This event is to provide a platform for USP student mentees and USP alumni mentors under the USP Mentoring Programme to get to know each other, as well as to facilitate a better match between them. The alumni mentors will guide the student mentees to discover their career aspirations which are aligned with the mentees' life purpose, passion and competencies.

The CTPCLP holds its symposium annually to provide a platform for its fellows to present and share the knowledge and experiences they have gained from their social research and/or community development projects. At the same time, the symposium hopes to reach out to and inspire more NUS students to take on the responsibility to address social issues in Singapore. The CTPCLP fellows, some of whom are also USP students, will discuss the field research projects they have undertaken with various social service organisations. Thereafter, Guest-of-Honour Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Ms Grace Fu, will engage with participants in a dialogue. We urge USP students to join in this conversation with her. CTPCLP is based in and supported by USP.

Eight USP alums who are currently teachers will share their experiences as educators at this get-together session with current USP students who may be considering teaching as a career and also, those who are on Ministry of Education (MOE) Teaching Scholarship/Awards. The alums will talk about their National Institute of Education (NIE) experience, practicum sessions, “Things I wished I knew before signing up to be a teacher”, and many more.

USC invites all USP students to One.Two.Five – the inaugural end-of-year party to celebrate the end of the Academic Year 2016/2017. Hang out with your juniors and/or seniors over food, drinks and games!

Ten USP students are participating in this year’s Builders Connect Learning Programme. The students will work with two NGOs in the Philippines to gain a deeper and more critical understanding of what causes poverty, its complex and multifaceted nature, and what students can do about it.

A group of USP students and alums are participating in this four-day Futures Thinking Workshop organised by USP adjunct lecturer Mr Aaron Maniam. The workshop explores why planning for the future is necessary in an increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) world, how such planning can be done in terms of tools, techniques and methodologies, and how attendees can apply futures thinking to their personal life, academic work and issues of current interest in Singapore. Practitioners of futures thinking are also invited to the workshop for participants to meet and network.

Nine USP students will travel to Chiang Mai, Thailand under this programme led by A/P Peter Vail. The field-based study programme is organised in collaboration with Chiang Mai University’s Regional Center for Social Sciences and Sustainable Development (RCSD).

USP will host students from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), Malaysia. The students will take part in a community development and social entrepreneurship study trip planned by A/P Albert Teo. The visit is the reciprocal component of the Forgotten Communities Study Programme held in Malaysia last December.

Workshop Dates:  Mondays (7pm to 9pm) – 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 June  Thursdays (7pm to 9pm) – 18 May, 25 May, 1 June, 8 June  Saturdays (9am to 11am) – 20 May, 27 May, 3 June, 10 June In this introductory creative writing course, we will immerse ourselves in the art of the short story. We will discuss the different elements involved in writing within this genre—plot, characterization, point of view, setting, theme, style, as well as more abstract notions: what is a writer and why does he or she write? What is the moral responsibility of art? Who are we in relation to the spaces we inhabit? We will read the works of writers from all over the world and use these works as a foundation to cultivate our own literary visions. We will study the texts for lessons in technique and craft, investigating the decisions that we (as writers and readers of literature) must make to develop a finished piece. This course is an invitation to inquire deep within yourself and to own your identity as a writer in your world. Our hope is that each one of you, through the reading, writing, and sharing …

Introduction to Creative Writing 2017 Read More »

USP will host the Educational Forum and Young Speakers’ Contest initiated by the ASEAN University Network (AUN). The event provides a platform for students from the ASEAN region and ‘Plus Three’ countries (China, Japan and Korea) to discuss and explore regional issues. The theme for the 2017 forum and contest is “ASEAN+3 in an Era of Global Uncertainty: Responses and Challenges” and participants will explore issues such as security, climate change and economic challenges. Please join the participants for the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, 23 May by registering your attendance here.

Seven USP students, together with NUS and Sciences Po students, will participate in a two-week undergraduate intensive non-credited seminar led by Dr Mark Brantner. Under the theme “Rhetorics of Food”, the programme brings the ancient art of rhetoric into contemporary Asian and European settings to help students understand how to communicate across national, cultural, ethnic and linguistic differences. Students study for one week in Singapore and one week in Reims, France.

Two USP students will spend a month in Ecuador on a programme that combines global collaboration, new technologies and impact-oriented learning activities. During the fieldwork phase of this program, students will be placed with Social Entrepreneur Corps, a social enterprise that effectively utilises social entrepreneurship as an international development approach in Latin America. Students will work directly with Social Entrepreneur Corps field professionals and social entrepreneurs in Ecuador to help establish new, and grow existing, micro-consignment supported businesses.

Student-led and in its third year, the Asian Undergraduate Summit (AUS) 2017 themed “Leadership in a Complex World: Disruptive Change in Everyday Life” started a month ago with the foreign legs in China, India, Thailand and Indonesia. The Singapore Leg will continue the discussion on disruptive change and innovation. The programme incorporates content building through lectures, site-visits and panel discussions, and skills building through Design Thinking workshops conducted by student facilitators. Through AUS2017, it is hoped that participants (close to 200), being future leaders of the world, will gain a nuanced understanding of disruptions, and propose ideas that can inspire and bring positive impact to societies in and around Asia. More info at AUS Facebook and Website.

USP has invited Yash Vardhan Kanoi (Industrial and Systems Engineering + USP, Class of 2015), who is joining McKinsey and Company, to share with USP students on how to prepare oneself for a career in management consulting.

Organised by University Scholars Club (USC), the USP Freshmen Orientation Camp (O’Camp) builds on the friendships developed among the freshmen during Scholaris earlier this month, to further integrate the freshmen into our community as the new AY approaches. O’Camp is part of a series of coordinated events to orientate USP freshmen for the new AY, timeline as such: 12 Jun: Scholaris >> 3-6 Jul: O’Camp >> 24-27 Jul: O’Week >> 12 Aug: Rag & Flag >> 18 Aug: Dinner & Dance

The USP graduating Class of 2017 will be receiving their scrolls at this evening ceremony. This will be a joint ceremony between the USP, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Institute of Systems Science. The guest speaker is Member of Parliament (and USP alum) Ms Tin Pei Ling.

USP will host 12 postgraduate students from the Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, during their week-long study trip to Singapore. The visit is the reciprocal component of USP’s biennial study trip “Civilisation of Iran”, led by USP faculty Prof Syed Farid Alatas. USP students are invited to join the delegation for the various talks and sessions scheduled throughout their visit, including: Tue, 25 July | 3.00pm – 5.00pm | Master's Commons, USP Discussion with USP faculty A/P Barbara Ryan on American Studies Tue, 25 July | 6.30pm |Master's Commons, USP Dialogue on Sectarianism Thu, 27 July | 11.00am – 12.30pm | Master's Commons, USP Guest Lecture – The Sources of Islamist Radicalism in Southeast Asia

Organised by the University Scholars Club (USC), USP Freshmen Orientation Week (O’Week) builds on the friendships developed among the freshmen during USC Camp earlier this month, to further integrate the freshmen into our community. They will be exposed to the wide range of opportunities that USP provides and the diversity of people here in USP. We hope to see them get involved, shape, and develop our community in the next four years.

Led by Prof Syed Farid Alatas, the dialogue on sectarianism will deal with problems of Sunni-Shi'ite conflict witnessed throughout the Muslim world today. The session will involve a discussion on the nature of this conflict and assess ways in which it can be dealt with.

USP faculty Assoc Prof Barbara Ryan will talk about teaching American Studies glocally. The session will include a discussion of Sonny Liew's graphic novel, “The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye”, as an example of glocal thought that references US popular culture.

Assoc Prof Bilveer Singh from the NUS Department of Political Science will discuss Salafism in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

USP Freshmen will meet with their academic advisors during the Academic Advisory Tea.

The Crossing the Chasm Challenge (CCC) 2017 is jointly organised by the Asia Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy and the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme (CTPCLP). In this competition, undergraduate teams work with local or regional social enterprises to develop marketing strategies and plans. More information on the CCC 2017 finals can be found here.  CTPCLP is based in and supported by USP.

This year, USP will be having our Homecoming in conjunction with the NUS Kent Ridge Alumni Family Day. It promises to be an afternoon for USP alumni to meet up with professors and old friends, to reminisce the good old days and to reconnect. Details can be found here.

The sessions are an opportunity for past participants to share their experiences and for interested students to explore some of the USP International Programmes available during the coming academic year. Presentations will take place over two days where Day 1 will be dedicated to Short Term Programmesand Day 2 will be dedicated to Student Exchange Programmes and Special Programmes (Joint Degree/Double Degree Programmes).

The USP Ambassadors team will be sharing in detail what it means to be a USP Ambassador, including event timeline and its training sessions, mini projects, and application details. Application to be a USP Ambassador opens from 24 Aug till 30 Aug. Application details will also be sent via email.

USP is partnering with NUS Development Office (DVO) to host visitors to NUS under the NUS Benefactor Campus Experience 2017. During the session, donors will have the opportunity to attend and experience USP classes specially put together by USP professors, as well as sit in a panel discussion to learn about USP. The evening will end with conversation at the museum. Donors help make an impact on society and we hope this session will provide them an insight into ways and possibilities that they can help to shape the future through supporting various USP programmes.

This annual Welcome Dinner formally welcomes freshmen to USP and our residential college, marking the start of their USP experience. USP faculty members and admin staff are invited to join in this meaningful occasion.

The sessions are an opportunity for past participants to share their experiences and for interested students to explore some of the USP International Programmes available during the coming academic year. Presentations will take place over two days where Day 1 will be dedicated to Short Term Programmesand Day 2 will be dedicated to Student Exchange Programmes and Special Programmes (Joint Degree/Double Degree Programmes).

From 2018 onwards, PICSim will be replaced by the ‘Princeton Diplomatic Invitational’ (PDI), PICSim’s successor. Students interested in PDI are invited to an exposure session conducted by last year’s USP team. The team will hold a ‘demo’ session to give students an idea of what PICSim (and PDI) is like. Students will also be given the opportunity try out the simulation themselves.  The session is important as the 2017 team will prepare you for what to expect from PDI 2018. Students interested in applying for PDI 2018 are strongly encouraged to attend the exposure session. 

In this workshop, students will discover their underlying motivations by getting to know themselves and learning to take control of their career. The workshop will address: What motivates me? Why am I more motivated by some activities? How can I keep myself motivated?

In the Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme (CTPCLP), they nurture NUS undergraduates to apply community development mindsets and skills through hands-on projects in partnership with local community organisations.  To help students understand the programme objectives and format, students are invited to attend CTPCLP Info Session on 7 Sep (Thu), 6:30pm at the Chua Thian Poh Hall, USP. More information on the CTPCLP, such as what other requirements there are, can be found in the CTPCLP Information Booklet and our website.   CTPCLP is based at and supported by USP.

Mr Ho Kwon Ping, a former journalist detained under the ISA turned an entrepreneur who founded the Singapore Management University and the Banyan Tree Group, will be speaking at this dialogue session on Alternate Views in Singapore together with USP Rector Ms Euleen Goh. The Sessions team invites all USP students and staff to come discuss topics such as Freedom of Speech in Singapore, Social Media Journalism, Fake News and others.

All students are welcome to join Miriam in the series of poetry workshop to explore: • What is the “responsibility of the poet”? • How do poetry and the arts fit into a social justice framework? • What are the ways fieldwork can inform and enrich creative writing and academic scholarship? • What less tangible “ways of knowing “ can poetry offer that other fields do not?

"Save the Earth", "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle", "Stop eating animals" ... Ever questioned where you picked up these phrases? Or how everyone is around you keep talking about sustainability? Join us for this upcoming round of Conversations@8 where 4 USP Alumni* will be trashing out, pun intended, the issues behind the sustainability craze in Singapore. Be present with us to get an idea of what it is really like to build a career fueled by the green ideology. *USP Alumni • Goh Ter Yang (Science + USP, Class of 2005) - NUS Office of Environmental Sustainability • Alexius Yeo (Geography + USP, Class of 2010 - Director of Carbon InQ and Founder of CNLE • Craig D’Souza (Food Science Technology + USP, Class of 2013 - Research Assistant of NERI, Project NUSoil • Aloysius Foo (History + USP, Class of 2015 - History Teacher/Head of JJC Environmental Conservation Club

Enrich your learning repertoire outside the classroom, share ideas, philosophy on education and research through close interaction with USP Fellows at the upcoming tea session! For the list of USP Fellows, click here.

From 18 to 22 Sep, USP welcomes a visiting professor, Professor Peter Felten, from Elon University (USA). Prof Felten is a historian with an interest in Teaching and Learning, and Student Life issues. USP community is strongly encouraged to join this conversation with him on student life matters.

All students are welcome to join Miriam in the series of poetry workshop to explore: • What is the “responsibility of the poet”? • How do poetry and the arts fit into a social justice framework? • What are the ways fieldwork can inform and enrich creative writing and academic scholarship? • What less tangible “ways of knowing “ can poetry offer that other fields do not?

Every year, we invite the parents of all USP students to our premises for an evening together. It is an opportunity for parents and the USP community to share information and ideas about USP’s development. The programme this year includes a tour around USP, dinner at our dining hall, mini showcases, and conversation with our directors, professors, residential fellows and staff. We welcome everyone in the USP community to come together to enjoy this evening, and celebrate our community ties.

“UnConference” means Unconventional Conference. It is a one-day discussion on the topic of “interdisciplinary education” – a buzz phrase today but what does it really mean? How about multi-disciplinarity? Is there still room for lone field expertise? Through unique discussion formats, participants get to gain new perspectives and ideas and opportunities to gather with students from NUS-USP, NTU-USP, SMU-X, SUTD and Yale-NUS!

What happens when a monster appears on the streets of Singapore? Will people panic? Will people run away? Will people stand together and fight the monster? And what happens when the streets of Singapore stand firm against this monster that they see? Will the monster run away? Will the monster die at the hands of the people? Or will the monster find a way to fit in? USP Productions by USP students proudly presents "FRANK". FRANK is a modern day parable, giving a Singaporean spin to the Gothic horror classic Frankenstein. Amidst the hot-button issues of immigrants and race today, the play explores how our very own Singaporean society relates and treats the “Other”, as shaped by prejudices and misconceptions that get propagated through the institutions of media and society. For more information about the plays and USP Productions, click HERE.

USP is pleased to announce that we will have our own Consulting Club! To be launched officially this Saturday, the USP Consulting Club aims to provide USP students who wish to explore more about the consulting industry with stronger support in terms of community, exposure, resources and network. During the launch, you will get to hear about the vision and roadmap of USP Consulting Club, how to be part of the interest group club and what you can learn from joining in. USP Director A/P Kang Hway Chuan together with USP alumni who are currently in the consulting industry will be at the launch. Do come down if you wish to know more about consulting as a career or beyond that!

What happens when a monster appears on the streets of Singapore? Will people panic? Will people run away? Will people stand together and fight the monster? And what happens when the streets of Singapore stand firm against this monster that they see? Will the monster run away? Will the monster die at the hands of the people? Or will the monster find a way to fit in? USP Productions by USP students proudly presents "FRANK". FRANK is a modern day parable, giving a Singaporean spin to the Gothic horror classic Frankenstein. Amidst the hot-button issues of immigrants and race today, the play explores how our very own Singaporean society relates and treats the “Other”, as shaped by prejudices and misconceptions that get propagated through the institutions of media and society. For more information about the plays and USP Productions, click HERE.

Singapore’s acclaimed and well-known filmmaker Tan Pin Pin has been invited to visit USP and have a dialogue with our students. In this session, she will discuss on art, documentation, history, memory, politics, and why Inuka the polar bear often cameos in her works. This conversation will be hosted by A/P Lo Mun Hou. USP community is strongly encouraged to join this conversation with her.

All students are welcome to join Miriam in the series of poetry workshop to explore: • What is the “responsibility of the poet”? • How do poetry and the arts fit into a social justice framework? • What are the ways fieldwork can inform and enrich creative writing and academic scholarship? • What less tangible “ways of knowing “ can poetry offer that other fields do not

In this dialogue session facilitated by USP students, participants will discuss how our faiths inform our views on humans’ potential power over life and death in this technological age. No prior knowledge on religion or science is required. Participants are encouraged to come ready to share and engage with other perspectives.

Held annually, this award presentation-cum-dinner event will celebrate the following achievements in USP for AY2016/17: • USP Honour Roll • USP Senior Honour Roll • President’s Honour Roll • Programme Recognition Awards • USP Teaching Excellence Awards • USP Teaching Honour Roll • USP Long Service Awards

The Case Interview is one of the toughest interview formats used by many top companies around the world. In this four-hour hands-on workshop, the trainer will share some of the tips, techniques, and common mistakes made in case interviews, and let you experience live mock case interview situations. You will get to receive and deliver a case. By putting you in the shoes of an interviewer, you will, hopefully, better appreciate and develop key insights into what real-life interviewers look out for.

In this Meet the Rector session, find out what the role of a Rector is and how the Rector can contribute to your learning journey in USP. Our Rector Ms Euleen Goh will share her life journey and experiences that have shaped her purpose and principles. Over the next few sessions, guest speakers from the corporate, non-profit and public sectors will come and share the challenges they face and how they navigate the fast-changing complex world. Look out for more details soon and encourage your friends to come along too!

As part of this week’s Mental Health week, NUS Mental Health Wing is organising a night of open conversations and heartfelt sharing by professionals with USP students about youth mental health issues. This event is supported by USP and NUS Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme.

The QR Centre is organising a talk titled "Cancer Research: The Hunt for Significant p-values" by Mr Wouter van Loocke from the Centre for Medical Genetics at Ghent University in Belgium. Mr Loocke will be sharing his expertise on the application of biostatistics and biostatistics software on cancer research, as well as some of his latest findings in the field. It will be followed by a screening of "Gattaca". All are welcome, so come join this session for a lively discussion on an important topic, and if you can, stay for the movie too!

All students are welcome to join Miriam in the series of poetry workshop to explore: • What is the “responsibility of the poet”? • How do poetry and the arts fit into a social justice framework? • What are the ways fieldwork can inform and enrich creative writing and academic scholarship? • What less tangible “ways of knowing “ can poetry offer that other fields do not?

Six USP students will participate in the Pan-Asian Student Forum hosted by Yuanpei College, Peking University. The forum aims to provide a platform for students from Peking University (Yuanpei College), Seoul National University (College of Liberal Studies), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (S. H. Ho College), the University of Tokyo (College of Arts & Sciences) and NUS (USP) to meet regularly and share views on topics that impact countries in the region and around the world. The theme for the 2017 forum is “Sustainable Development in Asia”.

USP faculty Dr Pamela Pun, who teaches the Sciences and Technologies module “UPC2210 - Energy in Singapore: Is Technology the Answer?”, has invited Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Health and Communications and Information, to speak to USP students. Mr Chee has an interesting background in the Energy Market Authority prior to entering politics. Facilitated by The Sessions, there will be breakout sessions to discuss and bounce off ideas with Mr Chee and fellow participants. We look forward to active participation from the USP community.

Join our Writer-in Residence Ms Miriam Bird Greenberg as she presents a compelling body of work inspired by travel and those who travel. Along with reading her poetry, Ms Greenberg will also share about her work with economic migrants and asylum seekers of Hong Kong’s Chungking Mansions. This session will be moderated by poet Desmond Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé. The Singapore Creative Writing Residency is co-organised by The Arts House and USP. Interested students, please register HERE.