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Teacher Talk

We are a profession where the event title immediately tickles those who are in the service. Held on 7 September at NUS College, Teacher Talk brought together alumni teachers and undergraduate teachers-to-be on a cosy evening, where they were also joined by undergraduates who were interested in the teaching profession.

The evening started off with chats over dinner and moved into a more structured conversation time. There were pre-submitted questions from participants before the session. A quick poll was also conducted at the start to gauge interest in the various topics related to teaching. While what and how to teach floated around the participants’ mind space, the top three topics of interest were Life as a Teacher, Career Considerations, and School Culture and Environment. Insights on the Ministry of Education ecosystem; experiences on striving for work-life harmony; questions on career progression and exiting the service – the session was enveloped with honesty and sincerity.

Teaching is a job that almost anyone intuitively knows, but few outside the profession intuitively understand. The teaching fraternity holds a very special bond built over shared joys, pains, and concerns – sessions like this build connections and consolidate support for the unique journeys that each teacher and teacher-to-be is on.

For us alumni, it was an opportunity to take stock of how far we have come from holding our breaths; for current students, it was a glimpse at varied versions of their future. The communal resonance was perhaps attested by how post-session exchanges morphed into a life of their own, extending to almost 2 hours after the session had ended.

In my time as an undergraduate in the then-University Scholars Programme, I had participated in a few teacher-networking sessions, as both an uninitiated bright-eyed freshman and also a mentor in my senior year. It is extremely heartening to know that the college continues to bring together distinct communities of interest, like teachers! For a profession that works hard at supporting the various stakeholders of education, may we always hold space for our peers and support those who come after us.

Submitted by Mr Lee De Yi
NUSC Alumni Family Day 2023
Catching up with friends, reliving unforgettable stories, and creating new memories with loved ones – these were just some of the things that our alumni of many cohorts, including the Talent Development Programme (TDP), the Core Curriculum Programme (CCP) and the University Scholars Programme (USP), got up to at the NUS College (NUSC) Alumni Family Day on Saturday, 26 August.

It was an afternoon to remember at Cinnamon College, with great food (including exquisite coffee and tea prepared by the NUSCaff student team) and fun activities for the family! We also took the time to celebrate our alumni from milestone years (Class of ’03, ’08, ’13, and ’18) with a cake-cutting to commemorate the momentous occasion.

A panel discussion with members of our Deanery, Prof Simon Chesterman, Prof Daniel PS Goh, Prof Hui-Chieh Loy and Prof Quek Su Ying, was held, moderated by Benjamin, Ming-An Lee (USP ’06), to discuss our vision and plans for NUSC, including details on the selection of courses for our student population and the role our alumni can play in NUSC’s future.

Witnessing the camaraderie and sense of unity that permeated throughout the event was incredibly heart-warming. It was a wonderful time of celebrating friendship, commemorating milestones, and saluting the legacy and growth of our community. We look forward to forging closer bonds within our growing alumni community!

Submitted by Ms Stephanie Wong
NUS Alumni in Qingdao celebrated Singapore 58th National Day
A group of NUS alumni in Qingdao attended Singapore's 58th National Day Dinner organised by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce & Industry in China Shandong on 20th August 2023 at Shangri-La Qingdao. Mr Ma Hao (Business '17) sponsored a table to host our fellow NUS alumni in Qingdao City. Mr Ma Hao, Ms Ren Fang (Business '12), Mr Liu Zongguo (Public Policy '15), Ms Li Yaxuan (Law '18), Mr Yang Chuanyi (Public Policy '12) and Mr David Lye (Arts and Social Sciences '95) attended the Singapore National Day Dinner in Qingdao City. The Guest of Honour for the event was Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore's Acting Minister of Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance. The special guest was Mr Peter Tan, Ambassador of Singapore to the People’s Republic of China.
10th Year Anniversary Reunion for Pharmacy Class of 2013
On the 8th of August 2023, the Class of 2013 from the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, had its first official get together. This is also the 10th year anniversary of its graduation. It was a simple affair back at familiar grounds - with dinner and drinks at NUS UTown’s Sapore Italian Restaurant. Besides the auspicious date, the eve of National Day also saw most attendees wearing the colours of red or white without any prior coordination. On such a befitting occasion, the close to 30 classmates had a hearty night of tucking into the free-flow food and reminiscing about good times. Many thanks to the NUS Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) for its support to help make this event a reality. All those present that night see this as a commendable start for the class to keep in contact, and they certainly look forward to attend the next edition.
ISE Class of 2018 5th Anniversary
In celebration of their 5th-year milestone, the Class of 2018 from Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) organised a heartwarming anniversary dinner. The event, supported by the Office of Alumni Relations and the Industrial Systems Engineering and Management (ISEM) department, was held at the National University of Singapore Society Suntec City Guild House on 29 July, bringing together over 30 alumni, faculty members, and current ISE undergraduates. The affair, planned by the ISE class of 2018 student club committee, emphasised the importance of fostering strong connections within the NUS community. By rekindling old friendships and forming new connections, the event encouraged a robust exchange of ideas and experiences, nurturing a support system that extends far beyond the confines of the university. During the event various Master's programmes offered by ISEM and CMS faculties were showcased. Additionally, the event sought to promote the expansion of the ISEM alumni network, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support among graduates. One of the highlights of the evening was the invitation extended to current ISE undergraduates. This offered them a unique opportunity to engage with their seniors, gain valuable insights into the post-graduation journey, and receive guidance for their future careers. Overall, the 5th-year anniversary dinner served as a meaningful gathering, exemplifying the spirit of camaraderie shared by the Class of 2018, with a strong commitment to nurturing a thriving ISE community.
CoDE Women - EmpowHER: Advancing Women in Tech and Design Leadership
The “CoDE Women EmpowHER: Advancing Women in Tech and Design Leadership” event took place on 28 July 2023. With an impressive turnout of over one hundred people, the event welcomed alumni, NUS staff, members of the public, current undergraduates, and esteemed professors from the College of Design and Engineering. Three of the four guest speakers are NUS alumnae from Design or Engineering. They are Ms Fun Siew Leng (Architecture '83), Ms Joanne Teh (Industrial Design '03), Dr Aishwarya Bandla (Engineering '17). Another guest speaker, Ms Huang Shan Shan, is a current undergraduate from the NUS College of Design and Engineering. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr Eliza Fong (Engineering '09), a current assistant professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering in NUS. Her role facilitated the flow of the discussion and ensured that the discussion progressed smoothly by guiding the conversation, managing tine, and transitioning between topics smoothly. She also ensured that diverse perspectives are represented, including underrepresented voices and viewpoints, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the discussion. Overall, the event was a success. On behalf of NUS College of Design and Engineering, we want to thank the four guest speakers for taking the time to come down and share their experiences and personal advice. Lastly, the College of Design and Engineering thanks all for celebrating this empowering and meaningful occasion with us, and we look forward to welcoming you to future events. To find out more about the event, please visit CDE Alumni Relations website at https://cde.nus.edu.sg/alumni/alumni-happenings-2/code-women-2023/.
Xiamen Alumni Chapter Visits ST Aerospace Technologies (Xiamen) Co. Ltd.
On 21 July 2023, a delegation of some 15 alumni and family members, led by Secretary of Xiamen Alumni Chapter Dr. Min CHEN, paid a visit to ST Aerospace Technologies (Xiamen) Co. Ltd. The aerospace engineering company was jointly established between ST Engineering’s aerospace arm, ST Aerospace, and Xiamen Aviation Industry Co., Ltd (XAICO) to provide engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services. The visit was organised together with Tranfong Ventures, a Singapore-China cross-border venture building platform. Ken LIM, CEO of ST Aerospace Technologies (Xiamen), received the delegation.

Submitted by Charles GUO Caishun, Faculty of Law, LL.M. Class of 2010, Chairperson of NUS Xiamen Alumni Chapter
The NUS Alumni Manila Chapter Joins NUS Homecoming 2023
The National University of Singapore (NUS) Alumni MANILA Chapter joined NUS Homecoming 2023 held at the Upper Quadrangle of the NUS Bukit Timah Campus on 1 July 2023. Over 800 NUS alumni joined the event. Representing the chapter at this year’s Homecoming were Chapter Chairperson Mr Richard Tan (Public Policy ’13), Chapter Treasurer Ms. Karla Hotchkiss Rufino (Business ’10), LKYSPP Philippines Chapter President Ms Jamie Duque Daileg (Public Policy ’16), Mr Lyndon Daz (Public Policy’06), Ms Mariliza Villarosa Kalaw (Public Policy ’11), Mr Vladimir Mata (Public Policy ’14), Ms. Cess Celestino Arcilla (Public Policy ’17), Mr Anton Arcilla (Public Policy ’16), Ms. Janet S Cuenca (Public Policy ’20), and Mr. Paul Pagaran (Public Policy ’01).

Before the event proper, NUS alumni in attendance were treated to a variety of insightful seminars and workshops hosted by NUS staff and alumni. In his speech during the event, guest-of-honour NUS President Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) mentioned how NUS had risen from 11th to 8th place in the most recent QS World University Rankings, and thanked the alumni for representing NUS, its values, and its influence.

The chapter representatives exchanged pleasantries with NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85), NUS Chief Alumni Officer Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (Arts and Social Sciences '89), and the NUS OAR team, and reaffirmed the Manila chapter’s commitment to actively engage NUS alumni in the city through networking and community involvement initiatives. The chapter also thanked Mr Bernard Toh (Architecture '84) for his exceptional contributions in his seven-year directorship of the Office of Alumni Relations. It was during his tenure where the MANILA Alumni Chapter was established in 2019.

“Homecoming is not only an opportunity to make new memories with old friends, but also an opportunity to make new friends from across campuses, faculties, countries, and cohorts,” said Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram, NUS Chief Alumni Officer. The MANILA Chapter will continuously promote this major alumni gathering among its members in the years to come.

Submitted by Mr Nestor Precioso (Science ’06).
Let readers know about your alumni happenings.
From reunions to workshops, alumni awards to makan sessions, please share your memories and upcoming events with us!

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