Exploring Hakka Culture and Western Fujian's Ecological Beauty in Wuping

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Alumni Network Manila hosted a meaningful Sundowner Thanksgiving gathering, marking the ceremonial turnover of leadership from the outgoing Executive Committee (ExCo) to the incoming ExCo for the 2025-2026 term.

The event was held from 5.00 to 7.00pm at the Straight Up Rooftop Bar in SEDA Hotel BGC, Taguig City. The gathering brought together outgoing and incoming ExCo members, proposed faculty and school representatives, potential special committee heads, and key alumni actively involved in chapter activities.

It served as a reflective moment to honour past achievements and a forward-looking celebration as the chapter embarked on a new journey. This intimate gathering brought together 18 alumni, representing eight faculties and schools, including Business, Computing, Design and Environment, Engineering, Law, Public Health, Public Policy, and Science.

The event commenced at around 5.00pm with warm welcome remarks from outgoing chapter chair Mr Richard Tan (Public Policy ’13). Mr Tan reflected on the chapter’s origins and celebrated its remarkable achievements since its establishment in 2019. Following Mr. Tan’s speech, Dr Venus Oliva Cloma-Rosales (Public Health ’13), the incoming chapter chair, took the stage to outline her vision for the upcoming term. Affectionately known as Doc Ivy, Dr Cloma-Rosales shared her guiding principles to elevate the chapter’s impact and engagement over the next two years. Joining Doc Ivy in the 2025-2026 ExCo are Patricia Villar-Yambing (Business ’15) as Vice Chair, Jonas Estacio (Engineering ’04) as Secretary, and Atty Jose Maria Buenagua (Law ’21) as Treasurer. To ensure continuity and mentorship, Mr Richard Tan (Public Policy ’13) will continue to serve as Chapter Adviser.

The NUS Alumni Network Manila ushers in the new ExCo term with gratitude, enthusiasm, and a shared commitment to increased engagement and community!

Prepared by Nestor Precioso (Science’06)

The NUS Food Science and Technology (FST) Class of 2019 had their end-of-year Christmas gathering at the S13 Department of Food Science and Technology Food Labs. Five years has gone by since graduation and since then, NUS FST has become its own department and newly renovated its labs. The evening consisted of a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) popiah dinner, catching up on how life has been these past couple of years, and a tour of the newly renovated facilities, the food lab, the chemistry lab, and the clinical labs. The night ended with a photo-taking session at our old FST food lab followed by dessert and drinks. The evening was extra meaningful because some teaching and administrative staff joined us, people who walked alongside us during our undergraduate days! We look forward to the next time we can gather as a class!

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Alumni Network Manila hosted its annual Christmas gathering, NUSparkle 2024, on Saturday, 30 November, at Alba’s Restaurante Español in Estancia Mall, Pasig City, Metro Manila. Held on Bonifacio Day, a public holiday in the Philippines, the event provided the perfect setting for a meaningful celebration.

This year’s NUSparkle saw an impressive turnout of 55 alumni, representing 11 faculties and schools, including Arts & Social Sciences, Business, Computing, Design and Environment, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Public Health, Public Policy, Science, and Yale-NUS.

Doors opened at 11.00am, warmly welcoming early birds with cocktails and opportunities to mingle with fellow alumni. As part of the registration process, attendees demonstrated their generosity and commitment to giving back by contributing to NUS Cares. Each alumnus or alumna donated a minimum token of PhP 500 (approximately SGD 11), with all proceeds directed towards the chapter’s community service initiatives. During the Christmas gathering, PhP 44,000 (SGD 1,000) was successfully raised for NUS Cares.

The programme commenced at noon with a warm welcome from Chapter Vice-Chair Nestor Precioso (Science ’06). The guest of honor, Logaventhan Karuppannan, Deputy Chief of Mission/Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore to the Philippines, delivered an inspiring address. He emphasised the strong ties between Singapore and the Philippines and highlighted the upcoming celebration of Singapore’s 60th year of independence, inviting alumni to continue their engagement with Embassy initiatives. Chapter Chairperson Richard Tan (Public Policy ’13) led a toast in honor of Mr Karuppannan, followed by a "State of the Chapter" address. In his speech, he highlighted the chapter’s 2024 achievements, including four major events—such as the successful NUS Innovation Forum in May—and its active participation in the Singapore Embassy’s National Day celebrations. These milestones demonstrate the chapter’s unwavering commitment to fostering connections and further strengthening the NUS alumni network, particularly among the majority of faculties and schools that remain unorganised. Inspirational messages from alumni, including Marcelino Lizaso Jr. (Arts & Social Sciences ’03), Edsel Mercado Jr (Arts & Social Sciences ’04), and Bernard Afable (Design and Engineering ’18), added a personal touch to the programme.

Attendees indulged in a sumptuous Spanish buffet spread featuring callos, lengua, paella, vaca asada, and creamy baked eggplant, complemented by hot appetisers, desserts, and a choice of soda, juice, beer, or coffee. Although the programme officially ended at 2.00pm, guests stayed on, enjoying the camaraderie and the festive atmosphere. Alumni departed with hearts full of joy and a renewed sense of community.

NUSparkle 2024 was more than just a year-end celebration—it was a powerful testament to the enduring spirit and strength of the NUS alumni network. The Manila chapter now looks forward to another successful year of connection, collaboration, and community impact in 2025.

Prepared by Nestor Precioso (Science ’06)

The NUS Electrical and Computing Engineering Department had the pleasure of hosting our EE Class of 1995 on Friday, 29 November at E-Cubes, reconnecting them with old friends, sharing past photos and videos (prepared by the alumni themselves).

One of our alumni even brought down a yearbook from 1993!

It was such a heartwarming event and we hope to host them again next year for their 30th anniversary!

On 27 November 2024, the Metropolitan Hotel in Melbourne hosted a highly successful networking event, the Melbourne Mixer. This event was proudly supported by the Singapore Global Network (SGN).

The Melbourne Mixer brought together approximately 70 attendees, including 21 alumni members from the National University of Singapore (NUS), 24 from Singapore Management University (SMU), and 17 from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), along with key industry partners. This gathering provided a unique opportunity for participants to reconnect, share insights, and explore new avenues for professional collaboration. The evening offered opportunities for graduates to come together in Melbourne, with attendance by newer members who recently moved to Australia and many who have resided for decades.

The event kicked off with a welcoming address by Miss Dora Tan from SGN, who highlighted the network's ongoing efforts to foster global connections among Singaporean alumni and industry leaders. SGN's commitment to supporting the professional growth of alumni and strengthening ties between Singapore and Australia was emphasised as a key driver behind the event.

Attendees represented a wide spectrum of industries, including finance, technology, healthcare, education, and more, showcasing the diverse backgrounds and expertise within the Singaporean alumni community. Both young professionals and established leaders engaged in lively discussions, exchanging ideas on career development, industry trends, and the challenges and opportunities of working across borders. Many alumni shared personal stories of their professional journeys in Melbourne, offering valuable insights into adapting to the Australian market and leveraging international experiences. The event’s networking sessions were a key highlight, facilitating meaningful connections and potential partnerships. Industry partners also played an integral role in the event, providing guidance and offering opportunities for collaboration between alumni and the wider business community in Melbourne. SGN’s support ensured a well-organised and impactful evening that encouraged ongoing engagement and professional development.

The event also included a lucky draw segment where the top winners walked home with exclusive wines sponsored by November Bravo. Overall, the event was a resounding success, reinforcing the importance of global alumni networks and providing a valuable platform for career growth and professional collaboration.

On 25 November 2024, the NUSL Writers’ Centre and NUSC Alumni Relations teams collaborated to host "A Community of Writing at NUS College," a reading featuring student, alumni, and faculty creative writers. The event was hosted in the heart of the Library in the Writers’ Centre, where desks and chairs were pushed aside for the evening as participants gathered round the Centre’s couch, eagerly listening to the heartfelt and personal writings of our guests.

Our guests included NUSC faculty members Dr Carissa Foo and Dr Roweena Yip, with Dr Roweena generously moderating the panel for us. Readers included alumnae Rachelle Chua ’24 and Ong Yun Ning ’24, and students Mahima Hari ’25 and Tricia Sin ’25. Our readers shared writing across a range of genres, including fiction, poetry, and other cross-genre writing, followed by a Q&A section where participants asked questions about writing, sustaining a creative practice, and our readers’ favourite books.

We were joined by a range of attendees, current students as well as alumni from across many different classes. Panellists reflected on the power of creative writing to bring communities together, noting that they had formed lasting writing communities through creative writing modules offered at NUSC. As the night went on, the readers delved into a range of themes including love, loss, mortality, and other intricate aspects of the human experience.

The night was a testament to the power of creative practices, and how they strike a poignant a chord across a wide range of lived experiences. Dr Roweena Yip shared, "Hearing these writers share how their undergraduate experiences at NUSC have nourished their proclivity for writing and literature inspires me to continue supporting the rich creative lives of our students. The generosity and openness with which all these writers spoke also reminds me about the power and value of art in creating communities across institutional contexts and constraints. Thank you to all the writers and to the organisers of this event, hopefully with many more of these to come!"

The Medical Alumni Association hosted its 101st Alumni Reunion from 15 to 17 November 2024 in Penang, Malaysia. This landmark event marked a special milestone. Seven NUS students from Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy, representing the Medical Alumni Association (Student Chapter), were invited to join the festivities. Their participation underscored the association's commitment to nurturing future clinicians and fostering their engagement in the regional healthcare community.

The reunion commenced on 15 November with a lively banquet dinner that brought together esteemed healthcare professionals for an evening of culinary indulgence, dazzling performances, and warm camaraderie. The event was graced by the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow. It featured inspiring speeches by luminaries such as Professor Tay Boon Keng (Medicine '73), emeritus consultant of orthopaedics at Singapore General Hospital, and Dr Tai Lee Siang (Medicine '88), a general surgeon at Georgetown Specialist Hospital.

On 16 November, the NUS delegation, along with senior clinicians and retired healthcare leaders, embarked on a cultural tour through the charming streets of Penang. Undeterred by the tropical heat (and generously reapplied sunscreen), participants explored UNESCO heritage stilt jetties, preserved naval forts, and bustling marketplaces, savouring local kuehs, traditional herbal remedies, and unique finds from boutique speciality stores. The immersive experience offered a delightful blend of history, culture, and culinary treasures, leaving everyone well-fed and well-educated.

The Arthur Lim Rotating Professorship Lecture, held in the afternoon was delivered by Datuk Seri Dr Bhupinder Singh, a distinguished forensic pathologist. His insightful talk illuminated the challenges and contributions of Malaysian forensic pathologists, shedding light on their pivotal yet often overlooked role in the medico-legal fraternity. The afternoon ended with the annual Alumni General Meeting, where attendees celebrated milestones and plotted the association’s bright future.

The evening festivities resumed with a glamorous Informal Dinner, where a luxurious international buffet was the prelude to spontaneous karaoke battles. Faculty members proved they could hit high notes as effortlessly as they hit high patient satisfaction scores, showcasing their dedication to both professionalism and good-natured fun. Our students had a fantastic time, bonding over their shared aspirations to serve humanity and taking full advantage of the opportunity to learn from leading healthcare experts. From navigating Penang’s healthcare landscape to debating who sang the best karaoke rendition, they left with not just valuable insights, but also lasting memories and the knowledge that, sometimes, the most important part of medicine is knowing how to have a little fun.

Submitted by Mr Qwek Shao Yi President, Medical Alumni Association (Student Chapter) Year 4, NUS Medicine, Class of 2026

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) hosted a delightful Alumni Reunion Dinner on 15 November 2024 at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House (SFAH). The occasion celebrated the 10th, 20th, 30th, and 40th anniversaries of the graduating classes of 1984, 1994, 2004, and 2014, with over 60 alumni and staff gathering for an evening of nostalgia, lively conversation, and camaraderie.

Professor Richard Liew, Head of Department, opened the evening with a warm welcome, expressing his appreciation for the enduring bonds within the CEE community. Dr Chew Soon Hoe, Deputy Head (External Relations & Development), delivered a captivating presentation on the department’s rich history and key milestones, highlighting its growth and accomplishments over the decades. A particularly memorable segment of the evening was the “Get to Know You Better” session, where alumni shared stories about their career journeys, favourite lecturers, and unforgettable modules. The anecdotes and laughter brought everyone closer, rekindling fond memories of their time at CEE.

Looking ahead to 2025, CEE will be commemorating its 70th anniversary with a series of exciting alumni events. Graduates are encouraged to stay updated via the CEE website and social media and join in the celebrations to reconnect with old friends, forge new connections, and celebrate the legacy of the department.