The 10th Benefactor Campus Experience (BCE) was held at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

For the past decade, NUS Giving’s Benefactor Campus Experience (BCE) has been a signature way for the National University of Singapore (NUS) to welcome donors back to campus and share the impact of their generosity. Marking its 10th edition this year, BCE has grown into a well-loved tradition of learning, connection and gratitude.

This year, BCE 2025 carried special resonance as it coincided with the University’s ongoing NUS120 celebrations, commemorating NUS’ 120th anniversary since its founding. Hosted at the NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ (FASS) AS8 building, the event began on a cold and drizzly Saturday morning. However, donors were warmly welcomed by freshly brewed coffee and hot pastries from The Coffee Roaster as they streamed in for the day’s programmes.

Local samba percussion band Sambiesta kickstarted the morning with a bang. Featuring NUS student Ms Rachel Pang from the NUS Faculty of Science, and alumni Ms Freda Tan (Business ’23) and Mr Joel Tay (Computing ’25) amongst other performers, the group’s rhythmic beats and infectious energy instantly livened the atmosphere. Donors and guests started clapping along and could not help smiling throughout the performance.

FASS Dean Professor Lionel Wee (Arts and Social Sciences ’88) welcomed the donors to BCE with a heartfelt and personal sharing: “Since my early days as an undergraduate until now, I’ve seen NUS make so much progress, not just in terms of research or teaching, but also in the kind of global impact it has on the world,” he shared, briefly recounting his journey in NUS, from undergraduate to professor and now Dean.

“All of these achievements wouldn’t have been possible without your support,” he added.

Learning Together through Masterclasses

Donors then dispersed into their selected Masterclasses for a time of learning.

Prof Dean Ho shared about his work at the Institute for Digital Medicine.

Prof Mohan Kankanhalli’s Masterclass discussed how to harness AI for societal good.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) took centrestage as the key topic in two sessions: Provost’s Chair Professor and Director of the Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM) Professor Dean Ho shared his research on “Digital Longevity Medicine and AI-Optimised Health”, detailing his experiments on fasting and metabolic flexibility that he had tested on himself; while Provost’s Chair Professor of Computer Science and Founding Director of the NUS AI Institute Professor Mohan Kankanhalli’s “Harnessing AI for Societal Good”  explored how to responsibly leverage AI in daily life, also reminding audiences of the irreplaceable value of human-created data in an age of machine learning.

Prof Simon Collinson encouraged donors towards a lifestyle of healthy longevity.

Prof Sumit Agarwal gave an insightful talk on effective financial planning.

In “Unlocking Brain Health for Longevity and Well-Being”, Visiting Professor at the Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre Simon Collinson emphasised the importance of early intervention in reducing dementia risk, calling the 40 to 50 age range the “battleground” for brain health. Low Tuck Kwong Distinguished Professor of Finance Sumit Agarwal offered practical tips on household finance in “Managing Money Wisely”, showing donors how small, informed decisions can build long-term security.

Donors drew maps in Prof T.C. Chang’s Masterclass on critical map literacy.

Meanwhile, Professor T.C. Chang from the Department of Geography led an engaging discussion on “Seeing the World Through Maps”. Through an interactive and humorous exercise where donors did freehand sketches of Singapore, he revealed how every individual’s geographical imagination shapes the way they understand concepts of place and identity.

Immersing in Cultural Delights

Donors enjoyed a hands-on session and learnt how to generate videos with AI software.

Beyond the lectures, donors also got to immerse themselves in the Cultural Delights segment, featuring hands-on workshops led by NUS students, alumni and faculty. In the AI-Powered Video Creation Workshop, Mr Allan Tay (Industrial Design ’10) took donors through a step-by-step process of creating their very own AI-generated videos and even soundtracks; while Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of NUS College’s Impact Projects Programme Dr Lim Chee Han introduced donors to a body-based game of chess, giving them a unique and physically interactive way to understand the Chinese martial arts concept of “softness in hardness”.

Dr Lim Chee Han took donors through an exciting and physically interactive tai chi experience.

The NUS Nihon Buyō Club engaged donors in the traditional Japanese art form.

Donors experienced the joy of traditional Japanese dance in the immersive workshop hosted by the NUS Nihon Buyō Club, a student-run organisation dedicated to the dance form. After hearing the historical roots of Nihon Buyō and watching the students perform a story set to music, donors got to join in too! It was a heartwarming scene as donors, students and even NUS staff all came together and danced around the room to traditional Japanese music, sharing laughter and newfound camaraderie.

Creating Connections That Last

Donors enjoyed a hearty lunch while connecting with NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye.

The day concluded with a celebratory lunch hosted by NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) and NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Professor Aaron Thean. Over good food and conversations, donors deepened their connections with faculty and fellow benefactors. It was a fitting close to a morning that showcased the impact of giving, the spirit of NUS120 and the joy of learning together.

We’d love to welcome you to our collective of donors making a difference. You can make a gift today through our Give.NUS platform and support NUS students through the gift of financial aid.