AI and Tech Ideas Take Flight at NUS’ first Bay Area Forum

IN BRIEF | 10 min read

• Organised for the first time in San Francisco's buzzing Bay Area, the two-day NUS Innovation Forum sparked a vibrant exchange of ideas between NUS alumni, students, thought leaders and industry experts.

Navigating the tech industry - whether as an investor, a start-up founder or an employee - can be challenging, especially today.

"We have seen the highs and lows for ourselves in recent years," said NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science '85), speaking at the NUS Innovation Forum (NIF). "From the new NUS unicorns being crowned and rising interest in deep-tech investments, to widespread tech layoffs and the funding winter, it is a rapidly evolving operating environment, and we must keep abreast with developments to seize opportunities that each tide and season presents."

NUS alumni, students, thought leaders and industry experts in the San Francisco's Bay Area in the United States shared insights and exchanged opinions at the second edition of NIF, which ran from 13-14 June 2024 and was attended by 200 participants. Coming on the heels of the inaugural edition held in Manila in May 2024, NIF is organised by the Office of Alumni Relations to bring alumni, thought leaders and industry experts together to discuss trending topics in innovation. The two-day NIF San Francisco Bay Area, the first in the US, was organised with support from BLOCK71 Silicon Valley, NUS Overseas Colleges and the Singapore Global Network.

On why NIF was held in the Bay Area, Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (Arts & Social Sciences - Political Science and History '89), Chief Alumni Officer of the University, explained, "Given NUS' long history in the Bay Area - over 20 years - through the NUS Overseas Colleges or NOC programme, to this BLOCK71 start-up launchpad - the Bay Area was a natural choice for our second international forum. Many alumni have settled in the area after graduation, drawn to the area's vibrancy."

AI for Good
The panel discussion on the first day was devoted to novel and impactful use cases of Artificial Intelligence (AI), an increasingly pertinent topic in recent times. While much has been said in recent times about its potential ills, less attention has been given to the positive changes AI can effect when dealing with intractable global issues.

The panel comprised Dr Avinash Balachandran, Vice President of the Human Interactive Driving Division at Toyota Research Institute; Ms Mariane Bekker, Founder of Founders Bay and Women Founders Bay; and Dr Wee Hyong Tok (Computing '99), Partner Director of Products (Cloud and AI) at Microsoft. It was moderated by Mr Arvind Ayyala (Engineering '10), Partner at Geodesic Capital and Chairperson of the NUS Alumni Overseas Chapter San Francisco.

The diverse experiences and insights of the panelists in the tech industry gave the audience a holistic picture of AI's possibilities and potential. For example, one speaker shared how a tech giant was already exploring ways that AI could be leveraged for sustainability efforts, such as conserving endangered species.

Prof Tan also updated the audience about the University's own efforts to harness AI. "At NUS, we are challenging our community to leverage AI to accelerate research, discoveries and translation. Among others, NUS researchers are using AI to accelerate the discovery of drug combinations and personalise healthcare treatment plans; alumni entrepreneurs are employing AI to develop cancer-screening tools; NUS start-ups are using AI-empowered video analytics and facial recognition to improve public and workplace safety."

Tech's Next Chapter
On the second day, the discussion focused on opportunities and challenges for tech investments in the Bay Area and Singapore. This panel comprised Ms Aihui Ong (Computing '98), General Partner of Transform Capital; Dr Radha Nagarajan (Engineering '86) Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Marvell's Optical Platforms and NUS Visiting Professor; and Mr Arvind Ayyala. It was moderated by NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean.

The panel opened with a lively discussion on the differences in the tech ecosystems of the Bay Area and Singapore. One speaker noted that the fear of failure was still prevalent in Singapore's ecosystem and encouraged founders to be more open to the risk of failure. Panellists also advised players in the ecosystem to avoid building products for just Singapore or even Southeast Asia. The key message they had for the audience - go bigger.

Noting that the alumni network was rich with such insights, Prof Tan welcomed the audience to tap into it. "We see the value of a strong alumni network at work: from the ties that are forged across generations, to the willingness of our alumni to make introductions, invest in, and share their knowledge with each other. By paying it forward, the community grows and flourishes."

New Contacts, New Insights
Both days of the forum featured well-attended networking sessions.

All these opportunities for the meeting of minds are critical for powering innovation, said Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, NUS Vice President (Ecosystem Building), who spoke on the NUS Enterprise ecosystem at the forum. "Meaningful collisions and collaborations are the fuels for innovation, and thought leadership forums like these are the engines," he said.

Added Prof Thean, "We are committed to fostering a culture of creativity and critical thinking in the NUS global community where, even after our students graduate, they are empowered to become lifelong changemakers with their ideas."

The NIF concluded with a NUS Alumni & Friends Dinner, during which participants reconnected with old friends and made new meaningful connections, sowing the seeds for future partnerships to come.

This story by the NUS Office of Alumni Relations first appeared in NUSNews on 20 June 2024.

Archiving the Underclasses: Knowledge, Law, and Everyday Agency in Modern Southeast Asia

'Archiving the Underclasses: Knowledge, Law, and Everyday Agency in Modern Southeast Asia' is a research project funded from 2022 to 2025 by the Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund (AcRF) Tier 2 and hosted by the NUS Asia Research Institute (ARI). The project brings together a diverse team of scholars led by Associate Professor Maitrii Victoriano Aung-Thwin (NUS History and NUS ARI) along with Assistant Professor Matthew Reeder (NUS History), Senior Lecturer George Radics (NUS Sociology and Anthropology), Lecturer Ho Chi Tim (SUSS, College of Interdisciplinary and Experiential Learning), Assistant Professor Koh Keng We (NTU History), Lecturer Samson Lim (Monash University History), Assistant Professor Simon Creak (NTU National Institute of Education), and Assistant Professor Elliott Prasse-Freeman (NUS Sociology and Anthropology).

'Archiving the Underclasses' represents a significant contribution to the fields of history, anthropology, and legal studies, focusing on an innovative approach to understanding archival knowledge in modern Southeast Asia. Spanning from the late 18^th century to the present, the project examines the roles of marginal figures in the creation and collection of archival data. This approach marks a shift from conventional studies of knowledge production and focuses instead on uplifting underrepresented voices in legal studies.

The project aims to answer several critical questions about the nature of information gathering, the interaction between laypeople and these efforts, and the reliability and transformation of information before it reaches archival and state repositories. These inquiries are not only academically intriguing but also highly relevant to discussions surrounding public policy and historical understanding in the present day.

'Archiving the Underclasses' has a dual aim. Firstly, it seeks to study the production of archive-based knowledge from a grassroots perspective. Relatedly, it thereafter seeks to create a new 'Archive of the Underclasses' in order to amplify the voices of those traditionally on the periphery of history and policy discussions. In so doing, the project is innovative and necessary in its emphasis on marginalised perspectives.

Overall, 'Archiving the Underclasses' is poised to make a significant impact on our understanding of Southeast Asian history and the dynamics of information gathering and archiving. By shedding light on the often-overlooked contributors to historical knowledge, the project promises to offer a more inclusive and nuanced perspective on the region’s past and present.

Reflecting on the Role of Humanities and Social Sciences in an Era of Disruptive Change

IN BRIEF | 10 min read

• Column in Lianhe Zaobao by Professor Wang Gungwu, NUS University Professor.

Click through image below to read this piece.

This story first appeared in Lianhe Zaobao and NUSNews on 15 April 2024.

NUS and NTU Again Ranked as Top Asian Universities Based on Subjects

IN BRIEF | 10 min read

• NUS and NTU ranked higher than Chinese, Japanese and Hong Kong universities in terms of the number of top 10 programmes, and have done so since at least 2021.

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This story first appeared in The Straits Times and NUSNews on 11 April 2024.

19 NUS Programmes Placed in Global Top 10 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

IN BRIEF | 5 min read

• Spanning across the fields of Business, Computing, Engineering, Science, as well as Humanities and Social Sciences, 19 of NUS' 44 ranked programmes have been placed among the world's top 10.

Nineteen NUS programmes are in the global top 10, according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (QS WUR) by Subject 2024 released on 10 April 2024.  Four of them have been ranked top five in the world. The programmes include courses in the fields of Business, Computing, Engineering, Science, as well as Humanities and Social Sciences - underscoring NUS' excellent performance across broad faculty and subject fields.

Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, said, "We are delighted that NUS has achieved top 10 rankings globally for 19 subjects this year. Notably, this marks the highest number of subjects placing in global top 10 for NUS in the past five years. We are grateful for the recognition of the exceptional calibre of our international faculty, students, and alumni. It attests to the University's commitment to academic excellence and serves as an encouragement for our dedication to interdisciplinary education, equipping our students for the challenges and opportunities of the future."

The QS WUR by Subject are an independent comparative analysis on the performance of nearly 16,000 university programmes. These programmes are taken by students at 1,561 universities in 149 locations across the world and sit across 55 academic disciplines which, for the rankings, are then grouped into five broad subject areas.

"Singapore's universities have consistently performed well in global assessments. This prestigious position offers unique opportunities for growth," said Mr Ben Sowter, Senior Vice President at QS.

Acknowledging the nation's commitment to strategic investments and planning for the tertiary education sector, Mr Sowter added, "Singapore stands to gain from these geopolitical shifts, attracting a growing share of international talent. As a recognised hub of academic excellence, Singapore also faces heightened competition from regional players, including emerging economies looking to replicate its successful model."

Transformative Education that Nurtures Future-ready and Resilient Graduates
Preparing our graduates to be globally competitive has always been an integral part of NUS' education. NUS' unique education experience emphasises a flexible interdisciplinary approach and innovative pedagogy with opportunities for multiple pathways and specialisations, enabling students and alumni to be agile and adaptable in today's volatile and complex economy. Armed with a broad range of market-relevant competencies, NUS graduates can confidently pivot to diverse sectors and areas of work, regardless of their major or specialisation.

This story first appeared in NUSNews on 10 April 2024.

Ideas Festival 2024: Shining a Spotlight on the Importance of Social Science and Humanities Research on Society

IN BRIEF | 5 min read

• Launched on 20 March 2024 with Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing as the Guest of Honour, this festival was organised by the Autonomous Universities (AUs) in Singapore and is supported by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). It features 13 events over a month-long period.

How does research in the social sciences and humanities impact our world? This is a question the inaugural "Ideas Festival 2024 - Insights from the Humanities and Social Sciences" seeks to address as it delves into the intricate challenges confronting Singapore and the region amid a period of disruptive change by drawing on the works of the local Social Science and Humanities (SSH) research community.

Launched on 20 March 2024 with Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing as the Guest of Honour, this festival was organised by the Autonomous Universities (AUs) in Singapore and is supported by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). It features 13 events over a month-long period.

At the launch event, SSRC Advisor Professor Wang Gungwu who is also NUS University Professor, highlighted the importance of SSH research in enriching our understanding of social issues, which are inherently complex and dynamic, shaped by historical developments and disrupted by the latest technological advances.

Against this backdrop, he urged more work to be done to understand Singapore's multicultural society and the complex environment in which it exists. One approach is to encourage researchers to consider having Co-Principal Investigators from a mix of academic disciplines in the humanities, social science as well as the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. "What I envisage is that research proposers are open-minded to different perspectives that could lead them to something fruitful they did not expect to find. A variety of insights coming from scholars with different backgrounds makes that possible."

Echoing the importance of SSH research, particularly in a STEM-focused world, Professor Elaine Ho, Chair of the Ideas Festival Organising Committee and Vice Dean of Research at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said at the sidelines, "Social science and humanities research is very much part of our everyday lives," citing examples such as mental health and children's health outcomes, which are concerned with the behavioural dynamics within society. "Social science and humanities researchers have these kinds of insights that can help us to improve the way that we try to better society," she noted. "There has been much more attention given to STEM research subjects in the Singaporean landscape…but where the opportunity lies for both the STEM subjects as well as social science and humanities is by coming together."

The festival features more than 50 researchers across a spectrum of expertise in SSH sharing key insights on a range of topics. These include the impact of digital acceleration and disruptive technologies like the metaverse and artificial intelligence (AI) on childhood, an inclusive future of work, new forms of social interactions, as well as fake news and misinformation in the media. It will also touch on strengthening support for mental health and well-being through a whole-of-society approach, such as leveraging family and social circles to support the well-being of individuals across various stages of their lives.

Acknowledging how the scholarship of social science and humanities in Singapore has made significant progress, Chairman of the SSRC, Mr Peter Ho, said, "You just need to look at the span of interesting projects in the universities and research institutes to get a sense. Public sector agencies have also taken greater interest, indicating the increasing traction of the social sciences and humanities among policy researchers (and) policymakers. By bringing together researchers across the universities and research institutions, the Ideas Festival clearly signals that the research ecosystem is vibrant and thriving."

NUS is the host of two events at the festival. The first, "Gazing into the Metaverse", which was held on 26 March 2024 looked at how the metaverse - a world of avatars, digital twins and digital currencies - will be built, how it will be curated, who will use it, and how it will transform our everyday lives. The roundtable examined the key questions, implications and themes that researchers in the social sciences and humanities are now asking about this next stage in our digital journey, particularly in Asia.

The other, "Foundations of Home-Based Work", will take place on 12 April 2024 and will explore the spatial, social and technological dimensions of home-based work (HBW) in Singapore. This is done through looking at considerations such as the policy framework surrounding this type of work and exploring the following questions: who is involved in it; what kind of living do they make; in which housing types and neighbourhoods is this work occurring; and the pathways for accommodating HBW in our lives through design and policy recommendations.

On 17 April 2024, the University will also co-organise "Singapura Before Raffles: Early Modern Asia in the Global Renaissance", which will discuss how early modern Singapore and Asia played important roles in shaping global ideas about maritime trade, global commerce, international law, political governance, and literary and artistic advancement. It will draw on new and exciting interdisciplinary research from teachers and scholars across Singapore's universities and the wider Asia region.

The Ideas Festival 2024 runs till 19 April 2024. More information can be found here.

This story by the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences first appeared in NUSNews on 3 April 2024.

NUS Open House 2024 Attracts more than 8.4m visitors as Screens and Campuses Buzz with Action

IN BRIEF | 10 min read

• Open House 2024 returned to an enthusiastic reception as visitors turned up in force to experience one of NUS' largest events of the year. Held in a hybrid format from 2 to 9 March 2024 and pulled together by the efforts of 2,674 faculty, staff, students and alumni, the event attracted more than 8.4 million visitors - up from 7.7 million in 2023 - as they explored the comprehensive showcase of what NUS has to offer both online and in-person.

Open House 2024 returned to an enthusiastic reception as visitors turned up in force to experience one of NUS' largest events of the year. Held in a hybrid format from 2 to 9 March 2024 and pulled together by the efforts of 2,674 faculty, staff, students and alumni, the event attracted more than 8.4 million visitors - up from 7.7 million in 2023 - as they explored the comprehensive showcase of what NUS has to offer both online and in-person.

Kicking off the eight action-packed days was a slate of engaging virtual talks, webinars, and social media sessions. NUS Business School put together an informative line-up of virtual sessions featuring an Ask-Me-Anything session with its Vice Dean Associate Prof Chng Chee Kiong, an overview of the various majors with insights from faculty and students alike, and a glimpse of its vibrant student life via the Bizad Club.

At the online showcase by NUS Computing, prospective students joined a Discord live chat to get their questions answered by professors and student ambassadors on topics such as the differences between the school's five degree programmes. During a Zoom session by NUS Global, they heard about the University's exciting study abroad opportunities from students who embarked on exchange programmes with universities in Scotland, Canada, Switzerland and Hong Kong.

The on-campus segment on 9 March saw crowds throng the programme booths, talks, special classes, campus tours, student life performances and residential venues, with students gaining perspectives into all aspects of a world-class education at NUS, from the comprehensive curricula and career prospects to student life and global opportunities.

"The NUS Open House was an absolute delight! It provided me with invaluable insights into campus life and academic offerings," said prospective student Sim Wen Hao, who is currently in national service. "From informative discussions to first-hand testimonials, every interaction left me feeling more confident about my potential home away from home."

Charting pathways in humanities and sciences
The College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS), comprising the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) and the Faculty of Science (FOS), showcased how it is equipping students with skills to integrate knowledge across these domains and the wide range of programmes they can choose from through a variety of major and minor combinations.

An FASS panel featuring a Geography major, a Political Science major with a minor in Economics, a Philosophy major pursuing a Double Degree, and a Southeast Asian Studies major taking a minor in History dispelled misconceptions about their disciplines while discussing the potential career paths. Another joint talk by Psychology and Social Work on addressing mental health challenges in the 21st century explored how the issue is approached from their respective disciplines.

The boom in big data was the focus of the Data Science and Analytics talk that highlighted how the programme offers students industry exposure through real-world projects and internships. Another talk by the Environmental Studies Cross-Disciplinary Programme discussed its mission to develop environmental sustainability advocates keen to derive creative solutions to complex problems, along with its exciting fieldwork opportunities.

Lee Sue Ning, a Hwa Chong graduate who is interested in applying to Psychology, said of the FASS student panel: "The four students were from courses that I would never have considered. Hearing their experiences opened new doors for me, making me consider these courses as possible minors that I can take," she added.

Intersection of design and engineering
The talk on Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, held by the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) gave students valuable insights on the curriculum and disciplines, as well as showcased students' research. In an Ask-Me-Anything panel, the professors also shared about the flexibility of the curriculum, future career prospects, intersections between the various fields of engineering, and their thoughts on the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of taking a degree in Engineering.

The talk on Architecture, Industrial Design, and Landscape Architecture gave students the inside scoop on how the programmes provide the core foundation, training, skills, and knowledge for students to become the next generation of effective and innovative architects and designers.

Over at SDE3, CDE's Built Environment Research Tour took participants behind the scenes-from live demonstrations of how 5G robotics reduce manpower and increase efficiency, to a lab tour of NUS' hydraulics laboratory facilities to explore wave mechanics and how natural coastal ecosystems like mangroves can protect shorelines against climate change. Students also participated in a hands-on session to design their own shoreline adaptation, choosing from models of nature-based solutions as well as traditional infrastructure.

"It was nice to be able to see the facilities and get an idea about what Singapore is currently trying to improve on-designing a world with humans and robots, and coastal protection," Nur Annatasyia Binte Joferi, from Singapore Polytechnic, said. "It made me think about how things will progress and what comes next after those goals are met."

Immersive learning experiences
NUS College offered prospective students a window into its extensive interdisciplinary education that blends small-group seminars with experiential learning and a rich residential immersion through special classes on topics such as love, food, and even Shakespeare's plays. During Dr Chan Chi Wang's class on quantifying facial attractiveness using mathematics and statistical methods, prospective students busily plotted measurements of facial features on graph paper. In Associate Professor Stuart Derbyshire's class, they decoded mysterious sounds and intriguing illusions - sometimes with the aid of 3D glasses - understanding the science behind brain mechanisms that influence our perception.

Foo Jun Wei, a Hwa Chong Institution graduate who will be joining Computer Science and NUS College, came away with useful information on what to expect as an incoming NUS student. "I enjoyed taking part in the guided tour where I got to see first-hand the facilities and accommodations that NUS College provides, as well as the immersive sample lesson on quantifying facial attractiveness. Above all, I was glad to be able to clarify my existing doubts and seek advice from the friendly student ambassadors on the ground," he added.

Over at Bukit Timah Campus, visitors to NUS Law had the choice of two masterclasses on criminal justice and conflict resolution approaches. At its mock moot sessions, visitors sat attentively in the gallery witnessing a simulation of a court case.

Mastering the 'heart' and science of healthcare
Prospective students interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy had the chance to find out about the new Common Curriculum for Healthcare Professional Education, which has been designed to align with Singapore's shift towards preventive healthcare. Aside from touching on the Common Curriculum, talks by NUS Medicine offered an overview of its academic journey, highlighting features such as its strong mentorship support and Pathway programmes aimed at broadening their skill sets. During a special class by NUS Nursing, visitors tried out basic nursing skills like using a stethoscope and learnt the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals.

Prospective students interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy had the chance to find out about the new Common Curriculum for Healthcare Professional Education, which has been designed to align with Singapore's shift towards preventive healthcare. Aside from touching on the Common Curriculum, talks by NUS Medicine offered an overview of its academic journey, highlighting features such as its strong mentorship support and Pathway programmes aimed at broadening their skill sets. During a special class by NUS Nursing, visitors tried out basic nursing skills like using a stethoscope and learnt the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals.

The interactive Pharmacy masterclass, titled "Unveiling the Pillars of Pharmacy: The Science and Art of Medication Therapy", saw prospective students participate in the decision-making process of a real-life clinical case study. They also gained insight into how NUS Pharmacy structures its curriculum to incorporate live interactive classes, science practicals, skills labs, and collaborative learning workshops, to help students apply concepts in real case studies.

Prospective student Wong Hon Wei from Anderson Serangoon Junior College said, "The Pharmacy masterclass was quite enjoyable yet unique, as the way the collaborative learning workshop was structured was engaging, incorporating the Biology and Chemistry concepts learnt in classrooms into real-world medical applications."

Innovating solutions for society and the world
Another popular feature at this year's Open House was the Innovation and Impact Hub, which showcased groundbreaking projects by students from CDE, Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre, NUS College, and FOS that are making a tangible impact on society and the world.

Visitors caught the interactive projects in action, from The Moving Farm, a movable modular tower system for hydroponics farming that increases crop yield sustainably, to TinkerThings, a project on AI-based gamified activities innovated to improve seniors' mental wellbeing and cognitive faculties.

Aside from exploring academic pathways, visitors also discovered NUS Enterprise's suite of entrepreneurship initiatives, including the NUS Overseas Colleges, NUS Enterprise Summer and Winter Programmes in Entrepreneurship, and incubation hub THE HANGAR.

At a panel session on student entrepreneurship, prospective students heard from NUS alumni who founded three start-ups - Pitchspot, Wateroam and Skilio. The founders shared how their involvement in Enterprise's entrepreneurship programmes and the support they received through the HANGAR enabled them to nurture their business ideas.

Exciting array of student and residential life activities

Over at the Student Village, a smorgasbord of vibrant student performances took Town Plaza by storm throughout the day, treating visitors to an exhilarating kaleidoscope of talent from student clubs and interest groups.

Getting a glimpse of the diverse student life opportunities that await, visitors were hyped up by the energetic cheerleading displays of King Edward VII Hall's KE Titans, the snazzy beats of NUS Rappers, and the slick dance moves of the NUS Korean Cultural Interest Group. They were also serenaded with catchy tunes from the Sheares Hall band, a capella group NUS Resonance, and NUS Fingerstyle Guitar.

On top of A-Day-in-the-Life videos and 360° virtual tours of the various Residential Colleges, Halls, and Houses, Masters and student representatives from the residences mingled with prospective students at the booths, talks, and Ask-Me-Anything panels, where they shared their insights and anecdotes on the on-campus experience, as well as the distinct culture of each residential unit.

Along with offering guided in-person tours and simulated classes, the residential units also showcased the interest groups available. Other engaging activities, such as Tembusu College's live performances and Ridge View Residential College's sports experience zones, coffee pour demonstrations, and warli art making gave prospective students a taste of the many facets of holistic residential life.

Prospective students Inez Ang from National Junior College and Vishnu Raj from Millennia Institute said the residential showcase gave them a better picture of living on campus.

Runyi Zhang, a graduate of St Andrew's Junior College who is applying to Business, said she had an enlightening experience sampling both the academic and extracurricular options. "Through the Open House, I've managed to capture a glimpse of student life in NUS… allowing me to have a clearer and more vivid image of what my future could be like here," she added.

This story first appeared in NUSNews on 14 March 2024.

Singaporean Creatures: Histories of Humans and Other Animals in the Garden City

Assistant Professor in Science, Technology and/Medicine

Launch of New Book on Southeast Asia’s Local and National Cultures by University Professor Wang Gungwu

IN BRIEF | 9 min watch

• Coverage of the launch of the latest book by Professor Wang Gungwu (NUS History and Chairman of the East Asian Institute) on Southeast Asia's local and national cultures.⁠

Click through image below to read this piece.

This article first appeared in NUS News and The Straits Times on 6 December 2023.

127 Recipients Honoured at Ceremonies Celebrating the Best of Student Achievements

IN BRIEF | 8 min read

• Smiles, hugs and congratulatory handshakes were all in order at the NUS University Cultural Centre on 27 and 28 October 2023, as NUS recognised the best of student achievements at the Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards and the NUS Achievement Awards (NAA). A total of 127 recipients were honoured over the two evenings for their contributions to student life in the Academic Year 2022-2023.

Smiles, hugs and congratulatory handshakes were all in order at the NUS University Cultural Centre on 27 and 28 October 2023, as NUS recognised the best of student achievements at the Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards and the NUS Achievement Awards (NAA). A total of 127 recipients were honoured over the two evenings for their contributions to student life in the Academic Year 2022-2023.

The NUS Achievement Awards (NAA), formerly known as the Student Life Awards, is the most prestigious and only University-level award honouring the exceptional achievements of student life beyond academics. The Awards were renamed in 2023 to reflect and celebrate the full range and diversity of student life overseen by the NUS Office of Student Affairs.

Guest-of-Honour NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye, who opened the awards ceremony, commended the student leaders for their exceptional contributions during his speech.

"It is a fitting and joyous occasion, to celebrate the unique journeys of our students, how you have grown in mettle to scale new heights in what you set out to do," said Prof Tan. "This evening, the recipients of the NAA are outstanding individuals; they are role models and an inspiration to the NUS community. Not only have they excelled academically, but they are also trailblazers."

Excelling Beyond Academics
Accolades in Community Impact, Sports, Competitions (General) and Leadership were given out in three tiers - Commendation, and where applicable, Merit and Distinction.

Coming up on top at this year's NAA were three outstanding students who were honoured with Distinction awards for their achievements in various fields:

• Competitive sports shooter Adele Tan Qian Xiu (Communications and New Media, Class of 2023) was awarded the Sportswoman of the Year Distinction award. While pursuing her studies at NUS, she represented Singapore on the international stage, including at the Southeast Asian Games, the Asian Games, and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
• Ryan Quah Kun Hao (Year 5, Department of Architecture) received the Distinction award in the Competitions (General) category. He is making his mark in the Architectural field, having won Gold at Nippon Paint's Asia Young Designer Awards in 2022.
• Final-year Social Work undergraduate Tan Wei Shuang received the Distinction award for her leadership as the two-term President of the NUS Community Service Club.

The honourees received their trophies from recipients of the same award in previous years, signifying the passing of the baton from one generation of outstanding student leaders to another. Likewise, the newly minted Distinction award recipients offered words of advice to budding student leaders in the audience.

"This award is only possible because of the efforts of all NUS Community Service Club members, and I would like to thank them for the opportunity to lead a meaningful student club," said Wei Shuang.

"To all juniors, I truly enjoyed my student life being a student leader and learnt a lot more about myself outside of academia. I encourage all of you to step forward and give yourself a chance to try some leadership roles," she added.

The NAA also included the Campus Choice Awards, which are awarded to recipients through voting by the NUS community. Pearlyn Koh (Year 2, NUS Business School), Women's Captain of both the NUS Table Tennis team and the SunNUS team from NUS Students' Sports Club, emerged victorious in the individual and group categories after a month-long campus-wide online campaign.

The evening's ceremony also celebrated 12 Staff Advisors who have offered their support and wisdom to various student groups at NUS throughout the year. The awards also recognised student organising teams of university-wide projects such as the Inter-Faculty and Inter-College Games, as well as NUSSU Rag & Flag Day, an event exemplifying the vibrancy of campus life, in the Recognition category.

Celebrating the Brightest Stars in Arts and Culture

The Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards on 27 October was a memorable night for Malay dance group  NUS Ilsa Tari, which bagged the Group of the Year award. In addition, former NUS Ilsa Tari President (Academic Year 2022-2023) Muhammad Hariz Bin Emran also took home top honours as Student of the Year.

The Tan Ean Kiam Arts Awards celebrates student achievements in arts and culture in six categories, all of which had a respective distinction award winner this year.

• Student of the Year: Muhammad Hariz Bin Emran, President of NUS Ilsa Tari (AY22/23). Hariz is a Year 3 undergraduate at the Department of Malay Studies, with a second major in Communications and New Media.
• Group of the Year: NUS Ilsa Tari, the university's Malay dance group. With strong foundations in various traditional Malay dance forms, as well as the traditional Malay martial art of Silat, NUS Ilsa Tari experiments with both traditional and contemporary Malay dance to push the boundaries of creativity and modernity.
• Original Work of the Year: Bairagi by the NUS Indian Instrumental Ensemble.
• Production of the Year: Essentially Macbeth byNUS Chinese Drama and NUS Chinese Orchestra.
• Outstanding Community Arts Project of the Year: Helping Hands, Moving Bodies 3.0 by NUS Dance Synergy.
• Outstanding Alumni Recognition Award: Since graduating, Ms Ong Xue Min (Economics, Class of 2019), a founding member of NUS Stage Alumni, has held several masterclasses on improvisation and acting for NUS students.

Essentially Macbeth, which won the Production of the Year Distinction award, is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between NUS Chinese Drama and NUS Chinese Orchestra. Staged as a play-within-a-play, the performance follows the lives of young graduates who reconnect with theatre after a prolonged absence, questioning the relevance of the arts in our everyday lives.

Jin Jianzuo and Liew Chet Ming, President of NUS Chinese Drama and Vice-President of NUS Chinese Orchestra respectively in Academic Year 2022-2023, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to have worked together to create Essentially Macbeth, and to NUS for honouring student achievements through an awards ceremony, a celebration shared by their parents, coaches and peers.

"These awards serve as an affirmation and recognition for the efforts that the students have put in," said Jianzuo, who is also a Year 3 student majoring in Data Science and Analytics. "It also makes us, the student leaders, believe that whatever we have done is truly meaningful," she added.

Moving Ahead Together
Arts groups have much to look forward to in 2024, when the arts category is integrated into the NAA, combining both ceremonies into one event to honour and celebrate the best student achievements beyond academics, cementing the role of student life as an essential part of a holistic university experience.

"I'm happy to hear that the arts are being included as part of the NAA from next year onwards," said Chet Ming, a Year 3 undergraduate at the College of Humanities and Sciences majoring in Chemistry and History.

"I've always believed that the arts have the potential to change people and make an impact on communities, and it's great that its influence is being recognised in a university-wide platform such as the NAA!" he enthused.

Watch the Event Highlights!

NUS Alumni Awards 2023: Celebrating Outstanding Changemakers and Trailblazers

IN BRIEF | 8 min read

• NUS honoured the achievements of 21 outstanding alumni and three alumni teams comprising another 14 alumni, at the prestigious NUS Alumni Awards 2023.

Twenty-one individual alumni and three alumni teams, comprising another 14 individuals, were honoured at the NUS Alumni Awards 2023 on 2 November.

Now in its 10th edition, the biennial NUS Alumni Awards recognise alumni who have distinguished themselves through significant and impactful contributions to their alma mater, society and the world.

Speaking at the celebratory event, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye noted that the award recipients have, “not only found success in their respective fields, but elevated what it means to be an alumnus or alumna of our institution: their achievements have enriched our culture, advanced our science, deepened our humanity, and bettered our society”. Read Prof Tan's speech here.

Eminent Alumni Award
The Eminent Alumni Award was conferred on Mdm Halimah Yacob, former President of the Republic of Singapore, for her achievements in public service, as well as her exemplary service to the University as the former Chancellor of NUS from 2017 to 2023. Mdm Halimah Yacob
Mdm Halimah graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Singapore and obtained her Master of Laws from NUS in 2001. She spent 33 years with the labour movement, rising to become Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC). In 1999, she became the first Singaporean elected to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), where she served for 12 years, representing workers globally. She entered politics in 2001, serving as a Member of Parliament until 2017. In a career filled with firsts, she became the first woman appointed Speaker of Parliament in 2013; and the first woman to be elected President of Singapore in 2017, a role she held until 2023. For her service, she was conferred the Order of Temasek (With High Distinction), the nation’s highest civilian honour, this year.

As Chancellor of the University, Mdm Halimah conferred close to 76,000 undergraduate, master’s, doctorate and honorary degrees over six years, and presided over the Main Commencement ceremonies for graduates and honorary graduates. She also graced various NUS events, including NUSSU Rag & Flag Day 2018, NUS Bizad Charity Run 2020, the Bukit Timah Homecomings of 2018 and 2022, the Institute of Policy Studies’ Women’s Conference in 2021, and the 52nd UM-NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament in 2023.

Delivering the citation for Mdm Halimah’s conferment, Prof Tan commended Mdm Halimah as an “inspiring leader” and “trailblazing alumna”, noting her “unwavering dedication to advancing the lives of individuals and communities, particularly the underprivileged”. Read the citation here.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the Eminent Alumni Award from my alma mater. NUS has played a formative role in my life, shaping not only my academic development but the values I have carried throughout my career,” said Mdm Halimah.

Watch this tribute video on Mdm Halimah’s contributions to the University and Singapore.

Distinguished Alumni Service Award
Eight NUS alumni were conferred the Distinguished Alumni Service Award for their achievements in their chosen fields, as well as their excellent volunteer service to NUS, its predecessor institutions and/or the community.

These award recipients were:

• Professor Kishore Mahbubani (NUS Philosophy '71), Distinguished Fellow at NUS Asia Research Institute
• Mr Kok Heng Leun, founder of the Drama Box theatre group
• Ms Janet Lim Yuen Kheng (NUS Sociology, 75), former Assistant High Commissioner (Operations) at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• Justice Andrew Phang Boon Leong, Senior Judge of the Supreme Court of Singapore
• Mr Ravi Menon (NUS Economics '87), Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore
• Mr Brian Tan Kai Piang, Regional President of Applied Materials Southeast Asia
• Mr Wong Kan Seng (NUS History and English '70), former Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore
• Mr Yatiman Bin Yusof (NUS Geography and Malay Studies '72), High Commissioner of Singapore to Kenya and Malay language champion

Outstanding Young Alumni Award Recipients
Twelve young NUS alumni were honoured for their achievements and outstanding contributions to their chosen fields.

These award recipients were:

• Dr Aishwarya Bandla, Regional R&D Manager at Paxman Coolers
• Ms Akanksha Batura Pai, Head of Strategy and Growth at Sinoda Shipping Agency
• Dr Rena Dharmawan, Assistant Dean and Assistant Professor at Duke-NUS Medical School
• Mr Faris Bin Ridzuan (NUS Sociology '15), academic tutor at the National University of Singapore
• Dr Izzuddin Bin Mohd Aris, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare Institute
• Mr Khoo Yi Feng (NUS Southeast Asian Studies and Psychology '17, Social Work (postgraduate diploma) '20), social worker and mental health advocate
• Mr Kwok Ka Ming Andre, founder of Good City Foundation
• Mr Samson Leo, Chief Legal Officer of Fazz
• Mr Raghuram Natarajan, Chief Executive Officer of Blueleaf Energy
• Mr Seah Li Song Shawn (NUS Economics '10), local history author
• Dr Shravan Verma, Co-founder of Speedoc
• Ms Frances Tho Siao Ting, Vice President of Sales at Numerix

Team (Alumni) Award Recipients

The Team (Alumni) Award recognises the outstanding achievements of alumni teams who have collectively distinguished themselves in their chosen fields.

Three awards recipients were:

• Co-founders of Growthbeans: Ms Shamantha Yan Shiya (NUS Sociology '09) and Ms Shane Yan Shiyan (NUS Psychology '09)
• Co-founders of Janio Asia: Mr Ng Jun Kai and Mr Nathaniel Asher Yim
• REACH (Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community mental Health) Team, Institute of Mental Health: Ms Esther Chew Yuki (FASS '14), Dr Daniel Fung Shuen Sheng, Mr Ho Weng Siong (FASS '16), Ms Li Jiaying Grace, Mr Ong Guo Xiong Jeffrey (FASS '09), Ms Ong Tze-I Cheryl (FASS '08), Ms Sim Si Lin (FASS '12), Ms Tan Ke Jia (FASS '03), Mr Tan Zheng Xin, Jason (FASS '08) and Ms Kelly Yeo (FASS '07)

Read more about the NUS Alumni Awards 2023 recipients here and here.

Foo Hai Fellowship in Buddhist Studies

2-Year MA Research Scholarship

The Department of History at the National University of Singapore (NUS) invites applications for one fully funded MA Research Scholarship (RS). The deadline for applications is 1 November 2023. The RS will cover tuition fees and provide a monthly stipend for two years.

More details on the RS can be found here.

NUS Opens Third Iteration of NUS Singapore History Prize to Global Nomination of Non-Fiction and Fiction Works

IN BRIEF | 5 min read

• The open global competition will accept nominations for both non-fiction and fiction works from around the world that focus on the history of Singapore.
• The Prize, which comes with an award of S$50,000, will next be awarded in 2024 to an outstanding publication in English (written or translated) that has made a significant impact on our understanding of Singapore’s history, and is published between 1 June 2021 and 31 May 2024.
• Other creative works that have clear historical themes may also be submitted. Nominations must be book-length works that are either authored or co-authored, and should address any time period, theme, or field of Singaporean history, or include a substantial aspect of Singaporean history as part of a wider story.

The Department of History at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS), today announced that the call for submissions for the third iteration of the NUS Singapore History Prize is now open. An open global competition, it will accept nominations for both non-fiction and fiction works from around the world that focus on the history of Singapore.

The NUS Singapore History Prize was launched in 2014 with the aim of spurring interest in and understanding of Singapore’s history. It hopes to make Singapore’s unique and complex history more accessible to non-academic audiences and to encourage greater discussion about Singapore’s place in the world.

The Prize, which comes with an award of S$50,000, will next be awarded in 2024 to an outstanding publication in English (written or translated) that has made a significant impact on our understanding of Singapore’s history, and is published between 1 June 2021 and 31 May 2024. Other creative works that have clear historical themes may also be submitted. Nominations must be book-length works that are either authored or co-authored, and should address any time period, theme, or field of Singaporean history, or include a substantial aspect of Singaporean history as part of a wider story.

The jury is chaired by Mr Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the NUS Asia Research Institute, who commented, “The great paradox about Singapore is that while we have an outstanding history as a nation, we have few outstanding history books about our nation. The whole world is interested in learning more about the unique success story of Singapore. At the same time, the younger generations of Singaporeans are equally curious about this unique Singapore story. The goal of the NUS Singapore History Prize is to unleash a new burst of historical writing on Singapore, about both the pre-independence and post-independence periods of Singapore’s history.”

In 2021, the NUS Singapore History Prize was awarded to Hidayah Amin for her book Leluhur: Singapore’s Kampong Gelam which presents the history of Kampong Gelam in the context of changes to Singapore’s economic, political, and social history over the last 200 years.

Professor John Miksic was the winner of the inaugural prize in 2018 for his work Singapore And The Silk Road Of The Sea, 1300-1800 – a book that synthesises 25 years of archaeological research to reconstruct the 14th-century port of Singapore.

Mr Mahbubani added, “The history of Singapore is not a static story. New information and insights keep emerging, as demonstrated by the works of the first two prizewinners. I hope that the new submissions will once again surface similar new insights.”

The winner of the 2024 NUS Singapore History Prize will be selected by a five-member Jury Panel comprising Mr Mahbubani; Prof John Miksic; Prof Tan Tai Yong, President of the Singapore University of Social Sciences; Prof Peter A. Coclanis, Director, Global Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; and economist Dr Lam San Ling.

The Jury Panel will be assisted by a Nominating Committee consisting of five members, including academics from the NUS Department of History, arts and literary figures, museum curators, and history teachers and curriculum developers.

Please refer to the Annex for more information on the 2018 and 2021 winning books.

For more information about the NUS History Prize, please visit: https://fass.nus.edu.sg/hist/nus-singapore-history-prize/.

This story first appeared in NUSnews on 1 June 2023.