Oct 17, 2023

On a vibrant Saturday on 26 August 2023, the Benefactor Campus Experience (BCE) event returned for its 8th year. Organised annually by NUS Giving, BCE is a significant event designed to bring benefactors, partners and friends of the NUS community together for an enriching and engaging day. The event offers a unique insight into the profound impact of their support while providing a unique opportunity for benefactors to relive the campus experience.

Held at the newly launched NUS Medicine+Science Library, BCE 2023 promised a full day of intellectual stimulation, cultural exploration and heartwarming connections.

The highlight of the morning session was the Masterclass Experience, which gave guests the chance to delve into groundbreaking research by distinguished NUS professors, and local entrepreneurs. With four compelling subjects to choose from, attendees got the opportunity to gain valuable insights from a diverse range of topics.

After a stimulating morning of intellectual engagement, guests gathered for a special luncheon hosted by NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (’85). The luncheon was a hubbub of lively networking as benefactors got to connect and exchange ideas amongst each other. The atmosphere was further enriched by the presence of four NUS start-ups: Mottainai Food Tech, the moonbeam co., Soynergy and Mori. Each of these start-ups hosted booths in the dining area, passionately sharing their entrepreneurial journeys, insights into their aspirations and innovative endeavours with the benefactors and other attendees.

Following the luncheon, the group enjoyed a fulfilling afternoon of cultural experiences.

_{Musical Showcase at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music}

Those who attended the Musical Showcase at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), hosted by YST Dean Professor Peter Tornquist, enjoyed a captivating musical performance by our very own YST students. After this, Dean Tornquist personally brought the benefactors on a guided tour of YST’s state-of-the-art facilities, hosting them to an exclusive YST experience. 

_{Floral Box Arrangement Workshop by Hello Flowers!}

Nature met artistic expression in the hands-on Floral Box Arrangement Workshop with NUS alumna, Ms Annie Cheong (’22). Guests were thrilled to craft their very own stunning floral arrangements under the guidance of skilled florists, discovering the beauty in every petal and leaf.

_{Afternoon Sketch Session with Mr Yeo Tze Yang}

Art enthusiasts joined accomplished artist and NUS alumnus, Mr Yeo Tze Yang (’19), for an inspiring Afternoon Sketch session. With expert guidance, they explored their creative sides on canvas, discovering their own artistry and gaining newfound confidence in every stroke.   

When the event ended, attendees got to take home their choice of three unique tumblers as a special memento. These tumblers feature illustrations of NUS' iconic locations: University Town, the Education Resource Centre and YST. The talented creator behind these illustrations is NUS Architecture alumna Ms Anna Zhou Yue (’20).

"It was a delightful joy to hear from Professor Benjamin Cashore in his Masterclass lecture on his work within the sustainability policy sciences and how many experts are working hard to heal the earth. I also enjoyed the casual luncheon which had a good spread of local dishes,” shared donor Mr Tan Boon Chin (’81). 

Advancing Policy Design Capacity Building for Sustainability Transitions in Southeast Asia
Professor Benjamin Cashore
Li Ka Shing Chair in Public Management
Director, Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES)
NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

Prof Cashore discussed the approach to tackling super wicked problems pertaining to sustainability and climate change. He emphasised the significance of crafting impactful policies with practical implementation on the ground. Additionally, he explored the principles of creating resilient and efficient sustainability solutions to address these complex issues.

Novel Agents That May Prevent Dementia and Other Age-Related Diseases
Professor Barry Halliwell
Distinguished Professor
Department of Biochemistry
NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

Prof Halliwell delved into the pressing issue of age-related diseases, particularly focusing on dementia, given its growing prevalence in our aging society. He presented novel strategies for addressing dementia, underscoring the shortcomings of conventional antioxidant therapies and showcasing the potential of ergothioneine-enriched mushrooms as a promising path to promote brain health. Furthermore, he emphasised the pivotal role of lifestyle factors and sustained mental engagement in mitigating dementia risk, offering a ray of hope in the ongoing fight against age-related diseases.

"South China Sea Buddhism": What's in a Name?
Assistant Professor Chia Meng Tat Jack
Department of History
NUS Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Dr Chia's research shed light on the dynamic history of Buddhist migration from China to Southeast Asia, highlighting the interconnected Buddhist networks across the South China Sea. His work challenges conventional categories like "Chinese Buddhism" and "Southeast Asian Buddhism," highlighting the significant role of Chinese Buddhist communities in maritime Southeast Asia.

Sharing by Entrepreneurs from Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP)
Founders of NUS GRIP Start-Ups
Three NUS GRIP start-ups, - ArmasTec Pte Ltd, Liloss Pte Ltd and Power Facade Pte Ltd - , candidly shared their entrepreneurial journeys and experiences with the audience. In particular, Mr Song Zixuan  (’22), the founder of Liloss, expressed deep appreciation for the invaluable support provided by NUS research scholarships, which played a crucial role in his entrepreneurial endeavours.

NUS GRIP is a bespoke venture creation programme that provides step-by-step guidance, enabling postgraduate students and researchers to transform research into deep technology start-ups. Through GRIP, aspiring entrepreneurs are empowered with all the knowledge and skill sets necessary to create their own start-ups, industry linkages to real world problems, mentorship, funding and other support necessary to take their start-ups off the ground.