Why NUS?

 

Emerging Entrepreneur & Risk-taker Eric Cher  Watch his video A Year 4 student in the Faculty of Engineering, Eric is one with an eye for opportunity and calculated risks. When presented with an opportunity to go on the NUS Overseas Colleges programme, Eric saw how the overseas experience could offer far more than his entrepreneurial venture of offering sport coaching consultancies to individuals and businesses. At the NUS College in Bio Valley in Philadelphia - one of our five overseas colleges in the world’s entrepreneurial hubs, Eric worked in a start-up company while pursuing entrepreneurship-related courses at the University of Pennsylvania. This global outlook and an entrepreneurial edge honed by the NUS experience contributed to Eric and his team winning the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition 2008. Eric was also a finalist in other international and overseas competitions such as PennVention 2008, Peak Time 2008 and the Intel + UC Berkeley Technology Entrepreneurship Challenge 2008. Eric has gone on to become a co-founder of Student Impact Consulting, a student-run group which helps Singapore start-up companies develop sustainable business strategies. Eric Cher, The Straits Times, 9 Mar 2009

Award-winning Orator & Aspiring Civil Servant Ling Pei Shan  Watch her video A Year 4 student in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences and the University Scholars Programme, Pei Shan believes that learning beyond the classroom is as essential as learning within. Not only did she challenge herself with diverse modules on nanotechnology, mathematical modeling and public policy, Pei Shan also took on many ASEAN-related and youth development projects. In 2007, she represented NUS and emerged second runner-up at the 9th ASEAN University Network Educational Forum and Young Speakers Contest. Taking advantage of what NUS has to offer, Pei Shan also spent a semester overseas at the University of Washington, and delved into directing and staging a musical production. With a passion in political science and international affairs, Pei Shan aspires to join the civil service or international agencies following her graduation. Ling Pei Shan, TODAY, 9 Mar 2009

Making the Most of the NUS Experience Dawn Lee Yi Min  Watch her video A Year 1 student in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences and the University Scholars Programme, Dawn is making the most of her NUS experience right from the start. A member of NUS Dance Synergy and Sheares Dance, she has also raised funds for charity and took part in a public policy challenge. On why she chose to join NUS, Dawn says she was drawn to NUS’ vibrant campus life and its diverse community, with peers and professors coming from around the world. As a recipient of the prestigious NUS Global Merit Scholarship, one of many bond-free scholarships that NUS offers, Dawn will enjoy additional support to experience living and learning abroad through our Student Exchange Programme or NUS Overseas Colleges. Dawn looks forward to fulfilling her desire to enhance her global outlook and broaden her horizons as part of her NUS experience. Dawn Lee, The Straits Times, 14 Feb 2009

Passionate Alumnus & World No. 2 Ultra Triathlete Dr Kua Harn Wei An alumnus and lecturer at the School of Design & Environment, Dr Kua Harn Wei is ranked as the world’s number two triathlete by the International Ultratriathlon Association (IUTA) in 2008. He also holds several Asian triathlon records for various ultra distances. His passion for endurance sports and alma mater saw him spend five grueling months racing around the world to raise more than $600,000 for the Shaw Foundation Alumni House’s student and alumni programmes. Juggling responsibilities as a lecturer and his training routine, Dr Kua also finds time to contribute to society. He co-founded sports club Team Trizen in 2006 that seeks to promote community outreach and volunteerism through triathlons. Dr Kua also currently serves as Secretary in the IUTA Steering Committee. When asked what keeps him going, Dr Kua says: “Always do things for a cause larger and higher than yourself. This will carry you further and higher than you can ever imagine.” Dr Kua Harn Wei, TODAY, 2 Feb 2009

First polytechnic student to be accepted into Law Lavanesan Swaminathan Now a Year 4 student in the Faculty of Law, Lavanesan Swaminathan didn’t let naysayers or the setbacks of others deter him from applying to NUS after his polytechnic studies. His passion for law intensified following an internship at a law firm where he helped with the defence of a client. Seeing the client get acquitted eventually and reunite with his family, Lavanesan found his work had “paid off in a very human, tangible way” and resolved to become a lawyer since. Today, Lavanesan is a step closer towards realising his aspiration. Currently at New York University (NYU), he’s in a dual degree fast-track Masters programme, which will lead to a Bachelor’s from NUS and a Master’s from NYU. Lavanesan Swaminathan, The Straits Times, 2 Feb 2009

LeapFrog, an NUS final-year industrial design student project developed by Donn Koh from the Class of 2007, has won many prestigious international awards. An innovative walking aid designed to help children with impaired mobility, LeapFrog, does more than support physical development. On his award-winning design, Donn says: "Leapfrog refers to a game in which children vault over each other's backs. The game embodies three emotional values, namely, self-confidence, social interaction, and fun. The LeapFrog walker brings the same three values to the children who use it." Leapfrog,The Straits Times, 18 Feb 2009

NUS Mechanical Engineering student Veerappan Swaminathan described the undertaking as "knowingly walking into what was a big unknown". His venture into the unknown eventually bore fruit as the team he led successfully developed a low-cost solar fruit drying system that reduces drying time by 92%. It will enable poverty-stricken farmers in rural India to extend the shelf life of their harvest. For their promising technology, Veerappan and his team won the prestigious international 2006/07 Mondialogo Engineering Award organised by Daimler and UNESCO. They received seed funding to pursue the project further and to offer the technology to more villages in India. With NUS, you will enjoy the same globally-oriented and rich educational experience as Veerappan. Social Enterprise, The Straits Times, 31 Mar 2009

Who would have thought a virus that gives hibiscus flowers a speckled look could have a role in the fight against cancer? Using the Hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus, Prof Wong Sek Man and PhD student Ren Yupeng developed a novel drug delivery platform that promises to enhance targeted drug delivery in chemotherapy. This research initiative is just one of many that NUS aimed at making a difference and improving lives. Our vibrant research culture complements the exciting NUS educational experience that prepares our students for today’s globalised world. Cures for Cancer ad