FLIGHT Halcyon Takes - Yale-NUS College
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Halcyon Takes FLIGHT Yale-NUS College Year in Review 2017
Contents
02 38
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FLYING HIGH
04 62
TAKING OFF SPREADING WINGS
Vision
A community of learning,
Founded by two great universities,
In Asia, for the world.
Mission
Yale-NUS College, a residential college
located in Singapore, aims to redefine
liberal arts and science education for a
complex, interconnected world.
A community of learning In Asia
We are a diverse group of students, faculty, Our location at the crossroads of Asia informs
staff, and supporters, dedicated to building our pedagogy. Drawing on active modes of
a community in which living and learning are learning associated with American liberal arts
intertwined and habits of creativity, curiosity, and education, we introduce our students to the
critical thinking are encouraged. Our innovative diverse intellectual traditions and cultures of
curriculum integrates knowledge from across Asia and the world.
the disciplines and around the world.
For the world
Founded by two great universities We educate citizens of the world and uphold
An intimate liberal arts college, dedicated to the principles of free exchange of ideas,
undergraduate education, Yale-NUS draws pluralism, and respect for diversity. Our extra-
on the resources and traditions of two great curricular and residential programmes support
universities. We pursue excellence through student learning and encourage an ethic of
innovative teaching and research, and we service. By our example, we seek to spur
provide global opportunities for our students. innovation in higher education across the globe.
Yale-NUS College
at a glance
800 55 3
students student residential
organisations colleges
14 1,022
majors student rooms
65 7 63,000
nationalities science
laboratories square metres
02 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
President’s
message
In 2017, the Yale-NUS
mascot, a kingfisher named
Halcyon, was officially
launched. Much like many
of our key milestones on
campus, the creation of the
mascot was a community
effort, with students,
staff and faculty working
collaboratively to design and
develop it. Halcyon embodies
the community ideals of
Yale-NUS – Creativity,
Curiosity and an Adventurous
Spirit; and shortly after its
launch on campus, our first
batch of Halcyons took flight,
metaphorically speaking, and research, education, Class of 2021, we continue
as they graduated from finance, and technology and to expand the diverse and
Yale-NUS College. startups. From this class, global nature of our student
we also had our first Rhodes body, which now stands at
The graduates hailing from Scholar Nicholas Carverhill over 800 students.
the Class of 2017 are a and Schwarzman Scholar
special group. Representing Mollie Saltskog. I am proud The process of renewal
some 20 nationalities, the of the achievements of our applies not just to our
students are diverse in pioneer batch and hope this students, but also to the
terms of backgrounds and will spur the current and College leadership as we
remarkable in terms of future batches of Yale-NUS seek to redefine liberal arts
achievements. They hold students on. and science education for
multifarious viewpoints, but this century. In 2017, we
have one thing in common As our first batch of students bade a fond farewell to our
– a pioneering spirit and a left the nest, we welcomed founding president, Professor
desire to make a difference. our fifth class in 2017. With Pericles Lewis, who returned
Within a few months of 250 students hailing from 45 to Yale University after
graduation, over 90 percent countries, the Class of 2021 completing his five-year
of our inaugural cohort is our largest intake to date. term. Professor Lewis had
secured jobs, fellowships or Singaporeans continued to been instrumental in leading
university places to pursue make up the largest pool of the College to a remarkable
graduate studies. The students. For the first time, number of milestones since
graduates who received job students from Uzbekistan, his appointment in 2012. I
offers moved into a variety Cambodia and Paraguay am grateful to him for laying
of sectors, such as the public were also represented, such strong foundations for
service, consulting, science amongst others. With the the College. As I take up the
YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 03
mantle to lead Yale-NUS in its our vision to be a community community will enable
next phase of development of learning. Students and future generations of needy
and growth, a key theme of faculty will give feedback Yale-NUS students to fully
my presidency is to nurture to SJ on its smart facilities benefit from their time spent
an ethos of service in our management solutions, at the College, without having
students. Our College must and faculty will contribute to worry about financial
be a place that prepares its their research expertise to obligations.
graduates for active roles translate research findings
in civic life. It is also an into real world technology As the College grows, we
institution where curricula solutions for meaningful will see more batches of
and courses challenge their outcomes. In the year Yale-NUS graduates spread
imagination and develop their ahead, we will also continue their wings as they embark
civic competencies, while to evolve our curriculum on challenges in various
co-curricular activities offer through partnerships with fields, in different corners
opportunities to engage in Duke-NUS Medical School of the world. Their time as
public work. This remains and the National University Yale-NUS undergraduates
a key part of our mission. of Singapore (NUS) School might have ended but we
From the many outreach of Computing to meet the are confident the connection
activities that students, staff needs of our students and with the College will not.
and faculty organise and build connections between In the year ahead, we will
participate in annually, I am the study of science, social continue to strengthen our
confident that this ethos of sciences and humanities, with connections with our alumni
service will find a permanent training in professional fields. – via networking events,
place in the Yale-NUS DNA. career and graduate school
Looking back on the year advising, and continued
We must also build into our just past, I am particularly access to campus facilities
belief system a commitment grateful to our friends and and resources – so our
to innovation and the spirit to stakeholders who have graduates know that
find new ways of doing things supported us over the years. Yale-NUS is a place they can
better. This must permeate On behalf of the College, always call home.
all aspects of life at Yale-NUS, I thank all our donors and
including the curriculum, friends of the College, as As we continue to press
research and student well as staff and faculty on, we look forward to your
experience. Embodying how for their generous gifts. In support in helping us take
our campus lives up to its 2017, 91 percent of students Yale-NUS to greater heights.
mission as a community of from the Class of 2017
learning, we have partnered participated in their Senior
with Surbana Jurong (SJ) to Class Gift campaign. This is
prototype a new generation a high benchmark which I Professor Tan Tai Yong
of smart city technologies hope all succeeding classes President
at the Yale-NUS College will try to achieve and even Yale-NUS College
campus. This partnership is outdo. The generosity of our
an exciting one that reflects well-wishers and the College
TAKING OFF Section Title here Header here 2017 was a milestone year for Yale-NUS. We celebrated the graduation of the College’s inaugural class of students in May, as they spread their wings and took off on exciting new journeys. The year also marked several achievements by students and faculty, ranging from sports awards to groundbreaking research, as well as the unveiling of the College’s ceremonial mace.
YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 5 Title here Header here
06 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Yale-NUS’ inaugural class graduates
Minister Ong Ye Kung (right), speaking at the Yale-NUS College Graduation Ceremony 2017.
Graduation marks not only an end, but also a beginning. Among the
inaugural class of Yale-NUS College students, many embarked on
careers in the private sector or in public service. Some also took up
prestigious fellowships, while others chose to further their education
in graduate schools globally. The journey of our pioneer cohort was
celebrated at Yale-NUS' inaugural Graduation Ceremony on 29 May 2017.
In total, 119 graduates were founding of the College. and Second Minister for
presented to Dr Tony Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister Defence, graced the event
Tan Keng Yam, then- for Education (Higher and gave a speech to the
President of the Republic of Education and Skills) graduating cohort.
Singapore and Chancellor
of the National University “Your graduation marks the coming of age of
of Singapore (NUS) at the the College, as it does the turning of a chapter
ceremony.
in your lives. Keep your sense of adventure,
fearlessness and perhaps even some of that
The graduation speaker was
Professor Richard C Levin,
youthful foolishness. Live life passionately, and
Chief Executive Officer of be ready to make a difference. Leave that distinct
Coursera and President Yale-NUS mark wherever you might venture.”
Emeritus of Yale University, - Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education (Higher Education and
who played a key role in the Skills) and Second Minister for Defence
YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 07
At the ceremony, Founding with their families, staff and
President of Yale-NUS faculty on 28 May 2017,
College, Professor Pericles forging final memories on
Lewis addressed the class campus before they headed
and shared, “As the pioneer out to new pathways
cohort of Yale-NUS College, outside of college.
the intrepid students of
the Class of 2017 have Graduates donned a The College mascot,
chosen to be the trailblazing graduation gown that Halcyon the Kingfisher,
participants in shaping our included a sash designed by was officially launched
community of learning Natalie Tan (Class of 2017). in February 2017. The
as we seek to redefine The orange adornment name Halcyon was
liberal arts and science featured a batik-inspired print derived from Greek
education. I am confident of the College’s mascot, the mythology and is
that Yale-NUS graduands kingfisher. The elements usually identified with
will be differentiated by their and colours of the gown a generic grouping
creativity, communication incorporated elements from of various kingfisher
skills and problem-solving NUS and Yale University in breeds. Chosen as
acumen, enabling them to their hood and sash colours a representation
navigate today’s diverse respectively. In addition, of the ideals of the
and challenging work the use of the hood and Yale-NUS community
environment.” sash reflected the gowning – Youthfulness,
practices at both institutions. Creativity, Curiosity and
The graduates also took part an Adventurous Spirit
in a Class Day celebration – these kingfishers can
also be found nesting in
Singapore, even though
they are considered
rare in Asia. Halcyon
reflects Yale-NUS
College’s location and
its commitment to
develop a community
of learning that is based
in Asia, for the world.
08 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Leaving the nest: the inaugural batch
of Kingfishers and their next steps
Living the corporate life machine learning and data experiences had prepared
science tools to streamline her for the modern corporate
Upon graduation, Chua Yao user experience. workforce, and broadened
Hui (Class of 2017) joined her perspectives for a career
local start-up Carousell, May Tay (Class of 2017) with a global focus.
known for its popular entered the world of fashion
mobile classifieds app, as through her employment Social impact careers
a Software Engineer on its at Swedish clothing retailer
Core Marketplace team. H&M’s Business Trainee As a Psychology major, Daryl
Yao Hui, a Mathematical, programme. Under this Tan (Class of 2017) hoped to
Computational and Statistical programme, she will rotate understand the motivations
Sciences (MCS) major, was to different offices within behind volunteerism and
attracted by the company’s the company, from the philanthropy in order to
innovation, start-up culture, global buying office in encourage more of it in a
and social mission. He Stockholm, Sweden, to a meaningful way. A recipient
began putting his skills production office in Asia and of the Singapore Industry
to use by supporting then a sales office in Europe. Scholarship (SgIS) with the
Carousell’s company- An Environmental Studies National Council of Social
wide effort to incorporate major, May felt her college Service (NCSS), he joinedYALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 09
social service organisation major, Joyan is slated to in a team that supports the
South Central Community teach secondary-school professional development of
(SCC) Family Service Centre History and Social Studies the arts sector, contributing
as a research assistant. In upon completion of her one- towards the formulation
his position, Daryl looks at and-a-half-year stint at NIE. of policies and strategies
how children from low- She said her Yale-NUS and the implementation of
income families are coping education helped her to programmes to strengthen
with school, and studies learn to focus on doing the professionalism of the
how transformational what she enjoys, rather sector. As a member of the
outcomes like housing or than just pursuing grades pioneer class, Hamid found
education may influence — something she hopes to that the painstaking process
a family's journey out impart to her students in of creating a community at
of poverty. the future. Yale-NUS College provided
him with the skills necessary
Psychology major Ho Yan Arts and Humanities major to negotiate between often
Lin (Class of 2017) entered Hamid Roslan (Class of conflicting visions, which
the healthcare sector, 2017) started serving his will allow him to contribute
joining the Institute of scholarship bond with the towards creating a local
Mental Health (IMH) as a National Arts Council (NAC) arts community that is as
Management Associate. Yan upon graduation. He works inclusive as possible.
Lin felt that her experience
working for the Yale-NUS
peer-counselling student
organisation, P.S. We Care,
provided her with valuable
lessons on how to appreciate
the joys of providing mental
health support and resources
to others.
Scholars in the public sector
Joyan Tan (Class of 2017), a
scholar with the Ministry of
Education, taught at Hua Yi
Secondary School for a few
months before continuing
her studies at the National
Institute of Education (NIE)
for a Postgraduate Diploma Joyan Tan (Class of 2017). Image provided by Joyan Tan.
in Education. A History10 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Fellowships Princeton in Asia (PiA), a in Cognitive Psychology
well-established organisation and Neuroscience at Yale
Literature major Isa Ho that offers fellowships and University after graduation.
(Class of 2017) was accepted internships with Asian host Joan started conducting
into the New York University organisations in areas such research as early as her first
(NYU) Shanghai Writing as education, public health, year in Yale-NUS – a rare
and Speaking Fellowship environmental sustainability, opportunity for students
programme. Working and economic development. in many undergraduate
out of the NYU Shanghai Though based in Yangon, institutions – which prepared
Academic Resource Center, Tara will be travelling her for the research-heavy
she conducts one-on-one throughout Myanmar demands of a PhD. She also
writing consultations and to provide professional discovered her passion for
delivers workshops that development in English to teaching through conducting
help students improve their rural-based staff of Proximity ballroom dancing classes for
academic skills in close Designs, a social enterprise her classmates at Yale-NUS
reading, public speaking and that offers affordable, College.
time management. Over innovative technology to
the span of the ten-month- improve rural farmers’ For Rohan Naidu (Class of
long fellowship, Isa plans to agricultural practice. 2017), his decision to pursue
work on her own novel and a PhD in Astronomy could
refine her personal long-term Graduate schools and be traced to a class taken at
aspirations. beyond Yale-NUS College. A Physical
Sciences major, Rohan
Tara Dear (Class of 2017) Psychology major Joan was inspired by Professor
started a year-long work stint Ongchoco (Class of 2017) Charles Bailyn, the College’s
in Myanmar as a Fellow with began pursuing a PhD inaugural Dean of Faculty,
after attending his seminar on
black holes. Rohan started his
PhD programme at Harvard
University after graduation,
and was credited as first
author in a paper published in
The Astrophysical Journal in
September 2017.
Clarissa Leong (Class
of 2017) is pursuing a
Master degree in Public
Administration at Columbia
University in New York. An
Urban Studies major and a
Tara Dear (Class of 2017). Image provided by Tara Dear. recipient of the Singapore
Government ScholarshipYALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 11
(Open) from the Public Developer at SAP Software his Yale-NUS education
Service Commission, Solutions Asia, Sean is for building his ability to be
Clarissa expressed interest involved in researching and adaptable and flexible, and
in enacting positive change developing machine learning preparing him to work and
in Singapore through software. He also founded assimilate into diverse and
policymaking. She chose to Code Gakko, a start-up that dynamic environments.
pursue a graduate degree provides affordable computer
in public policy with the programming education to After interning with
aim of developing a more students in Singapore and leading financial services
specialised set of skills to Manila. company Credit Suisse in
be better equipped to enter her last summer in College,
Singapore’s civil service. Upon graduation, Manas Economics major Erika
Punhani (Class of 2017) Terrones-Shibuya (Class of
Global talents, local joined leading global 2017) was offered a full-time
residents management consulting position as an Equities Sales
firm Oliver Wyman as a Analyst in the Investment
Mathematical, Computational consultant in its Singapore Banking Global Markets
and Statistical Sciences major office. Manas, who majored division, covering regional
Sean Saito (Class of 2017) in Economics, applies his Asia while being based in
was one of many international analytical skills to interview Singapore. Erika felt that
alumni who have based clients and experts, gather the College’s Common
themselves in Singapore and analyse data, and Curriculum honed her ability
after graduation. Employed conduct relevant research to examine issues from a
as a Machine Learning for the firm. Manas credited multidisciplinary perspective.
Sean Saito (Class of 2017). Image provided by Sean Saito.12 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Voices of the
Class of 2017
“Being part of the
first class of Yale-NUS
brought out the do-er in
“Yale-NUS College me, as I had the opportunity to found
has exposed me to clubs, pioneer initiatives and actively
people who do not support the ongoing project of Yale-NUS.
only offer criticisms, My life really transformed as a result, and
but try to suggest I continue to seek challenges and ways to
changes and build reinvent myself for the better.”
the solutions.” - May Tay
- Ho Yan Lin
“When I was thinking about what role I could
play in the social services with a degree
in Psychology from a liberal arts college,
my main interest was to do research in
the behavioural sciences to understand
how to develop and improve policies that
encourage volunteerism and philanthropy in a
meaningful way.”
- Daryl TanYALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 13
Research opportunities for
pioneer graduates
A unique aspect of the experiences that began in Mathematical, Computational
Yale-NUS curriculum is the summer of her first year and Statistical Sciences
capstone project, a year- when she was awarded a major Dylan Ho (Class of
long, self-directed project Social Impact Fellowship by 2017) decided to embark on
within their major, which all the Centre for International a unique and creative project
students undertake with the & Professional Experience for his capstone. Called
guidance of Yale-NUS faculty (CIPE) to teach photography ‘Yale-NUS GO’, Dylan’s
and other subject matter at a children’s home in project drew inspiration from
experts in their final year of Hanoi, Vietnam. the augmented reality game
study. Through working on Pokemon GO.
their capstones, students “There were many questions
hone the disciplinary and I had left unresolved upon “My capstone was a little
intellectual skills necessary leaving Hanoi, after teaching ambitious, and quite different
to dive deep into a specific photography there for two from others. While many
area of interest and engage months. How does memory seniors wrote papers or did
with research in their work? How do I remember research and investigations,
discipline. The pioneer batch a place? Do I have a right I created a new augmented
of Yale-NUS students, who to claim some sort of reality game for Yale-NUS
graduated in May 2017, belonging, as a foreigner, students to play within the
undertook many unique to a city I feel an affinity Yale-NUS campus…
capstone projects. with? I also constantly One thing I wanted
wonder what had become of Yale-NUS GO to be able
An Arts and Humanities the children I worked with – to do was for students to
major, Aleithia Low (Class if they have learnt enough to go on adventures with
of 2017) decided to use move beyond the village and friends to foster a greater
her capstone project to lead a self-sufficient life,” sense of community on
reflect on her international Aleithia reflected. campus.”
Aleithia Low (Class of 2017). Image provided by Aleithia Low.14 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Anthropology major Maggie 20,000 pieces of bio-data employers, and agents, my
Schumann (Class of 2017) found that many domestic capstone explains why many
studied the implementation workers, particularly first- domestic workers do not
of Singapore’s 2012 timers from Indonesia and request or obtain a weekly
regulation of rest days for Myanmar, did not utilise the day off and concludes by
migrant domestic workers weekly rest days. suggesting changes to
for her capstone. According the regulation so that all
to Maggie’s research, “Through a total of 40 domestic workers have
previous quantitative qualitative interviews meaningful access to a
research that examined over with domestic workers, weekly day off.”
Concurrent degree programmes
On top of their capstone programmes at the Lee of Public Health. These
projects, some students Kuan Yew School of Public five-year programmes are
continued their independent Policy, Yale School of designed for students who
research goals by pursuing Forestry and Environmental wish to pursue careers in
concurrent degree Studies, and Yale School public policy, environmental
Chua Wan Ping and Xie Yihao (Class of 2017).YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 15
studies or public health, and different professors were look at data, my background
each programme provides all inspiring and exposed in qualitative research
students with accelerated to me how multifaceted highlighted to me the
graduate training in these environmental issues are.” significance of looking at
fields of academic and the data in different
professional interest. Benjamin Leong, who contexts.”
majored in Philosophy,
Environmental Studies major Politics and Economics,
Chua Wan Ping (Class of was one of the students
2017) was selected as one in the inaugural class for
of the first two students the Concurrent Degree
to attend the Concurrent Programme with Lee Kuan
Degree Programme (CDP) Yew School of Public Policy
with Yale School of Forestry (LKY School).
and Environmental Studies
(Yale F&ES). “I was interested in a
career in the civil service
“As my career goals started and had taken up an
becoming more solidified, internship at a government
it seemed like the CDP ministry. Policymaking was
would fit well in giving me also an area of personal
the skills that are relevant interest for me…One
to my career plans. It would benefit from this course
also give me an international is a better understanding
perspective on sustainability of government operations
issues through my and what possibilities there
connections with professors are for individuals and for
and classmates there.” future change,” Benjamin
explained.
Environmental Studies
major Xie Yihao Another student in the
(Class of 2017) is also CDP with LKY School was
attending the Yale F&ES Li Nanlan, who majored
CDP. “Introduction to in History. “My training in
Environmental Studies was history prompted me to
one of the best courses I think more about how one
have taken and was what policy decision may impact
really drew me into the individual lives in many
major. The subsequent different ways. While
courses that I took from policy analysis tends to16 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Institutional milestones
The year marked several institutional firsts for Yale-NUS as we unveiled
the College mace, welcomed our new president and senior faculty, and
bade a fond farewell to our founding president.
The Yale-NUS College ceremonial mace
The Yale-NUS College Born out of a partnership
ceremonial mace was between Yale University
unveiled in November 2017. and the National University
Like Yale-NUS’ distinctive of Singapore, Yale-NUS 1
melding of the best of brings together established
East and West, the mace liberal arts traditions of the
incorporates both Western West and the intellectual
and Asian elements. and cultural traditions of
Designed in Singapore by art Asia, to form a unique
consultancy Asian Palette model of liberal arts and
Pte Ltd, the woodwork was science education. Like the
carried out by Al Ik Kan distinctive Yale-NUS
Designs, a woodcrafting curriculum, the mace 2
business in Georgia, USA. incorporates both Western
and Asian elements,
The Yale-NUS College mace combining facets of each
drew its inspiration from the to form a connected and
Yale-NUS mascot, Halcyon unified whole.
the Kingfisher, and the three 3
wood species representing
the Yale-NUS residential 1. Halcyon the Kingfisher
represented in abstract
colleges – Cendana, Elm bronze sculpture.
and Saga. The residential 2. Metalwork inspired
colleges bear the names of by batik floral motifs
and the intricate wood
trees significant to Asia and carvings of Asia. 4
the United States. Saga and 3. Saga.
Cendana are native to Asia, 4. Cendana.
while New Haven is popularly 5. Elm.
known as the ‘Elm City’.
5YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 17
New President for Yale-NUS College fosters
senior leadership renewal
On 1 July 2017, Professor
Tan Tai Yong took office as
Yale-NUS College’s new
President, following an
extensive global search.
Prior to the appointment,
Professor Tan served as the
College’s Executive Vice
President (Academic Affairs)
since 2014, overseeing the
academic and co-curricular
aspects of the Yale-NUS
liberal arts experience. Under
his leadership, the Yale-NUS
faculty has nearly doubled in
size, comprising outstanding
teachers who are also
respected researchers in “I have long held the conviction that the best
their fields. way to prepare students for a rapidly changing
workplace and an increasingly complex world
Professor Tan took over is to develop in them the capacity for reason,
from Founding President reflection and independent critical thinking.
Professor Pericles Lewis,
And, in an interconnected world, the ability
who completed his five-
to appreciate differences through greater
year presidency term and
returned to Yale University
understanding of diversity is a particularly
to serve as Vice President critical attribute.”
for Global Strategy and - Professor Tan Tai Yong, President
Deputy Provost for
International Affairs. After earning a First Class Provost (Student Life).
Honours degree from the During those years, he was
Deeply involved in Yale-NUS NUS and a PhD in History one of the key architects of
College since its founding from Cambridge University, academic and student life
days, Professor Tan served Professor Tan has made programmes at University
as the co-chair of the joint important contributions to Town. A noted historian of
Yale University and National research and scholarship. South and Southeast Asian
University of Singapore Over his two decades of history, Professor Tan was
(NUS) committee that administrative service at the founding Director of
hired the inaugural faculty NUS, he served in leadership the NUS Institute of South
members in the humanities roles such as the Dean Asian Studies and served
and helped shape the of the Faculty of Arts & as a Nominated Member of
common curriculum in 2011. Social Sciences and Vice Parliament in 2014.18 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Thank you Founding President
Founding President “Our faculty and staff have been instrumental
Professor Pericles Lewis in establishing a broad range of subjects and
took office at Yale-NUS in high quality international learning
2012 and began realising
programmes… Coupled with the residential
the College’s vision of
programme, I am also proud that this led to
building a community of
learning. During his term of
a mindset of continuous learning beyond the
office, the College recruited classroom walls. This model has established
over 100 faculty from a good reputation worldwide and garnered
leading global colleges and much attention from prospective employers.”
universities; designed an - Professor Pericles Lewis, Founding President
international curriculum that
has received widespread
attention and interest; and Professor Lewis returned Vice President for Global
enrolled four classes of to Yale University in New Strategy and Deputy Provost
students. In June 2017, Haven, USA, to serve as for International Affairs.YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 19
New faculty take the helm leading
Yale-NUS’ development
The process of leadership take it to new heights, A new Dean of Faculty
renewal has continued, bringing with them fresh was appointed on 1 June
with talented senior faculty perspectives from their 2017. Professor of Social
joining the College to diverse expertise. Sciences (Economics)
Joanne Roberts took over
from renowned chemist
and Professor of Science,
Steven Bernasek, who
went on to take a larger
role within the College as
Executive Vice President
(Academic Affairs). Since
joining Yale-NUS in July
2015, Professor Bernasek
has been involved in the
planning and annual review
of the Science Division and
the review of the Common
Curriculum.
An esteemed public
economist, Professor
Professor Steven Bernasek, Executive Vice President (Academic Affairs). Roberts was previously
Associate Dean of Faculty
(Faculty Development) at
Yale-NUS before moving
on to her new role.
Before joining Yale-NUS
College, she taught at the
University of Toronto and
the University of Calgary.
Professor Roberts has
served as a member of the
executive of the Canadian
Economic Association,
President of the Canadian
Economics Women’s
Network, and a co-editor
of the Canadian Journal of
Economics.
Professor Joanne Roberts, Dean of Faculty.20 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
From left: Professor Stephen Pointing, Director of Science Division; Professor John Driffill, Director of
Social Sciences Division.
Following the promotion of also been Specialist Advisor Professor Pointing shared
Executive Vice President to the House of Lords Select that the strong heritage
Bernasek and Dean Roberts, Committee on the European of the College’s founding
two professors were Union, Subcommittee A on universities, Singapore’s
appointed Directors for the Economic Affairs, for inquiries strong commitment to
Science and Social Sciences into the Euro and the Stability science and technology,
Divisions. and Growth Pact. and its vibrant multicultural
society were compelling
Professor Stephen Professor Pointing factors for his move to
Pointing, an environmental specialises in the Singapore and Yale-NUS.
scientist, was appointed application of microbiology
as the Divisional Director to environmental issues, Both Divisional Directors
of Science, while Visiting and served as Director of work closely with each other
Professor John Driffill took the Institute for Applied and Professor Rajeev Patke,
up the baton from Professor Ecology at the Auckland Director of Humanities
Jane M Jacobs to helm the University of Technology. Division. The interdisciplinary
Social Sciences Division. He was the winner of a nature of the Yale-NUS
Teaching Excellence Award curriculum provides multiple
Prior to joining Yale-NUS in and an Outstanding Service opportunities for the three
2016, Professor Driffill was Award from the University divisions to work in synergy.
the Head of Department of of Hong Kong, where he
Economics, Mathematics and was previously an associate
Statistics at Birkbeck College, professor in the School of
University of London. He has Biological Sciences.YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 21
Welcoming the Class of 2021
On 11 August 2017, the
Yale-NUS College community
welcomed 250 new students
into the Class of 2021, marking
the College’s largest intake
to date. Representing 45
nationalities, including students
from our usual mainstays
like India and the United
States, and for the first time,
countries like Uzbekistan and
Paraguay, the Class of 2021
was the College’s largest and
most diverse intake to date.
The students were formally “Your views will take shape and they will be
welcomed to campus at the tested, as they should be, in the cut and thrust
annual First Year Assembly, of seminar debates, over the course of reading
the culmination of a two-
and studying, during conversations with your
week orientation programme
lecturers, your peers and friends.”
designed to allow first-year
students to explore Singapore - Professor Tan Tai Yong, President22 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
and learn more about the the event as the Guest- (Academic Year 2016/2017)
College and its close-knit of-Honour. The Assembly Saza Faradilla (Class of 2018),
community. This year’s was also attended by the nominated faculty speaker
orientation programme College’s administration and Associate Professor Andrew
was themed ‘Take Flight’, faculty, as well as family M Bailey, and Dean of
representing the College’s and friends of the incoming Students Christopher Bridges.
readiness to soar to greater students.
heights after marking In his concluding remarks
the milestone of its first The Class of 2021 was treated Dean Bridges had these warm
graduating class. to the warm speeches of words of assurance for the
Yale-NUS College President first-years, “Remember that
Then-President of the Tan Tai Yong, then-Director although it is your journey, all
National University of of Admissions & Financial of us in this room are with you.
Singapore (NUS) Professor Aid Laura Severin, President I look forward to sharing your
Tan Chorh Chuan graced of the Student Government good company along the way.”
CLASS OF 2021 SIBLINGS ON CAMPUS
For some students, their
peers are not their only
family on campus; their
siblings are too. Hailing
from the Class of 2021,
Boden Franklin is the
brother of Anne Caroline
(Kei) Franklin (Class of
2017). Boden and his
family lived in Senegal, Boden Franklin (Class of 2021, left) with his sister Kei (Class
of 2017, right). Image provided by Robbie Short.
West Africa for many
years, an experience which
inculcated in him the strong participate in experiential liberal arts curriculum was
value of cross-cultural learning that engages with the most relevant to her
experiences to widen one’s alternative world views. passion and curiosity in
horizons. Motivated by pursuing a deeper and
Kei’s experiences at the Nyang Bing Pei (Class of broader understanding
College, Boden enrolled at 2021), the sister of Nyang Bing of international relations.
Yale-NUS so that he could Lin (Class of 2018), was also She was drawn to the
move out of his cultural influenced by her older sister’s open conversations and
and social comfort zones, positive experience at the discussion-based learning
experience non-western College. An avid follower of that Yale-NUS encourages,
and non-American- world affairs, Bing Pei found that as well as the exposure to
centric perspectives, and the College’s interdisciplinary diverse backgrounds.YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 23
Celebrating achievements
Yale-NUS College students have been making waves with their various
achievements – from wining prestigious scholarships and participating in
challenging competitions around the world, to presenting at international
conferences.
Yale-NUS’ first Rhodes Scholar
In November 2017, founding President of the oriented education. I am
Nicholas Carverhill (Class Yale-NUS College Debate proud to represent Yale-NUS
of 2017) was named a Society, which allowed him College, and the many other
2018 Rhodes Scholar. The to spend considerable time communities that have
Rhodes Scholarship is a supporting and working made it possible to receive
postgraduate award given to with debate initiatives and this scholarship – it is the
exceptional students from programmes in about a dozen investment that others have
around the world to study countries. made in me that truly made
at the University of Oxford, it possible.”
with the aim of nurturing On receiving the Rhodes
public-spirited leaders of the Scholarship, Nicholas said, He intends to pursue a
future. An Urban Studies “I am immensely grateful Master of Philosophy in
major, Nicholas managed an for the opportunity to further Development Studies at
undergraduate global affairs my studies in a programme Oxford, which he feels will
online publication, and was the dedicated to service- give him the methodological
and theoretical dexterity to
work in collaboration with
different communities.
Nicholas was also a fellow
in the World Innovation
Summit for Education (WISE)
programme, a programme
that encourages stakeholders
in education to explore and
share ideas, and contribute
towards creative action in
education today. In September
2017, Nicholas, together with
Image provided by Nicholas Carverhill. Sebastian Cortes (Class of
2018) and Charlotte Evans,
“After my fieldwork experiences from courses Programme Manager, Centre
taken at Yale-NUS, I feel called to work with for International & Professional
vulnerable communities on issues related to Experience (CIPE), received
urban politics.” places in the prestigious
- Nicholas Carverhill (Class of 2017) programme.24 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
APRU – NYT Asia-Pacific Case Competition
2017
Over the summer of 2017, Stephanie Chee (Class of Stephanie addressed her
five Yale-NUS students 2019) clinched the first policy to Australia’s Minister
clinched honours in the runner-up position in the solo for the Environment and
inaugural Association of category, while the group Energy, and highlighted the
Pacific Rim Universities consisting of Feroz Khan, impact of climate change
– New York Times Kaushik Swaminathan, Peter on its coral reefs and the
(APRU-NYT) Asia-Pacific Lewis (all from Class of prospect of climate refugees
Case Competition 2017. 2018) and Guadalupe Lazaro fleeing from other island
Students from 12 nations (Class of 2020) clinched a nations into Australia.
and territories, and 31 top 10 position in the group Feroz, Kaushik, Peter and
universities participated in segment. Participants were Guadalupe’s essay discussed
the competition, which was tasked to assume the role the impact of Singapore’s
judged by senior university of a policy advisor to a food system on the climate
leaders from member respected political leader, and the oceans, as well as
universities of APRU and and submit a brief policy on Singapore’s vulnerability
staff from The New York the complexities of climate to future climate-induced
Times. change, focusing on the shocks to its food system.
future of the Pacific Ocean.
From left: Peter Lewis, Kaushik Swaminathan, Stephanie Chee, President Tan Tai Yong, Guadalupe
Lazaro and Feroz Khan.YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 25
Google Techmaker Scholarship awarded to
Yale-NUS student
In July 2017, Chandler Beyer
(Class of 2020) was selected
as one of 90 students from
the Asia-Pacific region to
be conferred the Google
Women Techmakers
Scholarship. A group of
female undergraduate and
graduate students were
chosen from a strong pool of
applicants. The scholarships
were awarded based on the
strength of each candidate's
impact on diversity, their
Chandler Beyer (Class of 2020) at the Google Women Techmakers
leadership abilities and retreat. Image provided by Google.
academic background.
As part of the scholarship, where she connected with and participated in a
Chandler attended a week- fellow scholars, networked number of social events and
long retreat in Seoul, Korea with Google employees workshops.
Yale-NUS student wins bronze and gold
medals at SEA Games debut
Benedict Chan (Class of
2021) won the bronze and
gold medals in the Doubles
and Men’s Team events
respectively at the 29th
Southeast Asian (SEA)
Games in Kuala Lumpur,
which was held from 19 to
30 August 2017. This was
Benedict’s debut in squash
for Team Singapore. He Benedict Chan (Class of 2021) competing at the 29th SEA Games.
picked up the sport when he Image provided by Benedict Chan.
was just 13.
overcome their Filipino rivals in squash for Singapore –
On 29 August 2017, he and in a closely fought encounter the first in 22 years.
his teammates managed to to win a historic gold medal26 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Yale-NUS students recognised for
contributions to pro bono projects
Image provided by The Military Justice Project.
Students in the Double Bachelor of Laws (with pro bono legal services,
Degree Programme (DDP) Honours) degree from the Daniel was given the Special
in Law and Liberal Arts Faculty of Law, National Recognition Award while
read law at the Faculty of University of Singapore Amelia received the Pro
Law at NUS and liberal (NUS). Bono Leadership Award.
arts at Yale-NUS College
at the same time. This In 2017, Daniel Ng (Class Upon matriculation at
programme provides an of 2018) and Amelia university, Daniel joined the
interdisciplinary legal Chew (Class of 2017) Military Justice Project, an
education in a residential, received awards from the initiative at the NUS Faculty
liberal arts setting, and NUS Faculty of Law for of Law that aims to provide
students graduate with both their work in pro bono accessible legal assistance to
a Bachelor of Arts (with projects. To recognise their servicemen in the Singapore
Honours) degree from commitment and passion Armed Forces. He also
Yale-NUS College and a towards providing quality started the Military JusticeYALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 27
Project – National Police legal education workshops accessibility of law-related
Cadet Corps (NPCC) Basic called ‘Law & You’ for foreign resources. Cephas Tan
Criminal Law Programme to domestic workers. The (Class of 2018), worked with
educate secondary school aim was to empower them Koh Wei Jie (Class of 2017)
NPCC cadets on military law with an understanding of to develop Uppercase, an
in an engaging manner. their rights and of the law in innovative platform which
Singapore. increased the accessibility of
Amelia, who served as parliamentary debates and
Publicity Co-Head of the NUS Besides community speeches.
Pro Bono Group, worked service, some students also
with the team to organise looked into improving the
Melody Lau (Class of 2018, right) at the 2017 Asia Cup International Moot Court Competition. Image
provided by NUS Law Mooting and Debating Club.
In August 2017, DDP student Melody Lau (Class of 2018) and her team emerged
champions of the 2017 Asia Cup International Moot Court Competition held in Tokyo,
Japan. Melody and her teammate Joel Sherard from NUS Law were named joint Best
Oralists for the competition.
The competition was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan as well as
the Japanese Society of International Law.28 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Presentations at international conferences
Yale-NUS students have
had the opportunity to work
closely with professors
and peers on important
research projects, and make
academic contributions in
areas as varied as Singapore
history to safety and digital
security technology. The
students presented their
own research in international
academic arenas, which
broadened their perspectives
in their field of interest.
This exposure also provided
hands-on experience
in presenting research
Yale-NUS students at Oxford University. Image provided by Karen Ho.
arguments to an academic
audience and connected
them with like-minded peers
in academia. project titled ‘Another symposium was a great way
Singaporean Song: Xinyao to deepen her understanding
Three Yale-NUS students and National Identity in on various histories and
– Karen Ho (Class of 2017), Singapore’. It looked at debates in Singapore.
Min Lim (Class of 2018) and how the music movement
Ng Qi Siang (Class of 2019) dialogued with the Qi Siang presented on the
– presented their research government’s attempts to de-emphasis of colonial
on Singapore history at a impose a national narrative, violence in Singapore’s
symposium organised by and how Xinyao (a genre history textbooks, a topic
Trinity College at Oxford of songs that is unique to that he first developed an
University in February Singapore), in response, interest in during his Modern
2017. Titled ‘Conversations influenced and articulated Social Thought class, which
in Singapore History’, the the people’s conception of is part of the Common
one-day symposium aimed national identity. Curriculum.
to bring together different
academic disciplines to Min’s presentation
present diverse perspectives focused on the defensive
on the history of the country. structures of 14th century
Temasik, which is the
Karen, a History major, earliest-recorded name for
presented on her capstone Singapore. She said that theYALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 29
Yale-NUS faculty
In 2017, Yale-NUS faculty continued to reach new heights not only in
research and teaching, but also in their contributions to the College’s
innovative curriculum, co-curricular programmes and residential life.
The faculty at Yale-NUS, unlike at many higher educational
institutions, is not organised into traditional academic departments.
To promote interaction between faculty members of different
disciplines and to encourage a multidisciplinary approach to teaching,
faculty work in three interdisciplinary divisions, namely, Humanities,
Science and Social Sciences.
Pursuing excellence in research and scholarship
Research is one of the key
pillars of Yale-NUS College.
Yale-NUS faculty members
actively contribute to the
academic advancements
in their fields through
publishing to share their
knowledge and research
with the world, in line with
the College’s mission of
reinventing liberal arts and
science education for a
complex, interconnected
world. The books by the
Yale-NUS faculty members
also demonstrated the
multidisciplinary research for Neurotechnology Yale University Press and
that they engaged in. (SINAPSE) and the US Princeton University Press,
Air Force Research among others.
In Academic Year Laboratories.
2016/2017, faculty members Faculty members also work
received external grant They have published in top closely with students to
funding from organisations journals, and as well as books generate quality research,
such as Singapore’s Ministry with top academic presses giving our undergraduates a
of Education, Ministry of such as Columbia University head start in graduate-level
Defence, Singapore Institute Press, Palgrave Macmillan, research.30 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Our students, with guidance for ignoring philosophy relevant to the challenges
from faculty, published and in the East Asian, South faced by liberal democratic
presented their work in the Asian, African, Islamic states today.
area of species succession and Indigenous American
in secondary forests at the traditions, and called for Two literature professors
54th Annual Meeting of educational institutions published their first
the Association of Tropical to live up to their books in 2017: Associate
Biology and Conservation cosmopolitan ideals. Professor of Humanities
in Yucatan, Mexico, in July Geoffrey Baker published
2017 and in the area of Associate Professor of Social The Aesthetics of Clarity
‘innovation mindset’ at the Sciences (Sociology and and Confusion: Literature
Singapore Conference on Public Policy) Anju Mary and Engagement since
Applied Psychology in June Paul published Multinational Nietzsche and the Naturalists
2017. Papers co-written by Maids: Stepwise Migration (Palgrave Macmillan, 2017)
faculty and students were in a Global Labour Market while Assistant Professor
published in peer-reviewed (Cambridge University of Humanities Andrew
journals such as the Journal Press, 2017), based on her Hui published The Poetics
of Developmental Biology rigorous study of more than of Ruins in Renaissance
and Physical Review B. 1,200 subjects’ migration Literature (Fordham
trajectories to reveal how University Press, 2017).
Professor of Social these migrants worked in a Assoc Prof Baker’s book
Sciences (Urban Studies) series of overseas countries traced the ongoing debate
Chua Beng Huat’s book to improve their lives. Assoc between literary realism
Liberalism Disavowed: Prof Paul also published an and experimentalism from
Communitarianism and State edited volume of essays the 19 th century through the
Capitalism in Singapore (NUS written by her students on 20 th century, while
Press, 2017) examined the spaces of globalisation in Dr Hui’s book argued that
rejection of Western-style Singapore entitled Local the Renaissance was more
liberalism in Singapore and Encounters in a Global City appropriately a “Ruin-
the way the People’s Action (Ethos Books, 2017). naissance” – the birth of
Party forged an independent the ruin as a category of
non-Western ideology. Lecturer in Social Sciences cultural discourse.
(Political Science) Benjamin
Kwan Im Thong Hood Schupmann published
Cho Temple Professor Carl Schmitt’s State and
Bryan Van Norden’s book Constitutional Theory: A
Taking Back Philosophy: Critical Analysis (Oxford
A Multicultural Manifesto University Press, 2017),
(Columbia University Press, in which he explored Carl
2017) argued that Western Schmitt’s response to the
philosophy departments Weimar crisis and showed
are indefensibly narrow how Schmitt’s findings areYALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 31
Research Highlights
Alarm response found in Schreckstoff – triggers fear in discovery, scientists were
medaka fish fish by warning it of a nearby unable to use non-invasive
danger. Dr Mathuru found methods to study fishes
Assistant Professor of that while the medaka fish outside of the superorder
Science (Life Sciences) also has an ‘alarm response’, Ostariophysi that exhibited
Ajay Mathuru discovered it reacts in a different an alarm response.
that the medaka fish, a way from the zebrafish
popular model animal for – by playing dead. Since The discovery also has
laboratory research, has both species of fish are implications for improving
an ‘alarm response’ to a laboratory-friendly to raise the understanding of fear
type of semiochemical and possess characteristics and panic in other animals,
(message-bearing chemicals such as a translucent skin including humans, since
that carry information from and skull when young, the organisation of fear
one animal to another) researchers are able to study circuitry could be similar.
released when a fish of the activity of neurons in Dr Mathuru’s research was
the same kind sustains a their brains by non-invasive published in late 2016 in
physical injury. Considered methods of imaging and Scientific Reports, an
an anti-predator mechanism, compare their neural online, open-access
this semiochemical – responses. Prior to this scientific journal.32 YALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017
Deep-learning technology
removes rain streaks
Assistant Professor of
Science (Computer Science)
Robby Tan and his team
of researchers employed
a deep-learning method to
develop an algorithm that
detects and removes rain
streaks from video footage.
Using more than 10,000
images to ‘train’
the computer system,
Dr Tan’s algorithm allows
cameras used in technologies remove the impediments In July 2017, Dr Tan presented
such as driverless cars caused by rain and other bad his findings at the IEEE
and surveillance cameras weather conditions such Conference on Computer
to deliver clear images as haze and fog, and found Vision and Pattern Recognition
even during bad weather that the results through (CVPR), a leading conference
conditions. Dr Tan previously deep-learning were the most for cutting-edge research in
used various methods to effective. computer vision.
Building social an effective buffer against the research are particularly
communication skills in the presumed language relevant to families who live
shy children helps with disadvantage. This suggests in Singapore’s multilingual
peer likeability that parents should consider environment, as the study
placing more emphasis on included local bilingual or
A study by Assistant developing a shy child’s trilingual preschoolers.
Professor of Social Sciences social communication skills,
(Psychology) Cheung Hoi instead of only looking to Her paper was co-authored
Shan discovered that shy expand their vocabulary. with Associate Professor
children with low English John Elliott from the
vocabulary skills could The study involved 164 pre- Department of Psychology
still be popular among schoolers between 52 and at the National University
their peers, if they have 79 months old in Singapore. of Singapore’s Faculty of
high-functioning social Dr Cheung also found that Arts and Social Sciences. It
communication skills that the more shy a child was, the was published in the British
enable them to engage and more pronounced the effect Journal of Developmental
interact well with their peers of social communications Psychology.
in social settings, serving as skills. The implications ofYALE-NUS COLLEGE YEAR IN REVIEW 2017 33
Beetles’ bright colours used for camouflage instead of colour patterns of live leaf
warning off predators beetles in relation to their
host plants, and spent 17
months photographing 51
species of live beetles in
32 locations across four
Australian states, in order
to contextualise the colour
patterns of beetles to their
natural habitats. Her study
concluded that there was
a complex suite of factors
driving natural selection,
which affect the evolution of
colouration in leaf beetles.
A study by Postdoctoral the evolutionary relationship Dr Tan collaborated with
Fellow Eunice Tan between the different beetle four other researchers and
discovered that the bright species, Dr Tan discovered the study was published as
colour patterns of beetles that different species of an open-access article in
were not a warning signal beetles had colour patterns the peer-reviewed journal
to predators as previously similar to those of their host Frontiers in Ecology and
believed, but actually a form plants. Evolution.
of camouflage, turning an
old assumption on its head. Dr Tan was the first
After taking into account ecologist to examine the
Assistant Professor Nozomi Naoi receives
Takehisa Yumeji Award
On 4 March 2017, for her contributions to The exhibition showcased
Assistant Professor of Yumeji studies in English the Yumeji collection of
Humanities (Art History) language scholarship. She Nihon no Hanga museum in
and Georgette Chen received the award with her Amsterdam owned by Elise
Fellow Nozomi Naoi co-author, Sabine Schenk, Wessels. The accompanying
was recognised by the for curating an exhibition exhibition catalogue marked
Takehisa Yumeji Studies ‘Takehisa Yumeji: Artist of the first English-language
Association (Takehisa Romance and Nostalgia’ held scholarship dedicated to
Yumeji Gakkai) in Japan in Amsterdam in 2015. Yumeji and his body of works.You can also read
