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.

Celebrating Women’s Leadership in Policy and Public Service

To commemorate Women’s Month and champion the value of inclusive governance, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) Alumni Association – Philippines Chapter, in partnership with the NUS Alumni Network Manila, hosted an intimate dinner and panel conversation on 28 March 2025 at Café Mary Grace, Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Makati.

The event, themed “Empowering Governance: The Synergy of Women’s Leadership and Inclusive Policy-Making,” gathered alumni and professionals from across the National University of Singapore (NUS) community. While spearheaded by LKYSPP, the initiative was supported by representatives and alumni from other NUS schools—including Yale-NUS, Medicine, Public Health, Law, Business, and FASS—highlighting the strength of cross-school collaboration within the NUS community in Manila.

Inspiring Keynote: Purpose, Resilience, and "Mothering a Business"

The evening began with a heartfelt keynote from Ms Mary Grace Dimacali, Founder and CEO of Mary Grace Foods, Inc., who shared her journey from a small home kitchen to a beloved Filipino brand with over 140 branches. She shared: “There’s nothing more humbling than being a mother. Women embody stamina, endurance, service—and the ability to take punches with grace.” Ms Dimacali emphasised the importance of emotional intelligence, spiritual grounding, and slow, deliberate growth—values echoed in her leadership style and her company's philosophy.

The event also featured a compelling panel of three accomplished LKYSPP alumnae, whose careers span the regulatory, corporate, and development sectors: Atty Monalisa Dimalanta (SFPS 2021), Chairperson and CEO, Energy Regulatory Commission; Atty. Maria Anthonette C. Velasco-Allones (MPM '07), CHRO, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation; and Ms Mary Jean T. Pacheco (SFPS 2021), Undersecretary, Department of Trade and Industry.

They shared personal insights on navigating leadership roles as women in traditionally male-dominated spaces. Atty Allones reflected on the four pillars of governance: stability, rule of law, a professional bureaucracy, and an inclusive civil society. Atty Dimalanta noted how “public sector leadership brings larger consequences,” while Ms Pacheco debunked gendered expectations by affirming “being direct is not a male trait—it’s a leadership trait.”

Lastly, the event also welcomed the newly appointed NUS Alumni Network Manila Executive Committee (2025–2026), now led for the first time by a female Chairperson, Dr Venus Oliva Cloma-Rosales (MPH '13), and Vice-Chairperson, Ms Patricia Villar-Yambing (MBA '15). Their presence exemplified the growing role of women in leadership within the NUS Manila community, and the strong commitment to inclusivity and alumni engagement across all NUS schools. This gathering not only celebrated Women’s Month but also reaffirmed the alumni network’s shared mission of leading with purpose, inspiring change, and building a future grounded in inclusive, ethical leadership.