Over the span of ten weeks from mid-January to end March 2024, a group of ten alumni gathered weekly in a classroom at NUS College (NUSC).

Guided by Professor Philip Holden and co-facilitator Bianca Tham (Arts and Social Sciences + USP ’17), we embarked on a self-exploratory journey through the Guided Autobiography (GAB) class. GAB is a practice that helps participants reflect on and re-story their lives in a supportive environment. Each week, participants delved into themed writing exercises by drawing upon memories or past experiences, and subsequently sharing their stories with the group.

Started in 2022, this was the third run of the GAB class organised by NUSC, which is open to alumni participants from NUSC, the University Scholars Programme (USP), and Yale-NUS.

Initially drawn to GAB with the intention to reflect, process my past and gain perspective into my life, I found myself enriched beyond measure by the ten-week class. Themes such as “major branching points in life”, “family”, “life’s work”, “health and well-being”, “gender identity”, “navigating differences” and “death and dying”, led me to explore a different window in my past each passing week. The reading aloud of stories was unexpectedly therapeutic and cathartic. Listening to the stories shared by the group also provided me a window into their life, fostering a deeper appreciation of the diverse journeys of others. Often, the class was filled with joy and laughter, sometimes grief and tears, but mostly it was a strong and trusted circle of support, affirmation, appreciation and connectedness.

I am grateful to NUSC and the Alumni Relations team for organising the class, and most of all, to Prof Holden and Bianca for volunteering their time; skillfully and thoughtfully bringing the group of alumni together; enabling us to review our life; rediscover our strengths; reaffirm our values and chart a purposeful way forward. Indeed, GAB was a transformative journey for us, in the full alumni spirit of continuous learning and growth, no less!

Submitted by Yvonne Ng (Science + USP '05)

The President’s Dialogue with Alumni, held on 12 March 2024 at the NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House, was a gathering filled with camaraderie, inspiration, and meaningful connections.

The event brought together esteemed alumni from the College of Design and Engineering (CDE), along with distinguished guests from the National University of Singapore (NUS) leadership. Six notable CDE alumni were specially invited to the lunch, alongside NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Thean Voon-Yew Aaron; CDE Acting Dean Professor Teo Kie Leong; CDE Assistant Dean (Alumni Relations) Associate Professor Teo Chiang Juay; and Chief Alumni Officer Ms. Ovidia Lim-Rajaram.

The highlight of the event was a captivating presentation by Ms. Anthea Foong, who shared her remarkable life journey with the audience. From her humble beginnings as an undergraduate at NUS to her endeavours as an entrepreneur and national fencer, Ms. Foong's story resonated deeply with everyone present, leaving an impression of resilience, determination, and success.

The atmosphere during the dialogue was vibrant and engaging, as attendees strengthened old connections and forged new ones. The exchange of ideas and experiences among alumni was both lively and fruitful, facilitated by the congenial ambiance and the delectable spread of food. The event concluded on a high note, leaving attendees feeling invigorated and inspired by the achievements and aspirations of their fellow alumni. It was indeed a testament to the enduring legacy of NUS and the profound impact of its alumni community.

To find out more about the event, please visit the CDE Alumni Relations website at https://cde.nus.edu.sg/alumni/happenings/presidents-dialogue-with-alumni-2024/.