Celebrations Go ‘Cyber’
With myriad engaging and interactive activities available online throughout the day, this year’s Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day put a Twist on the annual homecoming Tradition.
Dr Amy Khor’s address set the tone for a session on sustainable farming.
Instead of performances and booths around University Town, alumni, students, and staff were treated to a full day of fun programming that took place on the NUS Alumni Relations’ website, Zoom, and Facebook Live. With the event moving to an online platform, over 7,000 participants were able to tune in and enjoy the day’s activities and reconnect with their alma mater.
Various performances and workshops were broadcast ‘live’ throughout the day. These included a swing jazz performance by The Rhythmakers, live art sessions by NUS Giving, and performances by alumni band @Project and the NUS Alumni Indian Ensemble. The programme included demonstrations by NUS Boxing Club, NUS Silat, and NUS Volleyball Club, and a Korean martial arts showcase by alumnus Mr Lai Han Seng (Computing ’00) and his students. Viewers could also work out at home with the University Health Centre and NUS Aerobics Club.
Lifelong learning was also a focus of the day’s programme – there were workshops and talks on topics ranging from data privacy and protection, research skills, AI-powered resumé reviews and how to maximise the marketing value of webinars to 3D animation, engineering innovations, drone photography, and even an introduction to Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan! The Faculty of Science also organised a variety of informative and well-attended talks under the theme of “Everyday Science”.
Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, and Transport, Dr Amy Khor (Design and Environment ’81) also gave the Opening Address at a session on sustainable urban farming that was co-organised by NUS Environmental Sustainability and featured Citiponics co-founder Ms Danielle Chan (Arts and Social Sciences ’18).
The full day’s programme closed with an ‘Ask Us Anything’ session where alumni had the opportunity to get their queries answered by NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85), NUS Senior Deputy President and Provost Professor Ho Teck Hua (Engineering ’85), and NUS Vice-Provost (Masters’ Programmes & Lifelong Education) Professor Susanna Leong (Law ’89). The lively session was moderated by Ms Akanksha Batura (Business + USP ’12).