NUS Bulletin AY2020/21

The roots of NUS can be traced to the founding of The Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School in 1905. The School was renamed King Edward VII Medical School in 1913 and was the first institution of higher learning in Singapore. It gained recognition and rose in status to become the King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1921.

In 1928, Raffles College was established to offer tertiary-level courses in Arts and Science. In 1949, it merged with the King Edward VII College of Medicine to form a full-fledged University, the University of Malaya. With full degree-granting powers, the University was a beacon of knowledge for both sides of the Causeway.

With the decision of the Governments of Singapore and the Federation of Malaya that the Singapore Division and the Kuala Lumpur Division of the University of Malaya should become autonomous national universities in their respective countries, the University of Singapore, with its campus in Bukit Timah, was established on 1 January 1962.

In 1955, Nanyang University was established from contributions and resources pooled from the Chinese community in Singapore. To the Chinese community, Nanyang University was more affectionately known as ‘Nantah’.

On 8 August 1980, the National University of Singapore was formed through a merger between the University of Singapore and Nanyang University. The sprawling 150-hectare Kent Ridge site became the new home for the University. The then President of the Republic of Singapore, Dr Benjamin Sheares, become NUS’ first Chancellor. The Kent Ridge site was developed over the years and the transfer of all the Faculties and Departments to the new campus was completed in 1986.

Chancellery
The President of the Republic of Singapore is the Chancellor of the University.  The Chancellor holds the authority to confer degrees and presides at Commencement when present.  The Chancellor may appoint such persons to be Pro-Chancellors as he/she may consider proper.  If for any reason the Chancellor is unable to exercise any of his/her functions, he/she may authorise any of the Pro-­Chancellors to exercise those functions on his/her behalf. There are currently six Pro-Chancellors appointed by the Chancellor. An up-to-date listing of the University Chancellery is available here.

Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees, appointed by the Minister for Education, is responsible for ensuring that the University acts in furtherance of its objectives in education and research and that the funds and assets of the University are properly accounted for and safeguarded. The Trustees are eminent persons of good repute and sound judgment, with considerable experience in public service, the private sector or academia. The Trustees are dedicated to the furtherance of the interests and good governance of the University. An up-to-date listing of the Trustees is available here.

Management 
The NUS President, appointed by the Board of Trustees, is the principal executive and academic officer of the University. The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the President, also appoints the Management team of the University. Together, this team develops and implements the strategic objectives of the University. An up-to-date listing of the members of the NUS Management team is available here.

Senate
The Senate is the highest academic body of the University. Chaired by the President of the University, the Senate meets regularly to deliberate on educational policy and other academic issues.

Some of the available resources and services at NUS are as follows:

Office of Admissions
The Office of Admissions oversees all matters pertaining to undergraduate admissions, including recruitment, transfer of degree courses, student financial aid and award of NUS scholarships.

Campus Services
The Office of Campus Amenities oversees the retail and dining services and transport, logistics and car parks in NUS with the aim of delivering quality service and excellence to the stakeholders in campus.

NUS Centre For the Arts
Established in 1993, NUS Centre For the Arts (CFA) is a vibrant space for the appreciation of the arts and nurturing of the creative and inquiring spirit. We support student engagement with the arts and the integration of the arts into the life of the University.

We comprise the NUS Museum, NUS Baba House and a Talent and Development arm that oversees 22 student arts excellence groups. Through our myriad of programmes, practices, exhibitions, workshops and outreach, such as NUS Arts Festival and the ExxonMobil Campus Concerts, we enrich the university experience and contribute to the building of knowledge and transformation of students.

We also manage facilities such as the University Cultural Centre, with its 1700-seat Hall and 425-seat Theatre, and rehearsal spaces in Runme Shaw CFA Studios and University Town.

For more information, visit cfa.nus.edu.sg

NUS Information Technology
The NUS Information Technology spearheads the IT development on campus for teaching, learning, research and administration. We collaborate with the faculty, staff and students for innovative IT solutions to meet the diverse needs of the community. Our roles and responsibilities range from IT governance to modernization, digital transformation, Cloud adoption, system integration, campus network, research computing, student, mobile and enterprise applications, messaging, data analytics, cyber security and end user computing.

NUS Co-op
The NUS Multi-purpose Co-operative Society Limited (NUS Co-op) offers a wide range of products including books, course packs, stationery and sundry items, and computer hardware, software and accessories. It has a wide membership in the community. Among the various services it provides are a book assistance scheme and several community service schemes.

Office of Finance
The Office of Finance is responsible for the University’s financial policies and procedures, billing and collection of tuition fees, shared financial services, treasury, controllerships, financial reporting and stewardship of the University’s financial resources.

University Health Centre
The University Health Centre (UHC) consists of three Units, each handling different aspects of health and wellness for the NUS community:

• Health Service provides comprehensive medical care
• Wellness Outreach promotes a healthy and balanced lifestyle
• University Counselling Services provides mental health support

Global Relations Office
The Global Relations Office is responsible for forging and maintaining relations with international partners and collaborators around the world to make available various study abroad and student exchange opportunities. The Office also promotes NUS by developing international initiatives to enhance the University’s global standing.

NUS Libraries
NUS Libraries plays a pivotal role in partnering the NUS community in advancing scholarship and research. It comprises eight libraries, with the Central Library being the largest and C J Koh Law Library and Medical Library serving as the de facto national law and medical libraries in Singapore. It is the largest academic and research library in this region with a rich collection of more than 3 million volumes covering multidisciplinary subjects in architecture, business, engineering, humanities and social sciences, law, medicine, science, and other disciplines. NUS Libraries is a steward and repository of national and regional heritage, hosting a collection that includes treasures that date as far back as the 14th century, irreplaceable material saved from the Japanese invaders during World War 2, the world-renowned Singapore/Malaysia collection, the Biodiversity Library of Southeast Asia and archival documents from the Colonial Office records.

Registrar’s Office
The Registrar’s Office oversees the administration of academic matters including freshmen registration, module enrolment, curriculum, examinations, award of degrees, and commencement. The Office is committed to service excellence and makes use of the latest technology to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in its administrative operations.

NUS Centre for Future-ready Graduates
The NUS Centre for Future-Ready Graduates (CFG) is a new-era career centre that helps students thrive in a world of constant change, ensuring they are ready for their future careers. The Centre provides students with access to career-readiness programmes, on-demand career support, employer engagement events, real-world experiences, and more.

• Career-Readiness Programmes:
  • Career Catalyst: It’s never too early to start thinking about career preparation. CFG’s foundational career preparation module helps year one students to kick start their career planning early so they can maximise their time at university.
  • Career Booster Workshop Series: Conducted by experts in their respective fields, these workshops provide students with advanced interviewing techniques to help them secure their first job. Workshops cover topics such as assessment centres, digital interviews, case interviews and presentations.
  • Career Accelerator: The future is all about skills. CFG organises skill-building programmes throughout the semester to help increase student employability – focusing on transferable soft skills such as collaboration, resilience, adaptability and productivity.

• On-Demand Career Support:
  For immediate career support, a range of digital resources is available to students, 24/7. Students may visit CFG’s website to access digital feedback tools and how-to guides on digital interviewing practice, resume writing, and job search strategies.For personalised expert advice, students may request a meeting with one of CFG’s certified Career Advisors on NUS TalentConnect.

• Employer Engagement:
  Employers look for talent throughout the year. That’s why CFG fills each semester with career fairs, recruitment talks, and networking sessions – giving students plenty of opportunities to find their next opportunity.

• Real-World Experience:
  One of the best ways for students to prepare for the working world is to immerse themselves in it. CFG helps facilitate internship opportunities for students in Singapore and overseas – from non-profit organisations and MNCs, to SMEs and start-ups.

• NUS TalentConnect:
  The dedicated job portal for NUS students and alumni. Students may log on to access more than 1,000 jobs and internships in Singapore and overseas.

Office of Student Affairs
The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is committed to provide a rich and memorable student experience in NUS. OSA considers students’ perspectives and creates opportunities to enrich their campus life. OSA endeavours to develop a student-centric environment and administration through a wide range of support services, educational, cultural, social programming, and resources.

The type of services, programmes and activities OSA offers include:

• Student Service Centre
  A convenient contact point for students to obtain information and services related to academic/administrative student records, tuition fees and financial matters;

• Hostel Admission Services
  Manage student housing, application eligibility and procedures;

• Residential Life
  Assist students to settle in and experience a positive and vibrant residential life through social, cultural and sports activities, and enrichment programmes;

• Student Organisations
  Provide a framework of governance for NUS student organisations to thrive and contribute to student life and campus vibrancy;

• Community Engagement
  Promote and support student engagement with the community within the university, and with society beyond the university;

• Training & Development
  Develop and execute experiential learning programmes focussing on leadership and life-skills for the NUS student community;

• Sports
  Promote a healthy lifestyle through sports and recreation, and sports excellence;

• Student Support Services (S3)
  Support students’ wellbeing and strengthen mental health services in a safe and inclusive space as they navigate their journey in NUS;

• Disability Support & Services
  Provide an inclusive and nurturing academic environment to students with disabilities and special education needs to achieve their fullest potential.