For university students, summer break is more than a time to relax – it is also an opportunity for learning beyond the classroom.

Jazmine Lin, a third-year NUS Political Science undergraduate, participated in the Temasek-Foundation – NUS Leadership Enrichment and Regional Networking (TF - NUS LEaRN) Programme 2025 during the recent summer break, discovering that it offered her the best of both worlds: time to recharge combined with enriching learning experiences. She was among the 59 university students from across Southeast Asia who were able to learn more about the region, develop their leadership capabilities collaboratively and form new friendships through the programme.

Immersing in Chiang Mai’s culture

The programme kicked off in May with a two-week immersion in Chiang Mai, Thailand, hosted by the Language Institute Chiang Mai University (CMU). Thirty students from NUS, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Social Sciences had the opportunity to interact with local community leaders and participate in various leadership development workshops. Through field trips, they were able to learn more about the different communities, their unique cultural practices and identities, as well as how the locals tapped into their surrounding resources to make a living.

One such visit took students to Nai Suan (which means ‘In the Garden’ in Thai), a community enterprise in the Mae Rim district that upcycles fallen leaves into biodegradable bowls and plates. This initiative not only promotes sustainable living, but it is also a source of income for the locals who collect the leaves. Students were invited to experience the process themselves – from washing the leaves and removing their veins, to moulding them into the final products by using a hydraulic press.

In the Doi Saket district, students visited the Ban Baiboon Thai-Tai Lue Wisdom Learning Center, which aims to preserve the indigenous Tai Lue culture by offering homestays and tours, as well as workshops where visitors can try their hand at various traditional crafts. Through touring traditional Tai Lue houses, observing the process of handicraft-making and sampling local snacks, students gained first-hand experience of the community’s authentic way of life.

The Chiang Mai leg concluded with a Sustainable Environment Hackathon, where students applied their learnings to develop solutions to address regional environmental challenges. They pitched their ideas to the faculty members from CMU’s Faculty of Science, sparking a lively exchange of innovation and teamwork.

Deepening regional understanding in Singapore

Upon returning to Singapore in July for the next leg of the programme, the students were joined by 29 peers from 19 universities across Southeast Asia.

In the first week, the group of 29 students focused on community leadership, which emphasised skills such as teamwork and active listening. Students from the Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University TF-LEaRN programme also participated in the activities, creating a more dynamic environment.

For the second week, students explored the three key themes of greenery, water and racial harmony, all of which are hallmarks of Singapore’s identity and intrinsically important to national development. By participating in leadership seminars, fireside chats with NUS students and alumni who shared their experiences in community leadership, as well as learning journeys to Marina Barrage, Ba’alwie Mosque and a Veggie Rescue at Little India activity, they gained insights into Singapore’s approach to urban sustainability and multiculturalism. Many overseas students shared how this approach contrasted with those from their home countries, engendering enriching discussions on the region’s shared challenges and diverse approaches.

In the final week, students took part in a futures thinking segment conducted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, where they were introduced to tools such as horizon scanning and scenario communication, which are useful in anticipating trends and challenges, as well as developing effective strategies.

They were later divided into groups and tasked with identifying and addressing a community development issue in a Southeast Asian country of their choice. Through prototyping, brainstorming and presenting their ideas, students honed their ability to collaborate across cultural and academic disciplinary boundaries.

The entire programme has been an eye-opening experience for Jazmine. “Through the various talks, lectures and learning journeys, I saw how community leadership can come in many different forms. It was interesting to witness how different ideas came to life in both countries and the experience was made richer with the perspectives and insights from our Southeast Asian buddies. But beyond all the learnings, what stayed with me the most were the friendships built, and I believe this will endure well beyond the programme.”

By NUS Global Relations Office

• The Straits Times, 22 August 2025, Singapore, pA15
• Tamil Murasu, 22 August 2025, p3

By Dr Chew Han Ei, Senior Research Fellow and Head of Governance and Economy Cluster at the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 22 August 2025

• The Straits Times, 27 August 2025, The Big Story, pA5

• Lianhe Zaobao, 27 August 2025, Singapore, p6
• Berita Harian Online, 27 August 2025
• 8world Online, 27 August 2025

• CNA Online, 27 August 2025

By Chen Jiani, a Master’s student from the Dept of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 27 August 2025, Opinion, p19

How likely you think something is to happen depends on what you already believe about the circumstances. That is the simple concept behind Bayes’ rule, an approach to calculating probabilities, first proposed in 1763. Now, an international team of researchers has shown how Bayes’ rule operates in the quantum world. 
 
“I would say it is a breakthrough in mathematical physics,” said Professor Valerio Scarani, Deputy Director and Principal Investigator at the Centre for Quantum Technologies, and member of the team. His co-authors on the work published on 28 August 2025 in Physical Review Letters are Assistant Professor Ge Bai at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in China, and Professor Francesco Buscemi at Nagoya University in Japan. 

“Bayes’ rule has been helping us make smarter guesses for 250 years. Now we have taught it some quantum tricks,” said Prof Buscemi.

While researchers before them had proposed quantum analogues for Bayes’ rule, they are the first to derive a quantum Bayes’ rule from a fundamental principle.  

Conditional probability 

Bayes’ rule is named for Thomas Bayes, who first defined his rules for conditional probabilities in ‘An Essay Towards Solving a Problem in the Doctrine of Chances’.  

Consider a case in which a person tests positive for flu. They may have suspected they were sick, but this new information would change how they think about their health. Bayes’ rule provides a method to calculate the probability of flu conditioned not only on the test result and the chances of the test giving a wrong answer, but also on the individual’s initial beliefs. 

Bayes’ rule interprets probabilities as expressing degrees of belief in an event. This has been long debated, since some statisticians think that probabilities should be “objective” and not based on beliefs. However, in situations where beliefs are involved, Bayes’ rule is accepted as a guide for reasoning. This is why it has found widespread use from medical diagnosis and weather prediction to data science and machine learning. 

Principle of minimum change 

When calculating probabilities with Bayes’ rule, the principle of minimum change is obeyed. Mathematically, the principle of minimum change minimises the distance between the joint probability distributions of the initial and updated belief. Intuitively, this is the idea that for any new piece of information, beliefs are updated in the smallest possible way that is compatible with the new facts. In the case of the flu test, for example, a negative test would not imply that the person is healthy, but rather that they are less likely to have the flu. 

In their work, Prof Scarani, who is also from NUS Department of Physics, Asst Prof Bai, and Prof Buscemi began with a quantum analogue to the minimum change principle. They quantified change in terms of quantum fidelity, which is a measure of the closeness between quantum states.  

Researchers always thought a quantum Bayes’ rule should exist because quantum states define probabilities. For example, the quantum state of a particle provides the probability of it being found at different locations. The goal is to determine the whole quantum state, but the particle is only found at one location when a measurement is performed. This new information will then update the belief, boosting the probability around that location.  

The team derived their quantum Bayes’ rule by maximising the fidelity between two objects that represent the forward and the reverse process, in analogy with a classical joint probability distribution. Maximising fidelity is equivalent to minimising change. They found in some cases their equations matched the Petz recovery map, which was proposed by Dénes Petz in the 1980s and was later identified as one of the most likely candidates for the quantum Bayes’ rule based just on its properties.  

“This is the first time we have derived it from a higher principle, which could be a validation for using the Petz map,” said Prof Scarani. The Petz map has potential applications in quantum computing for tasks such as quantum error correction and machine learning. The team plans to explore whether applying the minimum change principle to other quantum measures might reveal other solutions.  

From bustling hawker centres to iconic historical architecture, Singapore’s rich cultural heritage holds powerful potential for storytelling. In celebration of the nation’s 60th year of independence, Pitch It! 2025 shines a spotlight on the theme “The Singapore Story”. Organised annually by the NUS Communications and New Media Society (CNM Society) since 2013, Pitch It! is a nationwide competition that encourages tertiary students to unleash their creativity and inspire social change through the use of diverse forms of media.

This year’s edition, held from April to July, was organised in partnership with Mediacorp’s Bloomr.SG (a content creator network to foster creative talents), the Singapore Heritage Society, and the Singapore Film Society. Featuring the problem statement “How can we enhance the telling of The Singapore Story – celebrating its colonial landmarks, traditional music, kampong life, and hawker food – in a way that fosters unity, pride and cross-cultural appreciation?”, Pitch It! 2025 challenged participants to develop compelling advertising or social media campaigns to bring these stories to life.

Learning to tell cultural stories

The four-month journey saw 24 student teams from polytechnics and universities competing for up to S$3000 worth of cash prizes. To kickstart the creative process, participants attended two highly anticipated masterclasses.

The first, co-led by Mr Han Ming Guang from the Singapore Heritage Society and Ms Priyanka Nair from the Singapore Film Society, highlighted the importance of authenticity in presenting Singapore’s cultural narratives and the role of youth in shaping national memory. Participants were encouraged to think critically about how campaigns could move beyond nostalgia to foster inclusivity, representation, and long-term relevance. Drawing from their own experiences in heritage conservation, Mr Han and Ms Nair shared the challenges they faced in raising public awareness and offered practical insights into the strategies and campaign approaches they employed to address them.

In the second masterclass, Mr Diogo Martins and Ms Denise Tan from Mediacorp’s Bloomr.SG introduced participants to the anatomy of a successful digital campaign. Using real-life case studies, participants explored how to integrate social media trends with emotive storytelling to drive public engagement. They came away with a deeper understanding of how creativity, data, and empathy intersect to create impactful media campaigns in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Renee Chew, a Year 2 Communications and New Media student from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), said, “The masterclasses were incredibly engaging and helped us to develop our campaign effectively.”

From concept to campaign

Armed with new insights, teams conducted research and fieldwork and developed campaign concepts ranging from a video series to interactive heritage trails. Following the preliminary round, five standout teams were shortlisted to present their campaigns at the Grand Finals, where they received constructive feedback from industry judges and had the opportunity to refine their proposals ahead of the final pitch.

The Pitch It! 2025 Grand Finals took place in July, with teams Ixora, Wing Wing, Need Compass and Singapore FM presenting their campaigns to a distinguished panel of industry judges comprising the speakers from the earlier masterclasses – Mr Han, Ms Nair, Mr Martins and Ms Lisa Low from Mediacorp’s Bloomr.SG.

The top prize went to Team Wing Wing for their campaign #HearOurSingaporeStory, which centred on the power of sound to connect generations. At unique phone booths located near historic sites such as the Victoria Concert Hall, Clarke Quay and the Esplanade, seniors and youths can share personal stories about Singapore’s iconic landmarks and traditions – creating more authentic and emotionally resonant stories which can be shared and appreciated across generations. Mr Han highlighted how the team had a long-term vision to sustain their campaign beyond their initial proposal and had good environmental scanning. This was one of many reasons why their pitch stood out from the rest.

“It was really fun coming up with bold, creative ideas to bring the Singapore Story to life,” shared Shernice Feng, a second-year Communication Studies student from the Nanyang Technological University’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information and a member of the winning team. “I found the experience very fulfilling as it gave us a platform to explore our own interests and perspectives.”

Also featured at the Grand Finals was a panel discussion on “Heritage, Media and Inclusive Narratives” with Mr Han, Ms Nair and Dr Jinna Tay, Senior Lecturer from the FASS CNM Department. The panel explored key challenges in heritage communication, including how to represent culture responsibly amid commercial interests, adapting to shifting media consumption patterns, sustaining long-term interest in heritage beyond one-off campaigns, and finding a balance between data-driven content strategies and meaningful storytelling.

As Pitch It! 2025 drew to a close, students had the opportunity to network with speakers and partners, engaging in meaningful conversations that extended well beyond the formal programme.

Preparing our youth for the real world

The competition not only showcased the creativity of Singapore’s youth but also provided a meaningful learning experience – connecting students with industry mentors and giving them a glimpse into the realities of campaign development.

Chieng Josiah, CNM Society Vice-President in charge of external relations and events, and Year 2 CNM Student, was proud of his organising team, which included Project Directors Year 4 CNM student Ho Ee Hsuen and Year 2 CNM student Tran Nguyen Thao Anh, for persevering through the academic year to plan this major competition.

He shared, “It has been a memorable experience planning and improving on this year’s edition to commemorate SG60 with our culture-focused and media-focused masterclasses and Grand Finals. It was also heartwarming to see our participants from various schools connect with industry experts and experienced individuals in the local cultural and heritage scene. We hope Pitch It! continues to inspire our aspiring communications professionals!”

“Pitch It! is a great opportunity for students to tackle real-world industry challenges,” noted Mr Martins. “Through the process, they gain valuable experience in aggregating insights to form coherent solutions. It also helps build their confidence – in public speaking, pitching ideas effectively, and competing at a professional level.”

By the CNM Society at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Following a one-year hiatus, NUS Team Bumblebee made a strong return to RoboSub 2025, reclaiming the championship title. The team had previously clinched its first championship in 2022 and successfully retained the top place in 2023.

Held from 11 to 17 August 2025 at the William Woollett Jr Aquatics Center in the City of Irvine in California, USA, RoboSub is a global competition that challenges teams to tackle real-world underwater robotics problems – from oceanographic exploration and mapping to object detection and manipulation. This year’s event brought together 58 teams from across the globe.

Team Bumblebee took a break from last year’s edition of RoboSub to focus on the Maritime RobotX Challenge, another international competition that advances autonomous robotic systems in the maritime domain. This year, the NUS team returned to RoboSub 2025 amid a record number of contenders, including Duke University, San Diego State University and Arizona State University – all of which were also finalists in this year’s competition.

After a week of intense competition – featuring technical presentations to judges and multiple rounds of pool testing - Team Bumblebee emerged as the overall champion and also swept awards for design documentation, namely Top Website, Top Video, Top Report and Top Assessment.

Team Lead Leong Deng Jun, Year 4 Computer Engineering undergraduate, reflected on the team’s effort, “I am very proud of what the team has achieved at this RoboSub. This year’s competition was especially challenging with a record number of teams participating. Many teams came better prepared, which meant we had limited testing time in the competition arena. Despite some unexpected setbacks and hardware issues, every member of our team stepped up and contributed to this victory.”

Based at the College of Design and Engineering in NUS, Team Bumblebee is a student-run multidisciplinary project comprising 55 undergraduates from Mechanical, Computer, and Electrical Engineering as well as NUS School of Computing, NUS Business School, and NUS College of Humanities and Sciences.

The NUS Business School marked its 60^th anniversary with a birthday bash on 14 August 2025, bringing together current students, staff and past and present leaders to celebrate its journey and look to the future.

Founded in 1965 as the Department of Business Administration, it began with just 21 students recruited from the Faculty of Arts by its first leader, Dr Andrew Zecha, who personally persuaded undergraduates to join the fledgling department. It went on to lay the foundation for business education in Singapore, setting up Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive MBA (EMBA) programmes in partnership with schools in China and the US and earning accreditations that helped it transform into a global business school.

Today, the Business School boasts more than 6,000 students across the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and an alumni network of more than 50,000. It is the top business school in Asia and ranks among the top ten globally.

NUS President Tan Eng Chye, NUS Business School co-founder Mr Tan Yam Pin, former deans Emeritus Professor Lee Soo Ann, Professor Wee Chow Hou, Professor Hum Sin Hoon and Professor Kulwant Singh, and Deputy Dean Associate Professor Jumana Zahalka joined Distinguished Professor Andrew Rose, Dean of the Business School, for a cake-cutting ceremony to open the event.

In his opening remarks, Prof Rose thanked the School’s founders and leaders for their contributions over the past six decades, as well as the faculty and staff whose education and research work form the core of the School’s reputation. “They are the reason why we’re attracting higher and higher quality students, and our reputation continues to grow,” he said.

The event included a fully subscribed masterclass on the future of sustainability in Asia, delivered by Professor Lawrence Loh, Director of the Centre for Governance and Sustainability, and an activity-packed carnival. Attendees enjoyed traditional snacks, arcade games, art booths and a dunk tank where their attempts to dunk Prof Rose and other faculty members raised money for a good cause.

Leading in Singapore and Asia

For former Business School leaders Mr Tan, Prof Lee and Prof Wee, the 60^th anniversary milestone was an opportunity to reflect on the stark changes that have taken place since their time. The School’s enrolment growth is especially impressive for Mr Tan, who was there when the initial cohort of 21 was enrolled. In comparison, the undergraduate intake in recent years has been around 4,000 students per year.

Mr Tan reflected: “In 1963, when we first conceived the concept of starting a department of business administration, it seemed like a baby step forward to me. Now looking back, it was actually a giant leap, like (Neil) Armstrong said.”

Back then, business subjects like accountancy were considered more suitable for polytechnic diplomas, rather than degrees, Prof Lee recalled. However, things changed when Singapore gained independence in 1965 and needed to train its own finance professionals.

Prof Lee said, “The teaching of accounting and business administration became essential for businesses to survive, because the accountants had returned to England. By teaching accounting here, we upgraded the capabilities of Singapore and the economy.”

He looks forward to continued innovations in how the School prepares students for the changing business environment, such as by offering more double degree programmes and leveraging new technologies like Generative AI to help students learn faster and more broadly.

Prof Wee was pleased to see that several initiatives he introduced during his tenure from 1990–1999 have become an integral part of the School’s offerings and shaped its global focus.

For instance, he was an early advocate of the modular system over the traditional year-long curriculum, as it would allow students to retake individual modules as needed and embark on exchange programmes more flexibly. The same system has now been implemented across the entire University.

To strengthen the School’s influence as an authority on Asian business, he encouraged faculty members to initiate collaborations with authors of well-known business textbooks to develop new editions with Asian case studies and contexts. In addition, Chinese MBA and EMBA programmes were launched under his leadership, offering the first such programmes outside mainland China.

A project that he would have liked to execute before he stepped down was the creation of a bilingual master’s programme, which he believes would be critical to the Business School’s mission of providing business education with an Asian lens. He still hopes that this vision will eventually come to fruition in the School’s next chapter.

“Singapore as a nation has survived because the West wants to listen to our views about China, and the Chinese come to us to know about the West,” Prof Wee said. “As a society, our strength lies in playing that bridging role. It’s important that the government is trying to cultivate bilingualism, and our universities should complement this.”

• Lianhe Zaobao, 16 August 2025, Singapore, p8

• Lianhe Zaobao, 16 August 2025, Business, p24

By Dr Lin Jing, Research Fellow from the Middle East Institute at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 16 August 2025, Opinion, p21

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has received a generous S$3 million pledge from global real estate powerhouse Mapletree Investments (Mapletree) to strengthen service-learning courses that will empower over 4,000 student volunteers annually to uplift more than 60,000 beneficiaries. This collaboration underscores that everyone has a role in building a "we-first" society where the government, community and corporate partners work together to create a more inclusive Singapore.

This milestone moment was graced by Guest-of-Honour Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Trade and Industry, on 25 August 2025 at Mapletree Business City.

Under the Communities and Engagement (C&E) pillar of the General Education curriculum, NUS undergraduate students across various disciplines can read service-learning courses as part of their graduation requirements. These courses encourage deep reflection and constructive actions on societal needs and real-world issues such as inequality and poverty which underprivileged and disadvantaged communities struggle with.

As the Principal Founding Donor and one of the largest donors towards the C&E Pillar with a focus on Seniors and Vulnerable Families, Mapletree’s contribution will sustain and expand NUS C&E courses such as GEN2060 Reconnect SeniorsSG, GEN2061 Support Healthy AgeingSG, GEN2062 Community Activities for Seniors with SG Cares, and GEN2070 Community Link (ComLink) Befrienders. Since the pilot launch of the C&E Pillar (Seniors and Vulnerable Families) in Academic Year 2022/2023, over 5,000 students have completed, or are currently enrolled in, these courses.

These service-learning courses run up to a year, encouraging students to take initiative in community service while developing critical thinking about complex social challenges.

Beyond volunteering, students also reflect, analyse and create solutions. The impact of this approach is multifaceted – beneficiaries find companionship and renewed hope; community partners gain extra help on the ground; students cultivate life-long values, and the ripple effects strengthen Singapore’s social fabric.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “We are grateful to Mapletree for this generous contribution, which will greatly enhance the impact of our service-learning courses. By empowering our students to serve the community, we are nurturing among the next generation empathy and a deeper awareness of societal needs among the disadvantaged and underprivileged. At the same time, we create opportunities for our students to do their part and support Singapore’s ageing population and lower-income families. These efforts reinforce our commitment to make a positive impact on society and community through our mission in education.”

Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman of Mapletree, said, “Mapletree’s latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative with NUS aligns with two of our four CSR pillars – Healthcare and Education. Through our gift, as part of our US$10 million commitment to Temasek Trust’s Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA), these courses create beautiful bridges to facilitate relationships between students, seniors and vulnerable families, enriching the lives of all involved. We will continue to invest in the communities where we operate, strengthening the social fabric in meaningful ways.”

In 2023, Temasek Trust announced the launch of PAA to drive positive impact across Asia and mobilise collective philanthropic partnerships and strategies addressing global environmental and social challenges.

With Mapletree’s support, students will deepen their role as volunteers to implement hands-on initiatives to engage seniors and disadvantaged families. For example, as part of GEN2062, students facilitate thoughtfully designed activities at Active Ageing Centres and Senior Care Centres that stimulate cognitive function, enhance physical health, and improve the holistic well-being of elderly participants. Students in GEN2060 and GEN2070 conduct home visits to befriend seniors and vulnerable families, while students in GEN2061 share vital information about government assistance schemes with seniors through door-to-door visits. A small part of the gift will also go towards empowering student initiatives in other C&E courses to support these sectors.

Ms Cheryl Lim, Manager of Programmes at NTUC Health Senior Day Care, said, “We are heartened to witness the smiles on the seniors’ faces, made possible by the diverse range of activities organised by NUS students. The contributions of the students have been truly invaluable—their initiative in planning and leading these activities has not only enriched the lives of our seniors but also provided our team with interesting ideas. We truly appreciate the long-term, sustained collaboration and partnership with NUS that helps foster intergenerational bonds and nurture a continued sense of belonging, especially in our seniors, and within the broader community across generations.”

Complementing the efforts by community partners to promote better health and social engagement among seniors, the courses under the C&E pillar also enable NUS students to experience personal growth through their interaction and involvement with the seniors.

Mr Sean Ang Teng Han, a second-year student from the NUS Faculty of Science, who is currently reading the GEN2062 course, said, “It challenged me to step up and develop soft skills I did not have in the past, such as managing group dynamics, holding the attention of a crowd, and adapting quickly to different personalities. Learning how to engage and entertain a group of elderly participants has taught me a lot about communication and leadership in a more communal setting.”

Mapletree’s gift is the latest in a long-standing partnership with NUS that began over a decade ago with the establishment of the Mapletree Bursary in 2012. With a total endowment of S$900,000 to date, the Bursary has provided over 130 students with financial support, removing barriers that may otherwise pose challenges to their education journey. With this latest gift, Mapletree hopes to promote intergenerational bonding, a volunteering culture among youth, and opportunities to enhance age-in-place initiatives, one of the many efforts to address one of Singapore’s most pressing societal challenges – a rapidly ageing population, with one in four residents reaching the age of 65 by 2030.

• Berita Harian, 21 August 2025, p2
• Tamil Murasu, 21 August 2025, p2

By Dr Laurel Teo, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Straits Times, 21 August 2025, Opinion, pB2

By Dr Jonathan Sim, Associate Fellow at the NUS Teaching Academy and Lecturer in the Dept of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• CNA Online, 21 August 2025

• CNA, 20 August 2025
• CNA Online, 20 August 2025
• Channel 5 News, 20 August 2025
• Vasantham News Online, 20 August 2025
• The Straits Times, 21 August 2025, The Big Story, Front Page & pA2
• Lianhe Zaobao, 21 August 2025, Singapore, Front Page & p6
• CNA938, 21 August 2025
• Money 89.3FM, 21 August 2025
• Kiss92FM, 21 August 2025
• One FM 91.3, 21 August 2025
• The New Paper, 21 August 2025
• Berita Harian, 21 August 2025, Front Page
• Tamil Murasu, 21 August 2025, Front Page
• Lianhe Zaobao, 25 August 2025, Opinion, p19

By Assoc Prof Lin Weiqiang, from the Dept of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• The Straits Times, 20 August 2025, Opinion, pB2

• zbSunday, 17 August 2025, zbW, p3

• 8world Online, 18 August 2025

By Dr Woo Jun Jie, Senior Lecturer at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 18 August 2025

By Mr Ben Chester Cheong, Associate Academic Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, Faculty of Law at NUS

• The Straits Times, 19 August 2025, Opinion, pB2

• 8world Online, 18 August 2025
• Lianhe Zaobao, 19 August 2025, Singapore, p8

From the wars in Gaza and Ukraine to protracted crises in Africa, geopolitical tensions abound in today’s turbulent world. But there is a bright spot closer to home.

Guided by the basic principles of non-interference, non-aggression, decision-making through consensus, and quiet diplomacy, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has remained a shining example of hope in the region, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

“History has taught us that peace is not a natural state of affairs – it is sustained by restraint, dialogue, diplomacy, and a shared commitment to order,” noted Dr Kao at a lecture organised by the NUS Centre for International Law (CIL) on 4 August 2025 that was attended by about 130 participants, including policymakers, diplomats, government officials as well as members of academia and the private sector from Singapore and the region.

“ASEAN’s journey stands as a profound testament to the tenacity required to make regionalism and multilateralism work.”

ASEAN is an area of focus for CIL, particularly in its role as a pillar of international law, said CIL Director, Dr Nilufer Oral. In her welcome remarks at the annual CIL-NUS ASEAN Distinguished Lecture, she hailed ASEAN as “an important building block in the international legal system”.

Echoing this, Dr Kao added: “Even in times of difficulty, we do not abandon our faith in the power of diplomacy, a culture of dialogue, and a sense of shared purpose. That is the ‘ASEAN Way’, and it remains a source of light in an increasingly uncertain and polarised world.”

His lecture, titled “ASEAN: A Bright Spot in a Darkening World”, focused on the continued relevance of the bloc, which was founded in 1967. But the brightness can dim occasionally.

“The recent flare-up along the Cambodia-Thailand border should serve as a sobering wake-up call…we can neither afford complacency, nor take peace for granted,” stressed the Cambodian diplomat, who has been ASEAN’s Secretary-General since 2023.

Clashes between the two countries in July de-escalated after an intervention by neighbouring leader Mr Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, who is the current ASEAN Chair.

Unity amid uncertainty

Dr Kao emphasised ASEAN’s commitment to future-proofing the region, as set out in the “ASEAN 2045” agenda adopted at the 46th ASEAN Summit in May 2025.

“For the first time in ASEAN’s history, we have articulated a 20-year outlook that anticipates the global megatrends already reshaping the international system,” he said, highlighting the challenges of climate change, demographic shifts, and technological disruptions.

“‘ASEAN 2045’ seeks not just to respond to them, but also to harness them in shaping a dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready region.”

Other challenges threatening the rules-based world order include the rising tides of unilateralism, fragmentation, and protectionism, with Dr Kao calling for concerted efforts and vigilance to sustain this relationship of trust.

Such efforts are especially crucial given the outsized impact of external forces on the region.

For example, Dr Kao acknowledged that US President Donald Trump’s support was crucial to securing peace in the Indo-Pacific. But he said ASEAN had to make known to the US that its recent tariffs had caused “a lot of uncertainty” in the region, especially in the private sector.

“ASEAN has been trying to respond collectively as a region to the US,” said Dr Kao in his reply to a question on the rules-based order, adding that the bloc is also working to boost trade within the region and with partners like China, Korea, and India.

A beacon in a darkening world

Amid geopolitical tensions, ASEAN’s growing appeal is evident as more non-Southeast Asian countries join ASEAN-led partnerships. It has not only championed peace, but also “reinforced its position as a cornerstone of regional economic success”, said Dr Kao.

Currently the world’s fifth-largest economy, ASEAN is projected to become the fourth-largest by 2030. In 2023, it secured a record US$230 billion in foreign direct investment.

Asked if ASEAN was in need of reform, Dr Kao conceded the bloc had its “shortcomings” such as not delivering results quickly enough, and was working to address them. On a separate note, he highlighted that ASEAN was making inroads in AI-related issues ranging from governance to ethics, and was gaining “a lot of momentum” in cybersecurity.

Weighing in, Mr Ong Keng Yong, Singapore’s Ambassador-at-Large and current CIL Governing Board Member, who moderated the dialogue, added that countries needed more political will to enforce cybersecurity-related laws.

Participants believed the topics discussed were timely. “The lecture was an accurate reflection of the processes and the recent priorities of ASEAN,” said Ms Diane Shayne D. Lipana, Acting Director of ASEAN Affairs at the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs.

In these uncertain times, ASEAN’s role is starker than ever. “We will redouble our efforts to ensure that ASEAN remains – steadily and resolutely – a bright beacon in a darkening world,” Dr Kao added.

Demonstrating its strong commitment to decarbonising the built environment through a portfolio of 64 Green Mark-certified buildings, NUS was awarded the Green Mark Commemorative Certificate at the Singapore Green Building Council Gala Dinner on 11 July 2025 for its continued support and contributions to Singapore’s green building journey. The event was held in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Certification Scheme.

Leading the way in high-performance green buildings

As of July 2025, six buildings in NUS have achieved the highest energy performance ratings under the Green Mark 2021 In-Operation scheme - Platinum Super Low Energy (SLE), Zero Energy (ZE), and Positive Energy (PE):

• SDE 4 – Platinum ZE (2018) and Platinum PE (2022)
• SDE 1 – Platinum SLE (2018) and Platinum ZE (2023)
• SDE 3 – Platinum SLE (2018, 2024)
• Ventus – Platinum (2012) and Platinum SLE (2024)
• AS8 – Platinum (2015) and Platinum SLE (2024)
• Central Library – Platinum SLE (2020, 2024)

In 2021, NUS bagged the top BCA award for green buildings – the Green Mark Platinum Champion Award – for achieving 50 Green Mark Gold and above certifications for developments across its campuses.

One example is Ventus at NUS’ Kent Ridge Campus, where the Office of University Campus Infrastructure (UCI) is located. Through green building design and collaboration with building users to implement energy-saving measures, the Energy Use Intensity (EUI), which measures the total energy consumption of a building relative to its gross floor area, for Ventus was 49 kWh/m2 in FY2024, which is significantly lower than the average EUI for offices at 219 kWh/m2. 

Beyond achieving high energy performance for the University’s new and existing buildings, green buildings also offer health and well-being benefits to building occupants. Comprehensive research by BCA and NUS in 2017 revealed that occupants experienced significantly better indoor environmental conditions than those in non-certified buildings, with measurable improvements in temperature control, humidity levels, air quality, and overall occupant satisfaction.

Translating innovation into practice

Beyond certification, NUS has played a pivotal role in pushing for an alternative cooling approach to reduce energy consumption while maintaining thermal comfort. Under Singapore’s new proposed Built Environment Decarbonisation Technology Roadmap, Associate Professor Adrian Chong from the Department of the Built Environment at the College of Design and Engineering, together with the UCI sustainability team, contributed to the development of a new technical standard known as TR 141:2025 for hybrid cooling systems, which aims to accelerate the deployment of hybrid cooling systems across building typologies. Their inputs were informed by the design and operational experience gained from implementing hybrid cooling technology in Net Zero Energy buildings at NUS. The new technical standard addresses the current gap in international standards and provides guidelines suited to our tropical climate.

Under the Campus Sustainability Roadmap 2030 Framework, the University aims to reduce Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 30 per cent and reduce EUI by 20 per cent from the FY2019 baseline. By setting ambitious energy efficiency targets for its new and existing buildings, NUS aims to use the campus as a living lab where students can engage with real-world case studies for experiential learning and researchers can test-bed and develop innovations to improve building performance.

Supporting Singapore’s green building journey and Net Zero vision

NUS is committed to reducing both operational and embodied carbon across its building portfolio, in alignment with the national green building agenda and broader climate goals. As part of its strategy to address Scope 3 emissions, NUS has commissioned a study on sustainable construction, specifically on low embodied carbon materials, and is currently exploring the procurement of such materials for future NUS developments.

Vice President (Campus Infrastructure) Mr Koh Yan Leng said, “Greening the university’s buildings, such as by providing ample greenery, natural daylight, and more natural ventilation, has created a conducive environment for learning and working. Our commitment to bold energy targets helps shape the behaviours of future leaders and enables our community to engage with sustainable practices every day.”

By NUS University Campus Infrastructure

Days before Singapore celebrated its 60^th year of independence, a new book was added to the canon of literature on the city-state’s improbable growth and survival – this time, through the eyes of public sector leaders who had a hand in its transformation.

Launched on 6 August 2025, How Singapore Beat the Odds: Insider Insights on Governance in the City-State by Terence Ho, Adjunct Associate Professor (Practice) at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP), features in-depth interviews with 12 political and public sector leaders on the challenges faced, chances taken and decisions made that shaped Singapore into what it is today, as well as their perspectives on the journey and views on Singapore’s future.

Assoc Prof Ho is a frequent commentator on economic, fiscal, workforce and social policy issues, as well as skills and lifelong learning. As an adjunct faculty member of LKYSPP, he teaches in executive programmes covering various areas of public sector governance.

The foreword was written by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, and the distinguished interviewees include former Singapore President Mdm Halimah Yacob; Ms Seah Jiak Choo, former Director-General of Education; Mr Peter Ho, former Chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA); and Mr Ravi Menon, former Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

The project was mooted and sponsored by Mr Narayana Murthy, founder and Chairman Emeritus of technology provider Infosys and a long-time admirer of Singapore. He believed that such a book of insights into Singapore’s public governance would inspire and guide leaders of developing nations to drive similar transformations of their own.

“The success of Singapore lies not in any magic, but in a successful method,” said Mr Murthy at the launch event. “Singapore demonstrates that good public governance is a possible, practical, valuable and powerful strategy. To Singapore and to the visionaries who made it what it is today, I say ‘Thank you’ for lifting the standard, showing the way and reminding the world that public governance done right can transform the destiny of a nation.”

Noting the unplanned coincidence of the book’s launch with the nation’s diamond jubilee, Assoc Prof Ho highlighted that the themes explored in the book were not just critical in Singapore’s early development but remain relevant for its next 60 years. “While the book aims to inspire other countries, I hope that Singaporeans too will draw inspiration from the values and the pioneering spirit of our veteran leaders as we collectively continue to write the next chapter of the Singapore story.”

The book launch at the Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore was attended by President Tharman as Guest of Honour and more than 120 guests, including several of the book’s interviewees. During the event, three leaders featured in the book delivered speeches on the aspects of governance where they made significant contributions: Professor Lim Siong Guan, former Head of Civil Service, on fiscal management; Mr Khaw Boon Wan, former Singapore Cabinet Minister, on healthcare; and Professor Cheong Koon Hean, former CEO of URA and the Housing Development Board, on urban planning.

Priorities to not just survive, but thrive

The idea that no one owes Singapore its survival was a driving force for many early governance decisions, said Prof Lim, who is also Distinguished Practitioner Fellow at LKYSPP and was recently honoured as an Emeritus Professor by NUS for his noteworthy contributions to Singapore’s civil service.

In his speech, Prof Lim shared the government’s top spending priorities for nation-building: defence, industrialisation, home ownership, education and health. While principles of fiscal prudence were established from the start, the government recognised the need to enhance its revenue streams and created the sovereign wealth fund GIC and the reserves policy to generate investment returns and allocate them between current and future needs.

Prof Lim described Singapore’s approach thus: “If you want to spend more, you need to be able to earn more at the same time. Be fair; give access to the current generation to a reasonable or fair part of the investment returns, while at the same time making sure that you keep up the capital reserves for whatever may be the unexpected demands of the rainy days.”

Solving the issue of sustainable financing for the healthcare system was Mr Khaw’s task as Health Minister from 2004 to 2011. Balancing the two dimensions of healthcare, financing and delivery, is especially challenging because “in healthcare, demand is potentially unlimited, but supply is not,” and poor patients suffer the most when demand outstrips supply, said the current chairman of SPH Media Trust.

The solution lay in a mixed approach for both dimensions. Instead of relying on taxation or insurance for funding, Singapore employs a multi-layered model that includes patient co-payment to prevent overconsumption while keeping healthcare affordable. Similarly, healthcare services are delivered by a mix of public, private and charitable providers, which offers patients more choices and responds better to the diverse needs of an ageing population.

As Singapore evolves into a “super aged” society, the healthcare system must focus more on long-term chronic care, building on the pillars of preventative healthcare, primary healthcare by family physicians and a healthcare system that is integrated with the community to provide holistic care, said Mr Khaw.

He spotlighted the crucial role of caregivers, saying: “When a cure is no longer available, what patients value most is care, and the highest form of care is underpinned by love and compassion, often by the patient’s family. Society has a strong interest, indeed a strong duty, to support caregivers adequately.”

A combination of aspirations, innovation, and good urban governance enabled Singapore to turn the constraints that threatened its survival into catalysts for success, said Prof Cheong, Practice Professor at Singapore University of Technology and Design and Chairman of the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities.

For example, water insecurity drove investments in water recycling and water catchments, and the scarcity of land forced planners to reclaim land, create underground spaces and plan vertically.

“The starting point is to embed a culture of foresight in the way our policies are formulated. The city did not wait for problems to become crises,” she said, adding that a whole-of-government approach and collaboration with the private sector, non-profits and citizens were key in creating solutions that balance economic competitiveness and quality of life.

Considering principles in context

The event concluded with a brief panel discussion moderated by Ms Ong Toon Hui, Vice Dean and Executive Director, Institute for Governance and Leadership at LKYSPP, in which the three speakers shared their thoughts on how the book’s insights into Singapore’s experience could be made relevant to other countries.

Prof Lim and Mr Khaw emphasised the importance of understanding the principles behind the decisions and translating those into actions that fit the context of each country, and Prof Cheong provided additional insights from her experience researching cities for 20 years and working on the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize.

She cited long-term planning, good urban governance, strong leadership, institutionalised processes, and competent people as common traits of the award-winning cities, some of which have been integrated into the prize assessment criteria.

“The cities that have won the prize all exhibit very similar principles to us – maybe not so much in the details – but these are very high-level principles that I feel are applicable to most cities,” she said, reminding the audience that even as others look to Singapore for lessons in governance, there is much that Singapore can learn from other cities in return.

• The Straits Times, 18 August 2025, Singapore, pA19

• 8world Online, 18 August 2025

• Tamil Murasu Online, 18 August 2025

By Mr Christopher Gee, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 18 August 2025

By Assistant Professor G Owen Schaefer, from the Centre for Biomedical Ethics at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at NUS

• CNA Online, 13 August 2025

By Dr Kalpana Vignehsa, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS

• The Straits Times, 13 August 2025, Opinion, pB4

• zbSunday, 17 August 2025, News, p11

By Mr Zaid Hamzah, Executive Education Fellow from the School of Computing at NUS

• Berita Minggu, 17 August 2025, p9

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim, Senior Lecturer from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Berita Minggu, 17 August 2025, p11

Singapore is seen as an ideal country that could use nuclear energy, due to its technological know-how, institutional maturity, and geographical constraints on renewable power generation.  

This view came from Mr Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who delivered a lecture on developments in atomic energy and nuclear security at NUS on 25 July 2025. The lecture, hosted by the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI) at NUS, was followed by a question-and-answer session moderated by Associate Professor Leong Ching, NUS Vice Provost (Student Life) and Acting Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS.

“When it comes to decarbonising, what are your options? Here, there is no hydropower. You have renewables, but you don’t have much territory... so you cannot have wind parks for kilometres on end,” he told an audience of 250 students, undergraduates, academics, experts and government officials at NUS’ Shaw Foundation Alumni House.

“In my opinion, and in the opinion of many experts, in terms of the options, perhaps Singapore could rightly figure as the most perfect example of a country that needs nuclear energy. With a very small nuclear power plant, you can have a level of energy density and production that you cannot match with anything else.”

Singapore has been contributing to global developments in nuclear research for the last decade and has been a member of IAEA since 1967.

For example, Singapore conducts training on nuclear science and technology for other countries, and its government agencies contribute to technical committees of the IAEA — which functions as the United Nations nuclear watchdog.

While the government announced in February that Singapore would study the potential deployment of nuclear power and systematically build up capabilities in the area, no decision has been made on whether the country will adopt nuclear energy.

Meanwhile, the country is further building its nuclear expertise with SNRSI, which was launched on 11 July 2025.

“Having Mr Grossi here today is of special significance to us because, earlier this month, the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute was officially launched after 10 years as an Initiative. It didn’t happen overnight, it took us 10 years to grow our size and capability,” said Professor Lui Pao Chuen, Chairman of the SNRSI Management Board, in his opening remarks.

“Singapore is committed and ready to contribute to the safe, peaceful use of nuclear science and technology,” he added.

SNRSI will operate from a new purpose-built facility at NUS, with a S$66 million grant. It plans to double its pool of experts to 100 by 2030, and will play a major role in Singapore’s partnership with the IAEA to train experts from developing countries in nuclear research.

Singapore has also worked with the IAEA on other areas, such as the designation of the NUS Centre for Ion Beam Applications as a Collaborating Centre — the first such centre in Singapore. One focus of the Collaborating Centre is proton beam therapy, which is used in radiation cancer treatment.

What’s driving the nuclear pivot

The pivot towards atomic power has been a global trend, with ASEAN countries also showing interest in collaborating with IAEA to develop nuclear energy capabilities. For instance, countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar plan to build nuclear power plants.

“It is not a trend towards nuclear dominance,” noted Mr Grossi, emphasising that the role of nuclear energy is to provide a stable base load for the grid that “never stops”.

Instead, he attributed the rising interest to two factors: decarbonisation and energy security.

If the world aspired to hit decarbonisation targets of the Paris Agreement, it would have to include the use of nuclear energy. “Decarbonisation without nuclear (energy) is practically utopian,” he added. 

A more fragmented world also means growing energy security concerns, as an overreliance on external energy supplies could put countries in a vulnerable position.

“The allure of a source of energy which gives you total independence becomes even clearer when you have a nuclear power plant. You switch it on, it’s yours,” said Mr Grossi.

If Singapore is keen to pursue nuclear energy, he suggested that the Republic could share a nuclear power plant with an ASEAN neighbour, citing how this is done in Slovenia with the Krsko power plant that provides energy to both Slovenia and Croatia.

Safety is top priority

While there are benefits to nuclear energy, the topic of safety, among other areas such as application guidelines and costs, was brought up and addressed by Mr Grossi during the question-and-answer session.

In response to a question on the effects of a nuclear power plant incident in a densely populated city such as Singapore, Mr Grossi assured that safety is IAEA’s top priority. “We at the IAEA develop, together with the countries, emergency preparedness and response mechanisms,” he said. “It’s one indispensable part of nuclear power planning and operation.”

To another question on disposing radioactive waste, Mr Grossi said that no country can run a nuclear power programme without first having a clearly defined and agreed plan for managing the waste – a process he emphasised that must be considered from the start and not left until after the fuel is used. “There are very clear methodologies to deal with it, and they are used…to great success.”

While there have been debates concerning the long-term disposal due to the lasting radiation of spent fuel, Mr Grossi noted that the amount of such waste is extremely low. The waste generated is also inspected to ensure there is no radiation hazard or misuse of nuclear material. “We are the only industry that checks the rubbish,” he added with a smile.

Summing up the potential of nuclear power, he concluded, “Let me say that all of this presents a picture of opportunities, challenges and problems.” It is a blueprint that the IAEA, in partnership with countries like Singapore, will continue to fine-tune and optimise.

By Ustaz Syafiq Mardi, a PhD candidate in the Dept of Malay Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Berita Harian, 15 August 2025, p11

• Berita Harian, 15 August 2025, p10

• Lianhe Zaobao, 15 August 2025, Singapore, p12

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Universiti Malaya (UM) will celebrate more than six decades of collaboration with a series of commemorative events in Perak, Malaysia, later this month. Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore and Chancellor of NUS, accompanied by an NUS delegation, will travel to Ipoh on 25 August 2025 for a working visit. President Tharman will be accompanied by his spouse, Mrs Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam.

The NUS delegation will include Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS Chief Alumni Officer Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram, NUS Golf Captain Ms Angelia Tay, academics, golfers and staff.

NUS marks its 120th anniversary in 2025, a legacy that began in 1905 with the establishment of the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, which later became Universiti Malaya. In 1962, UM’s Singapore campus was reconstituted as the University of Singapore, which later evolved into the National University of Singapore. The strong ties between the two institutions have continued alongside the warm friendship between Singapore and Malaysia.

“The longstanding friendship between NUS and UM is rooted in a shared history and a mutual commitment to collaboration and educational excellence. As both universities mark their 120-year legacy this year, we are honoured to celebrate this enduring partnership through meaningful engagements which reflect not only our deep institutional ties, but also the warm and longstanding bonds between Singapore and Malaysia,” said Professor Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS. 

Meeting and Royal Welcome in Kuala Kangsar

On the evening of 25 August, President Tharman will have a meeting with the Chancellor of UM and Sultan of Perak His Royal Highness Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah at the Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar. This will be followed by a Royal Dinner hosted by HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah and the Raja Permaisuri of Perak, Her Royal Highness Tuanku Zara Salim, for President Tharman, Mrs Tharman and the NUS delegation.

UM–NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament

On 26 August, more than 100 golfers from NUS and UM will tee off at the Royal Perak Golf Club in the 54th UM–NUS Inter-University Tunku Chancellor Golf Tournament. First held in 1968 to strengthen ties between the two institutions, the tournament alternates venues between Malaysia and Singapore. This year’s competition in Ipoh will culminate in a prize presentation lunch, attended by the two Chancellors, Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman of the NUS Board of Trustees, Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar, Chairman of UM’s Board of Directors, Professor Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS, and Professor Dato’ Seri Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, Vice-Chancellor of UM.

2nd UM–NUS Joint Academic Symposium: Precision Health

Also on 26 August, NUS and UM researchers will convene for the second Joint Academic Symposium held alongside the tournament, this year focusing on precision health. The symposium will feature 10 keynote addresses and technical talks by leading scholars and clinicians from both universities, alongside a special presentation on the shared history of Singapore and Malaysia. President Tharman and HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah will preside over the keynote and shared history presentations. The 2024 joint academic symposium, which was held at NUS, was on biomedical engineering.

By Prof Lawrence Loh, Director, Ms Nguyen Hanh Trang, Senior Research Analyst, Ms Nguyen Thi Thuy, Senior Research Associate and Ms Annette Singh, Principal Research Associate, all from the Centre for Governance and Sustainability at NUS Business School

• The Business Times, 14 August 2025, p6

• Lianhe Zaobao, 14 August 2025, Singapore, p5

• 8world Online, 13 August 2025
• The Business Times, 14 August 2025, p2
• The Business Times, 14 August 2025, p6
• Lianhe Zaobao, Business, 14 August 2025, p27
• Berita Harian, 14 August 2025, p5
• Capital 95.8FM, 14 August 2025

• Suria News Online, 13 August 2025

• Tamil Murasu, 13 August 2025

Mr Tan Gee Paw (MSc ISE '71), Adjunct Professor with the NUS College of Design and Engineering, and former Chairman of Changi Airport Group, was honoured with the Order of Nila Utama at the National Day Awards, earning this year's top accolade for his role in advancing Singapore’s development in areas such as aviation, rail transport and water security.

Professor Lui Pao Chuen (Science '65), Temasek Defence Professor at the Temasek Defence Systems Institute (TDSI) and Chairman of the Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Institute (SNRSI), both key institutes at NUS, received the next highest award, the Distinguished Service Order. He was lauded for his contributions to Singapore across diverse fields, including education, science and technology, urban development, defence and infrastructure.    

The two recipients were among the nearly 200 members of the NUS community who were recognised for their merit and service to Singapore. In total, some 7,210 people were presented with the National Day Awards, on the year of Singapore’s 60th anniversary.

Mr Tan, who chaired Changi Airport Group from October 2020 to March 2025, was cited for steering the airport operator through the headwinds posed by COVID-19, maintaining its mission as a leading air hub and ensuring a swift recovery in post-pandemic traffic levels. Beyond shaping the development of the upcoming Terminal 5 and Changi East airport expansion, he was credited with spearheading the group’s efforts in innovation and sustainability, boosting its operational efficiency and overseeing key infrastructure upgrades.

During his term as Chairman of PUB, Singapore’s national water agency, from 2001 to 2017, he led bold initiatives and long-term infrastructure projects, such as the launch of NEWater and the Marina Barrage. As Advisor to the Land Transport Authority and the Ministry of Transport, he provided guidance on complex technical issues related to rail projects and strategic advice on organisational matters.

Prof Lui was recognised for his pivotal role in advancing Singapore’s research capabilities and technologies across multiple spheres – from nuclear science and water sustainability to national security – through his leadership as Chairman of SNRSI and the Public Utilities Board Project Evaluation Panel, as well as Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs, among others.

He had served with distinction in the Ministry of Defence for over 40 years, including 22 years as Chief Defence Scientist. A pioneering advocate of systems thinking, Prof Lui was reappointed Temasek Defence Professor at TDSI in 2024 in recognition of his outstanding scholarly accomplishments, a role in which he continues to enhance cross-disciplinary research capabilities in defence systems at NUS.

Spotlighting the NUS community

Other illustrious members of the NUS community also received recognition across the 22 award categories. They included many members of the University's Board of Trustees (BOT), both past and present.

NUS Pro-Chancellor Mr Gautam Banerjee was awarded the Public Service Star in his capacity as Director of the GIC Board, Chairman of the GIC Audit Committee, and a member of the GIC Human Resource and Organization Committee.

The Meritorious Service Medal was conferred upon BOT member Mr Tan Chong Meng (Engineering '83, MSc ISE '87) for his contributions as Chairman of the National University Health System, former Group CEO of PSA International, and former Chairman of JTC Corporation.

Another Trustee, Ms Lim Wan Yong, received the Long Service Medal in her capacity as Permanent Secretary (Education) at the Ministry of Education. A 2019 recipient of the Public Administration Medal (Silver) for her work at the Ministry of National Development, she has also held appointments in the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Among the recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal were former Trustees Mr Davinder Singh SC (Law '82), Dr Noeleen Heyzer (Arts & Social Sciences '71, MSocSci '73, HonDLitt '25) and Dr Sudha Nair (Arts & Social Sciences '86, PhD '07).

Mr Singh, who served on the NUS Board from 2012 to 2015, was conferred the award in his capacity as Chairman of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. Social scientist Dr Noeleen Heyzer is a 2025 Honorary Graduate of the Doctor of Letters from NUS, Rector of NUS’ Ridge View Residential College, and also former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. She served on the NUS Board from 2013 to 2019. Dr Sudha Nair, who taught at the Department of Social Work in the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and served as Trustee from 2021 to 2024, received the award in her capacity as CEO of PAVE, a social service agency which provides an integrated service for individual and family protection.

Several leaders of NUS colleges, schools and institutes also received honours. 

Mr Janadas Devan (Arts & Social Sciences '79), Director of the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS, won the Meritorious Service Medal for his work as Deputy Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office, and as Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

Mr Tan Tee How (Business '83), the Chair of the Governing Council at NUS’ Centre for Trusted Internet and Community won the same medal for his contributions as Chairman of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Singapore and Board Chairman of NHG Health.

Ms Janet Ang (Business '82), Chairman of the NUS-ISS Management Board, won the Public Service Star in her capacity as a Former Council Member of the Singapore Business Federation and Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation Foundation.

The Public Administration Medal (Silver) was awarded to Associate Professor Leong Ching (Arts & Social Sciences '92, MA '96, Public Policy PhD '13), NUS Vice Provost (Student Life) and Acting Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and Professor Thomas M. Coffman, Dean of Duke-NUS Medical School.

Ms Euleen Goh, who previously served as Rector of the former Cinnamon College at NUS, won the Meritorious Service Medal for her contributions as the former Chairman of SATS.

Many of the University’s alumni also received awards. These include:

Meritorious Service Medal

• Mr Hoong Wee Teck (Arts & Social Sciences ’87)

The Public Service Star (Bar)

• Mr Chandra Mohan s/o Rethnam (Law '86)
• Mr Chiang Heng Liang (Business '85, MFE '02)
• Mr Lye Hoong Yip, Raymond (Law '90)
• Mr Peter Sim Swee Yam (Law '80)

The Public Service Star

• Mr Cheah Kok Keong (Arts & Social Sciences ’91)
• Mr Chey Chor Wai (Business '76)
• Mr Foo Hee Jug (Science '90)
• Mr John Ng Peng Wah (Engineering '85, MSc ISE '90)
• Assoc Prof Leong Kwok Fai Mark (Medicine '86)
• Assoc Prof Stephen Phua Lye Huat (Law '88)

View the list of NUS-affiliated recipients here and visit this link for the winners from Duke-NUS.

By Adjunct Assoc Prof (Practice) Terence Ho, from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 12 August 2025

Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Senior Lecturer from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Suria News Online, 12 August 2025

By Mr Ben Chester Cheong, Associate Academic Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, Faculty of Law at NUS

• The Straits Times, 12 August 2025, Opinion, pB2

• Suria News Online, 12 August 2025
• Warna 94.2FM, 13 August 2025

• The Straits Times, 12 August 2025, Business, pA16
• The Business Times, 12 August 2025, p3
• Lianhe Zaobao, 12 August 2025, Business, p20

• The Straits Times, 12 August 2025, Singapore, pA12
• Berita Harian, 12 August 2025, p4

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Senior Lecturer from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Suria News Online, 11 August 2025

• Berita Harian, 11 August 2025, p4

Matthew Tan, a student at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), and FASS alumna Desiree Chang launched Woofie’s Warehouse in 2021 based on a hybrid concept that blends thrift and vintage by selling second-hand clothing primarily sourced from Japan.

Purchasing the merchandise in bulk often meant that about 5 to 10 per cent of the clothing was unfit for sale due to being in poor condition or heavily damaged. Faced with unsold inventory and Singapore’s dismal textile recycling rate of just 2 per cent in 2023, the environmentally-conscious pair decided to act. Their solution? Repurposed – a bold initiative that transforms unsellable garments into stylish upcycled pieces, while empowering youths to explore their passion for design and fashion.

Repurposed – An idea borne at the FASS Social Entrepreneurship Incubator Pitch Competition

Repurposed, an initiative that was launched in April, offers young people passionate about sustainable fashion and entrepreneurship hands-on training in sewing, embroidery, and textile reworking. Participants have the opportunity to upcycle Woofie’s unsold merchandise into their own clothing lines, which are then sold in stores. Alongside practical skills, they receive mentorship on the ins and outs of running a thrift business, equipping them with the knowledge to turn their creativity into entrepreneurial ventures.

The idea emerged after Matthew and Desiree banded with like-minded entrepreneurial friends, NUS Faculty of Science students Avaneesh Reddy and Novin Sim, to participate in the FASS Social Entrepreneurship Incubator (SEI) Pitch Competition at the end of last year.

Matthew, a third-year History student, shared how the team initially approached the competition with a broader idea to address Singapore’s textile waste problem, but the judges offered valuable guidance to help refine their pitch.

He recounted, “They advised that given the scale of the textile waste problem in Singapore, it would be more practical to focus on addressing the issue within a specific social group and in the process, create meaningful impact.” Because of this, the team decided to tap into Woofie’s unsold inventory and target their efforts on youths passionate about sustainability but who may not have access to creative reworking opportunities, entrepreneurial exposure or confidence-building platforms.

In addition to teaching youths how to upcycle textiles, the team will aim to leverage Novin’s background in life sciences to explore sustainable dyeing techniques using natural ingredients like coffee grounds for Repurposed. This will add another layer of innovation and eco-consciousness to their initiative. “We’re not just empowering youths to rework clothes,” Novin explained, “We’re equipping them with the skills to think creatively and to innovate.”

The team’s vision eventually earned them first prize in the competition – S$10,000 in seed funding to invest in the training workshops and equipment needed, as well as a one-year mentorship experience with the SEI steering committee to carry out the business idea.

Repurposed’s challenges and early wins

Launching Repurposed came with its fair share of challenges. The team initially struggled to recruit youths in April, as many were hesitant to commit long-term due to concerns about balancing involvement in the programme with schoolwork and exams. Others – such as students from fashion design schools – were drawn more by enrichment opportunities than genuine need.

Undeterred, the team pressed on. Through numerous interviews and extensive outreach, they successfully recruited an inaugural batch of four youths in May. Alongside Desiree, the youths completed a foundational textile reworking workshop at the end of May and have since independently crafted their very first bags, pouches and water bottle-holders.

To further support their learning journey, the team purchased sewing and embroidery machines and set up a dedicated workstation at Woofie’s Eunos back office. There, the youths continued to hone their skills learnt from the foundation workshop to develop more polished pieces, with guidance from the team. This August, they will sell their handcrafted items at a flea market held by social enterprise City Sprouts in Pasir Ris. They will also attend a second advanced workshop at the end of the month to further refine their sewing and embroidery techniques and explore more distinctive patterns and designs with the goal of eventually progressing to developing their own clothing line such as buttoned-up shirts and ladies’ shirts for sale at Woofie’s by year’s end. The team intends to recruit a second group of four to five youths early next year and selected participants will undergo the same training under the team’s mentorship.

Other ways the team plans to support the youths include creating a guide on basic social media marketing and tracking of product sales of each youth. Desiree’s participation in the first foundational workshop and later in the advanced workshop will allow the team to document and digitise the training process, ensuring future cohorts can learn from an online, structured knowledge base when Repurposed continues beyond the seed funding period.

Desiree, a Communications and New Media alumna, shared, “Repurposed is a meaningful initiative and we hope to continue it for as long as our stores are open. Rather than focus on training and recruiting a set number of youths within the seed funding period of one year, the team wants to focus on the longer-term goal of deepening the practical skills of the youths, building their confidence and deepen their appreciation for sustainability.”

One of the participants, Ms Bock Khai Yue, was happy to be a part of the programme. She said, “Through this programme I experienced first-hand the joy of turning an unsellable product into my own creation!”

Avaneesh, a third-year student majoring in Data Science and Economics, reflected on lessons the team has also learnt since the start of the initiative. “When it came to recruitment, we realised that many youths felt hesitant or intimidated to apply, even if they were interested. Some doubted their creativity or feared they would not fit in.” Moving forward, he shared that the team intends to feature more behind-the-scenes content of the reworking process when recruiting the second batch of participants, “not just to showcase what we do, but to make the programme feel more relatable, welcoming and achievable.”

One of the competition judges and a member of the SEI steering committee, Head of NUS Social Work Department Associate Professor Lee Geok Ling, commended the team for the way they had navigated challenges, absorbed feedback and continuously refined their approach towards Repurposed – a testament to both their growth and unwavering dedication.

She remarked, “Their remarkable balance of creative ambition with practical, sustainable considerations exemplifies the desirable mix of idealism and pragmatism that is essential for social entrepreneurs…As they continue to develop, I am excited by the potential, meaningful impact they can make on the youth community, and I am confident that Repurposed will keep thriving, becoming even stronger social entrepreneurs in the years ahead.”

A groundbreaking international study by marine scientists based in Singapore has revealed that sea-level rise in the Indian Ocean began accelerating far earlier than previously thought, with corals providing an unbroken natural record of ocean change stretching back to the early 20th century.

Published in Nature Communications, the study was led by Professor Paul Kench from the Department of Geography, at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, in collaboration with researchers from NUS and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).

By analysing coral samples from the Maldives in the central Indian Ocean, the scientists reconstructed a century-long chronology of sea-level changes and climate shifts with remarkable precision.

They were able to extend the sea-level record for the Indian Ocean back a further 60 years, all the way to the early 1900s, offering a much longer and clearer historical context for interpreting modern sea-level changes.

The study yielded two significant findings.

The first is the pronounced acceleration of rising sea levels in the Indian Ocean from around 1959 – earlier than indicated by coastal tide gauges or satellite observations. The timing aligns closely with global temperature increases and accelerated glacial melt driven by human activity, showing that the Indian Ocean has been highly responsive to climatic changes for over half a century.

The second is that sea levels in the Indian Ocean, which covers approximately 30% of the world’s ocean area and supports around 30% of the global population, have risen significantly by 30cm since the middle of the 20th century.

“What we’re seeing is a clear fingerprint of human-driven climate change etched into the skeletons of corals. The early acceleration in sea-level rise is a warning sign that the ocean has been responding to global warming far earlier and more strongly than we thought,” said Prof Kench.

Accelerating sea-level rise threatens millions living in coastal areas with increased flooding, erosion, saltwater intrusion, and damage to vital ecosystems like mangroves and coral reefs.

The effects of sea-level changes in the Indian Ocean ripples beyond Asia to the rest of the world, underscoring the need for international cooperation to address global challenges such as water security, agriculture, and disaster preparedness.

For Singapore and its Southeast Asian neighbours, the uncovering of long-term patterns of sea-level changes can improve climate models and strengthen the region’s ability to plan for future risks under continued global warming.

For example, the new coral-derived data from the study offers a historical baseline that can enhance the efforts that Singapore already has in place to guard against rising sea levels, such as the Coastal-Inland Flood Model and Climate Impact Science Research Programme, by improving the accuracy of sea-level projections and informing adaptive strategies.

Corals confirmed as trusted recorders of sea-level and climate history

This research sets a new standard for how scientists can use coral to look back in time and understand how our oceans have changed.

As corals grow, they build their skeletons layer by layer similar to how trees form rings. Each layer captures details about the ocean at that time, such as temperature, salt levels, and even sea level.

To make sure data from the coral samples from the Indian Ocean that were analysed was reliable, the team compared it with real sea-level measurements from tide stations and satellites, and found that they matched up closely.

The successful calibration of coral proxies against instrumental sea-level records means that we can trust corals to tell us about past sea-level changes, with their coral growth rates validated to be reliable indicators of relative sea-level changes, making them a powerful tool for climate research.

In addition to tracking long-term sea-level changes, the coral records also captured signs of extreme climate events such as unusual warming and cooling periods, as well as droughts. These signals closely match historical weather records, offering valuable insight into the frequency and severity of past climate extremes.

Prof Kench said, “These findings have far-reaching implications for climate adaptation planning globally, especially for low-lying and densely populated coastal regions. We hope this work contributes meaningfully to the global dialogue on resilience and preparedness.”

This pioneering research deepens our understanding of how oceans respond to climate change, while setting a new standard for using natural archives to reconstruct environmental history. As coastal nations around the world confront the realities of rising seas, the insights uncovered by Singapore’s marine scientists offer both a clearer view of the past and a critical guide for planning a more resilient future.

About the Study

The study titled “Coral growth records 20th Century sea-level acceleration and climatic variability in the Indian Ocean” was published in Nature Communications (link: https://rdcu.be/euiYQ) on 1 July 2025. It represents a milestone in paleoclimate science, combining marine biology, geochemistry, and oceanography to produce the most detailed Indian Ocean sea-level record to date.

The interdisciplinary approach taken for this study, combining marine biology, geochemistry, climatology, and oceanography, demonstrates the power of collaborative science in tackling complex global challenges. It also highlights the role of Singapore’s research institutions in contributing to world-class climate science.

The paper was also recently presented at the Asia Oceania Geosciences Society 2025 conference and picked up by Science Magazine (link: https://scienmag.com/coral-records-reveal-20th-century-sea-level-rise/).

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Senior Lecturer from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Suria News Online, 11 August 2025

• Tamil Murasu, 11 August 2025, p11

• Berita Harian, 11 August 2025, p4

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim, Senior Lecturer from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Berita Minggu, 10 August 2025, p13

• Vasantham News Online, 8 August 2025

• 8world Online, 8 August 2025

• The Straits Times, 9 August 2025, Life, pC9

• The Straits Times, 9 August 2025, The Big Story, pA2
• The Straits Times, 9 August 2025, Singapore, pA28
• Lianhe Zaobao, 9 August 2025, Focus, p2
• Lianhe Zaobao, 9 August 2025, Focus, p2
• CNA Online, 9 August 2025
• Suria News Online, 9 August 2025
• Lianhe Zaobao, 12 August 2025, p8
• Berita Harian, 12 August 2025, p9
• Lianhe Zaobao, 14 August 2025, Singapore, p10

By Mr Nicholas Thomas, Research Fellow and Dr Justin Lee, Senior Research Fellow and Head, Policy Lab, from the Institute of Policy Studies at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 8 August 2025

By Mr Joe Escobedo, Adjunct Lecturer from the Dept of Marketing, NUS Business School

• CNA Online, 7 August 2025

By Mr Melvin Tay Yongyao, Research Fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 7 August 2025, Opinion, p25

By Dr Qi Dongtao, Senior Research Fellow from the East Asian Institute at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 7 August 2025, Opinion, p26

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Senior Lecturer in the Dept of Malay Studies at NUS

• Suria News Online, 6 August 2025

Students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have raised close to S$260,000 through this year’s Receiving and Giving (RAG) and Flag 2025, organised by the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU). The funds, contributed by generous donors across the NUS community, corporate partners, and members of the public, will support critical programmes under 16 Social Service Agencies (SSAs) supported by Community Chest. All funds raised will go directly towards empowering communities in need through the Community Chest.

Now in its 67th edition, RAG & Flag continues a proud NUS tradition established in 1958 to inspire student-led giving and service to the wider community. This year’s efforts take on special significance as NUS celebrates its 120th anniversary, alongside Singapore’s 60th birthday—a dual milestone that underscores a shared commitment to unity and nation-building.

Over the past 16 years, NUS students have raised a cumulative total of nearly S$4.9 million through this annual initiative.

Unity, creativity, and compassion in action

This year’s RAG & Flag theme, “Connecting Beyond Horizons”, called on students to transcend physical, social and personal boundaries to bring about meaningful change.

More than 1,500 students participated in two Flag Days held on 26 July and 2 August 2025, fanning out across Singapore with donation tins to raise awareness and funds for their selected causes. As a gesture of appreciation to the community for their generous support, the initiative culminated in today’s RAG Day showcase at University Town Green, where 2,000 students took centre stage in 14 spirited performances, complete with handmade costumes and mobile floats built using recycled materials as part of a zero-waste challenge.

The event was graced by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, as Guest-of-Honour.

Speaking at NUSSU RAG and Flag Day 2025, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “This year’s RAG and Flag keeps alive the time-honoured tradition of student-led fundraising and the exciting showcase of student performances as a vibrant finale to freshmen orientation season. As we continue the fine legacy of giving back to the community and encourage our students to make positive footprints on society, the vivid stories brought to life through the performances remind us that we are vitally connected, and together, we can inspire hope, uplift communities and drive meaningful change. We look forward to starting the new Academic Year with meaningful anticipation and purpose as NUS celebrates our 120th anniversary and Singapore marks 60 years of nation-building. As a university founded in 1905 by the community, for the community, we will continue to serve our country and society with dedication and passion.”

Adding to the festivities this afternoon was a lively Flag Carnival featuring food, games, and handmade crafts by student groups and hostels, alongside a performance by NUS Cheerleading team, Alpha Verve.

Mr Sean Pang, President of the 46th Executive Committee (EXCO) of NUSSU, said, “Building on this year’s theme, “Connecting Beyond Horizons”, we pushed boundaries and explored new ways to improve RAG and Flag. Leveraging digital payments, we customised 22 PayNow QR codes and collaborated with both NUS Sustainability Strategy Unit and NUS SAVE (Students’ Association for Visions of the Earth) to bolster our recycling efforts. All these would not have been possible without the hard work of our fellow students in each participating body, the RAG and Flag Committee, internal and external stakeholders, and the public who have supported us every step of the way.”

The proceeds from NUSSU RAG and Flag 2025 will be channelled through the Community Chest to benefit critical programmes under the following SSAs:

1. SHINE Children and Youth Services
2. Care Community Services Society
3. MINDS
4. Autism Resource Centre
5. Children-at-Risk Empowerment Association (CARE) Singapore
6. Singapore Children’s Society
7. Asian Women’s Welfare Association
8. Rainbow Centre
9. Fei Yue Family Service Centre
10. Samaritans of Singapore
11. Club HEAL
12. Fei Yue Community Services
13. O’Joy Care Services
14. Children’s Cancer Foundation
15. Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH)
16. Life Community Services Society (LCSS)

From cheering crowds to intricately crafted floats, NUSSU RAG & Flag Day 2025 lit up University Town Green on 8 August 2025, celebrating the enduring spirit of creativity, connection, and community at NUS.

The lively showcase marked the culmination of the 67th edition of NUSSU RAG & Flag Day —one of NUS’ longest-standing student-led traditions, which dates back to 1958. Themed “Connecting Beyond Horizons”, this year’s event paid tribute to two milestone anniversaries—NUS’ 120th anniversary and Singapore’s 60th birthday—while rallying students to build bridges, uplift lives, and give back meaningfully to society to bring hope and transformation to the future.

A legacy of giving

The RAG & Flag tradition started with two Flag Days on 26 July and 2 August, where more than 1,500 NUS students fanned out across Singapore with donation tins to raise funds in aid of critical programmes run by 16 Social Service Agencies (SSAs) that are supported by Community Chest. They raised close to $260,000 this year, with all funds going directly towards uplifting communities in need through the Community Chest. The amount raised would also enable S$1.50 government matching for every dollar donated, yielding even more funds for the beneficiaries.

Over the past 16 years, the initiative has collectively raised nearly S$4.9 million reflecting the enduring impact of student-led service at NUS.

For Sivakumar Nandhana, a first-year student at the NUS Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Flag Day offered a moment of reflection and purpose. “We often focus on our careers and personal lives, rarely stopping to consider what others in our community need. Flag Day is my little way of helping those in my community It is also an opportunity to meet like-minded people who also care for the society,” she said.

Li Jie, from the NUS Faculty of Dentistry, added, “It’s really heartwarming to see people donate so willingly and I enjoy being a part of such a meaningful activity.”

A vibrant showcase of gratitude and sustainability

As part of RAG Day, nearly 2,000 students from across the University staged 14 dazzling performances to express their gratitude to the community for its generous support. Each performance was choreographed and produced entirely by students, featuring handmade costumes, mobile floats, and thematic props constructed primarily from recycled materials—in line with the zero-waste challenge promoting sustainable practices.

Gracing the event as Guest-of-Honour was Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies.

Speaking at the official launch of NUSSU RAG and Flag Day 2025, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye commended the passion, creativity and dedication of NUS students in upholding this proud university tradition.

“This year’s RAG and Flag keeps alive the time-honoured tradition of student-led fundraising and the exciting showcase of student performances as a vibrant finale to freshmen orientation season. As we continue the fine legacy of giving back to the community and encourage our students to make positive footprints on society, the vivid stories brought to life through the performances remind us that we are vitally connected, and together, we can inspire hope, uplift communities and drive meaningful change. We look forward to starting the new Academic Year with meaningful anticipation and purpose as NUS celebrates our 120th anniversary and Singapore marks 60 years of nation-building. As a university founded in 1905 by the community, for the community, we will continue to serve our country and society with dedication and passion,” he said.

Behind the scenes, each performance was the result of months of planning, collaboration and tireless effort. Student teams poured their creativity into every detail—from float engineering and set design to costume-making and lighting—all while embracing sustainable practices.

Jasper Ang, a Year 2 Computer Science student and Creative Director for this year’s Raffles Hall RAG said, “From floats to costumes, everything was upcycled. Materials that couldn’t be used for design were repurposed for functionality, such as linings and backings. In Hall, we often have events involving cooking, so we incorporated egg cartons that we had collected, to add texture to our float. We also reused fabric from last year, and some hallmates even contributed their old clothes, giving the costumes a unique and personal flair."

For their creativity in transforming discarded material into a float masterpiece, Raffles Hall received a Zero Waste Effort Award, along with Faculty of Science.

The floats and props, crafted largely from recycled and repurposed materials, served as powerful visual anchors for the performances. More than stage décor, they told meaningful stories of resilience, hope and unity. The performers in handcrafted costumes brought each segment to life in a vibrant fusion of artistry, sustainability and purpose.

Speaking of his experience participating in RAG and Flag as a float builder, first-year NUS Law student Matthew Lim said, “You never know where you would go, if you don’t go there. I loved being part of RAG – I found new perspective and friends!”.

A celebration of community

Alongside the main showcase, a lively Flag Carnival brought the campus to life with games, food and handicraft booths run by student groups and hostels. An energetic performance by the NUS Cheerleading Team, Alpha Verve, added to the festive spirit.

Mr Sean Pang, President of the 46th Executive Committee of NUSSU, shared, “Building on this year’s theme, “Connecting Beyond Horizons”, we pushed boundaries and explored new ways to improve RAG and Flag. Leveraging digital payments, we customised 22 PayNow QR codes and collaborated with both NUS Sustainability Strategy Unit and NUS SAVE (Students’ Association for Visions of the Earth) to bolster our recycling efforts. All these would not have been possible without the hard work of our fellow students in each participating body, the RAG and Flag Committee, internal and external stakeholders, and the public who have supported us every step of the way.”

Highlights from RAG & Flag 2025

Overall RAG & Flag winner: 

• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Zero Waste Best Effort Award: 

• Pharmaceutical Society

Zero Waste Effort Award:

• Faculty of Science
• Raffles Hall

RAG Gold:

• Faculty of Dentistry
• Faculty of Science
• Raffles Hall
• School of Business
• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

RAG Silver:

• College of Design and Engineering
• Kent Ridge Hall and Sheares Hall (KRaSheares)
• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Law
• Pharmaceutical Society

RAG Bronze:

• Eusoff Hall
• King Edward VII and Pioneer House (KExPH)
• School of Computing
• Temasek Hall

Flag Gold:

• Faculty of Law
• Kent Ridge Hall
• Residential College 4
• School of Business
• School of Computing
• Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Flag Silver:

• Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 
• Faculty of Dentistry
• Pharmaceutical Society
• Tembusu College

Flag Bronze:

• College of Alice and Peter Tan 
• College of Design and Engineering 
• Eusoff Hall
• Faculty of Science
• Helix House
• King Edward VII Hall
• Pioneer House
• Raffles Hall
• Ridge View Residential College
• Sheares Hall
• Temasek Hall

See full press release here.

It all started in 2015 as an ambitious student-led international programme that rallied about 100 ASEAN undergraduates to tackle real-world challenges faced by communities in the region. Ten years later, the Asian Undergraduate Symposium (AUS) has grown into an impactful platform that has connected more than 2,000 youth leaders and changemakers across Asia.

Over the past decade, it has brought together students from 90 universities across 17 Asian nations and become a fixture of the ASEAN University Network’s AUN Summer Camp Programme, contributing to efforts by universities across the region to equip ASEAN students with the competencies and knowledge to be leading global talents.

The programme’s success has exceeded expectations for founding chairperson Goh Seng Chiy, who graduated from the former University Scholars Programme with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 2017. “People would only continue something like this if they see value in it, and I’m glad to see that people feel what we started has value,” Mr Goh reflected.

He hopes that a key takeaway for participants will remain the cross-cultural friendships and perspectives they gain over the two weeks of mingling with regional counterparts. “You may not remember the specific topics, but if the way you think about the region has evolved so you understand the challenges, constraints and decisions of our ASEAN neighbours better, that’s a big mindset shift that will stick,” he said. “Like a university education, the impact may not be easily quantifiable, but the benefit lies in how it shapes your worldview and your thinking.”

The 2025 AUS, which took place from 7–19 July 2025, was jointly organised by NUS and NUS College (NUSC), the honours college of NUS. The 10th anniversary edition of AUS brought together more than 300 students from 55 universities across Asia to collectively envision and shape a better future. It had a main theme of Interconnected Communities and featured three subthemes of Sustainability and Regeneration; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Heritage and Culture.

Designs that prioritise life

AUS 2025 broadened its sustainability agenda by including the concept of regeneration, a dimension of sustainability that aims to go beyond halting environmental degradation to restoring and improving ecosystems, and encouraging participants to incorporate it into their project proposals.

“Regeneration isn’t new. Across Southeast Asia, our ancestors have done this before,” said Ms Bernise Ang, Principal and Chief Alchemist at Zeroth Labs and an adjunct lecturer at NUSC, who cited the subak system of water management in Bali as an example of a traditional solution that exemplifies regeneration. Under this system, rice farmers meet regularly at water temples to coordinate their planting schedules in a way that ensures sufficient water for the crops while also controlling pest populations.

This practice was disrupted in the 1970s by the “Green Revolution”, a global push to boost food production with high-yield seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. Although such efforts temporarily yielded more crops, the negative repercussions emerged within just a few seasons — farmers found themselves grappling with pollution, soil degradation, water shortages and exploding pest populations. The Indonesian government eventually recognised that the new methods were unsustainable and ordered a return to the subak method that allowed people and nature to exist in harmony.

Said Ms Ang: “Every system we’ve inherited was once imagined, which means we can imagine things differently. Regeneration means remembering that we belong to living systems and can design as if life matters.”

The inaugural Regen Asia Summit (RAS), an intensive two-day programme held immediately before AUS, gave some 200 AUS participants a head start on understanding regeneration and the approaches needed to design effective regenerative solutions. Their knowledge was further augmented in an AUS workshop titled “From RAS to AUS: Towards Regenerative Action” that ensured all attendees at the symposium had a shared understanding of the concept and how to apply it.

The power of collective action

Through presentations and dialogues with expert practitioners and learning journeys to local communities, participants learnt that implementing regenerative solutions involves efforts from all quarters, including individual consumers, community groups, governments and international bodies.

Dr Farrah Shameen Ashray, CEO of the Malaysian Timber Certification Council, gave participants an overview of green product certification, which businesses earn by meeting certain requirements for economic viability, environmental protection and social responsibility. She urged participants to seek out certified products and explore how they can contribute to the work of product certification through their chosen fields of study.

“Certification is about compliance with laws and regulations, and the compliance sector needs auditors, social impact assessors, sociologists, safety and health officers, lawyers and more. You can make an impact that will be transferred through the certification process to the products and businesses behind them,” said Dr Farrah.

Dr Supatchaya “Ann” Techachoochert, senior environmental manager at Mae Fah Luang Foundation in Thailand, explained how one of the foundation’s projects revitalised the heavily deforested Doi Tung area in Chiang Rai by offering villagers sustainable jobs in horticulture, handicrafts and reforestation. This incentivised them to stop clearing trees to plant low-value crops and instead rebuild their environment and economy. Over 30 years, their efforts tripled the region’s economic value and restored enough forest to generate 220 tonnes of carbon credits, which the foundation uses to fund more restoration efforts.

Associate Professor Adrian Loo, who is the deputy director of the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, shared stories of flora and fauna in Singapore that benefitted from small but impactful interventions by conservation groups, such as rope bridges that reduced mortality rates among Raffles’ banded langur monkeys by enabling them to safely cross roads between forested areas. He said, “It’s a small gesture, but that’s all nature needs – a small gesture in the right direction.”

While the impact is not always immediately visible, regenerative efforts for one species often create positive ripples for others. Marine biologist Sam Shu Qin, who also leads marine conservation-related projects and overseas trips as an educator at NUSC, dives daily in Singapore waters for coral restoration work like relocating corals from areas slated for development and monitoring their health and growth. She shared a video of a pair of cuttlefish laying eggs in an artificial reef structure under her team’s care, demonstrating the broader impact of coral restoration efforts on the marine ecosystem.

Translating lessons to solutions

Working in interdisciplinary and international teams, the students used their newfound knowledge to develop 40 project proposals for solving challenges in their communities. They presented their solutions in a session called Project World Café on 16 July, gathering feedback from their peers to further refine the proposals.

Many groups that tackled environmental issues incorporated regeneration into their solutions, such as a project on wild bee conservation in Cambodia that included plans for bee home kits to support the insects’ population growth. Another project proposed using bokashi balls made from soil and beneficial microorganisms to revive biologically dead rivers in the Philippines.

For Tiffany Cloa, a participant from the University of the Philippines, the collaborative experience was valuable in exposing her to a range of perspectives and providing opportunities for personal growth and reflection. “We have very different opinions, which is not a bad thing. It made me realise that we are all in our own vacuums, and I had to learn to navigate the paradox between discussing First World ideas of AI and technology and comparing that to what people in my country are going through, where they can’t even eat three meals a day.”

Following the symposium, the projects will be evaluated by an expert panel, which will select up to 10 of the most promising projects to receive a seed grant of S$5,000 to turn their concepts into reality in their communities of choice. Starting this year, these selected projects also stand to benefit from a new Impact Incubation Programme by NUSC, which will offer additional financial support, training and mentorship to help the teams go further in their efforts to bring positive change to communities.

Read the press release here.

Through the perspectives of NUS students Neryss Ho and Cheow Jun Wei, we delve into how the transformative two-week NUS Enterprise Summer Programme in Entrepreneurship sparked their entrepreneurial passions, honed their pitching skills, embarked on immersive learning journeys, and forged meaningful connections with both local and international peers. 

Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset

All participants were challenged to tackle real-world problems faced by companies, from sustainable supply chains to tech-driven social impact, through intensive workshops and team pitches.

As shaping the entrepreneurial mindset was crucial at the start, the opening ceremony included a fireside chat with Mr Jeffrey Tiong, founder of unicorn start-up PatSnap. Recalling his journey from humble beginnings to scaling a global innovation platform, he highlighted invaluable lessons he had acquired on resilience, reinvention, and radically honest leadership.

The fireside chat was one of the sessions where students could pick up business insights, and put this into practice over the course of the programme. On Demo Day in week 2, they presented their ideas applying what they had learned, to a panel of venture capitalists and industry experts.

Jun Wei, a Data Science and Analytics major from NUS College of Humanities and Sciences, drew inspiration from Mr Tiong as he recounted how, in his role as leader of the pitch team HEALTHLINK, he learned to reframe challenges as opportunities. Their team developed an innovative chatbot to enhance patient experiences on Singapore’s HealthHub platform. This effort not only earned them a first-prize win in their track but also left a strong impression on the judging panel.

“Our multicultural team consisted of Pim from Thailand, Toby and Ying Yue from China, Moza from the UAE, and me. While we all came from vastly different backgrounds, we each had complementary strengths which contributed to the team’s success,” he recounted fondly. “We bonded by sharing past project experiences, and I took the lead to structure our discussions.” 

Thriving in ASEAN’s start-up ecosystem

Week two culminated with ASEAN Day, a dedicated exploration of Southeast Asia’s dynamic entrepreneurial landscape. The centrepiece was a panel session on “Opportunities & Challenges in Southeast Asian Start-up Ecosystem”, where participants acquainted themselves with opportunities for growth and innovation in the fast-growing region.

The programme’s industry exposure took participants directly into Singapore’s thriving start-up ecosystem. Visits to BLOCK71 Singapore and interactions with founders from NUS start-ups like Carousell and ShopBack, revealed the practical steps to scaling ventures. In addition, a fireside chat with Mr Philip Yeo, Chairman of Economic Development Innovations Singapore, offered insights on talent development, navigating ASEAN’s US$600 billion (S$773 billion) digital economy, and how he strategised Singapore’s transformation into a global hub for technology, biomedicine, and innovation.

“If you want to do business here, learn the languages,” Mr Yeo emphasised, an essential starting point for any aspiring ASEAN entrepreneur.

Beyond business insights, the programme embraced ASEAN’s rich cultural tapestry through immersive activities that deepened participants’ regional understanding. Language learning segments introduced its linguistic diversity with lessons in Thai, Vietnamese, and Bahasa Indonesia. Hands-on workshops in traditional batik painting, angklung music, silat, and a traditional bamboo dance offered the participants authentic cultural experiences, while cookery sessions featuring traditional Southeast Asian dishes such as som tam (Thai papaya salad), gado-gado (Indonesian salad with peanut dressing), and Vietnamese spring rolls gave them a taste of the region’s flavours.

These cultural immersion activities proved more than recreational – they enhanced participants’ appreciation for ASEAN’s diverse heritage, along with their understanding of the business climate across Singapore and the wider Southeast Asia.

As a Student Ambassador and Computer Science major from NUS School of Computing, Neryss approached the programme with a unique lens – not just as a participant, but as someone helping to facilitate a cross-cultural connection.  She found new appreciation for Singapore’s multicultural identity while connecting with clanmates from the region as well.

She highlighted her visit to Carousell Singapore as one which reiterated the importance of local market strategies. “Carousell’s founders showed how understanding local nuances drives success,” she said, reflecting on how blending cultural understanding with entrepreneurial vision is key – in Singapore, in ASEAN, in the world.

“And the rest is how you pitch your product!”

Mastering the art of persuasive pitching and storytelling

Beyond technical skills and industry insights, the programme culminated in developing participants’ most crucial entrepreneurial skill: the ability to persuasively communicate their vision. Led by the dynamic Mr Kris Childress, Mentor-in-Residence of NUS Enterprise, the pitching workshop helped students learn how to articulate their value proposition with clarity and passion.

Together with his pitch team from HEALTHLINK, Jun Wei worked smoothly with zero friction. “What I felt we did right was that our complementary strengths drove collaboration,” he remarked.

A pivotal mentoring session with Ms Joyce Ng from iGlobe Partners prompted a fundamental shift to a healthcare provider-focused solution. “Joyce’s advice to always listen to teammates and end users reshaped my thinking and allowed me to think deeper about the solution,” Jun Wei reflected. 

On the morning of Demo Day, nerves ran high as the HEALTHLINK team was worried about the five-minute time limit, but their focus on presenting paid off. “When the results were out later in the day that our team had won, I jumped for joy in the midst of the finale ceremony, fuelled by pure adrenaline. The win, the personalised congratulatory message from Joyce, and the atmosphere of energetic celebrations made the hard work worth it,” he recalled.

Building ventures with purpose

At the heart of the programme was purpose-driven entrepreneurship, inspired by a vision of ventures that drive societal good. A panel with leaders from Dignity Kitchen and raiSE Singapore set souls ablaze, showing how profit and impact can intertwine. Hands-on prototyping sessions brought ideas to life, such as apps for inclusive education and urban sustainability solutions.

Beyond learning to build resilient and scalable ventures, the programme was also about crafting legacies that make a difference in society, using purpose to drive oneself. “Leadership is remembering why and for whom you started,” said Mr Koh Seng Choon, Founder of Dignity Kitchen.

Finding her entrepreneurial purpose through her StepUp team’s pitch, Neryss shared how StepUp, a gamified workshop to teach financial literacy to low-income secondary school students in Singapore, planned to expand across Southeast Asia, where income inequality remains prevalent. “Our team’s synergy was our unique selling point,” she shared, echoing judge Mr Prantik Mazumdar’s observation that a company’s direction may shift, testing the team’s ability to stay motivated.

“That advice led us to focus on financial literacy for secondary school students, simulating their daily choices between wants and needs, unlike broader gamified learning tools,” she said.

Celebrating a global entrepreneurial community

The programme culminated with a grand finale that perfectly captured the essence of the two-week journey. The event featured cultural performances by the students and Demo Day, where teams presented their polished start-up ideas to panels of industry judges and venture capitalists.

From gamified travel apps to sustainable tech solutions, the pitches showcased the programme’s impact on fostering creativity and ambition, as well as the aspiring founders behind the ideas that were brought to life. The event celebrated not only entrepreneurial achievements but also the global connections formed, with participants leaving as part of NUS Enterprise’s vibrant community.

“Regardless of where you’re from, I believe each of you is walking away with not only new entrepreneurial mindsets and skills, but also friendships and memories that I hope will last a lifetime,” Associate Professor Benjamin Tee told the students.

“Many of the founders said that this is an experience where one will experience many challenges and failures, and I want to test my resilience and meet all these ambitious, inspiring people along the way, as at the end of the programme, I realised that entrepreneurship is something that I really want to pursue,” shared Neryss reflecting on the days spent with new friends and the fast-paced life lessons she gained along the way.

Echoing her sentiments, Jun Wei added that the two weeks had taught him more than his previous work experiences. “It ignited a drive to own my ideas and learn from mistakes in the chaos of creation.”

A global network for future innovators

The NUS Enterprise Summer Programme in Entrepreneurship 2025 served as a transformative launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs. As the students returned home, they took with them not just memories but essential tools, international networks, lasting friendships, and newfound confidence to build ventures that will shape the future.

By NUS Enterprise

To push the frontiers of scientific research in Singapore, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) are renewing their commitment to share high-value research equipment and facilities.

Providing scientists from both universities with access to cutting-edge, multi-million dollar research infrastructure at NUS and NTU Singapore will foster deeper collaboration, enabling more joint research projects, co-authored publications, and stronger funding opportunities.

Such partnerships strengthen institutional ties and promote a culture of knowledge sharing. They broaden training and development by equipping students and researchers with specialised tools and cross-institutional expertise. This leads to higher-quality research, faster innovation, and more effective industry engagement.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye said, “This is an excellent win-win partnership between NUS and NTU which serves as a force multiplier in amplifying our research capabilities and accelerating discoveries with greater scale and impact. Both universities hold complementary strengths in talent, innovation and infrastructure. By combining critical resources and expertise, we will be in a stronger place to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and drive real-world impact locally and internationally. Researchers from both universities are currently collaborating extensively on a wide variety of projects, and we are excited to see these efforts grow even further and champion new solutions to complex challenges.”

NTU President Professor Ho Teck Hua said, “As Singapore’s two largest universities, NTU and NUS compete on the global stage. By partnering with each other through shared research facilities, we are better positioned to enhance Singapore’s standing in global research.”

“Sharing high-end equipment empowers our scientists to increase the impactful research they do, fosters deeper research collaborations, and encourages mutual learning. It also helps us maximise efficiencies in utilising research infrastructure,” added Prof Ho.

At NUS, NTU researchers can access advanced tools such as the Invizo 6000 3D Atom Probe microscope – one of seven in the world and the first in ASEAN – which allows 3D imaging and chemical analysis of materials at the atomic level. The equipment allows atom probe tomography to be carried out, which is especially useful for studying how elements are distributed in semiconductor devices, the structure of advanced alloys, and how atoms move in energy materials used in batteries and fuel cells. Its high precision makes it a key tool for developing next-generation materials and devices.

High-end equipment in NTU available to NUS scientists includes an ultra-powerful microscope, called an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and holography capabilities. It allows researchers to clearly see single columns of atoms in a material at high resolution, identify what elements it is made of, understand the properties of the bonds between the atoms, and visualise the invisible electric and magnetic fields around them. With the microscope, scientists can study materials to make better quantum computers, design more effective nanoparticles for medical diagnoses and drug treatment, as well as develop novel materials for construction and manufacturing.

The sharing arrangement builds on existing research and innovation partnerships between NUS and NTU, including jointly leading research for the Sustainable Tropical Data Centre Testbed, the world’s first testbed in the tropics to advance energy-efficient data centre cooling solutions.

The two universities, together with global investment company Temasek, have also embarked on a joint pilot programme to accelerate the creation of successful deep-tech start-ups from the pipeline of research at NUS and NTU.

By Dr Yvette van der Eijk, from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health; and Mr Jared Ng, Communications Manager at the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk, both at NUS

• CNA Online, 5 August 2025

By Mr Alex Capri, Senior Lecturer in the Dept of Analytics and Operations, NUS Business School

• The Straits Times, 5 August 2025, Opinion, pB3

• 8world Online, 5 August 2025

• 8world Online, 5 August 2025

• Lianhe Zaobao Online, 5 August 2025

By Assoc Prof Emily M David, from the Dept of Organisational Behaviour at NUS Business School

• The Straits Times, 4 August 2025, Opinion, pB3

• CNA Online, 1 August 2025
• 8world Online, 1 August 2025
• Suria News Online, 1 August 2025
• Lianhe Zaobao, 3 August 2025, News, p4

• Lianhe Zaobao, 3 August 2025, Fukan, Front Page and p3

By Mr Ben Chester Cheong, Associate Academic Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, Faculty of Law at NUS

• The Business Times, 2 August 2025, p30

• The Business Times Online, 1 August 2025

Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a groundbreaking carbon membrane that could revolutionise proton therapy for cancer patients, and advance technologies in medicine and other areas such as energy devices and flexible electronics.

The new carbon material which is just a single atom thick shows incredible promise in enabling high-precision proton beams. Such beams are key to safer and more accurate proton therapy for cancer treatment. The new material, called the ultra-clean monolayer amorphous carbon (UC-MAC), could outperform best in class materials like graphene or commercial carbon films. 

The research was led by Associate Professor Lu Jiong and his team from the NUS Department of Chemistry, in collaboration with international partners.

Beyond graphene: A new class of 2D carbon

Unlike graphene, which features a perfectly ordered honeycomb structure of hexagonal rings, UC-MAC is made up of a complex mix of five-, six-, and seven-membered carbon rings arranged in a disordered, ultra-thin sheet.

This atomic-level disorder is an advantage as it gives rise to angstrom-scale pores, which are just one ten-billionth of a metre wide, that can be finely tuned to control the behaviour of tiny particles like protons and molecular hydrogen ions (H₂⁺) as they pass through. The material’s porous and ultra-thin nature makes it ideal for filtering and splitting subatomic particles, a critical need in several high-tech applications.

Faster, cleaner, and scalable manufacturing

One of the biggest hurdles in using this material for real-world applications is the challenge of manufacturing it. Existing methods are slow, costly, and often introduce metal impurities that compromise the material’s performance.

To solve this, the researchers developed a new industry-compatible synthesis process called the disorder-to-disorder (DTD) approach. Using a special type of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (ICP-CVD), they were able to grow an 8-inch UC-MAC sheet in seconds, much faster than previous methods, without any detectable metal contamination.

This is a major step forward in scaling up the production of this advanced material for industrial and medical use.

This achievement was made possible through close collaboration between synthetic chemists, materials scientists, and theoretical physicists, including Professor Zeng Xiao Cheng from City University of Hong Kong, Assistant Professor Zhao Xiaoxu from Peking University, Associate Professor Thomas Osipowicz from NUS Department of Physics, and other contributing authors.

The research breakthrough was published in the scientific journal Nature Nanotechnology on 28 July 2025.

Sharper proton beams for safer and more effective treatment

When used as a membrane to split molecular hydrogen ions (H₂⁺) into individual protons, UC-MAC produced proton beams that were significantly sharper than those generated using graphene or traditional carbon films. In fact, the new material reduced unwanted proton scattering events by about twice as much as graphene and 40 times more than commercial carbon thin films.

This is especially important for non-invasive cancer treatments such as proton therapy, where focused beams are used to target and destroy tumours while sparing healthy tissue. Thinner membranes with minimal scattering could help clinicians better control the beam current and direction, making treatment safer and more effective.

A versatile platform for future technologies

While the immediate spotlight is on proton therapy, UC-MAC has potential far beyond medicine. Its ultra-clean, porous structure could be useful for many applications including energy devices such as fuel cells and batteries, catalysis where precise molecular separation is key, and flexible electronics.

“The semiconducting properties of UC-MAC films also make them promising candidates for ultra-thin electronics, particularly for sub-2 nm integrated circuits—a critical frontier in the post-Moore’s law era,” said Assoc Prof Lu.

A step toward real-world use

By demonstrating a fast, scalable, and clean method to produce UC-MAC, the research team has paved the way for transitioning this powerful new material from the lab to real-world applications.

This advancement is not just a step forward in materials science, but a leap towards practical, life-saving technologies that are thinner, faster, and more precise than ever.

In a landmark gathering of leading legal scholars, policymakers, and industry experts from around the world, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Director General Mr Daren Tang delivered a keynote address calling for human creativity to remain at the core as intellectual property (IP) laws evolve and adapt to fast-evolving technologies.

“Generative AI has evolved quickly yet remains a skilful replicator, lacking the real spark of originality and inventiveness that characterises human innovation and creativity. We should therefore see Gen AI as a tool, and like any tool, ensure that it is used for good,” said Mr Tang. “Ingenuity, invention and creativity is a fundamental part of who we are as a human species, and technology, as well as the IP system, must continue to protect, nurture and support this, never forgetting to put the human creator at its centre.”

Mr Tang’s call set the tone for the two-day “Intellectual Property and Technology in the 21st Century” conference held on 4 Aug and 5 Aug 2025 where more than 100 participants from over a dozen countries representing academia, government agencies, industry and the legal profession will engage in deep discussion on pressing IP challenges arising from rapid technological advancement.

Organised by the Centre for Technology, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence & the Law (TRAIL) and the EW Barker Centre for Law & Business at NUS Faculty of Law (NUS Law), the conference is co-hosted with law schools from Columbia, Oxford, and Tsinghua, marking the first-ever academic collaboration of its kind across these leading global institutions. The conference is also supported by partners such as Google, Bytedance, the Singapore Academy of Law and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).

Keeping pace with AI, creativity and global competition

The challenges facing IP law in the age of AI are far-reaching, going beyond legal doctrine into sectors as diverse as technology, entertainment, and fashion, prompting a rethink of how businesses innovate and compete, to how creators, artists, and designers protect their work.

Mr Adam Williams, Chief Executive of the UK Intellectual Property Office (UK IPO), said: “IP rights give creators, inventors, and investors the confidence to turn their ideas into reality, realise new opportunities and adapt to challenges. Ongoing dialogue between IP offices, and with industry and practitioners, is key to ensuring global IP frameworks remain fit for the future to encourage new discoveries and creations to thrive.”

In July this year, the UK IPO launched a public consultation on the proposed Standard Essential Patents measures to support the UK’s technology-driven economic growth.

"AI is a great economic opportunity but a key issue is its potential to disrupt the livelihoods of many," said Mr Tan Kong Hwee, Chief Executive of IPOS. "Governments, enterprises, and society must work in tandem to find the right balance that adopts a human-centric approach to ensure protection for IP owners' rights whilst facilitating innovation in a responsible and ethical way. At the end of the day, we must remember that people are at the heart of it all; that is why IPOS has committed to helping creators and innovators understand their IP rights as they navigate this fast-evolving technology."

Mr Williams and Mr Tan were part of a roundtable amongst heads of IP offices along with Mr Tang, following his opening keynote address at the conference. The roundtable was moderated by TRAIL Co-Director, Professor David Tan from NUS Law.

Prof Tan, a pioneer and expert in entertainment law and fashion law, said while policy makers are working to reform IP protection, creative industries have turned current limitations into opportunities. The global fashion industry, including Singapore, is a prime example of IP’s ‘negative space’ in which creation and innovation can thrive without significant protection from intellectual property law.

He said, “In Singapore, trademark, patent, and design laws give strong protection for logos, inventions, and product designs. But when it comes to copyright, especially in fashion, the protection is weaker. “Knockoffs” often copy the look and feel of an original without directly copying logos or breaking the law. With the rise of social media, the internet, and AI tools, more people now have the ability to remix and build on existing designs. As a result, success in the industry is less about having exclusive rights, and more about setting trends, building a strong brand, and earning customer loyalty.”

Highlighting opportunities, Prof Tan echoed sentiments recently shared by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong that Singapore can get ahead of new technology like AI to create new jobs[1].

“More designers can use generative AI to help them more quickly create 2D and 3D designs from packaging to clothing and furniture, and small businesses and budding entrepreneurs in particular can get their products to market a lot faster,” he said.

Rethinking Responsibility and Creativity in the Age of Generative AI

At the conference, over thirty presentations by experts in various fields of practice and research will unpack how emerging technologies continue to raise urgent questions that affect not just legal systems, but the public’s rights, safety, and creative freedom.

In recent years, powerful AI tools that can create text, images, or music have made courts and lawmakers think hard about some big copyright questions—like whether something made by AI can be protected by copyright if there wasn’t enough human effort involved.

Associate Professor He Tianxiang from City University of Hong Kong said, “It is the mind of the human creator, fallible and inspired, that copyright law was built to protect and incentivise. The courts must remain clear-eyed and perhaps even sceptical when presented with AI-generated content, whether text, image or music, cloaked with a thin veneer of human input.”

Prof He says the burden should be on the claimant to prove their authorship, not on the public to disprove it.

“Generative AI challenges us to reaffirm what copyright is meant to protect: not merely the existence of a text or image, but the fact that a human mind originated it,” he added. “It pushes us to clarify that the law’s protection is awarded to the act of human creativity, however small or large, and not to the mere act of generating content.”

Another emerging legal challenge is ‘artificial causation’, which is having to figure out who is responsible when AI creates something that causes a legal problem.

Professor Shyamkrishna Balganesh from Columbia Law School said, “When prompted by a human actor, a generative AI application uses the patterns that it learned from voluminous data to generate an output that is seemingly responsive to the prompt and largely simulates a likely human response. However, this output may infringe copyright, contain falsities that is defamatory or violate another individual’s privacy.”

The question then is who or what is responsible for the output: The person who used the tool, the AI system itself, or someone else? Prof Balganesh argued that solving the puzzle of artificial causation in the law is crucial not just for the legal regulation of generative AI, but also for the very working of multiple areas of law where the inquiry remains human-focused.

WIPO will be launching the AI Infrastructure Interchange, known as AIII or “A-triple-I” in December 2025. The AIII will be a dedicated space for exploring technical and operational questions about copyright infrastructure in the age of AI, as well as a neutral forum where creators, rights-holders, developers and experts can exchange ideas and explore practical solutions.

_{[1] https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-can-and-must-meaningfully-apply-tech-like-ai-in-a-way-that-creates-jobs-for-locals-pm-wong}

• Lianhe Zaobao, 2 August 2025, Singapore, p8

• CNA, 1 August 2025
• Channel 5 News, 1 August 2025
• Suria News, 1 August 2025
• CNA938, 1 August 2025
• Money 89.3FM, 1 August 2025
• Capital 95.8FM, 1 August 2025
• Warna 94.2FM, 1 August 2025
• The Straits Times, 2 August 2025, The Big Story, pA2
• Lianhe Zaobao, 2 August 2025 Singapore, p8
• Berita Harian, 2 August 2025, p2
• Tamil Murasu, 2 August 2025, p2

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Google are embarking on a new strategic collaboration to accelerate applied AI research and nurture skilled AI practitioners. This collaboration reinforces Singapore’s ambition to be a global hub for AI innovation and talent, advances the national digital transformation agenda, and deepens industry-academia partnerships to strengthen the country’s research ecosystem.

NUS and Google exchanged strategic collaboration agreements to establish a joint research and innovation centre during the NUS School of Computing’s (NUS Computing) 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner, where the School commemorated five decades of sterling contributions to computing education and research.

The exchange of signed agreements between Professor Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS Computing, and Ms Serene Sia, Country Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Google Cloud, was witnessed by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, together with Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President, and Ms Yolyn Ang, Vice President, Knowledge and Information Partnerships, Asia Pacific, Google.

Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology), said, “Google has been a valued long-term partner of NUS, and we are excited to deepen this strategic relationship. The joint centre brings together NUS’ leadership in AI and multidisciplinary research and Google’s deep research expertise, advanced technologies and tools, as well as well-established pathways for research translation and deployment.

A key pillar of this partnership is talent development — through endowed professorships, mentorship, training programmes, and hands-on research projects. We are grateful to Google for their support to establish a professorship at NUS, which will strengthen faculty leadership and research excellence in AI. We are confident that our joint efforts with Google will nurture the next generation of AI scientists, engineers, and innovators equipped to tackle real-world challenges. Together, we are well-positioned to drive AI breakthroughs that will transform lives, reshape industries, and advance the future of education, healthcare, and beyond.”

Serene Sia, Country Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Google Cloud, said, “Google and NUS share a longstanding partnership, anchored on talent development and applying frontier technologies for public good. These include an on-campus Google Developer Group to equip students with advanced software skills; Google Cloud as a pioneering industry partner of the NUS AI Institute; cultivating talent to tackle biomedical challenges with AI; producing the world’s first AI-powered legal journal podcast with NotebookLM, and a Google PhD Fellowship programme to recognise exceptional work in computer science. Our new collaboration truly builds on those successes; it's a significant step forward in Google’s commitment to bringing new capabilities for scientific discovery to Singapore. NUS has consistently been at the forefront of Singapore's RIE ecosystem, supporting Singapore’s transformation into a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy and society. By combining NUS’ world-class multidisciplinary research capabilities with Google’s world-class AI research and AI-optimised cloud infrastructure, this joint centre is poised to steer safe and responsible AI development and accelerate scientific progress that transforms public health, learning experiences, and other vital fields."

Joint Research and Innovation Centre

NUS and Google plan to establish a joint research and innovation centre, bringing together resources and technology to pursue experimental or applied AI projects across diverse domains.

There are also plans for a rapid prototyping sandbox to be established and governed by the joint centre to provide a controlled and flexible cloud-based environment, supported by Google Cloud’s power-efficient Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), for experimentation, testing, and validation of the solutions developed under each of the domains, before they are deployed or scaled in real-world settings.

Examples of these domains include:

●      AI in Education: Research aimed at utilising Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform to develop and evaluate AI-driven tools for adult education, including adaptive scaffolding, blended learning, context-aware nudging, course-specific AI companions, and psychometrically robust measurement of learner engagement, skill acquisition, and career progression. This supports the national emphasis on lifelong learning and continuous upskilling of Singaporeans for the evolving demands of various industries.

●      AI in Legal: The development of a Singapore Law-specific LLM on Google Cloud by NUS Faculty of Law, NUS AI Institute, and NUS Computing. This domain-specific LLM will be grounded on local statutory interpretation, case precedents, and legal nuances to overcome the limitations of generic LLMs in legal contexts. This project aims to provide the core technology for an AI assistant supporting legal research, with potential to enhance productivity and access to contextually-relevant legal information across law firms, the judiciary, and public legal education.

●      AI in Public Health (AI4PH): Research that aims to utilise AI to drive population-level health outcomes, by integrating foundational models with diverse data sources across healthcare, social services, and environmental systems. This will enable the development of agentic AI solutions to support preventive care under programmes like Healthier SG and promote cognitive health and active ageing.

Talent Development Programme and Google-Supported Professorship in AI

Complementing the joint centre, Google plans to establish an AI-focused talent development programme at NUS. This initiative aims to provide training opportunities and certification pathways in Google Cloud AI platforms and tools for NUS students and researchers to accelerate their applied AI research projects.

Additionally, Google intends to establish a Google-supported professorship at NUS to further promote faculty leadership in AI-related fields, foster even deeper collaboration between academia and industry, and contribute to cultivating the next generation of talent in AI and digital innovation.

By Dr Woo Jun Jie, Senior Lecturer from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Straits Times, 1 August 2025, Opinion, pB3

By Dr Qi Dongtao, Senior Research Fellow from the East Asian Institute at NUS

• Lianhe Zaobao, 1 August 2025, Opinion, p18

• Lianhe Zaobao, 31 July 2025, Sports, p18

By Dr Yvette van der Eijk, from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS

• The Straits Times, 31 July 2025, Opinion, pB3

By Dr Xu Le, Lecturer from the Dept of Strategy and Policy at NUS Business School

• ThinkChina, 29 July 2025

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Senior Lecturer at the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Suria News Online, 30 July 2025

In June this year, seven NUS students from various faculties embarked on a nine-day journey to New Delhi and Agra in India as part of the Study Trips for Engagement and EnRichment (STEER) programme led by Associate Professor Loh Wai Lam, Academic Director of NUS Global Relations Office (GRO). The trip, jointly organised by GRO and the Office of International Affairs & Global Initiatives at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), was curated to enable the students to experience the vibrancy and dynamism of India through a blend of academic discourse and cultural immersion.

Breaking existing mindsets and experiencing the cultural landscape

Through classroom sessions, site visits, and direct engagement with local communities and institutions, students were able to examine the relationship between community building and cultural expression in India, and gain insights into the intricacies of the country’s social fabric and development efforts.

A key component of the programme was a series of six classroom sessions at JGU which provided students with foundational knowledge of the historical, social, and economic factors shaping community development in India. At a visit to the Constitution Museum on campus, they also learned about the birth of the Indian Constitution, which was established following the country’s independence from British rule.

For second-year Business Administration undergraduate Kuo Tsung Hsun, learning how the nation emerged as the world’s largest democracy was deeply inspiring. “The value of democracy is not something easily earned. This is an idea that I’m beginning to appreciate,” he reflected.

In addition to learning about India’s history and governance, the students examined the enduring impact of the caste system — a social hierarchy that, although legally abolished, continues to influence access, identity, and opportunity in both subtle and overt ways. The students also explored India’s cultural heritage, diving into the preservation of indigenous languages as a means of maintaining community identity, and the role of traditional ecological knowledge in advancing sustainable development.

A visit to a village in Sonipat, where JGU is located, and an interaction with a local self-help group also left a lasting impression on the students. They were deeply moved by the stories of hardship and perseverance from women who had started businesses despite social and financial barriers. Many were inspired by their simple yet powerful message to “just dream”.

Reflecting on the encounter, second-year Psychology undergraduate Ameline Ang said, “These women carved out their journeys not because conditions were ideal, but because they believed change was possible. Their entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t built on access, but on sheer will. It made me reflect on my own privilege and the responsibility I have to create meaningfully, not just comfortably.”

These experiences were further enriched by a visit to the High Commission of the Republic of Singapore in New Delhi, where the students had the opportunity to engage with Singaporean diplomats and gained first-hand insights into their roles and daily lives in India.

No STEER trip would be complete without visits to iconic historical sites. The first visit was to Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Delhi that was built in 1570. As the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent, it represented a turning point in Mughal architecture, setting the stage for later masterpieces like the Taj Mahal, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, which the students visited later in their trip.

Looking back and moving forward

At the end of the programme, the students were asked to reflect on their experiences in India: what were they passionate about; what emotions did they experience; what changes in mindset did they undergo; and what tangible plans can they make and act on?

For Eric Sim, a third-year Information Security undergraduate, the visit marked a fitting end to an insightful and rewarding journey in India. More than just academic learning, the trip offered him fresh perspectives and lasting memories. “It was so much fun that it’s etched in my mind to this day—and hopefully these memories will last for more than a lifetime. I already miss every moment with them. Dhanyavaad (which means ‘Thank you’ in Hindi), everyone.”

By NUS Global Relations Office

The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (Bezos Centre @NUS) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) announced a new partnership to accelerate early-stage sustainable protein innovation through a startup competition. This is part of Bezos Centre @NUS’ US$3 million in grants over five years to support early and growth-stage startups in this space.

The inaugural Sustainable Protein Startup Competition will identify and support early-stage startups in sustainable protein solutions. Three winning startups will be selected through a competitive pitching process. Each winner will receive funding and in-kind support of up to S$175,000, while gaining access to Singapore's comprehensive ecosystem of resources. The competition will be launched on 1 August 2025 at the first International Summit on Sustainable Protein (ISSP). There are plans to hold the competition annually, supporting up to 15 early-stage global and local startups over a five-year period.

Professor Zhou Weibiao, Acting Director of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at NUS and Head of the NUS Department of Food Science and Technology, said, “One of our goals at the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at NUS is to bridge world-class research in sustainable protein with real-world impact. This startup competition and the ISSP are natural extensions of that mission — paving the way for promising technologies to move from lab to market, and from local to global impact. Our partnership with EnterpriseSG will further support our aspiration by accelerating innovation and strengthening the sustainable protein ecosystem in Singapore and beyond.”  

Ms Jeannie Lim, Assistant Managing Director for Services and Growth Enterprises at EnterpriseSG, said, “Our partnership with the Bezos Centre @NUS comes at a crucial time to support promising foodtech startups in securing funding to develop their technologies and bring innovative solutions to market. This initiative reflects our commitment to advance promising sustainable food innovations while catalysing greater private sector participation and investments in Singapore's foodtech sector. We welcome foodtech startups to leverage Singapore’s resources, robust innovation ecosystem and progressive regulatory framework to accelerate their R&D efforts and scale their impact across the region.”

Bezos Centre @NUS x EnterpriseSG’s Sustainable Protein Startup Competition

The competition aims to support early-stage startups developing novel sustainable protein technologies that can address critical challenges in food security and climate resilience. This includes innovative solutions in fermentation, cultivated meat, plant-based proteins, and food safety & toxicology. Startups will be evaluated on their technology innovation and readiness, market potential and validation, business model scalability, and team capabilities.

From the entries, eight promising startups will advance to the final pitching round which will be held at the Singapore International Agri-Food Week in November 2025. Three winning startups will be selected, and each winner will receive seed funding and in-kind support of up to S$175,000. Bezos Centre @NUS will provide a S$75,000 cash grant and EnterpriseSG will match this with a S$75,000 Startup SG Founder (Competition) grant. Winners can utilise the seed funding for R&D, prototype development and to conduct pilot trials for sustainable protein products. Besides the funding, winners will receive up to S$25,000 worth of in-kind support from Bezos Centre @NUS. This includes mentorship, laboratory facilities, office space, startup incubation resources, and the opportunity to pitch at an annual startup event.

Interested startups can submit their applications from 1 August to 8 September 2025. More information on the Sustainable Protein Startup Competition is available here. 

Support for growth-stage sustainable protein startups

As part of its US$3 million funding to accelerate sustainable protein solutions, Bezos Centre @NUS has earmarked up to US$1.5 million to help growth-stage sustainable protein startups and high-potential projects scale up production, strengthen market presence, and drive international growth.

Bezos Centre @NUS plans to award grants of up to US$500,000 each to three promising startups or high-potential projects. EnterpriseSG will be partnering with Bezos Centre @NUS to further enhance this support through the Startup SG Tech Grant matching. More details will be announced in November this year.

ISSP: A collaborative platform to drive innovation and knowledge sharing in sustainable protein

The ISSP is co-organised by the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at NUS, the Department of Food Science and Technology at the NUS Faculty of Science, the Singapore Food Agency, and Enterprise Singapore, with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research as a strategic partner. The two-day event will be held from 31 July to 1 August 2025 at Pan Pacific Hotel Singapore.

Talks and discussions held at ISSP addressed one of the most urgent global challenges: how to sustainably feed a growing and aging global population, projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, amidst intensifying climate pressures and resource constraints. To cater to the rising demand for safe and high-quality protein, it is imperative to develop innovative solutions that guarantee food security and optimal nutrition while reducing environmental impacts. ISSP provides a unique platform for experts, stakeholders, and innovators from diverse fields to converge and collaborate on advancing sustainable proteins.

Core themes at ISSP include:

• Scientific Knowledge Exchange: Showcasing cutting-edge research on sustainable proteins by global and regional thought leaders.

• Technology Translation and Growth: Accelerating promising research and commercialisation efforts through competitions, industry feedback, and curated investor engagement.

• Ecosystem Building: Facilitating collaborations among academia, startups, government bodies and industry.

• Showcasing Capabilities: Highlighting ready-to-license innovations and technical expertise from research institutes, universities, and enterprise partners.

ISSP convened more than 200 participants from top research institutes, alternative protein hubs, industry, and policy circles. Notable speakers at the summit included Professor Francesco Branca, Invited Professor from the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, and Dr Lynnette Marie Neufeld, Director of the Food and Nutrition Division at the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).

More information on ISSP is available at: https://issp2025.sg/index.php

The Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at the National University of Singapore (Bezos Centre @NUS) and Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) announced a new partnership to accelerate early-stage sustainable protein innovation through a startup competition. This is part of Bezos Centre @NUS’ US$3 million in grants over five years to support early and growth-stage startups in this space.

The inaugural Sustainable Protein Startup Competition will identify and support early-stage startups in sustainable protein solutions. Three winning startups will be selected through a competitive pitching process. Each winner will receive funding and in-kind support of up to S$175,000, while gaining access to Singapore's comprehensive ecosystem of resources. The competition will be launched on 1 August 2025 at the first International Summit on Sustainable Protein (ISSP, more details on ISSP in Annexe). There are plans to hold the competition annually, supporting up to 15 early-stage global and local startups over a five-year period.

Professor Zhou Weibiao, Acting Director of the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at NUS and Head of the NUS Department of Food Science and Technology, said, “One of our goals at the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at NUS is to bridge world-class research in sustainable protein with real-world impact. This startup competition and the ISSP are natural extensions of that mission — paving the way for promising technologies to move from lab to market, and from local to global impact. Our partnership with EnterpriseSG will further support our aspiration by accelerating innovation and strengthening the sustainable protein ecosystem in Singapore and beyond.”  

Ms Jeannie Lim, Assistant Managing Director for Services and Growth Enterprises at EnterpriseSG, said, “Our partnership with the Bezos Centre @NUS comes at a crucial time to support promising foodtech startups in securing funding to develop their technologies and bring innovative solutions to market. This initiative reflects our commitment to advance promising sustainable food innovations while catalysing greater private sector participation and investments in Singapore's foodtech sector. We welcome foodtech startups to leverage Singapore’s resources, robust innovation ecosystem and progressive regulatory framework to accelerate their R&D efforts and scale their impact across the region.”

Bezos Centre @NUS x EnterpriseSG’s Sustainable Protein Startup Competition

The competition aims to support early-stage startups developing novel sustainable protein technologies that can address critical challenges in food security and climate resilience. This includes innovative solutions in fermentation, cultivated meat, plant-based proteins, and food safety & toxicology. Startups will be evaluated on their technology innovation and readiness, market potential and validation, business model scalability, and team capabilities.

From the entries, eight promising startups will advance to the final pitching round which will be held at the Singapore International Agri-Food Week in November 2025. Three winning startups will be selected, and each winner will receive seed funding and in-kind support of up to S$175,000. Bezos Centre @NUS will provide a S$75,000 cash grant and EnterpriseSG will match this with a S$75,000 Startup SG Founder (Competition) grant. Winners can utilise the seed funding for R&D, prototype development and to conduct pilot trials for sustainable protein products. Besides the funding, winners will receive up to S$25,000 worth of in-kind support from Bezos Centre @NUS. This includes mentorship, laboratory facilities, office space, startup incubation resources, and the opportunity to pitch at an annual startup event.

Interested startups can submit their applications from 1 August to 8 September 2025. More information on the Sustainable Protein Startup Competition is available at https://go.gov.sg/spsc-2025.  

Support for growth-stage sustainable protein startups

As part of its US$3 million funding to accelerate sustainable protein solutions, Bezos Centre @NUS has earmarked up to US$1.5 million to help growth-stage sustainable protein startups and high-potential projects scale up production, strengthen market presence, and drive international growth.

Bezos Centre @NUS plans to award grants of up to US$500,000 each to three promising startups or high-potential projects. EnterpriseSG will be partnering with Bezos Centre @NUS to further enhance this support through the Startup SG Tech Grant matching. More details will be announced in November this year.

More than 400 students from over 20 pre-tertiary and tertiary institutions across Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region convened to debate critical global concerns at the 22nd Singapore Model United Nations (SMUN) conference that was organised by the NUS Political Science Society (NUS PSSOC) in June at NUS University Town (UTown).

Themed “Building a New Era of Diplomacy”, SMUN 2025 provided an incisive lens through which young participants navigated the intricate complexities of global geopolitics by role-playing as UN delegates and members of international organisations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation to discuss current issues such as digital currencies and tariffs.

A key highlight of the event was the thought-provoking keynote by distinguished diplomat and academic Mr Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the NUS Asia Research Institute. In his address, Mr Mahbubani explored the shifting paradigms of global power and offered compelling insights into the current international order. He highlighted the remarkable success of ASEAN as a testament to effective regional cooperation and presented it as a model for navigating complex global challenges.

Mr Mahbubani also critically examined the structure of the UN, particularly the influence of the permanent members’ veto powers. While acknowledging that the UN’s effectiveness is often shaped by the interests of the major powers, he emphasised that it remains in the interest of small states to strengthen the multilateral system by “build[ing] upon a rules-based order and cooperat[ing] in issues of global importance such as climate change and denuclearisation.” His remarks struck a chord with the young delegates, reinforcing their understanding of the importance of multilateralism and the pursuit of shared global interests to shape a more equitable world. 

Diverse agendas and dynamic debates: Inside the councils of SMUN 2025

This year’s conference featured delegates from 11 councils tackling a wide array of pertinent topics. In the United Nations Security Council, discussions centred on reforming peacekeeping operations – with delegates debating their effectiveness, future direction and the complexities of maintaining peace in conflicts such as the Syrian Civil War. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) engaged in intricate negotiations on transboundary water treaties across the Pan-European region, a critical issue with far-reaching environmental and geopolitical implications. Meanwhile, the House of Commons (HOC) simulation offered a unique platform to examine the ongoing complexities and multifaceted consequences of Brexit, giving participants the opportunity to explore national political dynamics within an international context. 

Through extensive research, preparation of detailed position papers, and the development of innovative policy proposals, delegates engaged in intense debates, striving to pass resolutions through collaborative effort and majority vote.

As with previous iterations, SMUN 2025 was meticulously designed to spur active participation and meaningful dialogue. Participants who demonstrated significant contributions throughout the conference were duly recognised with prestigious awards such as Best Delegate, Outstanding Delegate, Honourable Mentions, and Best Position Paper, celebrating their dedication and diplomatic acumen.

Mr Arav Taneja from Temasek Secondary School received an honourable mention award for his outstanding contributions in the House of Representatives of Japan (HRJ). Recounting his experience, he shared, “When I first walked into the House of Representatives Japan SMUN conference room, I felt like a small fish in a big lake. However, as we progressed through council sessions, I found my voice. I engaged in constructive debate with other delegates and worked on resolutions like it was second nature. I gained invaluable knowledge not only about Japan but also about global dynamics. However, I think the biggest takeaway was the connections and friendships I made along the way.”

PSSOC President and Year 2 student from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Ms Irdina Duran, expressed her thanks to all involved for the success of SMUN 2025. “We are immensely grateful to Mr Mahbubani for his profound insights and to all the dedicated participants who made this year’s conference an undeniable success.”

SMUN 2025 Secretary-General and first-year student from the NUS Faculty of Law Mr Aditya Garladinne noted that this year's event has proven to be a vibrant crucible of intellect and diplomacy. Far more than a mere simulation, it is a testament to the boundless potential of our youth, he said.

“Witnessing these bright minds grappling with the world's most pressing challenges is not just inspiring; it is a profound reassurance that the future of global cooperation rests in exceptionally capable hands. This event truly exemplifies how experiential learning can cultivate not only future leaders but also compassionate and globally aware citizens." 

By the NUS Political Science Society at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

International Friendship Day, observed annually on 30 July, celebrates friendships between people of different countries and cultures to cultivate a shared sense of solidarity and promote dialogue to bridge differences.

As a global university, NUS nurtures students into global citizens through overseas opportunities, collaborations with foreign universities, and immersion in a cosmopolitan community that has 123 nationalities represented among staff and students. This diversity is especially prominent at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), which boasts one of the most culturally diverse student bodies at NUS. There are more than 20 nationalities in its undergraduate student population of about 240, creating a vibrant environment for friendships to blossom across different nationalities and cultures.

In celebration of International Friendship Day, five Voice majors hailing from various parts of Southeast Asia, South Korea, and India share how their multinational group of friends has enriched and shaped their university experience both inside and outside the classroom.

Embracing curiosity and kindness

Like many university friend groups, Val Chong, Samiksha Argal, Park Minjun, and Leanne Reese first met and bonded in shared core classes in Year 1. Representing Singapore, India, South Korea, and the Philippines respectively, they became acquainted through casual chats between lessons and grabbing meals together after classes and performances.

Notably, the friend group also comprises their major’s entire Class of 2026, as YST only takes in an average of three to five Voice students per year. Due to the small size of the cohort, Indonesian Jason Suryaatmaja (Class of 2025) would often fill in for missing parts in their group performances and soon joined their circle of friends, adding another nationality to the already diverse squad.

Making friends with people of other nationalities feels natural in YST, said Minjun: “We’re lucky because our faculty is one of the smallest at NUS with people from so many different backgrounds. It makes it easier to get close to people from other countries.”

Navigating cultural differences is a major part of the YST experience, especially when classes are led by an international faculty and exchanging feedback is an important part of the learning experience. Cultural differences can often impact how tone and intention are conveyed and perceived, and nuance can sometimes be lost when a thought is translated between languages.

The five friends overcame this challenge by embracing an attitude of curiosity towards cultures other than their own, as exemplified in a quote that Leanne learnt from a professor while on exchange in Scotland: “Don’t be interesting; be interested.” This mindset led them to gain a better understanding of each other’s colloquialisms and mannerisms, which differ across cultures and languages. Over time, they have developed a shared trust and now count the ability to exchange candid feedback among themselves as one of the most valuable benefits of their friend group.

“Val is an amazing performer, so when we are rehearsing for productions, I will ask her, ‘Do you think this works?’ I ask Minjun for technical advice and we explore singing techniques together. It has really helped me on the career side,” Jason said, prompting some good-natured ribbing from his friends that they are only useful to him as career support.

The supportive environment they have nurtured in their group also extends to their interactions with students from other cohorts, such as during weekly Voice studio classes. Val shared that they make it a point to chat with their juniors during these shared classes and cheer them on even when they make mistakes.

Said Samiksha: “Through the years, we have created the kind of environment that we want for ourselves and others – a warm and nurturing one where everyone can grow and learn together.”

Growth lies outside the comfort zone

While cultural differences can pose challenges at times, they create positive opportunities for growth and connection too. As a Singaporean, Val takes on the responsibility of helping the others feel at home, introducing them to the Chinese New Year tradition of yusheng and taking them café-hopping to explore the country.

“As a local, it is easy to stick to our own cliques, but it is also important to make our fellow international students feel welcome and ‘at home’. We can invite them out for a meal, or even a simple greeting could make their day,” she said.

“YST is so diverse that we’re compelled to integrate, and honestly that pushed me out of my comfort zone as an introvert. Talking to people from different cultures, you’ll learn so much about them and the world in general,” said Samiksha, who recalls learning the entire history of Korea from Minjun, starting from the Stone Age to the present day.

Val noted that her friendships with people whose countries are undergoing crises make her more informed about what is happening overseas and prompt her to empathise.

She added that such interactions can also serve as an important first step in countering racial and cultural stereotypes. “Stereotypes often arise from preconceived notions about others. But when we take the time to talk to others and understand them, we start to realise that we need to correct our assumptions.”

Forming friendships with people of other cultures is crucial for foreign students who do not have family in Singapore, said Leanne, who has heard of students leaving due to loneliness. “It’s really important to have someone who can listen and be there for you,” she said. “There were tough times when school got hectic and stressful, but it’s the friends I’ve made that supported me through my dark times and helped me emerge stronger.”

Ultimately, international friendships are not so different from friendships among people of the same culture, the students said. Social media makes it easier than ever to find common topics like pop culture and memes that can serve as a starting point for conversations, and once a connection is established, deeper shared interests can be discovered to strengthen the friendship.

The group’s favourite stress-busting activity is cycling to West Coast Park, where they would sit by the sea and talk about life, and some of their best memories are from post-concert suppers at the row of eateries along Clementi Road known to NUS students as “Supper Stretch”. “We always eat at the same three places, and I don’t know why we’re not bored of the food yet, but it’s just a lot of fun,” said Samiksha.

Said Minjun: “Most of us are living and studying here alone, but having these friends to journey alongside us makes life a lot more fun and exciting.”

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Senior Lecturer from the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Berita Minggu, 27 July 2025, p9

• Suria News Online, 25 July 2025
• Lianhe Zaobao, 26 July 2025, Singapore, p7

• Lianhe Zaobao, 26 July 2025, Business, p19

• Berita Harian, 26 July 2025, p7

• Money 89.3FM, 22 July 2025
• Hao 96.3FM, 22 July 2025
• The Straits Times, 23 July 2025, Business, pA17
• The Business Times, 23 July 2025, p3
• Lianhe Zaobao, 23 July 2025, Business, p22

• 8world Online, 22 July 2025
• 8world Online, 22 July 2025
• Vasantham News Online, 22 July 2025
• The Business Times, 23 July 2025, p2
• Lianhe Zaobao, 23 July 2025, Business, p22
• Berita Harian, 23 July 2025, p5
• Berita Harian, 23 July 2025, p5

Driven by a shared passion for finance and investing, second-year students Fong Zhi Heng from NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Brandon Lim from NUS Business School teamed up for the 2025 UBS Finance Challenge. The pair beat 300 other teams to clinch the first prize at the competition.

The UBS Finance Challenge is a high-profile stock pitch competition that brings together some of the brightest and most innovative university students in finance from around the world to showcase their market research and equity analysis skills. Now in its fifth year, the competition has expanded to a dual-region format, allowing participants to compete in either Hong Kong or Mainland China, with top teams from both tracks advancing to the finals in Shanghai to vie for the coveted Greater China Championship title.

United by a shared passion for finance

Zhi Heng and Brandon first connected through the NUS Asset & Wealth Management Club and the Next Gen Investors Endowment Ltd, a Singapore-based non-profit organisation that promotes investor education to local and international students. They quickly became friends over a shared passion for applying their classroom learnings to solve real-world challenges through competitions.  

In April, the pair had already made waves by winning the Singapore & Southeast Asia rounds of the 2025 CFA Institute Research Challenge at NUS. Following this success, they were eager to take on a bigger stage. 

“For us, the UBS Finance Challenge presented yet another valuable learning opportunity,” said Brandon. “We wanted to put our finance skills into practice again and push ourselves, especially since it was our first time doing a long/short equity research pitch.”

Pitching with precision and perseverance

Teams in the UBS Finance Challenge were required to analyse stocks from one of six sectors – industrials, consumer, technology, internet, healthcare and energy – and to develop a long-short pairs trade strategy. This involved evaluating trade logic, industry outlook, company financials, stock valuations and presenting actionable trade recommendations.

Zhi Heng and Brandon centred their investment pitch on China’s restaurant sector, comparing two major players – Yum China, the country’s largest quick-service operator, and Jiumaojiu International Holdings, a full-service restaurant specialising in Chinese cuisine. They argued that Yum China would outperform Jiumaojiu; driven by the long-term growth trend toward takeaway and fast food convenience in China. Conversely, dine-in models, such as Jiumaojiu would suffer as they face headwinds from declining foot traffic. On this basis, they proposed a pair trade strategy of buying Yum China stock and shorting Jiumaojiu stock.

Having just wrapped up the CFA Research Institute Challenge in April, the pair had only two weeks to prepare for the UBS Finance Challenge. Balancing competing priorities made it even more intense.

Zhi Heng recalled, “It was a tough balancing act – I was interning, and Brandon was studying for his finals during the day, so we had to work on our presentation late into the night. Some nights we barely slept. But with sheer determination and a genuine passion for understanding the company we were pitching, we pushed through and made it work.”

The duo also made the strategic decision to personally fund their travel to Hong Kong for an in-person semi-final presentation – a move they believed gave them a competitive edge. “We felt that presenting in person gave us a better opportunity to connect with the judges and communicate our ideas more effectively,” shared Brandon.

Both students credited their earlier experience in the 2025 CFA Institute Research Challenge as instrumental to their success in the UBS challenge, noting how they benefitted immensely from the mentorship received, as the experience shaped their thought processes and helped refine their research and pitching abilities.

Zhi Heng also acknowledged the role of the NUS Investment Society, a student-led club promoting financial literacy, in sharpening his analytical capabilities. “Regular stock pitch sessions and feedback from seniors and alumni really honed my research skills,” he said. “Courses like Accounting and Economics gave me the technical foundation to understand financial statements and market dynamics, but it was the student groups and competitions that brought those concepts to life.”

More than a win: Valuable skills and future careers in finance

For their win, the pair received prizes worth 14,000 yuan (S$2,500) and secured the opportunity for fast-tracked interviews with UBS.

“We’re definitely elated,” Brandon said. “But more than the win, it was the invaluable skills gained and the personalised feedback from the judges that mattered most. They were able to provide meaningful and actionable insights that we could use in our future internships and careers in finance.”

In a milestone for campus operations and digital transformation, NUS has launched Singapore’s first university-based Integrated Operations Centre (IOC) – a state-of-the-art facility that is redefining how campus services are managed.

Fully operational since January 2025 and located at Prince George’s Park, the facility consolidates real-time data from multiple critical systems, including security, emergency services, and building management, onto a single, integrated digital platform. With this capability, NUS now has unprecedented oversight of its operations across its sprawling, multi-site campus, which serves a community of over 64,000 students, faculty and staff.

“The IOC is more than just a control room, it is a strategic enabler that helps us manage the complexity of campus operations with greater precision and foresight,” said Mr Koh Yan Leng, NUS Vice President (Campus Infrastructure). “This is a key pillar in our Smart Campus journey and a model of what’s possible when digital transformation is aligned with operational excellence.”

One centre, many systems

Conceptualised in 2022 as part of NUS’ Smart Campus Envisioning, the IOC was designed to address longstanding operational pain points such as fragmented legacy systems, manual incident reporting, and reactive maintenance practices.

The project was piloted at NUS University Town in May 2024 and became fully operational early this year. Today, the IOC provides centralised oversight across six key domains: security, emergency response, facilities, transport, housing, and sustainability.

At the heart of the IOC is a cutting-edge digital twin of the NUS campus, an interactive 3D model layered with live feeds from CCTV cameras, IoT sensors, and building maintenance and management systems. This allows operators to visualise the entire campus environment, conduct virtual patrols and respond to incidents in real time.

This is coupled with a dynamic, integrated dashboard that consolidates alerts from multiple systems, enabling operators to detect anomalies, coordinate responses and streamline workflows, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing service delivery.

“From emergency responses to campus-wide facilities monitoring, the IOC gives our operations teams a single source of truth,” said Mr Leonard Li, Head of IOC. “We can detect incidents ranging from an isolated fire alarm to a chiller plant fault within 20 seconds and automatically trigger a work order via the NUS iReport system. That speed is a game changer.”

Smarter operations, better outcomes

Beyond the control room, the benefits of the IOC are already being felt across campus. Students and staff enjoy faster fixes for faulty facilities and more reliable Internal Shuttle Bus services. Operations teams report smoother coordination, reduced downtime, and clearer performance metrics. Campus safety has been enhanced through AI-powered surveillance tools, including facial and licence plate recognition technology – all achieved without the need for expanded manpower.

“The IOC is built on scalable, secure infrastructure that supports continuous improvement,” said Mr Lim Yeow Khee, Section Head of Integrated Operations, “By integrating disparate systems and adding layers of automation, we’ve laid the groundwork for long-term innovation in campus infrastructure.”

In its first months of full operation, the IOC has already delivered tangible improvements. Fault response times have improved by 45 per cent for urgent cases and by 57 per cent for non-urgent ones, while emergency dispatch times have reduced by up to 50 per cent with better triaging capabilities. Operator productivity has also increased by 40 per cent, aided by the centralised dashboard and automated alerts.

Scaling and enhancing capabilities

While operational efficiency remains a core focus, the IOC is also paving the way for a more sustainable campus. For example, real-time alerts are now triggered when utility consumption exceeds baseline thresholds by 40 per cent, allowing for timely corrective action. Over time, these alerts will be linked to automated responses built into standard operating procedures, further improving efficiency.

“We’ve observed that most IOCs stop at security or facility management,” noted Mr Li. “What sets the NUS IOC apart is the vision to support evolving campus services in mobility, space optimisation, and even hospitality.”

With University Town now fully integrated, the IOC is expanding its capabilities under Phase 2 to the NUS Kent Ridge and Bukit Timah Campuses. Planned enhancements in this phase include using real-time mobility dashboards to optimise Internal Shuttle Bus operations, aligning NUS’ environmental targets with sustainability reporting, and adopting smart city technologies such as Wi-Fi-based crowd sensing and large vision model (LVM) AI analytics for deeper operational insights.

“The scale of operations needed to support a university of this size is often invisible,” said Mr Koh. “The IOC shines a light on these efforts while giving us the tools to do them better,” he added.

By University Campus Infrastructure

By Prof Kwan Ok Lee, Deputy Head of the Dept of Real Estate at NUS Business School

• CNA Online, 28 July 2025

Associate Professor Koh Ming Joo from NUS Department of Chemistry has received the Kyoto Rising-Star Lectureship Award (2025) in recognition of his impactful contributions to organic chemistry research.

The Kyoto Rising-Star Lectureship Award was first established in 2020 by the MSD Life Science Foundation and later expanded to become an international accolade in 2023.

Assoc Prof Koh has gained international acclaim for his research in sustainable catalysis and radical chemistry that addresses critical challenges in chemical synthesis through base metal catalysis and radical cross-coupling chemistry.

Assoc Prof Koh said, “It’s an incredible honour to win this award and represent Singapore and NUS in the international arena. It really motivates us to continue our work to develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in chemical synthesis.”

See more

By Dr Samer Elhajjar, Senior Lecturer from the Dept of Marketing at NUS Business School

• The Straits Times, 24 July 2025, Opinion, pB2

By Dr Clemens Chay, Research Fellow from the Middle East Institute at NUS

• CNA Online, 24 July 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is speeding up scientific progress in diverse disciplines, from discovering new materials, to applying generative AI to detect dementia early, to improving climate modelling approaches by employing a combination of physical, hybrid AI and fully-data driven models.

These topics and more were explored at the inaugural AI4X 2025 conference held at NUS University Town. Taking place from 8 to 11 July 2025, the conference aims to spark cross-disciplinary collaboration and breakthroughs in AI innovation, accelerating scientific discovery and translational potential on all fronts.

AI4X 2025 is jointly organised by NUS Institute for Functional Intelligent Materials (I-FIM), together with the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), Singapore’s Ministry of Education, Nanyang Technological University and the DSO National Laboratories. This strong alliance reflects the relevance and importance of the field in global research. I-FIM led the full planning and execution of the conference, which included conceptualisation, programme design, speaker selection and operations.

The world’s largest AI conference revolutionising the natural sciences, AI4X 2025 gathered close to 600 global researchers and industry leaders for talks and pre-conference workshops on AI innovation across sixteen different topics. It also comprised 27 keynote talks, 16 thematic sessions, and close to 100 poster presentations.

About 80 leading speakers from academia, start-ups, and global industry laboratories – including luminaries Gerbrand Ceder from the University of California, Berkeley, Boris Kozinsky from Harvard University, and Alex Aliper from Insilico – took part in the event.

“AI is reshaping how science is done,” said AI4X conference chair Professor Sir Konstantin Novoselov, Director of NUS I-FIM and winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics.

“Through AI4X, we aim to position Singapore and I-FIM as leaders in this global transition, by convening top minds to share, debate, and drive progress.”

Conceived in early 2024, the idea for AI4X was prompted by the increasing investment in the local “AI for Science” initiative, which focuses on the development and adoption of AI methods and tools that are transferable across multiple domains of science. In AI4X, the “X” represents all the scientific disciplines, including Climate, Environment, Medicine, Education, Finance, Mathematics and more.

Prof Novoselov noted that there were many things the researchers could learn from each other as experts from different disciplines. “We attempt to enhance this synergy through a mix of different topics in the talk sessions.”


Leveraging AI to enhance research

Conference speakers shared their views on how AI could further scientific progress, such as helping scientists work in more efficient ways.

The sheer volume of academic literature waiting to be read, combined with time-consuming experiments, often slows down scientific progress, said world-renowned mathematician Professor Weinan E in his talk “Building AI-Powered Infrastructure for Scientific Research”. 

“AI can transform the way we conduct scientific research,” he said.

Tools using AI can be used to streamline lab processes and automate experiments. “Instead of doing tedious work, you can spend more time thinking about new ideas,” said Prof E, who is the Inaugural Director of Beijing’s AI for Science Institute and a professor at Peking University’s Center for Machine Learning Research and School of Mathematical Sciences.

One key roadblock to scientific progress, he added, was the “curse of dimensionality”. As a problem’s dimensionality – the number of free parameters it has – grows, so did the amount of compute required using traditional methods. Deep learning, which powers most AI applications today, was the first methodology that could very accurately handle high-dimensional problems, said Prof E, whose team won the 2020 Association for Computing Machinery Gordon Bell Prize for their deep learning-based approach to simulating atomic movement.

Accelerating scientific discovery

Materials science is another frontier being reshaped by AI. The symmetrical atomic structure of a crystal is not merely aesthetic — it also governs its properties, from conductivity to transparency, said NUS I-FIM research fellow Dr Nikita Kazeev in a later presentation “Generation of Novel Stable Beautiful Materials”.

Designing crystals with ideal symmetrical properties would thus lead to the discovery of new materials for stronger batteries, solar cells, and more, explained Dr Kazeev in his talk.

He shared details of a new generative model he helped build, dubbed the “Wyckoff Transformer”, which can design uniquely symmetrical structures much faster than previous models. His team had introduced concepts such as “Wyckoff positions” (special positions that atoms tend to occupy) and “symmetry groups” to the model, which helped it learn about crystalline properties more easily.

What else does the future hold for AI in science? The talks and discussions at the AI4X 2025 Conference has shown that as technology advances, disciplinary boundaries will eventually disappear, with integrated databases and facilities in place.

Plans are underway to make AI4X an annual event, with expanded international participation and deeper industry engagement. The next edition, held in collaboration with the Acceleration Consortium at the University of Toronto, is slated for 2026.

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have found new applications of magnetic field therapy with potential benefits for food sustainability and metabolic health.

One study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences on 5 June 2025, demonstrated that short, weekly exposures to low-energy magnetic fields during early development enhanced muscle growth and quality in developing organisms, which has implications for improving meat yield and nutritional value in poultry production. A second study, published in the same journal on 6 June 2025, demonstrated that magnetic field therapy could alter the gut microbiome in beneficial ways that support better metabolism and bone health, with these effects transferable via microbiota-based therapies.

Led by Associate Professor Alfredo Franco-Obregón, Principal Investigator at the Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) at NUS and faculty member at the Department of Surgery in NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the research team showed that magnetic stimulation can induce long-lasting physiological changes without the need for drugs, genetic modification, or invasive procedures.

The team’s findings highlight how a non-invasive, low-energy magnetic approach may be used to improve food production outcomes, develop microbiome-based therapies, and strengthen preventive health strategies.

Improving meat quality and growth

Poultry is the most imported livestock commodity globally by volume, with demand projected to grow in years to come. Breeding strategies in the industry that focus solely on muscle growth have often come at the expense of meat quality. In particular, there has long been a trade-off between faster growth and better taste, texture and nutrition.

The team’s latest research explores a new way to resolve that challenge. They found that exposing eggs to short bursts of magnetic fields during incubation could improve embryonic survival, overall growth and the development of oxidative muscle, which is a muscle type rich in mitochondria and associated with improved flavour and nutritional profile.

The work builds on earlier research by the team, which showed that magnetic pulses could be used to stimulate animal cells to produce the nutrients needed for lab-grown meat, reducing the need for animal-derived growth supplements. The study pointed to a greener, safer, and more cost-effective method of cell-based meat production.

In the current pilot study, the team demonstrated that brief, twice-weekly magnetic exposure of eggs promoted muscle development, and did so without genetic modification or pharmaceutical intervention.

“By improving both meat growth and quality, and importantly, in a sustainable and drug-free manner, our research could potentially overcome a major bottleneck in poultry farming,” said Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón. “Our research also highlights how magnetic stimulation can influence tissue development, which has wide-reaching applications in various sectors from food to agriculture to biomedicine.”

Conditioning the gut microbiome to improve health

In the second study, the researchers looked into how pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy affects the gut microbiome, and whether its benefits can be transferred to others.

Their study found that weekly magnetic therapy instigated changes in the gut microbiota that led to healthier fat metabolism, improved glucose regulation and stronger bones. In preclinical studies, when gut microbes from magnetically treated donors were transplanted into obese recipients, the latter exhibited similarly enhanced metabolic traits — without receiving direct magnetic treatment.

Interestingly, transferring gut bacteria from donors that received magnetic stimulation led to more consistent improvements in bone health and blood sugar control than transfers from donors that had exercised. This suggests that magnetic stimulation may shape the gut microbiome in uniquely helpful ways.

These preliminary findings extend a broader line of magnetic field research led by Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón and his collaborators. In earlier studies, they showed that magnetic muscle stimulation in humans could improve mobility and lean body mass, especially in older adults. Other studies demonstrated that pulsed magnetic fields could trigger muscle cells to release anticancer molecules, enhance chemotherapy drug uptake in tumours and disrupt the energy metabolism of cancer cells. Crucially, these were all possible without harming surrounding healthy tissue.

Among these diverse applications is a common thread: the use of low-energy, non-invasive pulsed magnetic fields to initiate biological responses that support regeneration, immune modulation or systemic metabolic balance.

“Our work continues to show that the body can respond to magnetic cues in powerful ways — sometimes more gently and effectively than drugs or physical interventions,” added Assoc Prof Franco-Obregón. “This latest research adds a feather to the cap, placing the gut microbiome on the list of systems that can be modulated in this way.”

The potential implications span multiple domains, from preventive health and metabolic disorders to therapeutic strategies for ageing populations. With metabolic disease and frailty on the rise in many parts of the world, magnetic conditioning of the microbiome could offer a scalable, non-invasive alternative to improve health resilience.

A joyous season celebrating the accomplishments of over 17,000 graduates from the Class of 2025, set against the backdrop of NUS’ 120^th anniversary, culminated in a festive Commencement Dinner held on 22 July 2025 at the dining hall of the College of Alice and Peter Tan and Residential College 4.

Gathering valedictorians and representatives from the Class of 2025, along with the newly minted honorary graduates – Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Dr Noeleen Heyzer, and Dr Wong Ngit Liong – the dinner was attended by about 350 guests. They included NUS Pro-Chancellor Mr Po’ad Mattar, NUS Chairman Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, NUS Trustee Ms Chew Gek Khim, NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye, as well as students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The celebratory night kicked off on a high note with an exuberant performance by students from various NUS Centre for the Arts dance groups. Specially choreographed for the occasion and blending influences from Indian, Chinese, Malay and Western artistic traditions, the piece showcased the multiculturalism and diversity of student life at NUS.

Leading the night’s proceedings were Class of 2025 graduates Ms Rachel Chin from the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Mr Clement Ling from the NUS Faculty of Science. Reminiscing about university life and the vibrant community they encountered along the way, they recounted the highlights of their NUS journeys.

“Looking back, I’m really grateful for the many experiences I’ve had at NUS — from taking eye-opening modules and electives, to going on an unforgettable exchange programme, and getting to contribute to signature events like Open House and Commencement,” Ms Chin said.

For Mr Ling, graduating as part of the Class of 2025 during NUS’ 120th anniversary made his experience especially memorable. “Over the past four years, I’ve had the chance to explore my interests in science and technology, meet inspiring peers and professors, and contribute to the NUS community through different ways. It’s truly been a journey I’ll never forget.”

Lead with the heart

In his speech at the event, NUS President Prof Tan Eng Chye commended the graduating class for their hard-won achievements, noting the determination and resilience that enabled them to rise above academic challenges, personal obstacles and periods of uncertainty.

He highlighted the strong foundation laid during their time at university – from the rigorous academic training to opportunities for personal growth and the lasting bonds they forged along the way. 

As they prepare to begin their next chapter, he encouraged the graduating class to stay grounded in the values that had shaped them and to lead with clarity and heart, drawing inspiration from NUS’ founding mission.

“Lead with your heart, with purpose lighting your way. This was the case in 1905, 120 years ago, when we started out as a small medical school for the community. Even as we have evolved and redefined our identity as an educational institution, we remain committed in our mission to serve our country and society,” he said.

Concluding his speech with a toast, he added, “Congratulations once again on this very important milestone and welcome to the NUS alumni family! You are the generation that will shape what comes next, leading us to NUS150… and beyond.”

Grit and resilience

Taking to the stage to address his fellow graduates, Mr Lee Yat Bun, Student Senior Advisor of the 46th NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) Executive Committee, offered a heartfelt message to his peers.

“Four years at NUS didn’t just earn us a degree. It gave us something more valuable – character. It taught us how to stay grounded in uncertainty, how to persevere under pressure, and how to lead in times of change,” said Mr Lee, an NUS Computing graduate in Computer Science who served two terms as NUSSU President between AY21/22 and AY22/23.

“As we step into the future as the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and creators, we carry with us the grit, the resilience, and the adaptability that have been refined during our time here.”

The evening drew to a close with two musical performances by Elton and Friends, a band led by Mandopop singer-songwriter Elton Lee, a Class of 2025 graduate from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), who was accompanied by a string quartet comprising fellow YST graduates Reina Teo, Tan Xin Jie, Shannon Chan and Saran Charoennit.

Along with a stirring rendition of the classic ballad, “The Greatest Love of All”, the group also performed a poignant debut of “The Soundtrack of Youth” (谱写的青春), an original graduation song penned by Mr Lee, in a fitting close to the celebratory season.

This story concludes NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

By Mr Shane Pereira, Research Associate at the IPS Social Lab, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS, and Associate Professor Julien Cayla, from the Nanyang Business School at NTU

• The Straits Times, 22 July 2025, Opinion, pB2

By Dr Woo Jun Jie, Senior Lecturer at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• CNA Online, 22 July 2025

• Lianhe Zaobao, 21 July 2025, Singapore, p6

• Lianhe Zaobao, 21 July 2025, Singapore, p8

By Dr Azhar Ibrahim Alwee, Senior Lecturer at the Dept of Malay Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• Berita Minggu, 20 July 2025, p11

It isn’t every day that you get to see the material in your textbooks come to life. For Bernard Liang, this year’s valedictorian from the NUS Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing), it was an experience he would never forget.

The undergraduate, then 27, was about to sit his second-year mid-term exams on Women and Children’s Health. At 3am a few days prior, he had to rush his pregnant wife to the hospital as her contractions intensified. By afternoon, their daughter was born; by evening, he was back to his lecture notes, preparing for his exams. On the day his wife was discharged from the hospital, he sped to school for his exams after sending his family home — and aced them.

While his university life was not always so dramatic, it was an intense balancing act between family and studies during his time at NUS. Over four years, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Medical Corps regular welcomed two children, renovated his home, stayed combat fit — and, to top it off, graduated as valedictorian.

“I am deeply grateful to my wife, my family, my mentors, and everyone else who helped me in this journey. This is a validation of the sacrifices that not just me, but everyone supporting me, had to make,” said Bernard, 30, who received his Bachelor of Science (Nursing) (Honours) degree on 10 July 2025.

The army medic’s journey to NUS Nursing began six years into his time in the medical corps. Bernard, who had a diploma in veterinary technology, decided he wanted to “close the gap” between himself and his peers who were nursing-trained.

The NUS programme offered a good mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on clinical work, noted Bernard, who received the SAF Military Domain Expert Scheme Study Award.
 

A hands-on approach to patient care

Transitioning from the rigours of military life to university took some getting used to at the beginning. “That time away from academia made it slightly challenging to readjust to the mindset of a student,” admitted Bernard.

But he soon hit his stride — armed with intellectual maturity, a steely resolve to soak up new knowledge, and existing skills in areas such as emergency resuscitation and triage.

He also benefitted from the guidance of NUS Nursing mentors such as Associate Professor Shefaly Shorey, who advised him on his thesis; as well as Assistant Professor Catherine Dong, whom he assisted with data collection, sample processing and more in-depth research studies such as the Heart-Brain Connection Translational Research Programme.

His clinical attachments left a deep impact. “We were taught theoretical frameworks — anatomy, physiology, how to assist doctors in providing better care. But an unexpected takeaway (was) how our patients taught us as well, because they have that lived experience of their own conditions,” he added.

He recalled encounters during home visits to patients as a student research assistant in Year 3, when he asked elderly stroke patients if they knew whether their condition had been caused by a blocked blood vessel or bleeding in the brain.

“When we asked them in (these) layman terms, they replied to us using medical terms, such as ‘ischaemic’ or ‘haemorrhagic’ stroke,” he said.

This experience taught him to view the patient-nurse dynamic in a different light.

“Instead of trying to micromanage them or (simply) educate them on their condition, we can shift to having a partnership with them,” he noted. “We should try to respect their knowledge and empower them to better manage their conditions.”
 

It takes a village

Beyond his studies, Bernard found time to captain the NUS Shooting Team — building on his leadership experience in the SAF, where he had led COVID-19 vaccinations at Selarang Camp and coordinated emergency preparedness for the National Day Parade.

He earned the NUS Achievement Award (Merit) for excellence in academics and sport, and also appeared on the Dean’s List.

Bernard credits his success to a robust support system at home, from his wife — the main caregiver of their children — to his parents and in-laws who stepped in regularly to help.

While an undergraduate, he carved out pockets of time to focus on schoolwork. After getting home in the evening, he would spend time with his daughter, before hitting the books from 10pm till as late as 2am after she had gone to bed. His NUS peers accommodated his schedule, agreeing to late-night Zoom meetings when they had to discuss groupwork.

Now back in the SAF Medical Corps and currently a Military Expert 4 Apprentice, Bernard believes his nursing training has given him a fuller, more patient-centric perspective of care.

“I hope I can be a leader who truly inspires trust and cultivates resilience in my men, and be someone who can champion continuous learning so we do not lose sight of our medical knowledge,” he added.

“My goal is to contribute towards advancing the standard of military medicine and integrate evidence-based care into our daily SAF operations.”

To help bridge a critical funding gap for early-stage tech ventures in Asia, NUS is launching a S$150 million Venture Capital (VC) Programme through its entrepreneurial arm, NUS Enterprise.

In Asia, venture capital funding has nosedived to a decade low of S$85 billion, with early-stage investments declining five per cent from 2023 to S$38 billion in 2024^[1]. In this challenging climate, tech start-ups, particularly those born from intensive research and development cycles, face some of the steepest hurdles.

“Research-based start-ups face distinct challenges, including R&D cycles that are much longer than traditional start-ups, making them especially vulnerable in today’s cautious investment environment,” said Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President. “The new NUS Venture Capital Programme brings together capital, strategic partnerships, and specialised venture expertise to create a more resilient path from lab to market.”

A first-of-its-kind initiative by a university in Asia

The NUS VC Programme is designed to enhance support for early-stage tech innovation by focusing on high-potential ventures within the NUS ecosystem, including start-ups from the National Graduate Research Innovation Programme (National GRIP).

National GRIP empowers innovators to transform lab-based research discoveries into globally competitive, market-ready ventures. While GRIP currently provides up to S$250,000 in seed funding per start-up, many start-ups require continued support to move beyond proof of concept and into commercial markets.

The programme addresses this need by focusing on post-seed growth, combining capital and structured, hands-on venture-building support to help these start-ups scale effectively.

Backing tech start-ups with capital and expertise

The NUS VC Programme comprises two key components.

First, NUS will commit S$50 million over the next three years in selected venture capital firms with strong track records in early-stage deep tech investments. These firms will provide structured, hands-on support to start-ups, including time, expertise, and access to their networks to help them scale effectively.

The first two VC partners are Granite Asia, a leading multi-asset investment platform with a 25-year track record of backing breakthrough technology ventures globally, and 4BIO Capital, a specialist life sciences investor focused on advanced therapeutics.

Second, NUS will commit S$100 million to an autonomous investment fund focused on NUS-affiliated start-ups, with the flexibility to invest alongside selected VC partners.

“NUS has built one of the most ambitious deep tech pipelines in Asia — a launchpad for breakthrough ideas with global relevance. This partnership sets a new model for how deep tech can scale: pairing world-class research with long-term capital, deep operational support, and Granite Asia’s global network. Together, we aim to accelerate the next generation of transformative technologies from Singapore to the world,” said Ms Jenny Lee and Mr Jixun Foo, Senior Managing Partners, Granite Asia.

“The NUS VC Programme marks a significant step forward for early-stage tech innovation in Asia. By pairing investment with expert-led support, we are accelerating the growth of promising start-ups and strengthening the region’s innovation ecosystem. At 4BIO Capital, we look forward to partnering with NUS on this exciting initiative and learning from each other as we build and grow the companies developing the treatments of tomorrow,” added Dr Dima Kuzmin, Managing Partner, 4BIO Capital.

Enabling a complete pathway from lab to market

According to Dr Tan Sian Wee, NUS Senior Vice President (Innovation & Enterprise), the programme is designed to plug a critical gap in the innovation ecosystem. “National GRIP is an important first step in helping deep tech start-ups take root,” he said. “The VC Programme builds on this by pairing promising ventures with globally connected investors, enabling a more complete pathway to scale and commercial success.”

What sets this programme apart is its direct engagement with leading VC firms selected not only for their track records, but also for their market access in global innovation hubs. Beyond funding, these partners provide structured support ranging from mentorship, investor feedback, market entry, fundraising networks to operational guidance.

By strengthening the bridge between research and the market, NUS aims to boost the resilience and scalability of its tech start-ups and keep the innovation engine running despite a tough investment climate.

By NUS Enterprise

^[1] https://news.crunchbase.com/venture/asia-startup-funding-tanks-eoy-2024/

Imagine an older adult who lives alone laughing and chatting while on a video call – with a jovial 3D avatar. On platforms like Replika, artificial intelligence (AI) companions can hold conversations that not only feel strikingly lifelike, but also generate a sense of connection akin to human relationships.

Such AI companions could even be used to improve the well-being of older adults who live alone by offering them opportunities to assist AI in tasks instead of the other way around, said Assistant Professor Yi-Chieh Lee, from the NUS Department of Computer Science. “We found that if people contribute to and ‘help’ the AI, they will increase their self-esteem and decrease their feelings of loneliness,” he said at an expert meeting held on 27 June 2025 at NUS. It was organised by NUS’ Centre for Family and Population Research (CFPR) in collaboration with Sweden’s Lund University.

Titled “AI-Powered Care Interventions and Support Systems for Older Persons with Limited Kin Availability”, the event drew a diverse slate of academics from Australia, Hong Kong, South Korea, and beyond, who discussed how AI may help fill the caregiving gap for older persons, particularly those ageing with limited family support. While AI has potential to support more personalised and integrated care, panellists emphasised not to overlook ethical concerns.

In Asst Prof Lee’s research, study participants were asked to help an AI agent named “Chatti” develop a messaging app by providing insights. Subsequently, they were asked to respond to emotive statements measuring their self-esteem and loneliness, such as “I am satisfied with myself” or “I feel that I lack companionship”. The award-winning study found that humans helping AI contributed to a greater sense of autonomy. In this way, AI can potentially help isolated older adults reconnect with society, he said.

Tech that lends a hand

Such AI solutions will play an increasingly crucial role as family networks shrink at an alarming rate. Research projects that by 2050, an average 65-year-old woman in China will have about 30 living relatives — down from 60 in 2000. Similar declines in kin availability are expected globally.

This means that older persons in the near future may have fewer family-based resources to draw on in old age, noted NUS Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Bussarawan “Puk” Teerawichitchainan, who is Co-Director of CFPR.  

This issue is equally pressing in Singapore, where the total fertility rate has been persistently low, plateauing at 0.97 since 2023. “We must ask, how can emerging technologies, particularly AI-powered technology, complement family and community-based support systems?” said Assoc Prof Bussarawan, who co-organised the expert meeting with Dr Wenqian Xu, a postdoctoral fellow at Lund University.

AI can help to ease labour shortages in healthcare while making care more personalised. Associate Professor Moon Choi from the KAIST Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy in South Korea noted how AI-powered phone services like CLOVA CareCall are already conducting weekly check-ins with older adults in South Korea, which is currently experiencing a shortage of nurses.

AI is also increasingly viewed as a key enabler of future living environments designed to support ageing in place for all older adults, particularly those with limited kin ties. Dr Kentaro Watanabe from Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) emphasised that smart home environments must integrate both technological and social resources to adapt effectively to the evolving needs of older adults.

Looking ahead, AI could enable hyper-personalised support and care through the use of digital twins — virtual models that mirror an individual’s physical and biological traits. Professor Vivian Lou from the University of Hong Kong is working with her team to develop a digital twin based on her own skeletal and muscle data. Such projects could pave the way for support and care that is ultra-tailored to an individual’s healthcare needs.

But Professor Pei-Lee Teh of Monash University Malaysia offered a word of caution. “AI should complement, not replace a human. It may monitor our health, but it cannot hold our hand the way that our children, family, or friends can,” she said.

AI’s hidden biases

Like humans, AI is susceptible to bias. For example, it can be ageist, said Associate Professor Xin Zhang of Peking University.

Specifically, AI scores high in “benevolent ageism” – a well-meaning yet patronising attitude that assumes an older person needs help. Dr Kathryn Lynn Muyskens, a research fellow at NUS’ Centre for Biomedical Ethics, referred to it as “a form of misrecognition and a failed connection”, adding that it can contribute to the widespread issue of loneliness among older adults, rather than help to solve it.

“It’s good to have a robot that seeks engagement and offers some sort of amusement to the older person. But if we’re talking about older adults who are lonely, this isn’t an antidote,” she said. “I’ve never felt lonelier personally than when I’m in a crowded room, for example. It’s the misrecognition in society that can make you feel lonelier.”

Care infrastructure for older adults therefore needs to be centred on older adults themselves, not what others, including AI, think they need, said Assoc Prof Zhang.

Even older adults with cognitive conditions, such as dementia, can be included in the conversation. “The idea that people living with dementia have no agency is something we need to question… in my experience, you can still engage them in co-designing technology and solutions,” said Dr Barbara Barbosa Neves from the University of Sydney.

For some attendees, the meeting sparked new awareness and hope. “(It) inspired me to talk to older adults to understand what they’re really looking out for,” said Harry Wu, a Year 2 Business undergraduate from NUS who attended the event.

“We need to hear from older adults about what they think they need,” added the 21-year-old, who is also minoring in AI.

At the end of the day, technology is a double-edged sword. “With one hand it gives, and with the other, it takes away,” said Dr Muyskens. The question is, as she put it: “Will (AI) make us more or less human?”

“This event marks just the beginning of much-needed interdisciplinary dialogues on how AI can be thoughtfully integrated into care systems,” said the expert meeting’s organiser Assoc Prof Teerawichitchainan. “Singapore and several Asian societies are facing profound family and demographic transitions, and we must explore how technology can support, not replace, human care.”

“Co-designing technologies, research and policies with older adults, caregivers, and other key stakeholders is essential,” added co-organiser Dr Xu. “That’s how we create care systems that are both innovative and inclusive.”

The Faculty of Law at the National University of Singapore (NUS Law) is proud to announce a world first in legal publishing: a podcast series based on articles from the Singapore Journal of Legal Studies (SJLS). Produced using Google’s AI-powered tool, NotebookLM, this marks the first time a legal journal has used generative AI to turn peer-reviewed legal research into accessible audio content.

The initiative reflects NUS Law’s commitment to building on its academic legacy while embracing new ways to share legal knowledge. By converting academic writing into podcast episodes designed for a general audience, NUS Law aims to make complex legal ideas easier to understand, without compromising on intellectual depth.

“This innovation underscores NUS Law’s commitment to thought leadership, academic excellence, and public engagement,” said Professor Andrew Simester, Dean of NUS Law. “We’re proud to be leading the way globally by using technology to extend the reach and relevance of legal research. It is a key part of our vision to be that bridge between legal academia and society.”

Established in 1959, SJLS is one of the oldest law journals in the British Commonwealth and a cornerstone of legal commentary in Singapore and the region. It is managed by NUS Law and guided by an international Advisory Board. Its articles cover a wide spectrum of legal issues, from domestic to international developments, with particular focus on Singapore, Asia, and the broader common-law world.

While the journal’s readership traditionally includes lawyers, academics, and legal observers, the podcast series would benefit the wider legal community, business leaders and policy makers. The full articles remain available under open access on the SJLS website, while the podcasts present concise, approachable summaries to spark interest beyond the legal field.

Professor Julien Chaisse from the City University of Hong Kong, whose work is featured in the series said: “This format is engaging and I am genuinely impressed by the way it brings legal academic writing into a more accessible format without losing its substance.”

Professor Emilios Avgouleas, Chair of International Banking Law and Finance at the University of Edinburgh, added: “This is an impressive initiative that uses modern technology to disseminate legal and interdisciplinary scholarship more widely. It is truly the future for the distribution of law journal content.”

The podcast is available for free on Spotify, with new episodes released regularly.

Listen to the Singapore Journal of Legal Studies Podcast on Spotify.

In this series, NUS News explores how NUS is accelerating sustainability research and education in response to climate change challenges, and harnessing the knowledge and creativity of our people to pave the way to a greener future for all.

From food security to renewable energy and sustainable finance, a new generation of student changemakers is redefining what sustainability looks like. Though they may not come from traditional sustainability backgrounds, these students – hailing from different colleges, faculties, and schools across NUS – share one common goal: taking meaningful action on climate issues that matter most to them.

Whether it is addressing challenges in food systems, supporting the transition to electric vehicles or advancing green finance solutions, their efforts reflect the limitless potential of youth-led initiatives, strengthened by the rigorous academic foundation that NUS provides, in building a more sustainable future for all.

Cultivating ideas on food security from the ground up

Sustainability was not on his radar before university but the curriculum at the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences opened his eyes to a whole new world of interdisciplinary learning in sustainability education. Majoring in Geography — with its unique integration of human, physical, and political-economic perspectives — and minoring in Political Science and Geosciences provided Lei Hong Wei a better understanding of how diverse stakeholders interact in the fight against climate change.

Recounting his journey into environmental action, Hong Wei shared how he joined the NUS Students' Association for Visions of the Earth (NUS SAVE) in his first year before progressing to take on leadership roles in his second and third years of university. While he initially focused on sustainability metrics and reducing waste at student events like NUSSU Rag & Flag and Supernova, he soon found joy participating in gardening events and nature walks.

“I was trying out gardening at home during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 and was experimenting with different seeds and growth methods,” he recalled. “Seeing my chillies and long beans grow and eventually bear fruit was delightful, which made me really want to share the joy of gardening with my friends. While individual efforts in contributing to our nation's food security agenda may be minute, I thought forming a community first is essential.”

Feeling inspired, Hong Wei who was then the Co-Director of NUS SAVE’s Green Canteens cell, reached out and collaborated with the University Campus Infrastructure to establish a rooftop garden at the Education Resource Centre in NUS University Town in June 2023. The fresh produce harvested from the garden was used in plant-based cooking workshops aimed at promoting sustainable living among students. NUS SAVE also advocated for the installation of a rainwater harvesting system to help automate irrigation and provide additional water for the plants during extremely hot days.

Outside of school, Hong Wei contributes to an environmental non-governmental organisation by providing policy feedback on coastal reclamation projects, volunteers at a rooftop farm in Orchard, and guides public nature walks to promote environmental awareness. Most recently, he completed an internship with the National Climate Change Secretariat, where he examined how rising temperatures may increase cooling demand — and with it, emissions — highlighting the intricacies between climate, infrastructure, and resource use. After his graduation in July, Hong Wei hopes to work at the intersection of food security and sustainability.

Translating passion into action through EV charging solutions

After enrolling in NUS Computer Science in 2018, Benjamin Long made a bold decision to leave university and run his start-up full-time. In 2021, he decided to return to NUS with renewed purpose ─ to deepen his technical expertise so as to grow in his role as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the start-up.

“I’ve always been fascinated by technology, and in my view, NUS is the best local institution for computing,” he shares. This time, Benjamin chose to pursue Computer Engineering instead, to gain a deeper understanding of both hardware and software. “The hands-on exposure helped me approach problems with more rigour and confidence.”

He cites IT2900: Technical Management and Leadership as one of the most impactful courses he had taken as it had helped him develop essential leadership qualities such as self-awareness, resilience, and empathy—which he now draws on when navigating complex multi-stakeholder discussions and communicating climate issues. He added that some of the most rewarding moments of his NUS journey came from engaging with its world-class faculty who expanded his worldview and reinforced the importance of pairing technical excellence with visionary thinking to address the climate crisis.

Driven by a desire to learn as much as possible, Benjamin joined the NUS Overseas Colleges programme in Thailand during his third year of study to immerse himself in the vibrant entrepreneurship scene. The experience provided insights into how local context shapes sustainability priorities across ASEAN, broadened his regional perspective and underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration.

Eager to apply what he had learned, Benjamin brought these valuable insights back to his start-up – Beep Technologies. The company pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to address a key challenge in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, namely, the fragmented charging experience where drivers must download multiple apps to access chargers operated by different networks. To tackle this, the start-up built a roaming network that aggregates various charging operators into a single interface. Its latest product — an "EV Charging" mini-app that is integrated within the AXS Drive app — allows users to access over 4,000 charge points across the region without the need to register for multiple accounts. Beep Technologies is also partnering with logistics companies to electrify their fleets, driven by a shared belief in building a greener future.

Although sustainability wasn’t Benjamin’s initial focus, his work has naturally evolved in that direction. “Reading the book “Our Choice” by Al Gore when I was a teenager was a turning point. It showed me that we can build a better world without sacrificing the environment through renewables, hydrogen and EVs.”

Set to graduate from NUS this July, Benjamin is grateful for the university’s academic rigour, which sharpened his skills and supercharged his entrepreneurship journey. Looking ahead, he is committed to continue creating meaningful environmentally-conscious solutions that make a lasting impact.

Bridging passion and purpose in sustainable finance

From a young age, Lee Xin Chun felt a deep connection to nature. Her childhood was filled with time outdoors, and fast forward to today, as a freediver, she witnesses first-hand the impact of climate change and pollution on marine ecosystems. These encounters have shaped her commitment to finding solutions that protect the environment while driving meaningful change.

Her passion led her to the Sustainable and Green Finance Institute (SGFIN), where she is currently in the final stages of completing her Master of Science in Sustainable and Green Finance. Despite the complexities and ever-evolving nature of sustainability, she credits the professors’ unwavering dedication in mentoring the next generation.

“The professors at SGFIN are conducting cutting-edge research into the growing field of sustainable finance. They teach us important skills to communicate the material importance of sustainability to corporates. They are the best people to learn from.”

Xin Chun attributes some of the most valuable lessons she learnt during her master’s programme to her classmates from around the world. Learning and collaborating with them allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of sustainability through diverse cultural and national lenses. Together, they participated in several international forums and conferences, where they benefitted from the sharing by leading experts and industry professionals.

Beyond academia, Xin Chun is also the chairperson of the Inter-University Environmental Coalition (IUEC), comprising members from various environmental groups across different universities in Singapore. IUEC aims to foster greater collaboration across the local universities, government agencies and other stakeholders so as to advance more systemic sustainability initiatives across the universities.

Believing that human connection is essential to long-term collaboration, under her leadership, Xin Chun fostered a culture of trust and mutual understanding through open and candid conversations, even among groups with differing motivations. One of the key stakeholders in this effort is the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment of Singapore, with which she has been engaging since 2022 to strengthen youth-government collaborations.

Looking ahead, Xin Chun is currently busy involved in the planning of the upcoming Sustainability Youth Festival 2025, co-organised by IUEC and non-profit organisation EB Impact on 1 August 2025. The Festival will feature a sustainability hackathon and conference, and aims to engage over 1,000 students from primary to tertiary levels to deepen their understanding about sustainability. She is also looking forward to graduating in August and beginning her career in sustainable finance.

More than just a place to earn a degree, NUS is also where students learn about real-world challenges, such as those faced by underserved communities.

We speak to four graduates who are using the skills they learnt at NUS to contribute to causes they care about.

Dylan Ee, Edwin Chuah, Roshen Sidhu: Designing solutions for persons with disabilities

Tapping their EZ-Link cards at the MRT fare gate is a routine few commuters here give much thought to. But for individuals with muscle-related disorders, which affect basic movements like walking and standing, the simple action can be a challenging task.

Due to muscle weakness, even raising their arms to tap their EZ-link card or asking for assistance at the gantry can be a strenuous task, said Edwin Chuah.

This was a task for the final year biomedical engineering major to solve as part of his coursework in the course Assistive Technology for Persons with Disability offered under the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) at NUS.

The course is also part of the Biomedical Engineering for Good (bGood) initiative under the Department of Biomedical Engineering at NUS CDE, which lets students tap their biomedical engineering skills to develop solutions for real-world problems through technical electives.

With the guidance of his professors, Edwin designed a prototype called ARMovin. The robotic exoskeleton is attached to the user’s wheelchair and aids with physical movement such as raising their arm.

ARMovin has since been tested successfully by Edwin’s client who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. “With ARMovin, I hope that (individuals with disabilities) will be able to use public transport to get around independently,” said Edwin.

His classmate, Dylan Ee, also took part in bGood with the aim of helping others. Together with his coursemate Roshen Sidhu, they developed WheeLift — a height-adjustable wheelchair that improves accessibility for users.

To their delight, the prototype, which took more than a year to develop, drew positive feedback from testers during a trial. “It wasn’t just a classroom project, it had a real purpose. Seeing our creation make a difference was quite rewarding,” said Dylan. 

The trio — who are friends from their polytechnic days and are all 26 years old — plan to launch a social enterprise to take their solutions to market in the future.

Explaining the decision, Roshen said, “One of the main challenges is that even with a promising prototype, it can be difficult to find someone to carry the work forward after the semester ends — whether to further develop it or to bring it to market or the intended users.”

Thus, they were inspired to set up the social enterprise, which they have yet to name. “(It) aims to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities as well as their caregivers by providing affordable and customisable (assistive) devices. We hope to address these unmet needs,” said Edwin.

Dylan credits the bGood programme for the fruitful journey. “The programme allowed me to see problems through the eyes of the user,” he said. More crucially, it taught him to use his engineering skills to improve the lives of others.

“The shift from building for functionality to building for meaningful impact has shaped how we approach this social enterprise,” he added.

Clarissa Ong: Using her small business to fundraise for animals 

While some people picked up new hobbies during the COVID-19 pandemic, NUS Life Sciences major Clarissa Ong turned hers into a business. In 2021, she set up an online shop called theclaywagon, which sells polymer clay handicrafts such as earrings and keychains.

The custom-made accessories were well-received — and she even managed to use her platform to raise funds for an animal shelter at risk of closing down.

“Although I was unsure how successful the fundraiser would be, I decided that there was no harm in giving it a shot,” said Clarissa, 23. “Through the efforts of myself and other generous donors, the shelter managed to avoid closure.”

Despite the promising start, building a business from scratch was not easy. As sales picked up, she had to juggle schoolwork with the time-consuming task of designing and handcrafting her wares.

She also had to navigate the unfamiliar world of business marketing. That prompted her to take up a communications course at the NUS College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS).

“I learnt how to market my brand more effectively and design better collateral, such as posters, name cards, and information sheets,” Clarissa said.

What started as curiosity quickly turned into deep interest. She eventually completed a minor in Communications and New Media, and picked up coding in R and intermediate Korean through CHS courses.

In 2024, she further honed her retail skills by displaying her clay crafts at the Student Entrepreneur’s Market — supported by the university store NUS Co-op — where she modified her product packaging and display to cater to walk-in customers.

Her efforts to grow her business paid off. She went on to score a collaboration with food delivery company Deliveroo and sushi restaurant Maki-san, which commissioned her to produce keychains for a Chinese New Year 2025 campaign.

“I hope my creations will be able to bring joy to those who see them while also supporting meaningful causes,” said Clarissa, who is also an NUS Merit Scholarship and NUS Science – Dennis H. Murphy Merit Scholarship holder.

Besides fundraising for animals in need, she has volunteered with the Ministry of Social and Family Development as a befriender under ComLink — a government initiative that aims to uplift lower-income families for greater social mobility.

Clarissa notes that volunteering has opened her eyes to real-world problems outside of campus. “I often found myself learning valuable lessons from the families I met and being inspired by their resilience, strength, and generosity even in the face of uncertainty.”

After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in science communication, which will marry her twin interests in life sciences and communications.

“NUS’ interdisciplinary approach has helped me develop key qualities like resilience and adaptability while equipping me with the skills to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to a broader audience,” she added.

Her work on theclaywagon shows no signs of stopping either, and she has since expanded its offerings to include handmade ceramic products. Spurred by her earlier fundraising success, she continues to donate some of her profits to animal shelters.

“I used to believe that only big actions could truly make a difference,” she added. “However, throughout my academic journey, I received a lot of help from those around me, which allowed me to understand that even small gestures could make a big impact.”

• The Business Times, 17 July 2025, p21

Education, as anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela once said, is the most powerful weapon one can use to change the world. Three Master’s graduates share how they are applying what they learnt at NUS to enact change in their own ways.

Emily Yap: Healthcare from the heart

As people scrambled to stock up on essentials after Singapore raised the COVID-19 pandemic risk assessment to DORSCON Orange in February 2020, Emily Yap, who was a nursing undergraduate then, immediately worried for the safety of her grandmother, who was their family’s primary grocery shopper.

“If I’m worried about my grandmother, what about other elderly and low-income families? I felt that I needed to do something,” she said.

So she set up a ground-up initiative called Dunearn Youth with her friends in 2020, delivering groceries to the elderly and lower-income households. “Seeing the gratitude and relief on the faces of those we helped filled me with a warmth and purpose I had never experienced before,” said Emily. 

This experience led her to work in palliative care after completing her nursing degree in 2021. Working closely with palliative patients at Alexandra Hospital, she saw how life-limiting conditions impacted not just the patients, but their entire families, placing emotional and physical strain on caregivers.

As her passion and desire to help palliative patients and their caregivers grew, the Senior Staff Nurse enrolled in the Master of Public Health programme at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health in 2023 so she could play a more effective role in helping them overcome challenges.

Emily was drawn to the programme’s comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, which allowed her to pick up skills like developing health proposals and programme evaluation.

They came in handy when Emily and her group members were assessing a rehabilitation programme for the elderly and recommending interventions to make it more effective. “(These skills) help you understand not only what the main problem is, but also what contributes to it. And from there, we can identify where and how to apply interventions meaningfully,” she explained.

The one-year programme also helped Emily overcome her fear of speaking up. The change was sparked by a professor’s words when her class had remained silent instead of participating in a discussion: “The greatest skill a public health practitioner should have is the courage to speak up. Without it, there can be no progress.”

It spurred her to speak up at the workplace as an advocate for change. “It made me feel like it’s okay for me to say constructive things that can improve the current state (of things),” said Emily, now 26.

In 2023, Emily received the Healthcare Humanity Award (Individual) presented by the National University Health System. The award recognised not only her compassionate care for patients but also her efforts to extend that care beyond hospital walls, reaching out to support and uplift the wider community.

To Emily, the recognition is more than just a personal validation; it is a powerful call to action to continue creating impact through compassionate leadership as the founder of Dunearn Youth. As she spearheads programmes to combat social isolation among the elderly and envisions launching support systems for caregivers in the near future, she aspires to galvanise others toward building a kinder, more connected community, demonstrating how real change begins with people who care enough to act.

“I want to be more than just a participant, I hope to be a catalyst for positive change, using both my clinical insights and public health training to meet the needs of the people and ensure that no patient or caregiver falls through the cracks.”

Douglas Wong: Policymaking for the elderly

When Douglas Wong’s parents started planning for retirement, they realised that they would struggle with their current financial circumstances. His father, who worked in a wet market, was considered self-employed, and was mandated to contribute only to his Medisave account. Without adequate financial planning, he lacked financial support in other areas. 

Although Douglas managed to come up with solutions for them, there were many others who might not have the privilege of relying on trusted relatives for such support and advice. “That was when I thought perhaps public policy is that avenue for me to express my newfound drive for change in society,” said the 31-year-old.

He quit a promising job in airport operations planning and enrolled in the Master in Public Policy programme at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in 2023 with the goal of understanding social policies, including how to better manage seniors’ retirement needs.

Despite the steep learning curve, Douglas found the two-year programme comprehensive and rewarding, as it equipped him with a strong foundation in programming, data analysis, and economic frameworks for policy evaluation and development. To ensure he could keep up with discussions and communicate his ideas clearly, he took optional classes on effective writing and presentation skills and spent extra time studying the language of economics in public policy.

His cohort, which had a mix of international and local students, as well as the school’s cross-cultural programme, gave him insights into how outsiders viewed Singapore policies, and how they developed their own. Guest lectures by prominent figures in public policy, such as former Singapore Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, further enriched his learning.

In 2024, thanks to funding from LKYSPP, Douglas was able to go to Japan for his final-year project to study the issue of deploying manpower for long-term care as Singapore’s ageing population continues to grow. There, they spoke with various stakeholders — from Japanese civil servants to healthcare workers — to better understand their healthcare landscape and derive useful insights for Singapore.

He noted: “This goes beyond the ageing cohort, because while I am young now, I will become old in the future, and I very much hope to live in a society where we have a strong supporting workforce for healthcare.”

After graduation, Douglas hopes to join the public service as a policymaker and contribute to issues pertaining to the ageing population. “There are a lot of avenues within the public service to inch towards the kind of change that I envision for society,” he said.

Haja Mohideen: Building a strong foundation through lifelong learning

Three to four times a week over the past two years, Haja Mohideen swapped his civil engineer hard hat out for pen and paper at the NUS campus after office hours.

At 59, he holds a steady job as Lead Resident Engineer at Surbana Jurong Consultant Pte Ltd. But he believes one is never too old to learn. Despite having two bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and mechanical engineering and a graduate certificate in geotechnical engineering, he returned to school in 2023 to pursue the Master of Science (Civil Engineering) at NUS College of Design and Engineering.

Working on massive construction projects exposed him to the challenges of Singapore’s complex soil terrain and sparked his interest in understanding appropriate mitigation measures such as constructing additional support structures, maintaining adequate moisture levels, and monitoring soil compaction. He was also keen to learn techniques for constructing smaller structural beams and columns without compromising their strength.

The NUS programme — designed for working professionals in the civil engineering and built environment sector — was the perfect fit. The lessons on site evaluation and new engineering techniques like high-strength concrete and composite construction came in useful at work almost immediately. During an excavation, for instance, he taught his colleagues to identify different types of soil they encountered.

The two-year programme also taught him cutting-edge software in the labs, which further honed his technical skills. But the highlight of his time at NUS was the culture of support.

“(The staff) offered personalised academic advice and really helped me assess my capacity. They recommended a suitable number of courses I could take each semester,” he said, adding that his professors would hop onto Zoom calls with him whenever the need arose.

As the oldest student in the cohort, he picked up collaborative problem-solving skills and tech capabilities from his younger classmates. The learning went both ways, as in return, Haja shared with them practical insights from his work experience and advice on time management and building a successful career.

“One of the most powerful things you can do for yourself is to take your future seriously,” he said. “When procrastination whispers that you will do it later, don’t listen, do it now. You don’t have to be perfect, but every step you take towards being organised is a step towards being in control of your life.”

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Entrepreneurship is a risky business, even for those with extensive experience and ample connections. These five enterprising graduates from the NUS Class of 2025 have combined innovation and perseverance to take their tech start-ups to the next level.

Sindhu Mohan and Vishnu Sundaresan: Helping people Snowball to the best version of themselves

It started as a chance meeting in New York, then snowballed into something much bigger. In 2023, Sindhu Mohan, 20, and Vishnu Sundaresan, 22, found themselves paired up for a project while attending the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programme. They had to come up with a tech start-up idea, and their discussions soon revealed a shared frustration – effective time management in an age of endless distractions.

“I had to juggle school, the social media agency I started, and content creation for my personal brand, so I became crazy about optimising my time,” said Sindhu, who graduated on 15 July 2025 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from NUS Business School. 

The NOC project, which started as an AI productivity assistant, would later evolve into a social app, Snowball, focusing on helping people specifically with their personal time management. Snowball essentially lets users log any goal, hobby, habit or any activity that they consider a “win”. Users can choose whether to keep each log private, shared with only close friends, or opened to everyone. It takes inspiration from similar apps like Duolingo and Instagram, but with an opposite aim – encouraging users to get off their phones to engage in meaningful activities in the real world, which they can then log in Snowball to share their progress with others.

After returning to Singapore in 2024, the duo secured a S$10,000 grant from the NUS Venture Initiation Programme. Snowball soft-launched in April 2025 for beta testing and now has over 100 users. After getting their start at NUS Enterprise's The Hangar, an on-campus incubator, they applied to The Furnace, an incubator under the NUS School of Computing's (NUS Computing), for additional office space during the semester.

“We also get access to mentorship at The Furnace and have even been able to hire interns, thanks to NUS Computing,” said Vishnu, who graduated with a Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours (Distinction) on 12 July 2025. Crediting the internships and core modules he took in school for strengthening his technical skill set, Vishnu noted that he also honed his leadership skills while serving as a Residential Assistant at Tembusu College.  

For Sindhu, staying at ENterprise House (N-House), an entrepreneurship-themed student residence, introduced her to the world of tech start-ups. Her N-House friends nudged her to apply to NOC. A pivotal year being immersed in the New York City start-up ecosystem made her decide to pursue launching a tech start-up instead of continuing with the marketing agency she was already familiar with running.

Snowball is now targeting a market launch on 14 July. The co-founders have also set their sights on bringing the app to the United States, where inspiration for the app first took shape.

Andre Lim and Jed Ng: Empowering students through AI-powered education

Sitting in a corner of University Town’s Starbucks, two young men – Andre Lim and Jed Ng – scrutinised lines of computer code. They were building something that could change the way students learn. 

Such evenings were common for the co-founders of Check, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered agent which provides hyper-personalised help for students from secondary school to junior college. Launched in April 2025, the first-of-its-kind tutoring experience takes in queries from students and responds with curriculum-specific help.

Check was born out of Andre’s passion to help students learn better, having founded Singapore’s largest tutoring YouTube channel and a tuition centre. Some of his students, he recounted, hated studying geography but changed their minds after lessons with him, and are even pursuing the subject now.

To better cater to each student, Andre reimagined learning as a hyper-personalised experience powered by AI. But the NUS Business School graduate, now 25, knew he needed tech expertise to bring his idea to life. Andre coincidentally reconnected with Jed via LinkedIn, a peer from NUS Computing who had also attended the same secondary school. “I had always been drawn to start-ups over traditional corporate internships, so I started Check with Andre as a side project during my internship, to prototype ideas and explore possibilities,” Jed recalled, and what began as a side project soon evolved into a start-up.

Despite not having a computing background, Andre was no stranger to AI. During his field service project (FSP) in his final year, he worked with a healthtech company to launch an AI chatbot for doctors, giving him valuable experience and the idea to start an AI business. “NUS equips us well with theoretical knowledge, and ending the course with an FSP was a great way to apply what we had learned in a real-world setting,” said Andre.

Going on overseas exchanges — from attending a conference at the Harvard College in Asia Program to a semester-long Student Exchange Programme in Norway — also gave Andre valuable insights into diverse education systems, which would be handy when Check goes global.

For Jed, his computer science modules armed him with foundational knowledge. “For instance, the software engineering modules were instrumental in teaching me some of the best practices,” he said. 

Besides initial funding from Iterative, a start-up accelerator focused on ventures in Southeast Asia, Check has also drawn the interest of some 30 local and overseas investors. Since its launch, the platform has gained over 200 users, with the majority of them being junior college students. “Our goal is to make private tuition accessible at scale,” said Andre.

Andre graduated on 15 July 2025 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship with Honours (Distinction), while Jed graduated on 12 July 2025 with a Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours.

Xie Qihuang: From pills to pixels – bridging the gap between patient care and technology

Xie Qihuang’s friends and relatives told him that taking a gap year would derail his carefully planned career. They were worried about adding another year to his already lengthy journey, which included a four-year scholarship bond. But Qihuang, a 26-year-old NUS Pharmacy graduate, took a leap of faith and used the time to participate in the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) programme. That decision would sow the seeds for Hesyra, his ambitious healthtech project aimed at helping to digitalise mundane administrative tasks so that healthcare providers can focus on patient care. 

To broaden his worldview, Qihuang opted for the year-long NOC programme in Sweden, driven by two key factors: its thriving health-tech scene and its unique 'lagom' culture, a Swedish word which embodies their philosophy of balance and moderation in all aspects of life. He wanted to learn from one of the leading healthcare innovation hubs in Europe while also being exposed to a more balanced life philosophy, a stark contrast to his experience in Singapore. This journey of discovery included studying Entrepreneurial Studies at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and interning at a health-tech firm, Encare.

As a product management intern at Encare, Qihuang helped design a feature that enabled hospitals to benchmark surgical outcomes using metrics that were not only technically feasible but, more importantly, clinically meaningful. The experience proved transformative. “Technologists may spot inefficiencies, but clinicians understand the reasons behind them, which are often rooted in patient safety or care continuity. These experiences taught me to bridge both worlds, translating the nuanced needs of healthcare professionals and patients into the language of data analysts and engineers,” he said. 

The pieces came together during an NOC module, when Qihuang revisited an NUS MedTech Society project with the Singapore Cancer Society — a chatbot to help cancer patients access critical information. The experience had also exposed him to the reality of patients struggling to have all their questions answered within limited consultation time. When he returned to Singapore, he decided to build on these inspirations and set up Hesyra in April 2024. The name Hesyra combines the "He–" syllable, symbolising health and healing, with the "–syr" syllable, which is a blend between a system and scribe – reflecting Qihuang’s vision of supporting clinicians with tools that allow them to truly hear and be present in the conversation with their patients.

While not a registered company yet, Hesyra’s first product — an ambient transcription tool that transcribes doctor-patient conversations and generates comprehensive notes — is being tested in private clinics ahead of its launch on 31 July 2025. The solution removes the need for notetaking, allowing doctors to give more time and attention to patients, maximising consultations for them.

“My supervisor in Sweden once told me that there are a thousand things I can do, but only a few that will move the needle. For me, moving the needle means combining clinical experience with an entrepreneurial mindset. I aim to start on the frontlines of pharmacy, understanding the challenges my colleagues and patients face, and use that first-hand experience to build technology that truly serves them,” said Qihuang.

Qihuang will be graduating today, 17 July 2025, with a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours (Highest Distinction). Even as he embarks on his pharmacy career in a public hospital after Commencement, he remains focused on his long-term vision of innovating within the healthcare space. He is dedicated to scaling Hesyra in his own time, transforming his frontline experience into practical, tech-enabled solutions that improve the lives of patients and the workflows of clinicians.

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

By Dr Jonathan Sim, Assoc Fellow of the NUS Teaching Academy and Lecturer, Dept of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at NUS

• CNA Online, 16 July 2025

By Professor C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor from the Institute of South Asian Studies at NUS

• The Straits Times, 16 July 2025, Opinion, pB2

• Tamil Murasu, 13 July 2025, p13

• The Sunday Times, 13 July 2025, Life, pC7

• CNA, 12 July 2025
• 8world Online, 12 July 2025
• Suria News Online, 12 July 2025
• The Sunday Times, 13 July 2025, Singapore, pA15
• Lianhe Zaobao, 13 July 2025, Front Page
• Berita Minggu, 13 July 2025, p2

• The Sunday Times, 13 July 2025, Singapore, pA16
• The New Paper, 13 July 2025

By Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore

An abridged version of the foreword written for How Singapore Beat the Odds: Insider Insights on Governance in the City-State by Associate Professor Terence Ho, from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS

• The Straits Times, 12 July 2025, Opinion, pB2

• Berita Harian Online, 11 July 2025

• 8world Online, 12 July 2025

When it comes to juggling life’s many commitments, these three NUS graduates from the Class of 2025 are in a league of their own. Not only did they thrive in their studies, but they also stood out for their relentless pursuit of sporting excellence.

Rebecca Ong: Composure under pressure on and off the piste

As the creepy figure dressed as a vampire slowly made her way on stage, the audience at Playhouse 2023/24, NUS Medical Society’s annual drama production, watched on in fear and suspense. Nailing the corpse-like role was Rebecca Ong Jia Min, who starred in the original play titled The Department of Occult Medicine. She had auditioned for the role to enjoy another side of university life. “I wanted to experience the arts, and NUS gave me that chance.”

This shot at theatrical exploration was a refreshing departure for the passionate athlete and one of many experiences Rebecca embraced during her university years. Having picked up fencing in 2011 when she was 10, Rebecca has represented Singapore in multiple Southeast Asian (SEA) Games since 2019. She was part of the team that won Singapore’s first gold in women’s team épée at the 2022 SEA Games.

“We trained very hard and cohesively. During the matches, we each knew our roles because we had practised as a team many times before. We knew when we had to go all out to score points and when we had to focus on holding the score. We fought hard together and cheered each other on,” she said.

Rebecca credits her many years in competitive sports for setting a foundation for her medical career. She is currently a house officer at the National University Hospital.

“Fencing and medicine both demand split-second decision-making under pressure,” she explained. “In a bout that’s only three minutes long, you don’t have time to think twice. It’s similar to emergency situations we encounter in the hospital.”

Her university journey also offered many opportunities to explore different areas of interest during the elective periods, from tending to snakebite victims in Taiwan as part of a rural medicine elective to studying oil painting in Rome for a fine art elective. 

“Overall, the NUS Medicine curriculum has been very enriching. It has given me many eye-opening experiences and some of the fondest memories of my university days,” she reflected. Due to the demanding schedule while transitioning from student to doctor, Rebecca has scaled back her fencing commitments for now, but continues to spar with her juniors and give them pointers to improve. 

“Just like in medicine, I’ve realised that I really enjoy taking time to learn about others’ lives and offer help where I can,” she said. 

Rebecca graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery on 10 July 2025. 

Mirza Nabil: Building mental fortitude through martial arts 

For Mirza Nabil Putra Azhar, silat is more than a sport — it was a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

He had enrolled in the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies in 2021, when most classes were held online. But while on the silat mats at the Multipurpose Sports Hall, he found the engagement he had been craving in a pandemic-disrupted world.

“Silat was my second home,” he said. “I heard about silat for the very first time during orientation. The NUS Silat Captain back then described the student sports group as a family — and that’s exactly what it became for me.”

Over four years, Mirza rose through the ranks at NUS Silat, clinching golds in the artistic team category at the National Tertiary Silat Competitions in 2022 and 2023, a gold in the doubles category at the same competition in 2023, as well as a bronze at the 2024 ASEAN University Games.

He cites venturing out of his comfort zone as his biggest achievement. “It wasn’t the medals. It was pushing myself to compete in two categories. That was my personal mountain,” he noted. “When I did it, it proved to me that I could handle more than I had thought possible.”

His journey was not always smooth. He had to deal with a series of personal losses, including the passing of his uncle and grandmother.

During that time, he drew strength from his loved ones and found solace in the practice of silat. “Sharing my struggles with my close friends and family helped. I would say silat also helped my mental health — I was able to see steady progress in this physical endeavour, and that really boosted my confidence.”

Mirza also discovered another passion through his nursing course: the field of mental health. “The importance of reaching out to others is underrated. Your emotions are valid, and you must know how to articulate them,” he said. It was also this discovery that inspired his graduation thesis on psychotherapeutic interventions that improve the psychological well-being of Muslims with depression.

Beyond the classroom, Mirza served as the Vice President and Head of Programmes for the NUS Muslim Society, where he led numerous initiatives to uplift the student community, strengthen bonds within the wider campus population, and contribute meaningfully to society at large.

He will continue to pursue his deep passion for mental wellbeing and serving others when he embarks on his career as a nurse with the Institute of Mental Health in August.

Mirza graduated on 10 July 2025 with a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Honours (Highest Distinction).

Vivien Tai: Syncing to focus and discipline

Asked by a friend to give artistic swimming a try at age 10, Vivien Tai Wen Ting gamely said yes — and eventually went on to make a splash in the artistic swimming arena.

After she qualified for the national team, one of her earliest memorable achievements was a gold in the team free routine at the 2017 SEA Games. She then went on to captain the team at the 2023 Asian Games, where they placed fifth – Singapore’s best-ever team showing at the regional competition.

Juggling the intense training with her Bachelor of Pharmacy studies was no walk in the park. During weekdays, Vivien would spend her days at school before heading off for training in the evening. The pace hardly let up on weekends – she would train from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and from 8am to 1pm on Sundays.

“There were days I wanted to give up. But the responsibility that I owed to the team is what kept me going on hard days,” she shared.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she would even attend online classes by the poolside to be on time for training. She is grateful to her professors and schoolmates, who would check in on her if she missed any classes or needed to catch up on her schoolwork.

“I knew I had to plan ahead and manage my time well. In university, it’s very hard to catch up on a backlog, so I could not afford to fall behind,” she said.

NUS also made provisions for her when competitions clashed with her exams. For instance, she took her final examinations during the summer vacation break in 2023 due to her Asian Games commitments. “That kind of understanding was so crucial,” said Vivien.

She has since retired from competitive artistic swimming and is now working as an event operations executive at Singapore Aquatics while continuing to coach on the side. Nevertheless, she holds dear the precious lessons from her training days. “Artistic swimming taught me fortitude, time management, and empathy — especially on the bad days, when emotions are running high, you have to try to consider all points of view. These are qualities that go far beyond the pool”.

Vivien is confident that the breadth of her experiences will serve her well when she embarks on the journey towards obtaining her pharmacy license in the near future.

On 17 July 2025, Vivien will be graduating with a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Honours (Distinction).

This story is part of NUS News’ coverage of Commencement 2025, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2025. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2025 on our social media channels!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative tools in modern science and technology. However, its value extends beyond high-performance algorithms or advances in automation. At NUS, researchers are applying AI in practical, human-centred ways to improve lives across a range of everyday settings.

From empowering older adults to take charge of their cognitive health, to helping people with visual impairments navigate the world with greater immersion, and enabling better oral health through diet tracking, NUS researchers are designing AI innovations that respond to real needs in the community.

On AI Appreciation Day 2025, we celebrate the adaptive, context-aware AI innovations that empower independence, dignity, and decision-making, a departure from one-size-fits-all approaches. What unites them is a clear focus on accessibility, personalisation and long-term benefit, each playing a role in reshaping the lives of ordinary people through the power of AI.

CURATE.DTx: Personalised cognitive training to support healthy ageing

As Singapore’s population ages, the risk of age-related cognitive decline is becoming an increasingly urgent health concern. For many older adults, early signs of memory loss or mental fatigue may go unnoticed or unaddressed until more serious symptoms emerge. Spotting this gap, a research team at NUS has developed CURATE.DTx, a digital platform that uses AI to deliver personalised cognitive training and potentially identify early warning signs of cognitive decline in a simple, engaging format.

The CURATE.DTx platform is adapted from a NASA-designed system which simulates real-world tasks to understand the user’s responses. The NUS team, co-led by Associate Professor Bina Rai from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Design and Engineering (CDE) and Dr Alexandria Remus, who is the Head of Digital Therapeutics at both the Institute of Digital Medicine and N.1 Institute for Health (N.1) at NUS, designed a gamified experience that challenges seniors to manage four concurrent tasks, such as watering plants, feeding fish or responding to audio cues, within a two-minute session. Each task is designed to train a specific aspect of cognitive function such as attention, memory or coordination.

The crux of CURATE.DTx is how the game adapts in real time to the individual’s performance. Integrating the platform with CURATE.AI, an AI engine originally developed for personalised medicine, enables the system to continuously fine-tune the game’s difficulty level based on how a user performs. If a player completes a round with ease, the AI will gently increase the challenge; if they struggle, it will dial back the complexity. The goal is to keep users engaged at just the right level — not too easy to be boring, not too hard to be frustrating.

Unlike most AI systems that rely on large datasets from many people, CURATE.AI uses only the individual’s own data to generate a personalised cognitive profile. This “small data” approach ensures that each person’s cognitive training is tailored to their abilities and progression over time.

“Older adults are not a one-size-fits-all group. CURATE.DTx recognises that even the same person may perform differently from day to day. By using their own performance data to adapt and improve, the system offers training that is both personalised and dynamic,” said Dr Remus who is also Senior Research Fellow at the Heat and Resilience Performance Centre at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

As part of her thesis work, final-year NUS undergraduate student Cathlin Theophilus from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, CDE, helped to develop the latest adaptation of CURATE.DTx called “Life As A…” through several rounds of community testing with older adults.

“Designed with user-friendliness in mind, the game includes culturally familiar scenarios, like gardening, and intuitive touch controls. Participants receive positive feedback from a friendly virtual character and can earn in-game coins for completing tasks, reinforcing motivation without penalties for mistakes” said Assoc Prof Rai who is also a Principal Investigator at the N.1.

Early usability studies conducted in partnership with public hospitals, the first community engagement hub at the Health District@Queenstown, and BME for Good – an initiative by the Department of Biomedical Engineering at CDE - showed high engagement and willingness to continue playing. Many participants found the game enjoyable, especially when the storyline reflected familiar hobbies. Participants also identified the need for clear audio instructions and simplified interfaces.

Looking ahead, the team aims to refine the game’s mechanics further and test its long-term effectiveness in supporting cognitive health. Eventually, they aim to scale the tool for home use, making preventive cognitive care more accessible and less stigmatised.

SonicVista and AiSee: Enhancing daily living for the visually impaired through sound and smart assistance

Supporting independence in daily life is a key priority for people living with visual impairment. At NUS School of Computing, Associate Professor Suranga Nanayakkara and his team are developing tools that harness AI to address everyday challenges — to enhance how users connect with and enjoy the world around them and for functional navigation.

SonicVista is a mobile application that transforms panoramic scenes, such as parks or cityscapes, into immersive soundscapes. The application analyses an image of the user’s surroundings to identify key visual elements and generate realistic ambient audio: rustling leaves, distant church bells, and people conversing nearby. These AI-generated sounds are then layered with spoken descriptions to provide a multi-sensory experience of the environment.

The AI models behind SonicVista were trained to detect objects and simulate audio in a way that feels natural and spatially coherent. Instead of just hearing a list of what is around, users can experience the mood and texture of a scene through sound. For example, a visually impaired visitor to a garden might hear birdsong to the left, footsteps on gravel to the right and narration guiding them toward the next trail. This auditory experience brings leisure and exploration into reach, while preserving important environmental cues like voices or traffic.

Complementing SonicVista is AiSee, a wearable assistive device first developed in 2018. Since then, the team has introduced a range of improvements to make AiSee even more practical and intelligent. The current version features an open-ear speaker design that enhances comfort and allows environmental awareness, essential for safety and orientation.

More significantly, AiSee’s AI system now functions like a digital assistant that can perform complex tasks beyond simple object recognition, such as reading food labels and translating text. A video mode allows AiSee to assist users over extended activities, such as locating items at home or navigating a shopping centre. The team has been testing the device with visually impaired users in Singapore since late 2024, using feedback to refine both hardware and software. The NUS research team plans to include public trials at spaces like the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where visually impaired visitors can borrow a headset to explore the grounds independently.

“Our focus has always been on creating tools that empower, not just assist,” said Assoc Prof Nanayakkara. “Combining intelligent audio and interactive AI allows us to design technologies that help people experience more of the world on their own terms.”

Dental Diet Diary: improving dental health through informed diet-tracking

Tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, yet many people continue to underestimate how much their diet contributes to oral health issues. In Singapore, sugar-sweetened beverages and frequent snacking are widespread dietary habits, but patients often struggle to track how these behaviours affect their teeth. At the NUS Faculty of Dentistry, Assistant Professor Charlene Goh saw an opportunity to bridge the gap.

Together with collaborators from NUS School of Computing and Smart Systems Institute, they developed the Dental Diet Diary, a mobile tool that uses AI to recognise food from photos and offer personalised, dental-focused dietary feedback. The app was designed to support people in making small, informed dietary changes that could reduce their risk of dental caries.

The idea was sparked from conversations with dental students, who found traditional paper-based diet diaries to be inconvenient and outdated. Patients were often reluctant to complete them and, even when they did, dentists had little time to analyse the information in detail.

Existing nutrition-tracking apps tend to focus on calorie counting or general health. The Dental Diet Diary, however, combines deep learning with behavioural nudges tailored to the local context. Users simply snap a photo of their meal or drink, and the application’s AI model identifies the item and matches it to a nutritional database. The model was trained on over 200,000 images across 241 food categories, with a strong focus on familiar local dishes and beverages.

Once the food is recognised, the application highlights tooth decay-related factors such as sugar content, acidity and snacking frequency. Users receive real-time prompts, such as reminders to drink water after a sweetened kopi or to limit sticky desserts between meals. These messages are written in an informal, relatable style — “Do you ‘lim kopi’ with your buddies at tea time? Try asking for siew dai or kosong” — to help users connect the advice to their own habits.

“We wanted the app to be simple enough for everyday use, but also smart enough to guide meaningful change,” said Asst Prof Goh. “We’ve created a tool that supports oral health in a way that feels personal and relevant by narrowing the focus to caries prevention and designing around local diets.”

The project team includes researchers from the NUS School of Computing: Professor Ooi Beng Chin from the Department of Computer Science, Dr Zheng Kaiping, Senior Research Fellow with the NUS Database Systems Research Group, and Liu Changshuo, a PhD student. Together, they adapted existing food recognition technologies to better serve dental goals, reducing interface complexity and adding oral health education modules.