The spirit of mentorship and community was on full display at the CDE Alumni Mentorship Mid-Programme Meetup held on 30 April 2025. Approximately 60 mentors and mentees from Batch 11 took time out of their busy schedules to gather for an evening of meaningful conversation, reflection, and connection.

The event offered a valuable midpoint check-in for participants to catch up with their respective mentor or mentee, discuss their personal and professional growth, and set intentions for the second half of the programme. Beyond individual pairings, the meetup also fostered a broader sense of community as attendees mingled, networked, and shared experiences across mentorship pairs.

The warm, engaging atmosphere reflected the strength of the bonds formed since the programme’s kickoff and reaffirmed the value of alumni-student connections in shaping the next generation of CDE professionals.

To find out more about the CDE Alumni Mentorship Programme, please visit https://cde.nus.edu.sg/alumni/initiatives/alumni-mentorship-programme/

Tembusu College launched its 15th anniversary celebrations with a Gala Dinner held on 12 April 2025, marking a significant milestone in its journey as Singapore's first 21st-century residential college. Established in 2010, Tembusu College was a pioneer of the residential college model in Singapore.

The Gala Dinner commenced with a commemorative video montage featuring the College's founding Rector, Emeritus Professor Tommy Koh (Law '61), alongside current Directors. They reflected on Tembusu's evolution over the years- highlighting key developments in residential life, the University Town College Programme (UTCP), and the College's distinctive interdisciplinary ethos.

Beyond reflecting on its evolution, the College also recognised those who continue to impact the College in meaningful ways. Four alumni were honoured for their dedicated service as mentors in the Tembusu College Alumni-Student Mentorship Programme. Their unwavering commitment to guiding students through university life and career pathways was appreciated as part of the celebration. Three other alumni received special awards for their outstanding contributions to the College, including Dr Ernest Tan (Engineering '16), a former Graduate Fellow who now serves as a Teaching Fellow in the College.

"It is a time to connect with our past journey and to express our gratitude to our former fellows and students who had planted strong and deep foundation roots for the college to reach greater heights as we move forward," remarked Associate Professor Ho Chee Kong, College Master, in his address.

A symbolic highlight was the cheque presentation from recent fundraising efforts to support the inaugural Tembusu College Bursary Endowment Fund, which aims to provide financial assistance to students in need. "....it's important to remember that as wonderful an experience as Tembusu has been for me, that may not always be the case for people who may not be able to access Tembusu because of financial reasons. So, it allows the community to be more diverse," shared Ng Xan Win, a current Arts & Social Sciences student, in a video montage spotlighting students who have benefitted from Residential College Scholarships and Bursaries. Three Year 4 students also shared heartfelt accounts of their unique journeys at Tembusu and how the support they received empowered them to pursue their passions and academic aspirations.

It was a memorable evening that brought together the College's alumni and current Tembusians, featuring a spirited performance by the Shark Band, made up of Year 2 students, a cake-cutting ceremony, group photographs, and an engaging display of student life and educational exhibits curated by the Education Working Group and the Residential Team.

The Gala Dinner sets the tone for an exciting year ahead, with a series of celebratory and fundraising events- including a carnival, a vertical marathon, and alumni networking gatherings- planned to honour 15 years of Tembusu College as a vibrant living and learning community in NUS.