{"id":4906,"date":"2023-10-01T07:17:47","date_gmt":"2023-10-01T07:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-alumn-nus.pantheonsite.io\/alumnus\/?p=4906"},"modified":"2025-07-15T16:07:57","modified_gmt":"2025-07-15T08:07:57","slug":"ready-to-shape-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/2023\/10\/01\/ready-to-shape-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"Ready to Shape Tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Amidst an atmosphere of jubilation and achievement, the Commencement<\/em> ceremonies at the National University of Singapore (NUS) kicked off at the University Cultural Centre this year as the graduates\u2019 families and friends gathered to celebrate the occasion.\u00a0<\/p>

The Main Ceremony, the first of 30 to be held from 6 to 15 July, honoured 347 graduates from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. With the then-NUS Chancellor and President of Singapore, Madam Halimah Yacob (Law \u201978), presiding, the event was made even more special by the conferral of honorary degrees on Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (Science \u201962) and Dr Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chu (Medicine \u201985).\u00a0<\/p>

Held over nine days, the ceremonies celebrated more than 14,700 graduates who had embarked on a fruitful journey at the University. NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science \u201985) spoke about Commencement as a unique occasion that unites generations of the NUS community, all committed to that same spirit of resolve, imagination and care for the community while taking society to new heights. \u201cI am confident that our graduates have the skills, knowledge and training, and possess the qualities of grit, drive and determination, to thrive in the complex times ahead. In the fullness of time, you will, no doubt, make your own unique and transformative contributions to society and the world,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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GRADUATES DEMONSTRATE RESILIENCE<\/strong><\/p>

Graduates were commended for their unwavering resilience in overcoming obstacles during their academic journey, emerging stronger and more determined. Just ask Ms Anastasia Sabrina Zuraimi (Arts and Social Sciences \u201923), who majored in Political Science and minored in Malay Studies. Initially unsure she would graduate due to struggles with her studies and wellbeing, she credits NUS for providing her \u201cwith a safe space to experience failure and improve my mental health\u201d. Reflecting on the impact of the COVID-19 Circuit Breaker on her life, the 24-year-old shared, “Learning that it\u2019s okay to fail was not easy… but the world turns.” Her supportive family and standout professors, like Associate Professor Luke O\u2019Sullivan (Affiliate Alumnus \u201919) and Associate Professor Bilveer Singh (Arts and Social Sciences ’81), kept her grounded and fuelled her interest in both politics and the arts. Although she is undecided about her career path, she hopes to explore opportunities that combine her dual passions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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In the fullness of time, you will, no doubt, make your own unique and transformative contributions to society and the world.<\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Professor Tan Eng Chye<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The commencement ceremony also emphasised the transformative impact of education, underlining how the graduates\u2019 time at NUS had moulded them into well-rounded individuals ready to tackle the complexities of the world.\u00a0<\/p>

Valedictorian Dr Alvin Tan Kian Wei (Medicine \u201917), who obtained his Master of Public Policy in 2023, thanked the NUS community that has supported the graduates thus far. \u201cToday, while we stand at the crossroads of uncertainties, we know we are not alone,\u201d he said in his speech. \u201cWe can draw strength from the relationships and connections we have forged to weather any storm and overcome any obstacle.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>

This year\u2019s Main Ceremony was also marked by an energetic rendition of Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla\u2019s ‘Histoire du Tango: Bordello, 1900’, which was arranged and performed by a quartet of four valedictory graduates of the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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BEHIND THE SCENES OF A PHOTO BOOTH SENSATION<\/strong><\/p>

In a mission to create a standout booth for NUS Commencement 2023, a team from the NUS Office of Alumni Relations came up with a creative solution. Led by Associate Director Ms Jacqueline Yong and joined by Senior Managers Ms Katherine Chinn and Ms Wong Sher Maine, the team turned a static backdrop into an interactive photo booth integrated with the NUS alumni magazine, The AlumNUS. \u201cWe wanted new graduates to be cover stars on The AlumNUS, creating memorable, Instagram-worthy moments for them and their families,\u201d said Ms Yong. Despite logistical challenges and coinciding with NUS\u2019 annual Homecoming event, the booth was a success. Over 10 days, nearly 12,000 visitors, including families, captured their memories. \u201cThe booth was a hit, bringing joy and special memories to graduates and their families,\u201d remarked Chief Alumni Officer Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (Arts and Social Sciences ’89).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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New graduate Ms Anastasia Sabrina Zuraimi takes a snapshot with her family at the NUS Office of Alumni Relations' photo booth.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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READY TO GIVE BACK<\/strong><\/p>

The season of celebration and jubilation came to a close with a night of heartwarming speeches and uplifting performances at the Commencement Dinner held on 21 July. Taking place at the dining hall of the College of Alice & Peter Tan and Residential College 4, the dinner was graced by more than 300 guests, including NUS President Prof Tan, NUS Chairman Mr Hsieh Fu Hua (Business \u201974), NUS Pro-Chancellor Mr Po\u2019ad Mattar (Accountancy \u201971), valedictorians and graduates from the Class of 2023, as well as faculty, staff, students and alumni.\u00a0<\/p>

At the dinner, this year\u2019s graduates paid tribute to the warm support of their professors, teachers and peers, who were an unwavering source of encouragement for the new graduates. Ms Lum Yen Yi, the NUS Students\u2019 Union Student Deputy Welfare Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, who graduated from the College of Design and Engineering and NUS College, shared her transformation since first setting foot on campus. \u201cWe have learnt how to deal with the implications of the pandemic, discovering many things about ourselves \u2014 our passions, our values,\u201d she said. \u201cNow, we have the potential to make a difference. We are ready to give back to our community and society.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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I remind myself to appreciate the present moment, not worry about an unknown future.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Ms Leong Jia Wen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Prof Tan also advised the graduates to accept change and to always stay calm and composed in evolving situations. \u201cSome changes you will look forward to with great anticipation while others may bring the prospect of stormy weather and difficult terrain,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile it is understandable to want to avoid the stormy and difficult episodes, these may be necessary if we are to move onwards to new experiences and possibilities.\u201d He also encouraged graduates to embrace lifelong learning, keep a curious mindset and move past their comfort zones.\u00a0<\/p>

Armed with the strong values and bonds they have forged during their time at NUS, graduates are prepared to step into the world and give back, embrace change and fulfil their aspirations. Inspired by Professor Ho Swee Lin (Arts and Social Sciences \u201989), who encouraged her to explore the unknown, Ms Leong Jia Wen (Arts and Social Sciences \u201923) expressed that she was ready to take a leap of faith. \u201cSometimes, we\u2019re so tied down by the prospects of our future that it hinders growth,\u201d the 23-year-old added. \u201cI remind myself to stand on my own feet and appreciate the present moment, not worry about an unknown future. Studying Sociology has also equipped me to understand the world we live in and enrich our lives through personal experiences.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mother and daughter, Dr Hsann Yin Maw and Ms Kyi Nuu Khin Khin, mirror their educational milestones nearly two decades apart on the same graduation staircase.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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IT\u2019S A FAMILY AFFAIR<\/strong><\/p>

In August 2001, Dr Hsann Yin Maw (Public Health \u201904) moved from Myanmar to Singapore with her nine\u2011month-old daughter, Ms Kyi Nuu Khin Khin, to offer her a better educational future. \u201cMy husband, who\u2019s also Burmese and is a polytechnic lecturer, told us good things about Singapore, so we came here,\u201d says Dr Maw, now a Senior Principal Epidemiologist at a local hospital.\u00a0<\/p>

While pursuing her Master\u2019s degree at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, NUS, in 2003 and 2004, Dr Maw often brought her daughter to her classes. \u201cThe staff even joked that she was the youngest student,\u201d Dr Maw says with a smile.\u00a0<\/p>

Ms Khin Khin played near the Central Medical Library, and attended the Learning Vision preschool, which was located within NUS. \u201cI was wowed by how spacious the school was,\u201d she recalls. Exposed to NUS culture from a young age, Ms Khin Khin (Computing \u201923) opted to study at the University and graduated this year. \u201cDespite receiving scholarships from other universities, I chose NUS for its strong, open curriculum, and I wanted to keep my career options open,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/p>

NUS not only provided an academic foundation but also taught her resilience and helped her make lifelong friends. \u201cI enjoyed student life and interacting with students from different courses,\u201d Ms Khin Khin shares.<\/p>

For Dr Maw, her daughter\u2019s graduation was the culmination of a journey they had started as immigrants. \u201cWatching Khin Khin graduate from NUS was one of the happiest moments in my life,\u201d says Dr Maw. \u201cIt was a personal achievement for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NUS Commencement celebrates graduates who have embraced challenges, undergone a transformation and are now equipped to weave their aspirations into the fabric of society.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6049,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4906","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-events"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4906","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4906"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4906\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6136,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4906\/revisions\/6136"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4906"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4906"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alumni.nus.edu.sg\/thealumnus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4906"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}