressing the core of the problem by reaching out to younger students, and during the concerts, we can share these ideas with three generations in the audience. If we do this with every school, there might be a chance to make CO more vibrant among the younger generation.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 22 January 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely<\/a><\/h3>20 January 2026 <\/div>Living alone in later life is often treated as a signal of social risk. The one-person household is easy to identify in administrative data and, as a result, frequently used as a proxy for loneliness in policy and service delivery.\r\n\r\nHowever, this assumption can be misleading.\r\n\r\nIn the opinion piece \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019 (Straits Times<\/em>, January 2026) by, Associate Professor Vincent Chua (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Professor Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho (NUS Geography and NUS Asia Research Institute), and Associate Professor Chen-Chieh Feng (NUS Geography) illustrate how numerous seniors who live alone remain socially active, mobile, and embedded in wide community networks in Singapore.\r\n\r\nThe editorial draws on their 2025 article in Ageing & Society<\/span><\/a><\/i>\u00a0titled \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019, where they conducted research on nearly 1,200 older Singaporeans, and found that while seniors living alone may be more likely to report loneliness, this risk is significantly reduced when they stay connected beyond the household. For instance, they may physically interact with others, communicate online, and move within their neighbourhoods \u2013 \u201cageing in networks\u201d across multiple places. As the authors point out, equating living alone with loneliness thus risks misdirecting attention and resources, overlooking seniors who may live with others but still experience isolation.\r\n\r\nRead \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019\u00a0 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nRead our post about \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18308\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"]
\r\nOfficially launched today, CSSH is the first in Singapore to systematically bring together computational social science and the humanities within a single centre to bridge research, policy and real-world applications.<\/p>\r\nThe Centre draws on expertise across disciplines including computing, new media, linguistics, geography, public policy and healthcare, amongst others. This interdisciplinary foundation enables CSSH to examine how digital technologies intersect with social systems, such as assessing the societal implications of AI-enabled platforms, using digital tools to help preserve Singapore's cultural heritage, and strengthening digital literacy in vulnerable communities.<\/p>\r\nNUS Deputy President (Research and Technology) Professor Liu Bin said, \"Rapid advances in digital technologies and AI are transforming our world. But technological breakthroughs are only as valuable as the difference they make to peoples' lives. CSSH reflects NUS' commitment to ensuring that innovation translates to tangible improvements in how we live, work and build stronger communities. By integrating computational methods with social science and humanities, the Centre will help translate research insights into policies and practices that deliver real-world impact.\"<\/p>\r\nShe added that the Centre complements Singapore's broader push for innovative, responsible harnessing of technology and AI which emphasises that progress should be not only technically advanced, but trusted, inclusive and grounded in real social needs.<\/p>\r\nDriving real-world impact through interdisciplinary innovation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\r\nCSSH is led by Co-Directors Professor Atreyi Kankanhalli from the\u00a0NUS School of Computing<\/a>\u00a0and Professor Peter Millican from the\u00a0NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>. The Centre supports both seed funding for emerging ideas and larger projects, all designed to generate real-world impact.<\/p>\r\nProf Kankanhalli said, \"What distinguishes CSSH is our ability to study human behaviour, institutions and societies at a scale and depth that was not previously possible. By combining computational methods with rich domain expertise in the social sciences and humanities, we can uncover patterns, test ideas, and generate evidence that directly informs policy and practice. Our goal is not just to analyse social problems, but to help shape systems that work better for people.\"<\/p>\r\nSince beginning operations in the second half of 2024, CSSH has embarked on more than 50 interdisciplinary projects involving 105 researchers from across NUS and their external collaborators. The projects demonstrate the breadth of its work - from AI-enabled analysis of social media impacts to digital preservation of historical archives.<\/p>\r\nAmongst the major research projects currently being undertaken by CSSH is one titled \"Computational Social Simulations for Aiding Policy Design\", led by Prof Kankanhalli. In this five-year project, researchers from NUS and three other local universities are collaborating to develop an AI-driven social simulation platform for policymakers to help test and refine policy interventions before they are rolled out.<\/p>\r\nUsing large language models (LLMs), the platform will model diverse public personas to enable policymakers to conduct swift preliminary testing of policy ideas. The simulations will complement traditional research methods by reducing the frequency of costly, time-consuming large-scale surveys and field studies during early policy development, while retaining real-world validation and community engagement at critical decision points. CSSH Deputy Director Associate Professor Dandan Qiao from the NUS School of Computing is also contributing her expertise to the project.<\/p>\r\nAnother project titled \"The Jawi AI Project\", led by NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Associate Professor Miguel Escobar Varela, harnesses AI to enable large-scale transliteration and analysis of Jawi texts. Early Malay-language newspapers in Singapore, published between 1870 and 1970 were written in Jawi, a script few can read today.<\/p>\r\nIn collaboration with the National Library Board (NLB), the team comprising local and foreign experts is transforming thousands of archived pages into searchable Malay text, significantly expanding the range of materials available at NLB's digitised archives. Assoc Prof Escobar Varela, who is also Deputy Director at CSSH, noted that the project could significantly expand research into Malay-language journalism and public debate in the region, broadening how Singapore's history is understood and taught.<\/p>\r\nProf Millican highlighted that a core mission of CSSH is to break down the walls between disciplines. By connecting humanities and social science researchers with computing and data science experts, the Centre fosters collaborations that neither field could achieve alone. \"Many of today's biggest challenges demand both deep specialist insight and serious technical firepower\", he explained, \"whether they involve untangling complex social issues, tackling health crises, anticipating future problems, or building the tools to address these. CSSH provides a natural home for such interdisciplinary conversations.\"<\/p>\r\nHe added that the Centre looks forward to developing more projects addressing societal challenges to which computational insights can make the greatest difference. Focus areas include AI and emerging technologies, sustainability and environmental policy, population trends and demographic change, public health and social care, and the preservation and understanding of history and cultural heritage.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 4 March 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>EVENT | Work, Migration, Policy Implications | 19 Mar, 2:30-5:15 pm<\/a><\/h3>01 March 2026 <\/div>The Singapore Research Nexus at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) invites you to \u2018Work, Migration, Policy Implications\u2019, a policy outreach event that brings social science research into conversation with urgent questions of governance, labour, and family in our interconnected world.\r\n\r\nAcross three studies, we shall examine how Singapore operates as an aspirational reference for urban futures beyond its borders, as a site where migrant workers navigate systems of redress and care, and as a global city in which highly educated women negotiate work and motherhood commitments.\r\n\r\nBy bridging future-looking visions with grounded ethnographic and comparative research, this event speaks to policymakers, scholars and students interested in how work and mobility are governed, and how individuals, in turn, navigate and reshape these structures. Join us for an engaging discussion on the possibilities and limits of policy in shaping more just and inclusive societies.\r\n\r\n \tPlanning Africa\u2019s Singapore: Geographical Imagination and Practices\u2019 by Dr Allen XIAO (Assistant Professor, NUS Department of Geography)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018\u2018Complaint: Migrant Workers, Wage Theft, and the Possibilities of Care\u2019 by Nur Amali IBRAHIM (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n \t\u2018Opting For the Optionless: Comparing Stay-at-home Motherhood among College-educated Chinese Women in Shanghai, Singapore, and New York\u2019 by Zheng MU (Associate Professor, NUS Department of Sociology and Anthropology)<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nDate and Time: Wednesday, 19 March 2026, 2:30-5:10 pm\r\n\r\nVenue: FASS AS7 Research Division Seminar Room (6-42) and Zoom\r\n\r\nVenue Address: NUS AS7 Shaw Foundation Building, 5 Arts Link, 117570\r\n\r\nRegister:<\/strong>\r\n\r\nIn-person here<\/a>\r\n\r\nvia Zoom here<\/a>\r\n\r\nGet the programme here<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/div>Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/a><\/h3>28 February 2026 <\/div>The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world\u2019s largest free trade agreement, was conceived amid global uncertainty shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and an intensifying U.S.-China rivalry. In such a rapidly shifting landscape, existing theories on free trade agreements (FTAs) may fall short in explaining or predicting RCEP\u2019s evolving impact. \u2018Data-Driven Visual Analytics Platform: Exploring RCEP\u2019s Impacts on ASEAN\u2019s Trade in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic\u2019, a Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 grant funded from 2025 to 2028, brings together a multidisciplinary team led by Assistant Professor Wei Luo (NUS Geography & NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health), Professor Dariusz W\u00f3jcik (NUS Geography), Assistant Professor Sanjana Goswami (NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy), Assistant Professor Chen Liu (NUS Economics), and Dr Rui Dai (University of Pennsylvania).<\/p>\r\nThe team aims to build the first near real-time, data-driven surveillance system for monitoring RCEP\u2019s impact \u2013 an innovative framework that blends computational analysis with human expertise. This system will support more responsive, evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN at a critical juncture for the region. Central to the project is the use of advanced analytical tools to track trade flows and uncover the structural forces shaping economic interactions among RCEP member states.<\/p>\r\nThe project has three core objectives. Firstly, it seeks to enrich the literature on FTA networks by incorporating the complex dynamics introduced by geopolitical shifts and liberalised trade regimes. Secondly, it aims to apply gravity models and other advanced techniques to examine the underlying drivers of trade flows, drawing on newly curated datasets that reflect real-time developments. Thirdly, it will analyse the broader macroeconomic implications of these trade dynamics, with a particular focus on post-pandemic recovery and regional integration.<\/p>\r\nTo meet these goals, the researchers will gather direct trade data and relevant proxies to build an empirical framework that can capture the structural determinants of trade under the RCEP agreement. In doing so, the study fills a key gap in quantitative research on modern FTAs, offering actionable insights to governments, economists, and strategic planners.<\/p>\r\nUltimately, the platform will provide practical guidance for ASEAN policymakers as they navigate the dual imperatives of deepening regional integration and managing external pressures. In highlighting the delicate balance between cooperation and protectionism, it seeks to position RCEP as a cornerstone of sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_16157\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"] Photo: iStock\/sarawuth702[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Mindset shifts for a kinder, happier Singapore<\/a><\/h3>20 February 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18447\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, opened the in-person Singapore Perspectives 2026 conference by discussing the history of the Singapore Pledge and how the founders viewed the pursuit of happiness and social cohesion.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nWhat does social cohesion have to do with happiness and the very notion of being Singaporean? Everything, if we examine the drafting and final phrasing of our National Pledge, said Mr Janadas Devan, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies<\/a>\u00a0(IPS) at NUS, at the annual Singapore Perspectives conference organised by the Institute in January 2026.<\/p>\r\nThe conference's discussions centred on the theme of Fraternity and explored ways to help Singaporeans connect with one another, even as technological disruption, cultural differences and competition pose a constant threat to unity. As the panellists discussed community and government interventions, a pattern emerged of key mindset shifts that must be embraced alongside such efforts for Singapore to become a kinder, more inclusive society.<\/p>\r\nSpeaking on the second day of the conference, Mr Devan used the historical context of the Pledge to frame the importance of nurturing social cohesion in Singapore. The original draft ended with a commitment to \"seek happiness and progress by helping one another\", which was later edited to read \"achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.\"<\/p>\r\nThe two versions taken together imply that the pursuit of happiness is a collective one for Singaporeans.<\/p>\r\nTaking individual ownership<\/strong>While Singaporeans often look to the government to address issues related to social cohesion, panellists at the first session, \"Rethinking Social Capital in a Smart Nation\", stressed that no policy or programme can succeed if individuals do not choose to engage with one another and build interpersonal trust. Ultimately, the responsibility rests with each of us to take ownership and nurture connections in our own everyday spaces.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18446\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr Ang Jin Shaun, Founder of Stranger Conversations; Professor Lim Sun Sun of Singapore Management University; Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of Education; and Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Governance and Economy at IPS, who moderated the first panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nMs Jasmin Lau, Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Ministry of Education, illustrated this through the different roles she plays - parent, sibling, neighbour and government official - and the contribution she can make in each. As a parent, she thinks about how she would manage her children's screen time and encourage them to converse with new people, while in her role at work, she considers what she can do to keep online spaces safe.<\/p>\r\nShe used a fellow panellist Mr Ang Jin Shaun's social initiative, Stranger Conversations, as an example of how simple, individual actions can collectively strengthen social cohesion. The sessions are initiated by hosts with a personal story or passion, creating a space for participants to listen and respond. \"We can't all be Stranger Conversations (hosts). Someone sets it up, other people attend, other people share. And if you're the person with the interesting story, then you come out and share because you can bring a group together.\"<\/p>\r\nSerendipitous encounters are becoming rarer as we spend more time interacting digitally, but meaningful connections can still be cultivated if we are brave enough to reach out and allow others to respond, said Mr Ang. \"It is sort of an act of service when you share something and make other people feel like they're not alone, because this topic that you are sharing is meaningful to others as well,\" he said.<\/p>\r\n\"The question is, do we think that this level of connection is a need or a want? If we think it's a want and this is a lower priority, then that's going to get in the way of these serendipitous connections happening.\"<\/p>\r\nSeeing differences as relational, not oppositional<\/strong>In the second panel, \"Navigating Challenges to Social Cohesion,\" panellists examined how Singapore's diversity, sometimes seen as a fault line, can instead become a strength. Rather than fearing disagreement and division, Singaporeans can explore our differences through relationships and learn to see one another \"as people, not proxies for communities or belief systems,\" said Ms Shahrany Hassan, founder and director of non-governmental organisation The Whitehatters.<\/p>\r\nThe Whitehatters offers safe spaces and skilled facilitation to help people interact through dialogue, sports and the arts, and discuss topics like race and religion. Shared Ms Shahrany: \"It requires sustained effort to build trust and address tensions before they harden into divisions... Our task is not to reduce differences, but to ensure that differences are held in relationship rather than allowed to polarise.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18445\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Ms Shahrany Hassan, Founder and Director of The Whitehatters; Professor Elaine Ho of the Department of Geography at FASS and Asia Research Institute; Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance; and Associate Professor Razwana Begum of the Singapore University of Social Sciences, who moderated the second panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nIn addition to shared interests like cooking, enjoying food and playing football, public spaces are another lever that should be used to encourage informal friendships through commonalities, said Professor Elaine Ho, who is Provost's Chair Professor of the\u00a0Department of Geography<\/a>\u00a0at the\u00a0Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences<\/a>\u00a0(FASS) and Research Leader for the Migration and Mobilities Cluster at the\u00a0Asia Research Institute<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\"Not everything has to be structured programmes\u2026 As we design Singapore, we also need to think about building these kinds of spaces where people can get together informally,\" she said, highlighting sports fields and void decks, especially the more open designs in older estates, as examples of spaces that promote natural interactions.<\/p>\r\nRedefining merit<\/strong>The third panel, \"Building a More Inclusive and 'We First' Society\", grappled with the competitive nature that is inherent in Singapore's economic model and characteristic of its people. The mindset shift they called for was to redefine merit not just through words, but through action.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Vincent Chua of the\u00a0Department of Sociology and Anthropology<\/a>\u00a0at FASS explained three \"Rs\" of inequality that erode social cohesion: resource inequality, relational inequality and recognition inequality.<\/p>\r\nThe gradual reduction in income inequality has partially addressed resource inequality, though wealth inequality remains a tougher issue to tackle. Meanwhile, social mixing in public housing, schools and workplaces helps to reduce relational inequality, but a divide remains between public and private housing residents.<\/p>\r\nRecognition inequality is \"the last of the giants,\" said Assoc Prof Chua.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18444\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] From left: Mr David Neo, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Senior Minister of State for Education; Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre; Associate Professor Vincent Chua of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at FASS; and Dr Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Society and Culture at IPS, who moderated the third panel session.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\n\"Sixty years of meritocracy has taught us to see ourselves and others in a certain way - through the lenses of achievement,\" he said, explaining that this perspective conflates resources with respect and ties perceptions of human worth to indicators of success and achievement. \"How we see others determines how we treat them and how we relate to them, subsequently impacting social cohesion.\"<\/p>\r\nMoving beyond the usual calls to redefine success, Mr Tony Soh, CEO of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, called on institutions to lead the way through their hiring processes and community involvement.<\/p>\r\nFor instance, instead of hiring on the basis of academic grades or typical achievements, employers should consider a broader range of qualifying capabilities. Community contributions should be rewarded, such as through awarding scholarships to young people who are doing ground-up work and recognising employees who volunteer for community causes.<\/p>\r\n\"When organisations begin to put more weightage on community contributions, that's how institutions\u2026 can change that metric of success within your organisations and provide the substance to being able to encourage young people to take this seriously,\" said Mr Soh.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 19 February 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore<\/a><\/h3>23 January 2026 <\/div>According to the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, Singapore could face increasingly extreme weather conditions, with more frequent scorching days, prolonged dry spells, and temperatures potentially rising by up to 5 degrees Celsius by 2100. These changes, driven by global climate change, will heighten the risks of heat stress, a condition where excessive heat overwhelms the body\u2019s ability to regulate itself. In densely built-up environments like Singapore, the canopy-layer urban heat island (CL-UHI) effect, caused by differences in land surface characteristics between urban and surrounding rural areas, intensifies temperature variability across the city.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn \u2018Application of a Semi-Empirical Approach to Map Maximum Urban Heat Island Intensity in Singapore\u2019 (<\/span>Sustainability<\/span><\/i>, 2023), Beatriz Sanchez (Research Center for Energy, Environment and Technology, Spain), Professor Matthias Roth (NUS Geography), Pratiman Patel (NUS Geography), and Andr\u00e9s Sim\u00f3n-Moral (TECHNALIA, Spain) developed a semi-empirical approach to model and map daily maximum urban heat island intensities in Singapore. Using over three years of observational temperature data from 26 sites around Singapore, the researchers first tested an existing empirical equation from previous research. While errors were reasonably low, the model did not capture patterns as well in Singapore compared to the other locations the original model was developed for.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nTo address this, the researchers derived their own equation using variables known to influence urban heat islands, such as land cover, building height, and meteorological conditions. Evaluation showed that their customised equation modelled daily maximum CL-UHI intensities reasonably well under different weather scenarios in Singapore, with the most intense heat islands occurring in highly developed central areas as expected. The resulting maps from the study can pinpoint vulnerable areas in need of cooling strategies to alleviate heat stress, a crucial challenge for an equatorial city like Singapore.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nEmpirically tailored models like this offer an efficient way to estimate heat exposure and guide local adaptation efforts. This approach could also be valuable for other rapidly urbanising tropical regions experiencing rising temperatures due to global warming. With further refinements, similar techniques applied globally could promote climate-resilient urban development as cities increasingly face the impacts of climate change.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead the article <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_15621\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"2121\"] Photo: iStock\/southtownboy[\/caption]<\/div><\/div>Arts for All enriches arts community within and beyond NUS<\/a><\/h3>22 January 2026 <\/div>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18359\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS Chinese Orchestra welcomed students from six junior colleges to play and learn together in a collaboration spurred by the Arts for All initiative. Above: The students pose after a fireside chat with composers Mr Wang Chenwei (centre left in front row, in blue) and Ms Hannah Hsieh (centre of front row, in black), forming the letter \"C\" with their hands and \"O\" with their mouths to represent the abbreviation for Chinese orchestra.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nTwo years after it was piloted in late 2023, the Arts for All (AFA)<\/a>\u00a0initiative is making waves in NUS, enabling students to embed the arts into their student life and learning journey - and beyond, through outreach efforts to younger musicians across Singapore.<\/p>\r\nEnriching the NUS student experience<\/strong>The AFA framework developed by the\u00a0NUS Office of Student Affairs<\/a>\u00a0Centre for the Arts<\/a>\u00a0(CFA) was designed to create access to the arts at various levels. It offers opportunities to initiate and participate in ground-up and student-led community initiatives, join extra-curricular activities and arts groups, and commit to year-long courses as part of four credit-bearing performing arts groups.<\/p>\r\nProgrammes administered by the\u00a0Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music<\/a>\u00a0(YST) and CFA also enable students to pursue a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts using the credits earned from their participation in credit-bearing arts groups and courses. YST courses comprise the majority of additional courses that students can take to fulfil their Minor or Second Major requirements, and YST faculty contribute their expertise in assessing and grading students in the credit-bearing arts groups, which currently include the NUS Symphony Orchestra (NUSSO), NUS Wind Symphony (NUSWS), NUS Chinese Orchestra (NUSCO) and NUS Chinese Dance.<\/p>\r\nAssociate Professor Chan Tze Law, NUS Vice Dean of Students who oversees CFA and led the creation of AFA, described the initiative's intent as not being about producing more artists - \"though some students may discover their calling that way,\" he noted. Assoc Prof Chan, who is also\u00a0Vice Dean at YST, added that\u00a0\"it's about using the arts as a vehicle for developing a full range of human capabilities: creativity, resilience, moral reasoning, cultural intelligence, collaborative skills and the confidence to make something new in the world.\"<\/p>\r\nFrom August 2024 to May 2025 (AY2024\/2025), more than 10,000 students took part in student-led arts activities. These included the 22 programmes organised under\u00a0third space,\u00a0<\/i>an initiative to create arts gathering spaces on campus and provide more opportunities for arts encounters, and 30 programmes presented over eight weeks by extra-curricular activity and arts groups at the NUS Arts Festival.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18358\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"800\"] The third space initiative hosts student-led programmes like this site-specific dance theatre piece, performed at the park adjoining NUS Central Library on 14 February 2025 as part of the NUS Arts Festival.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nEnrolment in the credit-bearing groups and courses increased by more than 40 per cent in AY2023\/2024 to more than 200 students in AY2024\/2025, with NUSWS even gaining enough members to form two wind symphonies. More students are also expressing interest in pursuing a Minor or Second Major in Performing Arts.<\/p>\r\nInspiring younger artists in the broader arts scene<\/strong>A key factor in broadening AFA's impact beyond NUS is the initiative's requirement for all student groups to plan and produce two performances per academic year: one that showcases their excellence in their art form, and another that involves education or outreach.<\/p>\r\nOver the last two years, NUSWS, NUSSO and NUSCO have collaborated with local educational institutions, culminating in side-by-side concerts at NUS. NUSWS and NUSSO each partnered with one primary school in 2024, with NUSSO continuing its partnership in 2025, while NUSCO collaborated with six junior colleges (JCs) in 2025. CFA supported the groups in organising the practice sessions and concerts, with the two most recent concerts taking place in November 2025.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18357\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUSSO members worked with young string players from Greenwood Primary School to present heartwarming side-by-side performances in 2024 and 2025.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nThe positive experience has been mutual amongst collaborators. NUS students get the opportunity to share their passion and inspire younger musicians, while the young musicians get exposure to new and different ways of learning together.<\/p>\r\nRenowned conductor Mr Moses Gay, who is a principal tutor at NUSCO, said, \"During rehearsals, I ask the NUSCO students to question things and give their own recommendations. This is part of making music together, but it was new to the JC students, and it sparked their curiosity.\"<\/p>\r\nUltimately, Mr Gay said that the vision is to build a community that encompasses both NUS and the broader arts community, from primary school students just beginning their musical journeys to JC students thinking about their tertiary education options.<\/p>\r\n\"Aside from sharing our art form within NUS, our university arts groups need to bring people in to see that NUS is vibrant, so they will want to be a part of this,\" said Mr Gay.<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18356\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] The NUSCO collaboration with the JCs gave the younger musicians a glimpse of how they could continue pursuing their art form in the next chapter of their education journey.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nA\u00a0<\/strong>catalyst for revitalising traditional music forms<\/strong>The outreach efforts by NUS students through AFA have been an opportunity to breathe life into traditional music practices.<\/p>\r\nMr Gay, who also conducts the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, has observed that declining participation has resulted in many schools disbanding or downsizing their Chinese orchestras to chamber groups of 15 to 20 members, instead of the 60 to 100 in a typical orchestra. He therefore sought to rally as many JCs as possible to give young Chinese orchestra musicians the experience of playing in a large orchestra.<\/p>\r\nAssoc Prof Chan gave his full support, noting that by nurturing younger musicians, NUSCO will not only raise its profile among JC students who will apply to universities within the next couple of years, but also send a message to the broader arts community about the value of Chinese orchestra: \"NUS is paying attention.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18355\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] Playing in a combined Chinese orchestra of about 130 was a memorable experience for the NUS and JC musicians, who were used to playing in smaller ensembles.<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nJC and NUS students alike were thrilled at the opportunity to play in the combined orchestra of about 130 musicians. River Valley High School student Pang Wei Qing said that getting to connect with musicians from other COs made her feel more \"like part of a Chinese orchestra,\" while Tanya Toh, a student from Raffles Institution, described performing with such a large orchestra as \"an amazing experience.\"<\/p>\r\nSaid Sim Xin Yu, a Year 2\u00a0Pharmacy<\/a>\u00a0student who is NUSCO's concertmaster: \"It was one of the best concerts we've had since I joined NUSCO - the quality was better. I'm not sure if it's because there were more people, but if it's because of that, that's all the more reason to do these collaborations.\"<\/p>\r\nThe interactions between JC and NUS students during the rehearsals sparked conversations about what the younger musicians could do with the art form beyond JC, said first-year\u00a0Geography<\/a>\u00a0student Tara-Jade Sim. She shared: \"A lot of my juniors said they felt very unsure about CO. They're here because they have a passion for it, but they're struggling to see a future in continuing to pursue it.\"<\/p>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18354\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1024\"] NUS student Tara-Jade Sim (far left) connected with her Dunman High School Chinese Orchestra juniors during the NUSCO collaboration. Photo credit: Tara-Jade Sim<\/strong>[\/caption]\r\nShowing the younger generation that there are avenues to continue playing and finding community in Chinese orchestra is key to keeping the art form alive, said Mr Gay, who shared that he hopes to add polytechnics to NUSCO's next collaboration.<\/p>\r\n\"No matter how well we play, a pipeline is still needed. We are addressing the core of the problem by reaching out to younger students, and during the concerts, we can share these ideas with three generations in the audience. If we do this with every school, there might be a chance to make CO more vibrant among the younger generation.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nThis story\u00a0first appeared in <\/em>NUSnews<\/a> on 22 January 2026.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div><\/div>When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely<\/a><\/h3>20 January 2026 <\/div>Living alone in later life is often treated as a signal of social risk. The one-person household is easy to identify in administrative data and, as a result, frequently used as a proxy for loneliness in policy and service delivery.\r\n\r\nHowever, this assumption can be misleading.\r\n\r\nIn the opinion piece \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019 (Straits Times<\/em>, January 2026) by, Associate Professor Vincent Chua (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Professor Elaine Lynn-Ee Ho (NUS Geography and NUS Asia Research Institute), and Associate Professor Chen-Chieh Feng (NUS Geography) illustrate how numerous seniors who live alone remain socially active, mobile, and embedded in wide community networks in Singapore.\r\n\r\nThe editorial draws on their 2025 article in Ageing & Society<\/span><\/a><\/i>\u00a0titled \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019, where they conducted research on nearly 1,200 older Singaporeans, and found that while seniors living alone may be more likely to report loneliness, this risk is significantly reduced when they stay connected beyond the household. For instance, they may physically interact with others, communicate online, and move within their neighbourhoods \u2013 \u201cageing in networks\u201d across multiple places. As the authors point out, equating living alone with loneliness thus risks misdirecting attention and resources, overlooking seniors who may live with others but still experience isolation.\r\n\r\nRead \u2018When seniors live alone, it doesn\u2019t mean they are lonely\u2019\u00a0 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\nRead our post about \u2018Ageing in networks: living alone but connected\u2019 here<\/a>.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_18308\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"936\"]