On 25 October 2023, NUS College students had the opportunity to attend a sharing session titled “Large Language Models (LLMs): Innovation Reshaping Interpersonal Dynamics” led by Lim Cheng Lei (USP + Computing ’18). As part of an ongoing series of conversations titled Evening Insights, alumni were warmly invited to come down to meet current students and converse about topics close to their hearts.

It was an intimate session filled with laughter, light-hearted reminiscing of student life over coffee and refreshments, as well as candid sharings about professional working life. We students were curious about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on day-to-day life and keenly interested in how the tech career landscape might look in future as we approach our own graduation. As a Sociology student myself, without much familiarity with technology and AI, I was especially interested in how it would affect our career options as well as the ethical implications of the increasing prevalence of AI.

Drawing upon his diverse career experiences which spanned from talent acquisition to software engineering, Cheng Lei shared how a computational thinking mindset is essential in the current age of AI developments. Instead of focusing on hard technical skills alone, he encouraged current students to explore various opportunities to build a wider range of experience and gain familiarity with honing analytical decision-making skills. What was particularly enriching was Cheng Lei’s focus on the expanding nature of tech roles which demonstrated how even non-technologically trained graduates were able to thrive in tech industries and value-add through developing their own niche skills.

All in all, it was an inspiring session that left us students with a better understanding of the pragmatic reality of AI in the workplace. “A sense of what is happening outside is very important [for our students]” remarked Professor Kang Hway Chuan (Master, West Wing), when expounding on the value of alumni sharing events like these. Indeed, it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with our seniors and an eye-opening experience that gave us greater confidence in pursuing our own interests.

Other USP alumni - Ivan Yeo (Arts and Social Sciences '03), Jackie Tan (Science '12) and Imran Shah (Science '18) were also back this semester for equally engaging sessions of Alumni Insights organised by Prof Kang and the NUSC residential team. We greatly look forward to connecting with more alumni in future installations!

Submitted by Tan Enn Syn, Shona (Arts and Social Sciences '25)

The NUS Alumni Overseas Chapter Manila attended a dinner reception hosted by the Singapore Ambassador to the Philippines, Ms. Constance See (Arts and Social Sciences ’97) at the Singapore Embassy in BGC, Taguig City, Metro Manila.

It was the first-ever gathering in Manila of alumni from NUS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore Management University (SMU). Sixty-one NUS alumni were present in the gathering, representing nine faculties and schools, including those from the Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Computing, Design and Environment, Public Policy, Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Law. Thirty NUS alumni attended the Singapore Embassy event for the very first time!

The short programme started at 7:00 pm, with Ambassador See highlighting the important role of the alumni from the Singapore universities in Manila in deepening bilateral relations between Singapore and the Philippines. She also noted that both countries will celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations next year and will further deepen cooperation in areas such as fintech, infrastructure development, innovation, and sustainability. A major part of the programme was a contest among the alumni grouped together at different cocktail tables on Singapore-related trivia. The winning group came from a team of five alumni representing four different NUS faculties and schools.

A generous buffet spread from the Grand Hyatt in Manila was served after the short programme, with guests enjoying the opportunity to rekindle old ties, meet new friends, and expand personal and business networks from the three leading Singapore universities.

Submitted by Nestor Precioso (Science '06)