USP Homecoming
18 August
The University Scholars Programme (USP) held its Homecoming on Saturday, 18 August, in conjunction with the Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day. The event welcomed over 60 alumni, across 13 graduated batches. The first batch of alumni from the Class of 2003 celebrated its 15th anniversary, while the Class of 2008 and Class of 2013 celebrated their 10th and 5th anniversary respectively.
Mr Bernard Toh (Architecture ’84), Director of NUS Alumni Relations, also graced the event. He chatted with the alumni and introduced the new NUS Vision, Mission and Values in his welcome message. USP Director Associate Professor Kang Hway Chuan urged the alumni to contribute towards the planning of USP’s 20th anniversary celebrations in 2020.
The key highlight of the afternoon were the USP classes for alumni. Deputy Director (Student Life) at USP, Associate Professor Albert Teo’s (Arts and Social Sciences ’86) class on Engaging and Building Communities was oversubscribed, as Assoc Prof Teo is a well-known figure to the alumni, having been with USP since its inception. It was his first time conducting the USP class for alumni. Mr Spencer Hsu (Arts and Social Sciences + USP ’07) shared with us his biggest takeaway – “My USP life is complete, after having finally attended a class taught by Prof Teo – so refreshing, looking at community development through an academic lens. Prof Teo’s humble approach to his work also reminds us of the importance of humility in life’s never-ending learning journey!”
Dr Leung Wing Sze’s class on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery was also filled with fruitful and engaging discussions. Ms Siti Hazirah (Arts and Social Sciences + USP ’11) shared that, “Being in Dr Leung’s class reminded me of the classic conundrum of attending a USP tutorial – you come out of it enriched, but with a massive headache due to having your thoughts stretched beyond their limits! I appreciated having my views challenged, perceptions questioned and assumptions redefined.”
Overall, it was a great afternoon of reconnecting and reminiscence.