BIZAlum organised a NUS Cares Day on 3 September 2022 to clean up the East Coast beaches. NUS BIZ community; alumni, students, colleagues and friends from other faculties were busy keeping Singapore clean and green! Everyone wanted to give back to society and to meet together for a common goal, which is to make the activity both fun and fulfilling. Even the weather was in sync with our spirit, it was wonderfully bright and sunny that day. Singapore's otters were out and about watching us busy with the job on hand!

As part of NUS Cares Day 2022, the NUS Master of Science in Environmental Management (MEM) Alumni Group organised a beach clean-up event at Pasir Ris Park on 3 Sept. In addition to picking up rubbish, we examined the presence of microplastics to raise the awareness on this issue with the participants.

Public Health Service (PHS) is an annual health screening project organised by the NUS Medical Society that aims to promote health awareness amongst Singapore’s public. PHS was initiated in 2004 under the NUS Medical Society by a small but passionate group of medical students. From humble beginnings as a simple screening event with only 4 modalities, PHS has grown and matured tremendously to become one of the largest and most comprehensive student-led public health screenings in Singapore. Our flagship health screening is held free of charge and has 3 main components: Health Education, Health Screening and Follow-Up. The annual health screening was held from 20 Aug 2022 (Saturday) to 21 Aug 2022 (Sunday) in Jurong East, at the Canopy @ J-Link. This year, we served over 1000 Singaporeans and Permanent residents and reached out to more than 35,000 people in the community through door-to-door and on-site education. Our event also engaged hundreds of volunteers serving in the community, including passionate student volunteers from various healthcare institutions and healthcare workers.

NUS Alumni Manila visited the National Children’s Hospital, where they donated three 2000W speakers with microphones to be used for children’s gatherings, numerous health information lectures, and related administrative activities and events of the hospital initiated by the various hospital units. The NCH was selected as a project beneficiary given the chapter’s continuing focus on NUS Cares initiatives on institutions supporting indigent Filipino children. The 250-bed NCH is a special training, and tertiary level IV hospital located in Quezon City. Being a government-run hospital, funding is quite limited and mostly provided for operations. Other requirements, such as minor medical equipment and related tools for efficient services, were sourced from the private sector and non-profit organizations. The hospital has an average of 200 paediatric patients including 175 medical and administrative staff. After the formal turnover, the management of the NCH gave a tour of the hospital premises. This opened our eyes to the reality that the hospital needs more funding support from the private sector.

Members from the NUS Agility Network, which is a Community of Practice comprising NUS staff currently and formerly from the NUS Agility Office, partnered with TOUCH Community Service for their Meals-on-Wheels meal delivery programme. 38 volunteers from the Agility Network, including Deputy President (Administration), Mr Clarence Ti, delivered a total of 225 meals to seniors on the 20th and the 27th of September 2023. The volunteers were assigned the Bishan and Ang Mo Kio area and traveled from block to block to deliver the meals to needy seniors. Volunteers were heartened to see the smiles of appreciative seniors when they delivered their meals. Many seniors also engaged in warm conversation with the volunteers when they delivered their meals.

Bringing general healthcare services to our unsung campus heroes, University Health Centre (UHC) opened its doors on Saturday, 3 September to bus drivers, cleaners, and landscapers, providing free basic health screening to approximately 20 participants. Through this initiative, UHC intends to make their health our concern, and hopes to raise awareness on the importance of regular screening and maintaining an active lifestyle. Knowing the status of one’s health is important in taking the appropriate measures, and when a disease or condition is discovered through screening, one is able to receive early proper treatment and prevent further complications.

As the organiser of the beach clean-up event at Pasir Ris Beach, hosted by NUS Biodiversity, I couldn't be prouder of the collective effort and dedication exhibited by our participants and facilitators. It was an inspiring display of commitment to the environment and local biodiversity conservation. With 34 enthusiastic participants and four facilitators on board, we embarked on our mission to rid Pasir Ris Beach of marine litter. The objectives of our organisation align perfectly with the essence of such activities: conservation, education, and protection of local biodiversity and habitats. Events like these are vital in fostering environmental stewardship and raising awareness about the impact of marine debris on our ecosystems. The event surpassed all expectations, as we managed to collect a staggering 452kg of marine litter in just 1.5 hours of cleaning. It was heartening to witness everyone working tirelessly, united by a common goal. Every plastic bottle, every piece of Styrofoam, and every fishing net removed from the beach represented a step forward in safeguarding our precious marine life and ecosystems. However, as we wrapped up the clean-up, it became evident that our work was far from over. Despite the substantial amount of litter removed, there were still areas that required attention. The sight served as a sobering reminder of the ongoing battle against marine pollution and the need for sustained efforts in environmental conservation. Reflecting on the success of the event, I am filled with gratitude towards all those who contributed their time and energy. Their enthusiasm and dedication have reaffirmed my belief in the power of collective action and community engagement in tackling environmental challenges. As we bid farewell to Pasir Ris Beach, I am already looking forward to returning for future clean-up efforts. This event was just one of several that our cell conducts regularly; the others include citizen science efforts and nature guided walks. These are a part of our commitment to preserving local biodiversity and habitats in Singapore. Conservation begins with understanding, and events like these serve as poignant reminders of the destruction that our local ecosystems face, as well as the difference that we can make when we come together for a common cause.

On a bright and sunny 3 September 2022 morning, 30 volunteers planted 60 trees as part of their goal to restore and enhance the precious wetlands at Kranji Coastal Nature Park that make up Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve. We were joined by NUS President, Prof Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85), NUS Alumni Relations Director, Mr Bernard Toh (Architecture ’84), NUS Cares Chairperson, Mr Ho Junyi (Law and Public Policy ’11). Since November 2020, NUS Toddycats and Friends have been working to support NParks in establishing a coastal forest at Kranji Coastal Nature Park, within the Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve. This involves digging the grounds to receive the trees, preparing the soil mixtures to be added, topping up the planted holes with leaf litter, watering the trees, and undertaking sapling protection action to remove competing vegetation as well as adding supporting structures to give the newly-planted trees a higher chance of survival. Thanks to the close partnership with the NParks team at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve, we are able to do this every fortnight and see the site mature. We were glad to be able to conduct a session on NUS Cares day but the work continues. Do join us. Visit our blog for details and registration links https://toddycats.wordpress.com/

In collaboration with TOUCH Community Services, the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) delivered 235 dinner bento sets to needy seniors on 18 Jul 2022 via the “Meals on Wheels” initiative. CFG staff were split into 3 zones across Singapore, namely Toa Payoh, Bukit Batok and Jurong, and travelled from home to home, mostly by foot, to deliver meals to home-bound seniors unable to buy or prepare their own food. Volunteers were touched by the sincere smiles and heartfelt gratitude from the seniors, with many volunteers and seniors engaging in warm conversations. Through the course of the day, CFG staff also had the opportunity to bond closer with one another, and were inspired to continue to look for opportunities, whether in small or big ways, to give back to the wider community.

As part of the NUS CARES movement 2022, NUS Alumni Yangon made food and monetary donation to 119 elderly people in the Hnin Si Gone Home for Aged located at Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Yangon, Myanmar. The donation amount to 1,300,000 Kyats (SGD$650).

In the spirit of giving, NUS College partnered with Food Bank Singapore to organise a year-end Food Drive. The lovely idea was seeded by our alumna, Gabriel May Moe Kyaw (Life Sciences + NUSC [USP] ’23), who is also an NUSC Class Ambassador. Students, staff and alumni came together to donate food items to those in need. A total of 110kg of food donations were collected, including rice, milo, canned foods and much more to our beneficiaries. It was a meaningful way of spreading festive joy to the wider community in Singapore.

The NUS Society (NUSS) invited low-income families and their loved ones suffering from end-stage diseases for a family day out at the Dover Park Hospice Day Care Centre. Activities include: • Family portrait photo taking. • Soap making. • An essential oils booth. • Two game booths. The patients and families were given a bento lunch box and a care kit bag to bring back home.

OHR engaged two families with autistic children to prepare 120 delicious homemade lunches, which were then sold to staff over two weeks. Dishes included bee hoon, rice, fish balls and vegetables, accompanied with chili belachan and fried dried prawn. As this new programme develops, OHR hopes to engage more families to provide a wider range of tasty home recipes to share with hungry staff.

September & October 2023 - The University Health Centre (UHC) held the “UHCPush4ACause” push-up challenge from September 1-31 2023. The challenge was campus-wide so both individuals and groups participated. 63 UHC staff joined the challenge by completing an outstanding 13,455 push-ups and helped to raise $3000 towards Sunshine Welfare Action Mission (SWAMI) Home. Funds were used to purchase daily necessities for vulnerable seniors residing at SWAMI. Concluding the challenge, a small group of UHC staff spent a meaningful morning at the Home on 20 October to present the donations-in-kind, served the elderly residents catered food, and interacted with them. It was a heart-warming sharing session for everyone. (from L to R): Ms Fiona How (Associate Director, UHC), Mr Ker Boon Han (Assistant Manager, UHC), Dr Tan Tong Nam, Patrick (Director, University Health Centre), Mr Chian Phiang Nam (Executive Director, SWAMI Home), Ms Pow Lay Kuan (Director, Blossom Seeds), Ms Tok Yan Shuang (Manager, SWAMI Home), Madam Tan Ai Suan (Assistant Nursing Director, SWAMI Home)

Manila, 16 December 2023 – The National University of Singapore (NUS) Alumni Overseas Chapter Manila visited the Don Bosco Pugad Center at St John Bosco Parish, Makati City, Philippines as part of its NUS Cares activities. The term 'Pugad' translates to nest, symbolising a refuge or shelter. The chapter tends to focus its support on Filipino children who have less in life, and this year’s beneficiary is no exception. Don Bosco Pugad Center is an institution that welcomes underprivileged youth from various provinces in the Philippines. It provides spiritual formation, educational activities (including vocational technology courses like automotive, electrical, and ref/air-conditioning), livelihood workshops, sports, and educational field trips. These holistic activities empower the youth to rise from poverty and become dignified, productive agents of change in their families and local communities. The chapter surveyed the immediate and/or urgent needs of the centre, where Fr. Patrick Villasanta SDB, Pugad Center Director, requested new fitness equipment to replace the broken and worn-out equipment in its activity center. The chapter donated two stationary bikes, one table tennis and football table each, two dumbbell sets, and four table tennis rackets with six balls. These items were received by Ms. Issa Manigbas, Program Coordinator and Social Worker at Pugad, and Bro. Antonio Caspellan, SDB. The total cost for the fitness equipment amounted to PhP 33,000 (about SGD 791), which were the proceeds collected by the chapter during its Christmas Party earlier this month. After the formal turnover, the management of the Pugad Don Bosco gave a tour of the centre premises to the chapter representatives present.

Product packaging constitutes a significant proportion of waste generated in Singapore each year. In support of NUS' commitment to achieving a zero-waste future, the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG) team partnered with the local circular packaging initiative Package Pals on 24 November 2023 to give waste packaging a second lease of life. Together, CFG members cleaned and sorted nearly 600 donated pieces of used packaging, getting them clean and ready for reuse by businesses. This sorting process encompassed eight categories, including large and small poly mailers, padded and paper envelopes, clear plastic wrappers, and bubble wraps. Through the course of the activity, CFG staff contributed meaningfully and made a positive impact on the local community. The CFG team also fostered greater team camaraderie and connection, building a shared sense of purpose towards a sustainable and responsible future.

Seven NUS Alumni Sing-Along (ASA) members spent the afternoon of Friday, 17 November, bringing joy to the residents of All Saints Home, Hougang, rounding off the year’s NUS Cares programme. Members sang and danced, and encouraged residents to sing along. 170 residents and caregivers were treated to sugar rolls and curry puffs. This year, NUS ASA has been privileged to bring cheer not only to elderly folks at different homes in Singapore but also to travel to Jakarta to entertain children from the Indonesian Street Children Organisation.

NUS Staff from the Office of Human Resources supported the NUS Cares initiative by participating in a clean-up of Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park on 16 September 2022. A total of 83 staff took part, and we played our part in keeping public spaces clean and moving towards a greener and more sustainable Singapore.

Bright and early on the morning of Saturday, September 3rd, nineteen NUS Alumni Sing-along members arrived at All Saints Home, Hougang to spread joy to the residents. We entertained the residents who were able to join us at the multi-purpose hall with our renditions of English, Malay, Mandarin and Chinese dialect songs. A few sang along while others clapped along. It brought smiles to their faces when familiar tunes were sung. A chicken rice & porridge lunch, favourite dishes of the residents and requested by them, was provided for all 130 residents. 10 kg. of peach & longan cake was served during their tea time. All thanks to the ASA members and friends who had made generous financial contributions to the event. Some residents were so happy that they requested for us to return monthly to sing for them and even requested specific songs, especially Hokien songs. Our rewards were the smiles on the residents’ faces and the opportunity to touch their lives, even for a short while.

In line with the zeal of the NUS Overseas Chapter Manila to ensure the continuation of charitable activities conducted under the auspices of NUS Cares that began in 2019 and, saw sustained implementation in 2020, 2021, and 2022, the chapter selected Tuloy Sa Don Bosco Foundation, Inc. as our partner beneficiary for NUS Cares in 2023. The Foundation estimates that about one and a half million disadvantaged children in the Philippines call the streets their home. They are vulnerable to an unforgiving physical environment, criminality, exploitation, and even prostitution. Many of those kids grow up to find themselves in prison, while some even lose their lives. Established in 1993, the Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps poor and abandoned children from the streets or from abusive family environments who are 9 to 18 years of age and physically and mentally trainable for skills that will enable them to acquire values, habits, and capabilities for self-direction and their eventual reintegration into the mainstream of society through gainful employment in the future. Tuloy believes in nurturing children in need and giving them hope through alternative education and technical-vocational training. The Foundation sits in a 4.5-hectare property in Muntinlupa that was leased for free from the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development. Through private sector support, it has since been developed into a village complete with facilities necessary for the well-rounded development of children. Currently, around 300 disadvantaged and homeless children reside at the premises. There are already about 3,000 children who have graduated from the Foundation. Five NUS alumni personally attended the NUS Cares event on 2 September 2023. The NUS Overseas Chapter Manila turned over to the Foundation a donation amounting to P30,000.00 (716.45 SGD) that will benefit the kids under the Foundation’s care. The cheque for said donation was received by Foundation President and Founder Fr. Marciano “Rocky” G. Evangelista, SDB, from NUS Overseas Chapter Manila President Richard D. Tan (Public Policy, 2012). The program commenced at the main conference room with a briefing and an AVP show that highlighted the history, milestones, and accomplishments of the Foundation. A Q&A session and, the formal turnover of the donation to the Tuloy sa Don Bosco Foundation Inc. President and Founder followed this. A tour of the grounds ensued, in strict observance of picture-taking guidelines meant to protect the privacy of the street kids housed in the facilities.

As part of NUS Cares, a university-wide movement encouraging the NUS community to volunteer, and to bring awareness to the environment by keeping our beaches and park clean, the Office of Finance and Central Procurement Office, together with Deputy President (Administration) Mr Clarence Ti, gathered at Pasir Ris Park on 3 September 2022 for Beach Clean Up. Participants were briefed to pick up macro and microplastics and trash. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that result from both commercial product development and the breakdown of larger plastics. As a pollutant, microplastic infiltration into the sea can be harmful to the Marine ecosystem, environment and animal health. A total of 75 staff and family members amassed the park’s areas 1-2. Total area is 1,901 m2. By 11am, total of close to 60kg of trash and recyclables were collected.

In partnership with Sathya Sai Social Services, Office of Student Affairs (OSA) staff and alumni together with NUS President, Prof Tan, Director of Office of Alumni Relations, Mr Bernard Toh and Co-Chairman of NUS Alumni Advisory Board, Mr Johnny Tan helped clean the house of elderly residents in Eunos Crescent. Many of the elderly residents live alone, are frail and have medical conditions, impeding their ability to perform daily activities such as cleaning their homes. The volunteers helped to sweep, mop and keep their home sanitized.

Since 2019, FoRestore, an interest group at RVRC takes care of forest research plots, from tree planting, monitoring to weed suppression activities, as well as looking after a forest plant nursery at RVRC. The interest group organised a forest restoration event on 3 September 2022 with the aim to raise awareness, interest and appreciation on Singapore’s forests through hands-on involvement. RVRC community; alumni, students, colleagues and friends planted a total of 50 trees at Chestnut Nature Park including a few native tree species.

CDE Cares x Team Nila's Active Gardening organised by the Office of Alumni Relations on 17 September 2022 as part of the NUS Cares initiative. CDE volunteers came together with Team Nila volunteers in managing the active farm at Toa Payoh Sports Hall. CDE volunteers consisting of Alumni, staff and undergraduates spend their Saturday morning harvesting fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruits for beneficiaries either the Home or to residents. Nonetheless, it was mutually benefitting experience as CDE volunteers learnt about sustainable farming and the basics of growing vegetables. Read more about the event at https://cde.nus.edu.sg/alumni/alumni-happenings-2/cde-cares/.

Led by Chief People Officer Dr Janson Yap, 125 OHR staff came together to build 25 bicycles from scratch as part of NUS OHR People’s Fest on 19 April 2024. As the event fell during the Hari Raya period, it was fitting that the beneficiaries of the bikes were the Muhammadiyah Welfare Home and Yayasan MENDAKI. Children of the beneficiaries will be able to use the bikes for their daily activities and programmes.

NUS Office of Student Affairs (OSA) gathered 13 volunteers; staff from OSA and students to Coney Island in the morning of 3rd September to catch the low tide and clean up marine litter that were washed up to the shores. They appreciated the flora and fauna on the island and admired the mangrove trees after picking up litters stuck in between the roots. In total, they collected 15kg worth of marine litter ranging from plastic bottles to shoes and even a sarong!

NUS Food, Science and Technology (FST) Department Head, Prof Zhou Weibiao and Deputy Head, Prof Huang Dejian joined 20 FST alumni, staff and students in maintaining the Edible Demonstration Garden and contributing to the completion of the Edible Nature Way Pilot Project, both of which are important green spaces for the community. The Edible Demonstration Garden allows the community to come together to learn about edible gardening and eco-friendly practices, whereas the Edible Nature Way serves to demonstrate the importance of sustainability and promoting a rich biodiversity. FST volunteers helped to weed, prune, fertilise, transplant and harvest the edible plants found in the gardens, all while learning about the unique plants that can be found there!

It was a beautiful NUS Cares morning on 3rd September as our Raffles Hall community comprising of residents and ex-residents, spent our Saturday morning in Sembawang at Blossom Seeds, a community care organisation that supports seniors to blossom in their golden years by staying active. For our silver-haired beneficiaries, it was a marvelous occasion to enjoy the lively atmosphere with members of community of all ages, whilst we as NUS alumni, students and staff found it heartening to experience the joy of the seniors as we guided them through the walkathon and performances. Minister of Health, Ong Ye Kung also expressed his appreciation for our strong support of the Healthier SG program which is for all Singaporeans to take steps towards better health (https://www.healthiersg.gov.sg/about/). Raffles Hall was represented by Ms Lim Swee Kim, Chairman of Raffles Hall Association; Associate Professor Stella Tan, Master of Raffles Hall along with alumni and residents, and Professor Chen Tsuhan, Deputy President (Research & Technology) joined our RH family on this meaningful community program too. As an alumnus who had a wonderful campus life in Raffles Hall, I will continue to give back by providing volunteering opportunities for our undergraduates to grow wholly and fully. I believe that alumni contribution is essential in this ecosystem because we can provide the network, funding, and mentorship to our undergraduates. We can continue to nurture a kind and respectful society as a simple act of kindness can go a long way in spreading a smile. See Blossom Seeds Ready Set Gold 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI80HZvPBtA

As part of DVO Gives Back Day 2023, the Development Office (DVO) team organised a memorable day of fun and learning with friends from the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to Gardens by the Bay. The Cloud Forest and Flower Dome transported all of us to different corners of the world, showcasing the incredible diversity of plant life and provided a therapeutic escape for the beneficiaries. DVO also gifted SAMH with funds raised from DVO’s Silent Auction where staff sold and bid on items, to support their meaningful cause. Our annual DVO Gives Back Day is not just a tradition; it is a testament to the heart of NUS, and we look forward to each new opportunity to give back to the communities.

In collaboration with Kampung Senang Charity and Education Foundation and Tampines Residents’ Network, NUS Senior Alumni and NUS Office of Alumni Relations organised The Silver Star Gathering event for 72 senior residents of Tampines on 3 September 2022. It was a morning packed with activities including a leisurely walk around Kampung Senang garden, a sing-along session with English, Chinese, Malay and Indian songs, and a nutritious and delicious plant-based meal. Dr Koh Poh Koon (Medicine '96), Senior Minister of State for Manpower, Sustainability and the Environment, Chairperson of Tampines GRC also made a special appearance to sing with the seniors and distribute gift packs to all the senior residents in attendance. It was a meaningful morning for the 15 NUS Senior Alumni and 9 NUS Office of Alumni Relations staff as we befriended the senior residents and sang beloved classic songs with them.

Registrar’s Office volunteered at Foodbank Singapore. Despite Singapore being a well-off country, there are still pockets of people who struggle to put food on their table daily. Foodbank acquires donated food and makes it available to those in need through a network of member beneficiaries. A team of 12 of us went down on Saturday to help out. Some of us were tasked as road marshals as a car club was helping to distribute food bundles on behalf of Foodbank. The rest of us assisted in loading these food bundles into the cars and vans. We helped Foodbank sort through food donations. Not all donated food items are deemed to be suitable for their beneficiaries. We had to throw out food that was expired or partially used. It helped us empathise more with people who are less fortunate.

Volunteering is always an eye-opening experience, at least for the 16 Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) staff who spent time playing and talking with 40 seniors from the NTUC Healthcare Senior Day Care Centre on 13 September 2023. When playing and conversing with seniors, volunteering taught staff the importance of empathy and patience, and volunteering in a group demonstrated the power of collaboration even more.

The NUS Society (NUSS) invited disadvantaged children from Children's Wishing Well to NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House for a fun day of sports and recreation. NUSS created half a day of programme for the 29 children to have fun and gain meaningful exposure through sports and recreation while helping them to discover their sports interests. Every child was given a luncheon buffet and there was a music band performance for them to enjoy.

In collaboration with PAssion WaVe @ Sembawang, a total of 35 NUS colleagues from the Office of Risk Management and Compliance participated in a meaningful day of education and coastal clean-up on 31 Aug 2022. The participants were split into their activity of choice, either beach clean-up on foot or beach and waterways clean-up on kayak. Although many were drenched in perspiration, we were nevertheless grateful to have spent the morning sweating and bonding with our colleagues while cleaning up the environment. We also had the opportunity to learn and observe the detrimental effects of human actions on the environment. Plastic waste often gets ingested by the smaller fishes who do not know any better. These small fishes could then be eaten by their larger counterparts which could in turn be consumed by us. This causes the presence of microplastics in our blood which could cause health complications. Furthermore, marine life and other wild animals might get trapped by our human waste and lead to their slow death by suffocation or hunger. We learnt that it is important to be mindful of where we can cut down and how we dispose of our waste as part of our social responsibility to ensure this earth will still be as beautiful for the future generations to come. With efficient collaboration and teamwork, ORMC collected trash amounting to a total of 1184 items with a total weight of 148 kg. Some interesting finds include a toilet seat, a teddy bear, and even a car plate and a car battery! Perhaps somewhere, under the waters, lie the rest of the car.​