Searching for the Singapore Identity

As the ‘Little Red Dot’ turns 60 in 2025, distinguished thought leaders from the National University of Singapore (NUS) community reflect on factors that have contributed to the nation’s success and ponder how to navigate challenges for the next 60 years. 

What does the future of work really hold? At the National University of Singapore (NUS), preparing undergraduates and alumni to take on the challenges of an uncertain world has become a top priority — as the nature of both work and education are being redefined.

Creating — and maintaining — a safe, caring environment for the students and staff of NUS is a collective effort undertaken at all levels of the University.

July marks the start of a new era for NUS in more ways than one — for its graduands, who are about to enter the “real world”; for students and faculty, who can expect innovative developments on the academic and research front under new leadership; and for its alumni, who have a new leader to rethink the way they engage with their alma mater.

Technology continues to transform the way we live, but conversations around the ethics of phenomena such as artificial intelligence have lagged behind adoption. How can we stay ahead of the curve? Learn how NUS is contributing to the conversation.

To quote United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, climate change — or rather, the climate emergency — is a “battle for our lives”. Fortunately, we have technology on our side. Numerous technological breakthroughs and innovations are being created, including at NUS, enabling us to learn, work and live more sustainably. 

We are all getting older and there is nothing we can do about it — or is there? One-dimensional thinking posits ageing purely in terms of deteriorating health or as a burden to society. In helping Singapore prepare for an ageing population, NUS wants older adults to enjoy long, healthy, happy and productive lives. 

No one knows what the future holds, except that there is a vast and technology-driven world out there. NUS has done its best to prepare students for a digital, post-pandemic society — and done it well — through the introduction of game-changing tech tools and major reforms focusing on technology subjects.