The evening commenced with an air of anticipation as guests arrive at the venue, greeted by the warm ambiance and the promise of meaningful connections. Assistant Dean of CDE Alumni Relations, Associate Professor Teo Chiang Juay, set the tone with a welcoming address, emphasising the importance of connections and shared experiences in the mentorship community. Expressing gratitude to mentors and mentees for their commitment to the mentorship programme, he acknowledged the invaluable contributions each individual brings to the community. The evening continued with an engaging introductory session, where mentees and mentors bonded through sharing insights and participating in the icebreaker activity, "Two Truths and One Lie." Attendees fostered lively conversations and meaningful connections as mentors and mentees networked within their groups. As the event drew to a close, attendees reflected on the enriching experiences shared throughout the evening. The echoes of laughter and shared experiences lingered, a testament to the transformative power of mentorship and community. The event not only strengthened existing connections but laid the foundation for new ones, fostering a vibrant and supportive mentorship community for years to come.

The Lunar New Year Dinner Event, held on 17 February 2024 and organised by the NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter Committee, was a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, unity, and the spirit of the Lunar New Year. We ushered in the Wood Dragon Year, signifying power, vitality and nurturing qualities of the wood element.

Hosted at the Fu House in Forest Hill, the event brought together 85 NUS alumni, staff, family and friends from Victoria, interstate and internationally to celebrate this auspicious time of the year with joy and festivity. The evening commenced with a captivating lion dance involving our very own alumni members – led by Miss Cynthia Chua (Engineering '12), her husband Wenda Tan (NUS Alumni Partner), Dr Zoe Hernstadt (NUS Alumni Partner) and our committee member, Mr Guo Qi Pei (Engineering '11). It kickstarted the joyous mood for the evening, wishing all attendees a prosperous new year.

The centrepiece of the event was undoubtedly the exquisite array of gourmet cuisine. Traditional dishes such as Lou Yu Sheng, Buddha Jump Over the Wall, fried turbot, Chinese-style beef tenderloin, garlic pork ribs, seafood tofu hotpot and lemon chicken were amongst the many sumptuous dishes served crafted to tantalise the taste buds and evoke the flavours of the season.

Throughout the evening, many guests from individual tables, including Mr Peter Koh (Science '87) and Dr Edna Yeo (Science '93), initiated Yum Seng cheers. There were six lucky draw prizes consisting of three traditional food hampers, and generous vouchers from Crown, Peninsula Hot Springs and Endota Spa. The team from NUS Medicine also brought along beautifully designed red packets as souvenirs for the attendees. These activities fostered a sense of camaraderie and provided attendees with memorable experiences to cherish.

This year we had the generous sponsorship and involvement of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine as our main sponsor of the event, with three very special staff members, Mr Luke Siah (Senior Assistant Director, NUS Medicine Dean's Office), Miss Wai Mun Phoon (Manager, NUS Medicine Alumni Relations) and Mr Jay Kaelash (Director, NUS Medicine Dean's Office) in attendance. This event was also a landmark year where we extended the invitation to Dr Daniel James (Medicine '77) and Dr Mei Wee (Medicine ‘77), who are living interstate in South Australia. We also had distinguished Dr Tan Sri Mani Jegathesan (Medicine ‘67), who lives between Malaysia and Singapore, and is often referred to as the Flying Doctor of Malaysia for his athletic achievements in Asia.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, lion dancers, committee members, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the NUS Office of Alumni Relations for their time, effort and sponsorship that all contributed to the success of this memorable event. Together, we look forward to ushering in 2024 filled with prosperity, happiness, and goodwill towards all.