For Mr Foo Jixun and Ms Serene Siar (Mrs Foo), education has always been more than a personal milestone. It is a formative force that shapes character, broadens perspectives, and opens doors to opportunities. Both proud National University of Singapore (NUS) alumni, they credit their time at NUS with instilling a deep appreciation for the role of education in shaping not only careers, but also their personal values and purpose.

NUS College Dean, Professor Simon Chesterman, presenting a token of appreciation from the National University of Singapore’s Development Office to Mr Foo Jixun and Ms Serene Siar (Mrs Foo).

Beyond viewing learning as a lifelong pursuit, Mr and Mrs Foo see education as a powerful means of character development and perspective building. This conviction resonates strongly with the vision of NUS College, where interdisciplinary learning and holistic development lie at the heart of our student experience.

Their professional journeys have taken them from Singapore to China, exposing them to diverse contexts and ways of thinking. Mr Foo began his career in at Hewlett Packard then the public sector before relocating to China, where he witnessed firsthand how technology and innovation can transform economies and rapidly reshape one’s skills. Mrs Foo, who started her career in retail operations, similarly saw the importance of navigating diverse environments and engaging meaningfully across different cultures. Together, these experiences reinforced their shared belief that education equips individuals with the foundation and adaptability needed to thrive amid constant societal change.

For both Mr and Mrs Foo, education extends beyond qualifications listed on a résumé. They believe it is an ongoing and evolving process, one that must cultivate both breadth and depth. Breadth, Mr Foo explained, encourages students to move beyond silos, but to engage with differing perspectives and develop consensus beyond assumptions. Depth, on the other hand, fosters rigour, expertise, and confidence. “Together, these attributes are essential for Singapore’s progress and for nurturing creators who can think differently and contribute responsibly,” he shared.

The Foo family and Professor Simon Chesterman celebrating the official launch of the J&S Aspiration Room.

It is this philosophy that draws them so closely to NUS College’s mission and programmatic priorities. With the College’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and international exposure, NUS College reflects both Mr and Mrs Foo’s personal outlook on what education should achieve. Mrs Foo recalls how observing varied teaching approaches in China has reshaped her understanding of education, not merely as academic achievement, but as a space for character development and values-driven learning.

These convictions culminated in the family’s gift to NUS College – supporting scholarships as well as student and academic programmes. In recognition of their generosity, the J&S Aspiration Room, housed at NUS College (Cendana), has been named in their honour. While Mr and Mrs Foo are clear that name recognition was never their motivation, they were intentional about landing on a classroom name that would inspire. They envisioned a space where students from different disciplines could come together to collaborate, challenge ideas, and consequently develop the courage to lead one another.

Mr Foo and family appreciating the J&S Aspiration Room donor plaque in the classroom.

Notably, this gift is a family endeavour. Mr and Mrs Foo were intentional about involving their children in the giving process, hoping the experience would instil in them the importance of being good and doing good. With that, Mr and Mrs Foo’s hope is that the J&S Aspiration Room will inspire the many generations of students who learn within its walls.

“We’re deeply grateful to Mr and Mrs Foo for their extraordinary support to NUS College and our students. Their generosity goes beyond this named classroom as a space to learn — it will inspire our students to grow, dream, and collaborate with one another. As the plaque in the J&S Aspiration Room notes, today’s aspiration shapes tomorrow’s world,” shared Professor Simon Chesterman, Dean of NUS College.

As Singapore navigates an increasingly complex and interconnected global landscape, the need for holistic and interdisciplinary education has never been more pressing. Through their gift, Mr and Mrs Foo honour the transformative impact of their personal educational journeys, paying it forward to empower future generations of NUS College students to aspire with purpose and lead with conviction.

For those who wish to support NUSC giving, please visit: https://nuscollege.nus.edu.sg/get-involved/giving/.

For enquiries about designating a gift to NUSC priorities, please contact nusc.giving@nus.edu.sg

This story was first published on 2 February 2026 on NUS College. Click here for more NUS College stories.