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    USP alumni with USP Director Prof Kang Hway Chuan (2nd row, first from left).
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    USP alumni at the August Storytelling session.

USP Alumni COVID-time Storytelling

20 June

A random conversation during the Circuit Breaker between three USP alumni of different “eras” led to a question – What has emerged in these “COVID-times” that wasn’t possible before?  Kay Chew Lin (Arts + USP '06), Kia Jie Hui (Business + USP '11) and Madhumitha Ardhanari (Arts + USP '14) felt like this question would elicit a good USP-style discussion and proposed holding a meeting for the USP alumni community to do just that.

The first session was held on 20 June, right when Phase 2 was announced, but there were around 20 attendees. It was a fruitful discussion that went on for two hours, and everyone shared about the good and bad of how COVID-19 has changed their lives. The session felt like a support group meeting where people were free to share their stories and get advice from the others. Seeing the good response, the organising trio decided to convert it into a monthly Storytelling series – an open space for USP alumni to share their COVID-related stories and struggles. Each month, alumni can volunteer to share their stories, moderate the session or just listen in and contribute to the discussion.

During the July session, the discussion focused on the concept of boundaries and topics surrounding food during COVID-time, led by Stacy Ooi (Arts + USP '18) and Janelle Limqueco (Science + USP '15) respectively. These were very apt and relatable topics as while people are in different parts of the world and at different stages of life, these were common issues that everyone faced during this unusual time.

In the most recent August session, which was also held as part of USP’s e-Homecoming 2020, the group had the honour of having Galven Lee (Arts + USP '14) and Suanne Chan (Arts '11), who designed “A Good Chat For Migrant Workers”, a chatbot that helps migrant workers seek assistance and access information about the COVID-19 situation easily. Their project was one of six projects picked for seed funding for the Design for Good initiative by the Design Business Chamber Singapore. They talked about how the project came about and how they managed it alongside their work.

While we may not be able to catch up with one another in the way we used to, having these sessions online has one great advantage – it allows USP alumni who are overseas to tune in and catch up with everyone else, back home or otherwise; there are literally no boundaries if we cherish every chance we can get to see each other. The USP alumni community is now keenly looking forward to the next storytelling session on 19 September!

Submitted by Ms Tan Sin Yee (Arts '11)

Let readers know about your alumni happenings.
From reunions to workshops, alumni awards to makan sessions, please share your memories and upcoming events with us!

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