The NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) marked a new chapter for its alumni community with the launch of its very first alumni-to-alumni mentoring initiative – the FASS Alumni Mentoring (FAM) programme on 20 August 2025. The programme aims to connect senior and junior alumni to discuss career and industry insights, skills development and networking opportunities.

The launch was marked by an inaugural networking session that brought together over 35 alumni – experienced alumni mentors as well as young working alumni mentees who have graduated from NUS within the past 15 years – for an engaging evening themed around the art of networking.

A community built on shared growth

The FAM programme was created to nurture a supportive, intergenerational network, empowering participants to share knowledge, offer advice, and inspire one another with their insights and experiences. Recognising the demands of work and family life and a growing preference for short-term, targeted mentoring over traditional long-term programmes, the programme emphasises short-term, session-based mentoring to allow alumni to connect meaningfully without the pressure of long-term commitments. The FAM programme will be conducted twice a year.

FASS Dean Professor Lionel Wee noted how the FAM programme reflects the spirit of the FASS community, where alumni look out for one another, share experiences generously, and create opportunities for growth across generations. He said, “My hope is that FAM will become a cornerstone of our alumni network, sustaining our graduates through every stage of their personal and professional journeys.”

From contacts to connections: FASS alumni Mr Soh Yi Da on the art of networking

Mr Soh Yi Da, Singtel Director of Strategic Government and Institutional Relations and an alumnus from FASS Political Science and the former NUS University Scholars Programme delivered his compelling keynote speech on “From contacts to connections: The art of relationship cultivation in networking.”

Mr Soh drew on Social Network Theory to illustrate the value of cultivating meaningful connections. The theory highlights how people are linked through networks of relationships, and how these ties shape the flow of information, opportunities and influence.

He emphasised the importance of both strong ties (such as with family and close friends) and weak ties (looser connections such as acquaintances or contacts from different fields), and the value of bridging gaps between different groups. He encouraged alumni to go beyond transactional networking, invest in genuine relationships, and find common ground to build trust – reminding them that while a tribe – a close‑knit group bound by shared identity, values, and mutual support – provides support, networks built on meaningful connections fuel growth and innovation.

Mr Soh praised the FAM programme as a meaningful new platform for fellow FASS alumni to connect and learn from one another.

He reflected, “It was a privilege for me to share my personal reflections on nurturing authentic relationships and growing a lasting network that truly matters. What was most rewarding was the immediate impact afterwards – I received numerous LinkedIn connection requests, and attendees reached out for deeper follow-up conversations. It was an affirmation that effective mentoring occurs when people feel empowered to take action right away.”

The quick and active application of the discussion’s insights by participants, he noted, was clear evidence of the programme’s immediate impact.

Mentoring in action: Lively exchanges

The rest of the evening saw lively, candid exchanges between mentors and mentees in smaller groups. Mentors shared their insights and personal approaches to building professional relationships. These included Ms Yeap Su Phing, Political Science ’06, Principal Speechwriter, Singapore Management University; Ms Carolyn Lim, History ’05, Head of Corporate Communications, Musim Mas Group; Mr Chua Ching Hock, Political Science ’08, General Manager of Seletar Airport, Changi Airport Group; and Mr Edwin Koh, Economics and Sociology ’91, CEO of Centrum Global Tech Pte Ltd. Together, the mentors underscored Mr Soh’s point – that authentic networking can open doors, strengthen communities and provide enduring support throughout one’s career.

Ms Joelle Ngooi, a Communications and New Media ’25 alumna, remarked, “These mentor-speakers have a wealth of experience in their respective fields and offered valuable insights into how they progressed in their careers, such as transitioning from being a specialist to being a generalist. I also had the chance to connect with people from the same industry, which was particularly meaningful as I step into the workforce. Additionally, I gained exposure to other industries, which broadened my perspective”

Building on the strong turnout and lively exchange at its debut, the FAM programme is set to become a meaningful part of the FASS alumni experience. The next session is slated for the second quarter of 2026. Announcements on the event will be made via the Faculty’s website and social media channels.