News
Knowing Singapore: The Evolution of Published Information in Europe, c.1500–1819
As Singapore celebrates its 60th year of independence, the SG60 theme, ‘Building Our Singapore Together’, serves as a reminder to reflect on Singapore’s rich and multifaceted history. Much of the country’s early history is understood through traditional sources such as the official East India Company records, but exploring alternative narratives is essential to uncover the diverse stories that shaped its development. In the Introduction chapter of Knowing Singapore: The Evolution of Published Information in Europe, c.1500–1819 (Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 2023), Adjunct Associate Professor Kwa Chong Guan (NUS History) describes how, in the book, Benjamin Khoo (NUS Asia Research Institute) and Associate Professor Peter Borschberg (NUS History) investigate what was known about Singapore in Europe before Sir Stamford Raffles’ arrival in 1819. By adopting a transcultural approach that draws attention to alternative knowledge circuits about Singapore, the researchers challenge the overreliance and dominance of traditional sources. Through various European printed works, including rutters, which are nautical handbooks of sailing directions, travelogues, and encyclopaedias that referenced Singapore, Khoo and Borschberg show that a merchant in 17th century Antwerp had access to valuable information about Singapore when planning trade routes in the Eastern Seas. They contend that Raffles and his colleagues, despite having access to East India Company records, were largely unaware of this extensive European knowledge. The research reveals that the courts of the Johor-Riau sultans possessed and documented extensive knowledge about Singapore and its surrounding maritime region that predated Raffles’ arrival in Singapore. This legacy was meticulously recorded in Malay manuscripts such as the Sulalat al-Salatin (Genealogy of Kings), which circulated widely and even influenced the Portuguese and Dutch records. Similarly, institutional knowledge from the Dutch East India Company (the Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, or VOC), included archives and correspondence that was more systematic than its English counterpart. The VOC had meticulous archival records, which shed light on diplomatic engagements with Malay rulers and strategic assessments of the region. These archives spanned thousands of volumes and documented local politics and trade activities. Additionally, Asian trading communities, such as Chinese and South Asian merchants, had a rich understanding of Singapore’s strategic role. For example, Chinese nautical charts such as the Selden map reflect extensive maritime knowledge among Chinese merchants, who navigated the region centuries before European colonisation. Similarly, South Asian traders, like the Gujarati and Tamil Chulia merchants, developed comparable navigational expertise, though their records remain largely undocumented. As Singapore commemorates 60 years of independence, uncovering diverse narratives that have long shaped the nation’s past is essential to fostering a more holistic understanding of its heritage. Read the article here.
Celebrating a legacy of growth and global impact
NUS marked its 120th anniversary with a grand gala dinner on 3 July 2025 at Marina Bay Sands, gathering close to 2,000 alumni, donors, partners and friends, including Guest-of-Honour Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (Medicine '85, MMed '91), Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong (Economics '64, HonLLD '15), and Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Dr Koh Poh Koon (Medicine '96, MMed '03). The evening paid tribute to NUS' astounding journey of service, innovation and impact since its founding in 1905.
From its roots as the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School with only 23 students, NUS has grown into a globally renowned institution spanning 15 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses.
In his opening remarks, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science '85) reflected on its founding purpose: "The Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School was the forerunner of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, honouring a legacy of service from tending to the wounded in World War II to serving on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic," he shared. "Today, the School of Medicine is pushing the frontiers of groundbreaking research discoveries such as developing life-saving CAR-T cell immunotherapy to treat leukaemia, and the world's first blood-based diagnostic test for early gastric cancer detection."
Prof Tan noted that this same spirit of service still drives NUS today, which now educates over 7,000 undergraduates each year, producing graduates who contribute across society - including more than half of today's Cabinet ministers.
Relevance in a changing world
Yet Prof Tan was clear-eyed about the challenges ahead. Rapid technological disruption, shifting student expectations and geopolitical uncertainties will test the University's resilience and relevance. "To remain relevant, we must continuously adapt - renewing our value in each new generation, not only in how and what we teach, but how we lead and inspire," he emphasised.
Against this backdrop, Prof Tan reaffirmed the role of education as an intrinsic part of the Singapore social compact. "A significant number of our students and alumni are the first in their families to go to university. In providing opportunities to study at NUS, we are nurturing the best and brightest talents, uplifting families, and inspiring the next generation to realise their aspirations."
In the last financial year, NUS received S$233 million in philanthropic gifts, including S$26 million earmarked to support students from low-income families through the Enhanced Financial Aid Scheme, benefitting around 3,000 undergraduates annually.
Addressing global health challenges
Next to address the guests was the Dean of NUS Medicine, Professor Chong Yap Seng (Medicine '88, MD '07), who highlighted how NUS' founding mission - to meet public health needs - is just as critical today. He described an increasingly complex health landscape marked by geopolitical instability, climate change, the promises and threats of artificial intelligence and misinformation spread on social media.
"A whole-of-society, whole-of-planet approach is required more urgently than ever," he said, adding that "the combined efforts of people with diverse skills, expertise and perspectives will be vital to creating a healthier and more sustainable future."
A citadel with open gates
Guest-of-Honour Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, a former president and chairman of the NUS Students' Union, spoke about how global volatility will inevitably affect academia and science, potentially leading to higher inflation, greater risks for smaller nations and a slowdown in innovation. He described NUS through three vivid metaphors: first, as a cradle nurturing Singapore's national identity and unity since 1905; second, as a citadel with open gates - strong yet welcoming to talent and ideas.
"NUS needs to have open gates, and we need to have our fair share of access to talent and ideas, while still remembering that this is the citadel based in Singapore, to protect Singapore," he explained.
Lastly, he urged NUS to be a launch pad for new technological breakthroughs, ensuring Singapore and Asia do not get left behind in a fast-changing world. His words echoed NUS' international outlook, which is supported by a global alumni network of nearly 390,000 across more than 100 countries.
A night of joy, gratitude and pride
The gala dinner was a lively celebration of NUS spirit and camaraderie. Guests were welcomed by a candle-lined walkway and a playful photo wall with handheld props featuring messages like "I love NUS" and "Where I Found My Tribe." Student and alumni performances from NUS Dance Blast! and The Jazzlings provided entertainment during the dinner, while video segments highlighted NUS' incredible growth and brought celebratory greetings from alumni across the world. The occasion was also truly global, with alumni travelling to Singapore from cities such as Tokyo, Jakarta, Yangon, Vancouver, London, and Melbourne.
Interactive exhibits filled the foyer, from the AiSee assistive technology demonstration by NUS Computing to a showcase of Duke-NUS young alumni leading in innovation. NUS Libraries also delighted guests with a fun campus landmark quiz. In a meaningful gesture, Dr Balakrishnan, Prof Tan, Prof Chong and Chief Alumni Officer Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (History and Political Science '89) unveiled and watered a Tembusu tree - a living symbol of resilience and growth.
"Tonight, we celebrate 120 years of NUS - but this evening is about so much more than a number. It's about the remarkable journey of a humble medical school that has grown into one of the world's leading universities," Ms Lim-Rajaram told the guests.
Celebrating milestones and a vision for tomorrow
The celebration also honoured key milestones across NUS' schools and faculties, including the 120th anniversary of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, 70 years of NUS Engineering, 60 years of the NUS Business School, 50 years of NUS Computing, 45 years of Kent Ridge Hall, 20 years of Duke-NUS Medical School and NUS High School, and 15 years of Tembusu College.
As the evening concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, guests looked forward to a year of commemorative events - from the NUS120 Homecoming at Bukit Timah Campus, the Distinguished Speaker Series, the #NUSLife Photo Exhibition, NUS120 SuperNova, to Rag and Flag - that will continue to connect past, present and future generations. As NUS looks ahead to its next 120 years, it stands ready to nurture bold thinkers, responsible leaders and a community grounded in service and shared purpose.
This story by the NUS Office of Alumni Relations first appeared on NUSNews on 10 July 2025.
Afterlives
Nestled along South Bridge Road in Singapore’s bustling Chinatown, the Sri Mariamman Temple stands out as a vivid landmark, in bold contrast to its urban surroundings. With its towering gopuram (the ornate entrance tower) lavishly adorned with intricately sculpted deities, demons, and celestial beings painted in jewel-toned crimson, emeralds, and golds, the temple commands both reverence and attention. Encircling the temple complex, sculptures of cows line the boundary walls around the compound. The Sri Mariamman Temple is an example of how devotional images continue to shape cultural life, not only as objects of worship but as anchors of identity and continuity for diasporic communities. In the final chapter, of Ancient India: Living Traditions (The British Museum, 2025), titled ‘Afterlives’, Dr Sureshkumar Muthukumaran (NUS History) and Dr Sushma Jansari (Tabor Foundation Curator of South Asia Collections, The British Museum) explore the enduring legacy of ancient religious imagery. Such images, across Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, transcend their origins to become living inheritances, carried across borders and generations. In places like the UK and Singapore, they invoke a sense of permanence and spiritual familiarity, reinforcing the ties between migrant communities and their regions of origin through ritual, memory, and visual presence. Religious imagery has evolved to suit the needs of each new age. Iconographic forms, once traditional, have been repurposed and expanded for an ever-growing pantheon of deities and divine figures. Indian-derived iconographies have been incorporated into non-devotional contexts, particularly in popular culture, such as in Japanese manga artist Nakamura Hikaru’s Seinto Oniisan (Saint Young Men), which features the Buddha and Jesus in modern clothing. However, the appropriation of ancient religious icons in commercial or non-religious contexts is not always well-received. In Thailand, the commercial use of Buddhist images is strongly disparaged by many. In contrast, the depiction of Hindu god Gaṇeśa is more widely accepted in non-devotional contexts, as his playful and light-hearted nature has long been a hallmark of his ancient representations. It is common to see Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains worship or show obeisance to each other’s religious spaces. This fluidity of identity is reflected in places such as the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, which houses an image of the four-faced Phra Phrom (Brahmā). In Singapore, a temple dedicated to Kṛṣṇa houses an image of Avalokiteśvara (Chinese: Guanyin), while the Chinese Buddhist temple on the same street is dedicated Avalokiteśvara. In this regard, devotional images transcend strict religious boundaries and show the interconnectedness of religious traditions in global contexts. Ultimately, the spread and adaptation of religious images have been deeply influenced by colonialism and post-colonial migration. Migrants bring their region-specific beliefs and devotional icons with them, establishing new temples and devotional art as a means to maintain their cultural identity and reinforce connections to their homelands. This enduring connection to their regions of origin highlights the importance of religious imagery in preserving cultural continuity, and sustaining community ties, particularly in diasporic contexts. Order Ancient India: Living Traditions here. Ancient India: Living Traditions is the official hardback companion to The British Museum’s major summer exhibition, exploring the rich religious and artistic traditions of ancient India and their global influence. Find out more about the exhibition here.
Southeast Asia’s Dharma: Essays on Buddhism in Singapore
Ancient India: Living Traditions
As Mark Twain said, “India is the cradle of the human race, birthplace of human speech, mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and great-grandmother of tradition.” Ancient India, with its vast cultural, spiritual, and artistic heritage, has played a crucial role in shaping the course of human civilization. It was here that some of the world’s most beloved religious figures came to life, such as the Hindu god Ganesha, readily identified by his elephant head, the serene Buddha, and the enlightened Jain teachers. Among the many traditions that emerged from this land, Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism stand out for their profound influence, not just within India but around the world. These religions have left an indelible mark on both the cultural and religious landscapes of countless regions. In Ancient India: Living Traditions (The British Museum, 2025), Dr Sureshkumar Muthukumaran (NUS History) and Dr Sushma Jansari (Tabor Foundation Curator of South Asia Collections, The British Museum) explore these religious traditions through their art and imagery. Accompanying The British Museum’s major summer 2025 exhibition on ancient India, the book traces how Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism evolved through their religious art, and how these images not only reflect spiritual and political power but also reveal the daily lives and beliefs of ancient peoples. The book examines the spread of these religious practices beyond India, reaching as far as Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, and concludes with a modern perspective, using Singapore as a case study for religious syncretism and pluralism. At the heart of the book’s narrative is the evolution of religious imagery over time, tracing its journey from around 200 BCE to 600 CE. Initially, religious art depicted nature spirits, but by 600 CE, the images of deities and religious figures such as Jain, Buddhist, and Hindu gods had taken recognisable human form. These figures, depicted with divine attributes, attendants, and animal vehicles, continue to be found in contemporary religious iconography worldwide. The fascinating shifts in religious art also affected the political, cultural, and religious landscape of the Indian subcontinent and beyond. From the transformation of the Buddha’s image from symbolic to human form, to the formalisation of divine depictions within Hindu traditions, the book illuminates the ways in which art and religion intersected in ancient India to create some of the most enduring and influential works of art in history. Beyond its rich historical scope, Ancient India: Living Traditions offers an illuminating journey through the intertwined worlds of religion, art, and daily life in ancient India, tracing their lasting impact across Asia. Through vivid illustrations and accessible narratives, it brings to life the enduring traditions of Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, offering a compelling window into one of the world’s most influential civilizations. Order Ancient India: Living Traditions here. Ancient India: Living Traditions is the official hardback companion to The British Museum’s major summer exhibition, exploring the rich religious and artistic traditions of ancient India and their global influence. Find out more about the exhibition here.
Assistant/Associate Professor, Art History Position
The Art History Minor is one of the top ranked programme in the field internationally and is housed in the Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS). The Minor and its sister Visual Cultures Minor (Department of Communications and New Media) are articulated with the Visual Arts and Cultures Second Major (Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies) invites applications for the position. More details can be found here.
NUS Asia Research Institute receives S$3 million gift to establish the Nalanda Endowed Professorship in India-China Studies
The NUS Asia Research Institute (ARI) announced today the establishment of the Nalanda Endowed Professorship in India-China Studies. The Professorship seeks to promote research and education on India-China relations - specifically, the political, economic, historical and cultural interactions between India and China - with the overarching goal to shape policy and deepen societal understanding in the interdisciplinary field.
The Professorship is made possible through a generous S$3 million gift from the Nalanda Library Fund Limited (NLFL) which was presented by Former Minister Mr George Yeo as NLFL Trustee to Director of ARI, Professor Tim Bunnell in a ceremony witnessed by NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye at NUS this afternoon.
The NLFL was established to collect donations for the Nalanda University Library in India, providing facilities for study, research, and teaching. Its trustees include Mr Yeo, Ho Bee Land Executive Chairman Mr Chua Thian Poh and NUS University Professor Wang Gungwu. Donors from Singapore had agreed to gift up to S$10 million for the construction of the library to be designed by Singapore architects. After plans were shelved, the Trustees decided, with the approval of all donors, that the remaining amount of S$3 million be donated to NUS for the establishment of the Nalanda Endowed Professorship in India-China Studies.
Prof Tan said, "NUS is delighted to be partnering with the Nalanda Library Fund Limited to establish the Nalanda Endowed Professorship in India-China Studies at ARI. This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to illuminating the deep history and contemporary significance of India-China relations and advancing this field of research."
He added, "By promoting study of the many ways in which India and China have influenced each other over long centuries, this Nalanda Endowed Professorship will contribute to advancing understanding between the two countries in ways that serve as ballast for regional stability and prosperity today and into the future."
The Professorship will be awarded to leading scholars in the domain for a fixed term. The appointed professor (otherwise known as the Chair) will spearhead original research through a long-term project on India-China relations, lead archival initiatives to collect, digitise and preserve original materials related to historical research on India-China ties and their regional influence, mentor graduate students, as well as contribute to the broader discourse in the field through engagements with the academic and policymaking communities and the public in the form of workshops, public lectures and an annual conference. The global search for the first Chair has already begun.
Prof Bunnell said, "Trans-Asian research has been part of ARI's DNA for some time, the Nalanda Endowed Professorship in India-China Studies builds on this legacy of trans-regional research. We look forward to the new professorship complimenting the important work provided by ARI's Asian Peace Programme on India and China by situating contemporary geo-politics as one form among many forms of relations between these two historically consequential Asian countries."
Mr Yeo, who is also a current visiting scholar at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS added, "The prospect for peace and development in our region this century depends much on good relations between China and India. I hope the professorship can, in a small way, contribute to greater understanding between these two great civilizations. Southeast Asia is where the mandalas of India and China overlap. We provide a natural platform for the convening of discussions on their contact with each other over the centuries in different domains and their contribution to Southeast Asia."
About ARIARI was established in 2001 to provide a focal point and resource for world-class research on the Asian region at NUS. ARI engages the humanities and social sciences broadly defined, and especially interdisciplinary frontiers between and beyond disciplines. As a university-level institute, ARI brings together scholars from different departments, faculties and colleges across campus for seminars, conferences and collaborative research projects. Located at one of Asia's communication hubs, the Institute is also an important place for scholarly encounters between Singapore, the region and wider worlds.
This story first appeared on NUSNews on 8 April 2025.
NUS Singapore History Prize doubles from S$50,000 to S$100,000
The Department of History at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has announced that the call for submissions for the 2027 NUS Singapore History Prize is now open.
Set up in 2014 on a generous endowment by an anonymous donor, the NUS Singapore History Prize has been awarded to fiction and non-fiction books in 2018, 2021 and 2024 with the aim to spur interest in the understanding of Singapore's history.
The 2027 NUS Singapore History Prize will, for the first time, recognise a non-print media work that engages deeply with Singapore's history under the new 'Arts and Multimedia' category. Moving forward, the Prize will alternate between the 'Books' and 'Arts and Multimedia' categories every three years.
Thanks to a doubling of the endowment by the donor, prize money for the 2027 NUS Singapore History Prize winner will also increase twofold, from S$50,000 to S$100,000, to inspire more impactful works and submissions in the coming years.
These new developments broaden the Prize's reach and seeks to further the objective of the Prize - that is, to make Singapore's unique and complex history more accessible to non-academic audiences and to encourage greater discussion among Singaporeans and the world of Singapore's rich and vibrant history, and its place in the world.
Head of the FASS Department of History, Associate Professor Joey Long said, "We firmly support our donor's belief that Singaporeans can learn a lot more about Singapore's rich history from different mediums. These include documentaries, films, visual arts, performing arts, installation art, podcasts, and videos (excluding audiobooks, books in printed form, and e-books). As such, we are glad that the Prize has now been expanded to recognise works beyond books, which also reflects NUS' commitment to foster a comprehensive appreciation of Singapore's past through accessible and modern platforms."
A distinguished Jury Panel chaired by Mr Kishore Mahbubani will judge the Prize and announce a winner in 2027. Mr Mahbubani is a Distinguished Fellow at the NUS Asia Research Institute.
Mr Mahbubani said, "Thanks to our donor who has doubled the prize money and encouraged the creation of a new category, Singaporeans will be able to engage more deeply with their rich history. There is no doubt that for the next phase of Singapore's national development, the Singaporean sense of national identity must be deepened and strengthened. The best way to do this is to develop a deep and common understanding of Singapore's history. Hence, in addition to its academic and scholarly contributions, the NUS Singapore History Prize is also supporting a strong national imperative."
Details of the 2027 NUS Singapore History Prize
The new Arts and Multimedia category will mirror the Book category in its selection process, with the winner determined through an open, public and global competition. For the 2025-2027 competition, the organisers will accept nominations from any artist, author, playwright, performer, producer, or publisher of a multimedia and artistic historical work delivered in the English language (works translated into the English language are also acceptable). There will be no limitations on the date of production as the goal is to open the admission window as wide as possible. The work should address any field, theme, or period of Singaporean history, with the goal of providing either new insights or new ways of exciting the imagination of Singaporeans about Singapore's history. Nominations will be restricted to a maximum of three works per applicant and will have to be submitted by 31 May 2027.
For more information about the NUS Singapore History Prize, please email: hisbox11@nus.edu.sg.
This story first appeared on NUSNews on 1 April 2025.
22 NUS programmes in global top 10 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
NUS has been placed among the global top 10 for 22 subjects and top 20 for 36 subjects, according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS WUR) by Subject 2025 released on 12 March 2025. This marks the highest-ever number of NUS subjects to be ranked among the global top 10.
Notably, NUS boasts six subjects ranking top five in the world. History of Art retained its global number two ranking, while Civil & Structural Engineering as well as Social Policy & Administration both climbed to third place worldwide, reaffirming NUS' excellence in these fields. Chemical Engineering, Computer Science & Information Systems and Electrical & Electronic Engineering secured fourth place globally.
Nursing made its debut in the global top 10, jumping 12 places to eighth. Pharmacy & Pharmacology also saw a significant improvement, advancing six places to share the eighth spot.
Steady improvements across the board
Among the five broad faculty areas, NUS has achieved a global top 10 position for Social Sciences and Management and a top 20 position for Engineering and Technology. Over the past three years, the University saw a consistent improvement in the rankings across all broad faculty areas, reflecting the University's strong interdisciplinary focus.
Professor Aaron Thean, Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, said: "We are immensely proud that NUS has achieved its best-ever performance this year in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, with 22 subjects in the global top 10, and 36 subjects in global top 20. The results reflect the University's consistent trajectory of excellence, with steady improvements in education and research across disciplines over the years.
In particular, our strong performance across STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and Humanities subjects underscores the deep expertise and interdisciplinary approach that define NUS. This achievement is the result of the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni. As we continue to push boundaries in research, innovation, and education, we remain committed to nurturing future-ready graduates and contributing meaningfully to Singapore and the world."
NUS leads the pack locally, with three out of five entries from Singapore in world's top three
The QS WUR by Subject is an independent comparative analysis of the reputation and research output of more than 21,000 academic offerings across 55 subjects and five broad faculty areas. In the 2025 edition, 5,200 institutions from 148 locations were analysed with rankings published for 1,747 institutions.
Mr Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President at QS, said: "Singapore shines in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, with four entries breaking into the global top three for the first time-highlighting the nation's rise as a leading hub for world-class education and research."
According to QS, nearly one-third (30 per cent) of Singapore's 114 ranked entries secured top 10 positions in their respective subjects-an unparalleled achievement that sets the nation apart from all other countries and territories.
"With just six universities contributing 114 ranked entries-including 12 in the broad faculty areas-Singapore consistently outperforms its scale. Despite its relatively small system, it competes at the highest level globally, delivering excellence in teaching, research, and graduate outcomes," Mr Sowter added.
Overall, NUS is represented in 41 subjects and five broad faculty areas, highlighting its extensive academic reach and strength in multidisciplinary education and research.
This story first appeared on NUSNews on 12 March 2025.
NUS alumnus and aspiring migration anthropologist wins prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford
IN BRIEF | 10 min read
- Salifian Sulaiman (NUS History and International Liberal Studies, Waseda University, 2024) tells us that his interest in anthropology and migration studies is motivated by a concern for uplifting vulnerable and minority communities worldwide, as well as his own experiences.
NUS College and NUS History alumnus Salifian Sulaiman (Class of 2024) has won the Singapore Rhodes Scholarship this year, becoming Singapore's 30th Rhodes Scholar. Under the scholarship, Salifian will be pursuing doctoral research in anthropology and migration studies at the University of Oxford in October 2025.
The Rhodes selection process identifies outstanding young leaders of exceptional character and intellect who apply their energy and talents fully to the service of others and to addressing humanity's challenges.Explaining this year's choice, Ms Yong Ying-I, who chaired the Selection Committee, noted that the scholarship recognises leaders whose efforts can catalyse positive change in the community by inspiring others to serve the common good. "Salifian distinguished himself by exemplifying what the Scholarship seeks to represent. His ethically responsible, intellectually rigorous and personally reflective approach is valuable in the area of migration studies. In Singapore and elsewhere globally, migration challenges abound. We are excited to see how he will make use of the Rhodes experience to become a stronger community and thought leader in the future, contributing to building a better world," she said.
Salifian completed his NUS-Waseda double-degree programme in 2024, earning a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from NUS and a Bachelor of Arts in International Liberal Studies from Japan's Waseda University.
Inspired by experienceSalifian's interest in his chosen field of anthropology and migration studies is motivated by a concern for uplifting vulnerable and minority communities worldwide, as well as his own experiences.
"I grew up in a working-class family. I have three brothers and parents who did their best to provide for us and encourage us in pursuing our passions and goals as we were growing up. I am grateful for the scholarships and financial aid that have supported my education, in particular the Wee Cho Yaw Future Leaders Award that I received throughout my time at NUS," said Salifian. The scholarship "helped me overcome some of the financial challenges my family was facing so that I could focus on my studies and have a well-rounded university experience," he added.
Having overcome some obstacles of his own growing up, the aspiring researcher is passionate about sharing the stories of others who have overcome challenges and pursued their dreams to inspire positive action in others.
Driven by a desire to promote inclusivity and raise awareness about faith and culture, Salifian started 'Salam' to support and represent the Malay/Muslim students in his community at NUS College (the successor to the University Scholars Programme) and organise interfaith dialogues that encouraged students to engage in difficult but important conversations about faith and common understanding.
Now in its fourth year and with a membership of about 50 students, 'Salam', continues to advocate for the Malay/Muslim community on campus through engagement activities and events.
"My years at NUS College were especially formative for me," he shared. "The residential experience allowed me to constantly engage with my peers and teachers. The creative courses and the conversations shared over meals or even late into the night expanded my curiosity and worldview, and somewhere within that my dream of becoming a Rhodes Scholar was birthed," reflected Salifian, who served as a Residential Assistant for more than two years.
Salifian's passion to make a difference was not confined to campus activities. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Salifian put his baking skills to good use and founded the Bake As One charity project, a collaboration with three other home-based bakeries in Singapore to raise funds for the Children's Charities Association of Singapore, benefitting underprivileged children.
During his time as an exchange student in Japan under his double-degree programme, Salifian also started an initiative with local students and entrepreneurs called Blossom As One to uplift underprivileged groups through e-commerce. It later branched out to provide English tuition to local children to build their confidence in a foreign language.
Salifian is now pursuing a Master of Philosophy in Social Anthropology at the University of Cambridge under the Lee Kuan Yew-Quantedge Studentship and LBKM Postgraduate Prestigious Scholarship, which he will complete in August 2025, before heading to Oxford in the fall to begin doctoral research.
"This will be an excellent opportunity for me to learn from the outstanding faculty and other students, especially from the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS), Oxford Martin School, and the Department of Education," Salifian said.
Even after he completes his doctoral research at Oxford, Salifian intends to continue contributing to research on issues related to anthropology and migration, such as the impact of overseas experiences and education on promoting social mobility amongst working-class families. He will also be seeking opportunities to work on projects to uplift underprivileged youth in Singapore through mentorship and other vocational support.
This story first appeared on NUSnews on 2 January 2025.