Talking about Tomorrow

An Age-old Issue

It is projected that, by 2030, 23.8 per cent of Singapore’s resident population will be aged 65 years and over. Singapore has been preparing for this since the 1980s, when a Committee on the Problems of the Aged was formed to study the implications of, and recommend responses to, an ageing population. As each cohort of seniors enjoys progressively better education, income and health, their needs and aspirations become more varied. Our alumni discuss the blind spots and challenges going forward. 

IN CONVERSATION WITH

Undergraduates

President | 45^th Executive Committee National University of Singapore Students’ Union (NUSSU) Council

Postgraduates

The newest cohort of National University of Singapore (NUS) graduates is used to uncertainty. After all, their first few years in the University were unlike anything seen in recent memory. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, their classes, interactions and even orientations were largely online. It was only a few years into their education that they started experiencing a more traditional university education. 

This cohort will once again face the unknown as they enter a working world where change is the only constant. But that has not affected their university experience. In fact, it has fostered a spirit of resilience and community, layering onto the comprehensive education they received at NUS, that gifts them with the unwavering confidence to conquer their dreams. The AlumNUS speaks to this year’s graduates to find out more as they step out from NUS. 

How have you grown and evolved since you stepped into NUS?

Hnin Su: We were lucky to have been given the chance to discover new passions and interests while in university, and were able to change track quite easily. I actually joined NUS to pursue computer science, but then realised that I wanted something more creative and not as technical. Through my major in Communications and New Media, I discovered my passion for UX design — and that is what I’m gunning for.

Miguel: I agree. After my first year, I was exposed to design thinking, and that sparked my interest in Innovation and Design, which I took as a minor in my second year. The focus on interdisciplinary learning made us a lot more comfortable with new environments, and it is something that you hold on to. Just look at me: I’m a chemical engineer by training, but will soon be working in customer data management at Singapore Airlines! 

Natalie: Going on an overseas exchange was another eye-opener. I went to the UK and during that time, had the opportunity to make short films across Europe. It got me interested in content creation and I combined that with my passion for geography when I returned by joining a research project with NUS Geography on the impact of hydropower dams on dolphins in the Irrawaddy River. I also went to Kenya recently to film and document the conservation scene there. These varied experiences have helped me better understand my interests.

Hanson: I have become a lot more entrepreneurial thanks to my participation in the NUS Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP) and PIER71 (Port Innovation Ecosystem Reimagined @ BLOCK71). These programmes equipped us with the essential knowledge and skill sets needed to translate our research into impactful deep technology start-ups. Through PIER71, I also witnessed firsthand how research can be applied to the maritime industry, particularly in addressing global challenges such as decarbonisation. 

Is there a chance that you might move into different fields?

Kunal: My interest is in automotive engineering, which is not really a big industry in Singapore yet. But I am confident that I will be able to navigate my way towards that industry by applying the skills I have learnt. Hopefully I will be able to move from mechanical engineering, apply for jobs in the semiconductor industry and from there, move into the automotive industry. 

Farah: It is a bit different for me. Medicine is often seen as a unidirectional discipline, because it is a professional programme. But being active in various interest groups, societies and activities allowed me to pick up basic skills in marketing, sponsorship management and event organisation. These are definitely not deep enough for a career in those fields, but they make me more well-rounded as a professional.

Derek: I am probably going against the grain here, but if anything, I have only deepened my passion for chemistry. Through these four years, I tried out many aspects of chemistry, including research, which I really enjoyed. But I realised that academia can be a competitive environment, which is not really what I want. So I have looked into lab work, where I can apply the concepts I have learnt. I believe it is better suited to me.

What are some of your concerns as you step out into the working world?

Natalie: For the first time, I do not know exactly what I will be doing in six months — and this is quite a scary thought for someone who likes to plan. But if these four years have taught me anything, it is to be comfortable with uncertainty. I do not think I am there yet, but am confident that I will get there. 

Derek: Having done so many internships has definitely helped to quell some of the nerves. These offer great opportunities to pick up the softer, transferable skills that you cannot learn in school: how to communicate with your boss, manage various stakeholders, and so on. I believe I speak for all of us when I say that being from NUS has given employers the confidence to treat us like full-time staff during internships, giving us a great deal of responsibilities and opportunities. I definitely benefitted from that. 

Suchit: One thing weighing on all our minds — even as postgraduates — is the world we are graduating into. While I do have concerns, I am currently honing my computational skills and acquiring firsthand research experience as a research assistant. Eventually, I hope to work in computational physics, where I can use my skills and expertise to enact positive change, and eventually pursue a PhD.
 

One thing that every successive cohort has in common is the sense that you have forged lifelong bonds during your time here. Tell us about that.

Ziwei: Work aside, my biggest takeaway from NUS would be the friends made here. I will miss the times when I stayed in hostel and could just text in the group chat and ask to have supper, and there were bound to be friends to eat with. Then there are the people I met in class who would debate intensely on a topic, and even carry on these discussions over meals afterwards. I will also miss my committee members in the NUS Students’ Union. 

Kunal: The first few years of university life were marked by the pandemic, so many of us got very close to people in our residential colleges. In my case, it was Ridge View Residential College, and we would see one another at mealtimes. Those were very important connections, since we had little chance to forge others. But when things started opening up, we gradually started mixing and had the opportunity to make friends from across NUS.

Hanson: One of the most cherished aspects of my PhD experience was the collaborative environment. Working closely with fellow researchers and mentors — especially my supervisor, Associate Professor Yang Kun-Lin — has been instrumental in shaping my research approach. The exchange of ideas and collective problem-solving fostered a strong sense of camaraderie within our academic community, enhancing both my personal growth and the quality of my research.

Any words for fellow graduands?

Ziwei: Firstly, congratulations on completing the tough but eventful tenure in NUS. Hopefully it was both fruitful and memorable. It is normal to have concerns and doubts about the future, for no one knows what tomorrow holds. However, I believe with the knowledge, skills and experience that NUS has equipped us with, we should be confident of being able to shape our own future, and be the change we want to see. Do not feel demoralised if you are unable to land a job immediately. Have patience and faith, pursue what you are interested in, and the opportunity will present itself.