Forging lasting bonds through NUS alumni groups

Alumni groups at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have been the cornerstone for many in preserving the rich memories and relationships formed during their time as undergraduates. Beyond nostalgic reunions, these groups offer a platform for reconnecting with old friends and forging new ties through meetups and networking sessions. We look at two recently formed alumni groups that exemplify this camaraderie.

NUS Alumni Board Games Group: 

Where Strategy Meets COMMUNITY

In 2019, inspired by the convivial atmosphere of board game cafes, Mr Yap Neng Giin (Computing ’08) invited his former NUS mates to his new home, aiming to recreate a similar experience. A regular board game tradition began, allowing him to introduce his friends to Ms Adeline Fam (Arts and Social Sciences ’07), whom he was dating and who shares his passion for the hobby. 

Fast forward to today, and the casual get-togethers have led to more serious endeavours — Mr Yap and Ms Fam are now married and have a child together, while the meetups have evolved into an official NUS Alumni Board Games Group. The group now has more than 20 active members, who come from fields as diverse as IT, finance and healthcare. There is an equal number of men and women, many of whom introduce their partners to the experience. Meetings often involve shared meals at a committee member’s home once or twice a month, before the games begin. 

From classics to modern favourites, the group’s gaming arsenal ranges from cooperative games like Pandemic to more intense ones such as Terraforming Mars. For lighter moments, Machi Koro and Herbaceous bring joy and laughter. Members are encouraged to introduce new titles. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges arose. But the group leveraged online platforms like Board Game Arena and Discord for virtual game nights every week. With the return to normalcy, the members cherish the physical meetups more than ever. For many, the sessions are not just about games. “We find playing board games therapeutic as it helps us offload things that might be weighing on our minds,” says Ms Fam, 38.

Any NUS graduate can sign up, from seasoned players to complete newbies. “You don’t have to know how to play the games as we are happy to teach you on the spot,” says Ms Fam, who is the group’s Secretary. 

Looking ahead, the group hopes to grow its membership, including among older alumni. A 58-year-old joined recently so that she could introduce new games to a group of senior women. “We hope more seniors join us as we believe playing board games is a great way to age actively,” says Ms Fam.  “We encourage members to bring their children too,” she adds. “Playing board games is a great way to bond, and it can help children develop critical thinking and communication skills.”

College of Alice & Peter Tan Alumni Group: 

Reconnection in a Post-Pandemic World

During his time at NUS, Mr Triston Pang (Computing ’21) found his time at the College of Alice & Peter Tan (CAPT) particularly enriching. Wanting a deeper understanding of diverse groups in society for his software projects, he had enrolled in a two-year supplementary programme at the College, where he gleaned insights into the lives and experiences of various communities in Singapore, including foreign domestic workers, migrant workers and people with hearing disabilities. 

For Mr Pang and many others, the experience was more than just an educational journey; it was a transformative experience. “Our time at CAPT was a defining moment, and we made a lot of lifelong friends,” the 27-year-old software engineer recalls. “It was a bit of a shame that it was only a two-year programme. We also saw that a lot of alumni did not really keep in touch after graduation.” 

That disconnect became even more pronounced during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, earlier this year, Mr Pang rallied some friends to bridge this gap, and co-founded a network that would reconnect CAPT alumni called the NUS Alumni College of Alice & Peter Tan Group - The Angsana Network. The goal is to foster new interactions among CAPT graduates, allowing them to socialise and rekindle old friendships. With this in mind, the group hopes to revive the essence of CAPT life. It envisions hosting seminars with guest speakers sharing about their field. Mr Pang also has plans to organise career talks, hackathons and even a weekend staycation at NUS hostels to relive the good old days. 

Aiming to hold quarterly events, the group organised its first one — a hike to Sentosa — in March this year for about 20 members. A heavy downpour did not dampen their enthusiasm. Instead of ending with a picnic at Siloso Beach, the group took shelter at the Merlion Cable Car Station. What followed was hours of animated discussions, reminiscent of their CAPT days. “It really brought back the signature college experience where we’d just sit down, talk and interact with people from all walks of life and different work experiences,” says Mr Pang. 

With 130 alumni from 2012 to 2023 who are keen on joining, the group’s future looks promising as it goes about ensuring that the bonds formed at CAPT continue to thrive.