Ready to shape tomorrow
NUS Commencement celebrates graduates who have embraced challenges, undergone a transformation and are now equipped to weave their aspirations into the fabric of society.
Amidst an atmosphere of jubilation and achievement, the
Commencement ceremonies at the National University of Singapore (NUS) kicked off at the University Cultural Centre this year as the graduates’ families and friends gathered to celebrate the occasion.
The Main Ceremony, the first of 30 to be held from 6 to 15 July, honoured 347 graduates from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. With the then-NUS Chancellor and President of Singapore, Madam Halimah Yacob (Law ’78), presiding, the event was made even more special by the conferral of honorary degrees on Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (Science ’62) and Dr Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chu (Medicine ’85).
Held over nine days, the ceremonies celebrated more than 14,700 graduates who had embarked on a fruitful journey at the University. NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) spoke about
Commencement as a unique occasion that unites generations of the NUS community, all committed to that same spirit of resolve, imagination and care for the community while taking society to new heights. “I am confident that our graduates have the skills, knowledge and training, and possess the qualities of grit, drive and determination, to thrive in the complex times ahead. In the fullness of time, you will, no doubt, make your own unique and transformative contributions to society and the world,” he said.
Graduates demonstrate resilience
Graduates were commended for their unwavering resilience in overcoming obstacles during their academic journey, emerging stronger and more determined. Just ask Ms Anastasia Sabrina Zuraimi (Arts and Social Sciences ’23), who majored in Political Science and minored in Malay Studies. Initially unsure she would graduate due to struggles with her studies and wellbeing, she credits NUS for providing her “with a safe space to experience failure and improve my mental health”. Reflecting on the impact of the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker on her life, the 24-year-old shared, "Learning that it’s okay to fail was not easy... but the world turns." Her supportive family and standout professors, like Associate Professor Luke O’Sullivan (Affiliate Alumnus ’19) and Associate Professor Bilveer Singh (Arts and Social Sciences '81), kept her grounded and fuelled her interest in both politics and the arts. Although she is undecided about her career path, she hopes to explore opportunities that combine her dual passions.
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In the fullness of time, you will, no doubt, make your own unique and transformative contributions to society and the world.
Professor Tan Eng Chye
The commencement ceremony also emphasised the transformative impact of education, underlining how the graduates’ time at NUS had moulded them into well-rounded individuals ready to tackle the complexities of the world.
Valedictorian Dr Alvin Tan Kian Wei (Medicine ’17), who obtained his Master of Public Policy in 2023, thanked the NUS community that has supported the graduates thus far. “Today, while we stand at the crossroads of uncertainties, we know we are not alone,” he said in his speech. “We can draw strength from the relationships and connections we have forged to weather any storm and overcome any obstacle.”
This year’s Main Ceremony was also marked by an energetic rendition of Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla’s 'Histoire du Tango: Bordello, 1900', which was arranged and performed by a quartet of four valedictory graduates of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.
Behind the Scenes of a Photo Booth Sensation
In a mission to create a standout booth for NUS Commencement 2023, a team from the NUS Office of Alumni Relations came up with a creative solution. Led by Associate Director Ms Jacqueline Yong and joined by Senior Managers Ms Katherine Chinn and Ms Wong Sher Maine, the team turned a static backdrop into an interactive photo booth integrated with the NUS alumni magazine, The AlumNUS. “We wanted new graduates to be cover stars on The AlumNUS, creating memorable, Instagram-worthy moments for them and their families,” said Ms Yong. Despite logistical challenges and coinciding with NUS’ annual Homecoming event, the booth was a success. Over 10 days, nearly 12,000 visitors, including families, captured their memories. “The booth was a hit, bringing joy and special memories to graduates and their families,” remarked Chief Alumni Officer Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (Arts and Social Sciences '89).
New graduate Ms Anastasia Sabrina Zuraimi takes a snapshot with her family at the NUS Office of Alumni Relations' photo booth.
ready to give back
The season of celebration and jubilation came to a close with a night of heartwarming speeches and uplifting performances at the Commencement Dinner held on 21 July. Taking place at the dining hall of the College of Alice & Peter Tan and Residential College 4, the dinner was graced by more than 300 guests, including NUS President Prof Tan, NUS Chairman Mr Hsieh Fu Hua (Business ’74), NUS Pro-Chancellor Mr Po’ad Mattar (Accountancy ’71), valedictorians and graduates from the Class of 2023, as well as faculty, staff, students and alumni.
At the dinner, this year’s graduates paid tribute to the warm support of their professors, teachers and peers, who were an unwavering source of encouragement for the new graduates. Ms Lum Yen Yi, the NUS Students’ Union Student Deputy Welfare Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, who graduated from the College of Design and Engineering and NUS College, shared her transformation since first setting foot on campus. “We have learnt how to deal with the implications of the pandemic, discovering many things about ourselves — our passions, our values,” she said. “Now, we have the potential to make a difference. We are ready to give back to our community and society.”
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I remind myself to appreciate the present moment, not worry about an unknown future.
Ms Leong Jia Wen
Prof Tan also advised the graduates to accept change and to always stay calm and composed in evolving situations. “Some changes you will look forward to with great anticipation while others may bring the prospect of stormy weather and difficult terrain,” he said. “While it is understandable to want to avoid the stormy and difficult episodes, these may be necessary if we are to move onwards to new experiences and possibilities.” He also encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, keep a curious mindset and move past their comfort zones.
Armed with the strong values and bonds they have forged during their time at NUS, graduates are prepared to step into the world and give back, embrace change and fulfil their aspirations. Inspired by Professor Ho Swee Lin (Arts and Social Sciences ’89), who encouraged her to explore the unknown, Ms Leong Jia Wen (Arts and Social Sciences ’23) expressed that she was ready to take a leap of faith. “Sometimes, we’re so tied down by the prospects of our future that it hinders growth,” the 23-year-old added. “I remind myself to stand on my own feet and appreciate the present moment, not worry about an unknown future. Studying Sociology has also equipped me to understand the world we live in and enrich our lives through personal experiences.”
Mother and daughter, Dr Hsann Yin Maw and Ms Kyi Nuu Khin Khin, mirror their educational milestones nearly two decades apart on the same graduation staircase.
IT’s A FAMILY AFFAIR
In August 2001, Dr Hsann Yin Maw (Public Health ’04) moved from Myanmar to Singapore with her nine‑month-old daughter, Ms Kyi Nuu Khin Khin, to offer her a better educational future. “My husband, who’s also Burmese and is a polytechnic lecturer, told us good things about Singapore, so we came here,” says Dr Maw, now a Senior Principal Epidemiologist at a local hospital.
While pursuing her Master’s degree at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, NUS, in 2003 and 2004, Dr Maw often brought her daughter to her classes. “The staff even joked that she was the youngest student,” Dr Maw says with a smile.
Ms Khin Khin played near the Central Medical Library, and attended the Learning Vision preschool, which was located within NUS. “I was wowed by how spacious the school was,” she recalls. Exposed to NUS culture from a young age, Ms Khin Khin (Computing ’23) opted to study at the University and graduated this year. “Despite receiving scholarships from other universities, I chose NUS for its strong, open curriculum, and I wanted to keep my career options open,” she says.
NUS not only provided an academic foundation but also taught her resilience and helped her make lifelong friends. “I enjoyed student life and interacting with students from different courses,” Ms Khin Khin shares.
For Dr Maw, her daughter’s graduation was the culmination of a journey they had started as immigrants. “Watching Khin Khin graduate from NUS was one of the happiest moments in my life,” says Dr Maw. “It was a personal achievement for me.”
TEXT: AUDRINA GAN