Taking over the Cinnamon Wing of NUS College, located in University Town, the physical premises of Acacia College are still being refurbished to align with its AI theme. The Acacia College branding (with letters A and I aptly highlighted) is in its final design stages while meeting rooms are being kitted out with futuristic blue lights.
While the hardware is taking time, the software — the spirit of tech innovation — has already taken root in the new AI-themed residential college, themed “Fundamentals of Artificial and Human Intelligences”. The 220 residents, who comprise an equal gender mix spread across Year 1 and Year 2, get to take exclusive AI-centric modules.
Cheryl Leong, 19, a first-year computer science student, enjoys taking a coding module that includes AI elements. At the same time, she is part of an interest group that is building an educational game related to coding and AI. Other unique interest groups within the College include the Hackathon Society, Coding Club and the AI Society, which organises AI-themed events and talks.
The residents, who come from diverse faculties including FASS, Science, Medicine, Law and the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), readily turn to AI for ideas. Inspiring his students at the inaugural Welcome Dinner, Associate Professor Heng Cheng Suang, Master of Acacia College, creatively delivered a welcome message in 14 languages, in different cultural costumes, and from different locations—including a scene of him speaking French before the Eiffel Tower and a scene of him speaking Norwegian under the beauty of the Aurora Borealis—to the amusement and delight of the guests. Indeed, the 1-minute deepfake video epitomises the constructive use of AI.
For first-year medical student Li Zhicheng, 21, living in Acacia College allowed him to form an inter-disciplinary team to take part in a medical innovation programme — NUS’ Medical Grand Challenge, taking place in mid-2026. His team of six includes three medical students and three from other faculties, such as the College of Design and Engineering, with knowledge of software. Said Zhicheng, “We went for it because my team members, all in Acacia College, have different expertise but we are all interested in focusing on AI and that gives us a competitive advantage.”
Assoc Prof Heng has big plans for Acacia College. He intends to invite eminent scholars and professional pundits to speak about AI as part of a distinguished speaker series, organise hackathons, drive performances that integrate technology with art (such as dance with AI light illusions), and expose the residents to new experiences like dining with 3D immersive light art and storytelling. Aiming to spark curiosity and ignite enthusiasm in his students, Assoc Prof Heng fervently expressed, “I hope that the students of Acacia College will surpass me in my vision and endeavours.”
