The Princeton Interactive Crisis Simulation (PICSim) delivers what has been hailed as the most realistic collegiate crisis simulation in the US and its conference will take place in February 2017. Each year, USP sends a team to participate. Students are invited to an information session conducted by the 2016 USP team. The team will facilitate a mock crisis session to give students an idea of what PICSim is like. Students interested in applying to be in the USP team for PICSim 2017 must attend the information and MockSim session as a prerequisite. 

As the semester takes a recess break next week, you might also want to take some time out to care for yourself. Come attend a USP session for tips to reduce stress and practise relaxation techniques in a Stress Reduction and Relaxation talk and practice session on Thursday 22 Sep 2016, 4.00pm – 5.30pm, at Masters Commons. The session will be conducted by a NUS Counseling and Psychological Services counsellor.

"Soil"  (Workshop 2 of 4)   Just what is soil? Soil is an amazing substance, a complex mix of minerals, air, water and countless microorganisms. Most of our food comes directly or indirectly from plants anchored in, and nourished by soil. In this workshop, USP alum Alexius Yeo (Geography + USP, Class of 2010) will challenge the predominant understanding of soil through the lens of permaculture and reveal the secrets to organic farming. 

Global organisations use Assessment Centre as a critical component in their recruitment process to recruit the best talents to meet their business objectives. In this eight-hour session, participants will be equipped with first-hand knowledge about “standard” formats in a typical setting, acquire strategies, techniques, dos and don’ts to ace and gain hands-on experience. At the end of the workshop, participants will gain have an increased awareness of the components of and the competencies required to be successful at a “typical” assessment centre. To attend this workshop, please register here.

Every year, USP invites the parents of all USP students to USP for an evening together. It is an opportunity for parents and USP community to share information and ideas about USP’s development. The programme includes a tour around USP, dinner at our dining hall, a conversation with our Director and College Master A/P Kang Hway Chuan, and interaction with professors and staff.

USPolymath aims to set the stage for the continuation of a greater USP culture of intellectual sharing and interesting conversations, regardless of batch or background...this session will be another series of firsts, first freshie speaker (Eunice), in addition to our first exchange speaker (David). Topics for the night include: “What on earth is blockchain?” by Zheng Weihan “Plato’s Cave: Why We’re Still Trapped” by David Louis Chaim Blanga “Maybe it’s this world that’s crazy, not you” by Eunice Lim Chian Hwee “Pokémon Go!” by Ryan Paul Augustine Lim Complimentary freshly brewed Rooibos Tea, caffeine free!

We will discuss four conceptions of Entropy in a couple of BrainFood sessions, drawing upon the historical context from the book Warmth Disperses and Time Passes – The History of Heat by Hans Christian von Baeyer, especially from chapters 7,13 and 18. Examples will be provided that can feed into detailed discussions of how the Second Law helps us understand Nature. In the first session, combining Clausius and Boltzmann, we will examine the theoretical basis for levitation. All are welcome, although we will pitch the discussion at a level suitable for students with some interest in Thermodynamics. Come find out more with USP Director A/P Kang Hway Chuan! This event is part of the BrainFood reading initiative that students can explore in the USP Reading Room.

Have you ever questioned the value of art? Ever wondered what made art "good" or "bad"? Ever looked at a Picasso so-called "painting" and thought, "Man, I could've done that when I was 5" Labelled "the world's first street art disaster movie", Exit Through the Gift Shop is an extraordinary documentary following Banksy, a notorious graffiti artist who has tagged everything from Disneyland to Israel's West Bank barrier. And like Banksy's politically-charged vandalism, the documentary asks questions that reach far and wide – albeit this time, he targets the world of the artist and satirically deconstructs it with clarity and – most importantly! – hilarity.

Conversations@8 is a series of informal gatherings of USP alumni and students. In this session, USP alumni, Marvin Kang and Low Yee Loong will share on their initiatives at The Apprenticeship Collective (TAC). TAC volunteers work with schools in Singapore to create opportunities that allow students to learn the basics of particular professions from volunteer mentors (with day jobs!) who are currently working in the field. They help students explore and investigate different futures, different paths - to discover and define their purpose, passions and interests. Maybe you 'd like to volunteer as a mentor or as a coordinator? Or perhaps you'd like to chat and see if there's anything you'd like to do. Join us for the evening and find out where you can fit in!

With the US Presidential elections happening in a month’s time, The Sessions team invites all USP students and staff to come discuss the role of the media in shaping politics and elections. Dr Eric Loepp, from the Political Science Department at the University of Wisconsin, will be speaking via Skype on the effect of the US’s privatised media on elections. USP faculty Dr Shawna Metzger will be moderating the session. Please register here.

Sciences Po is France’s leading university in the social sciences and has been educating decision-makers in the public and private sectors for the past 140 years. As one of USP’s Student Exchange Programme (SEP) partner universities, USP students have the opportunity to spend a semester or year at Sciences Po’s Le Havre campus. Ms Laurence Souloumiac, Director of Sciences Po’s Centre for Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East (APAMO), will provide an overview of Sciences Po and help answer questions from students considering Sciences Po as an exchange destination. The sharing session is particularly useful to 1st and 2nd year students currently exploring their SEP options.

Held annually, this certificate presentation-cum-dinner event will celebrate the following awards and achievements in USP for AY2015/16: •           USP Honour Roll •           USP Senior Honour Roll •           President’s Honour Roll •           Programme Recognition Awards •           USP Teaching Excellence Awards •           USP Long Service Awards

The Sessions is a platform for individuals in USP to host discussions with distinguished speakers, exchange ideas and opinions about issues that they were concerned with/interested in.  Join The Sessions at their inaugural session to revive USP’s Interfaith! Share your journey through your faith with fellow USP students through the topic - What Does Your Faith Say About Interfaith? All are welcome.

The dining hall will be decked up in the colours of white and blue and we have lined up a series of exciting performances by USP Students including Strings IG, XingYi & Atharv, Live Core and USCovers! Dress code - Denim Cocktail reception begins at 6:30pm Doors open at 7pm

The USP community is invited for the launch party of this semester's USP Senior Seminar eMagazine - PRESENCE. This is the first eMag is without a prescribed theme, which means the writers have written about things that are closest to their hearts. iPads will be provided for reading the eMag articles, after which you can chat with the writers over some ice cream and prata!

Four USP students will participate in Shantou University’s 14th Annual English Festival hosted by the university’s English Language Centre. This year’s Festival focuses on the theme “Tradition in the Modern World” and USP students will participate in the debate, speech and singing contests.

Under the theme “Sustainable Development and Heritage Conservation”, USP offers a Study Trip for Engagement and EnRichment (STEER) to Rajasthan, India. STEER India will explore Rajasthan’s social sector, tourism sector and historical heritage. This trip is offered in collaboration with Mody University and NUS International Relations Office.

Nine USP students will travel to Henan, Shanxi and Beijing to examine the ways in which people conceptualise and create artistic expressions of Buddhism. Buddhism in Asia was launched in 2009, initiated by a group of USP students who were inspired by classes on religion and religiosity.

Nine USP students will travel to three fishing villages in the state of Perak and will stay in the villages for the course of the study. Since 2012, Forgotten Communities has brought students to Malaysia to engage in ethnographic research and contribute to mapping the community assets of rural New Villages.

USP Career Services introduces a new workshop called “My Unique Resume Workshop” for USP students. This workshop will help students to prepare a resume for application of International Programmes, internship or full-time job, tailor their resume aligning to his or her career inclination and, personalise their resume to reflect his or her uniqueness as a USP student.

Led by USP alum Alexius Yeo (Geography + USP, Class of 2010) who is an urban farmer, USP embarks on building Singapore’s very first farm institute called the Centre for Nature Literacy and Enterprise (CNLE). We are calling for students and faculty who are interested to learn about organic farming, the natural sciences, nature-based businesses, sustainable Permaculture design, community development and holistic living. Even if you have never grown a plant before, this project does not exclude you. We have a saying – if you eat, you’re in! So if you feel a stirring to find out more about this exciting endeavor that has the potential to change our lives profoundly, email to uspalk@nus.edu.sg or alexiusyeo@carboniq.com.

The Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme (CTPCLP) 5th Anniversary Dinner celebrates CTPCLP’s five years of effort in nurturing change makers amongst NUS undergraduates over good food and company of friends and distinguished guests, especially Mr Chua Thian Poh. The light-hearted dinner welcomes current and alumnus fellows, as well as non-fellows who had participated in CTPCLP projects or are keen to know about the programme. Please RSVP here: http://bit.ly/ctpclp5annidnr   CTPCLP is based in and supported by USP.

Prof Frederik Stjernfelt from Aalborg University at Copenhagen, Denmark will be presenting on “Entangled Roots of Semiotics and Phenomenology: Peirce and Husserl on Realism, Intuition, and Abstraction”. This talk compares approaches of related issues such as realism, signs, intuitive contents, abstraction, diagrams, and the objects of experience, and is part of a broader project to develop realist, phenomenological semiotics relevant to contemporary discussions. Prof Stjernfelt is a Professor at the Department of Communication and Psychology in Aalborg University. His research interests include cognitive semiotics, philosophy of science, the history of ideas, biosemiotics and political philosophy. We encourage the USP community to attend.

Led by USP alum Alexius Yeo (Geography + USP, Class of 2010) who is an urban farmer, USP embarks on building Singapore’s very first farm institute called the Centre for Nature Literacy and Enterprise (CNLE). We are calling for students and faculty who are interested to learn about organic farming, the natural sciences, nature-based businesses, sustainable Permaculture design, community development and holistic living. Even if you have never grown a plant before, this project does not exclude you. We have a saying – if you eat, you’re in! So if you feel a stirring to find out more about this exciting endeavor that has the potential to change our lives profoundly, email to uspalk@nus.edu.sg or alexiusyeo@carboniq.com.

Led by USP alum Alexius Yeo (Geography + USP, Class of 2010) who is an urban farmer, USP embarks on building Singapore’s very first farm institute called the Centre for Nature Literacy and Enterprise (CNLE). We are calling for students and faculty who are interested to learn about organic farming, the natural sciences, nature-based businesses, sustainable Permaculture design, community development and holistic living. Even if you have never grown a plant before, this project does not exclude you. We have a saying – if you eat, you’re in! So if you feel a stirring to find out more about this exciting endeavor that has the potential to change our lives profoundly, email to uspalk@nus.edu.sg or alexiusyeo@carboniq.com.

Ms Gitanjali Kolanad, USP and The Arts House writer-in-residence 2016, presents her final showcase marking the end of her six month residency where she had been working on her first novel, Girl Made of Gold. The novel explores the world of the devadasi, the hereditary temple dancer, in the 1920s. A reading of the new novel will be punctuated with performances by Ms Gitanjali together with Kalaripayat artist Hans Wolfgramm, Bharata Natyam dancer Katyaini Reddy, Percussionist Benjamin Boo and Nattuvanar Maalika Panicker. This multidisciplinary showcase will also examine how Indian movement traditions bring a sensory awareness of time, space and the body that can enliven one's writing. You may purchase your tickets HERE.

Cost: $40/student Led by USP alum Alexius Yeo (Geography + USP, Class of 2010) who is an urban farmer, USP embarks on building Singapore’s very first farm institute called the Centre for Nature Literacy and Enterprise (CNLE). We are calling for students and faculty who are interested to learn about organic farming, the natural sciences, nature-based businesses, sustainable Permaculture design, community development and holistic living. Even if you have never grown a plant before, this project does not exclude you. We have a saying – if you eat, you’re in! So if you feel a stirring to find out more about this exciting endeavor that has the potential to change our lives profoundly, email to uspalk@nus.edu.sg or alexiusyeo@carboniq.com.

This is a ground-up platform for USP students to showcase their ideas in an intimate setting. Join this session tonight at the USP Chatterbox as USP students present on topics ranging from Philosophy to Antidepressants.

This informal sharing session is for students interested in pursuing the NUS-Waseda Double Degree Programme (DDP). The session is an opportunity for current DDP students (year 4 students) to share their experiences and for year 1 students to ask questions and gain a better understanding of the programme.

Four of the world's leading universities (Imperial College London, King's College London, SOAS University of London and University College London) will be giving a presentation on graduate study opportunities in London.  Following the presentation, representatives will be happy to speak with students individually, offering guidance and advice regarding their graduate study options.

USP alums from the various cohorts will get together at this event to reconnect and get USP updates. Jointly organised by the USP Alumni Society and USP, the event will also include participation by USP student leaders, class ambassadors, faculty members and admin staff.

Last August, six members of the USP community contributed to "The Birthday Book", a collection of 51 essays presented as a gift from young and passionate Singaporeans to the nation on its 51st birthday. In this session, they will be sharing their thoughts on their essays with the USP community. Copies of the book will also be on sale. The session will be moderated by USP faculty A/P Barbara Ryan.

USP Career Services introduces a new workshop called “Emotional Intelligence @ Work” for USP students. This workshop will help students to create self-awareness on emotional intelligence and understand its importance in working life, to gain keys to improve emotional intelligence (and empathy) to have a balance of IQ and EQ for career-readiness, and to understand the contextual difference between socialisation in USP and the working world.

In this session, A/P Roger Foo will discuss the advances in heart failure treatment and potential areas of contention for these available treatments. Endogenous progenitor-derived cardio myocytes (CMs) in the adult mammalian heart poses a few issues. Together with knockdown of noncoding RNAs, studies reveal targeted inhibition may hold the potential for therapeutic development in cardiac regeneration. A/P Foo is currently Associate Professor and Senior Consultant at the Department of Cardiology, NUS and NUH. He is also the Senior Investigator of Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS).

Two USP students will travel to Tempe, Arizona to attend the “Desert Nights, Rising Stars” Writers Conference hosted by the Virginia G. Piper Centre for Creative Writing at Arizona State University (ASU). The conference provides an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and share an appreciation for literature and writing.

Let’s RediscoverED is a food market cum awareness fair on eating disorders, jointly organised by Mental Health Wing (a hub supported by Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme) and RediscoverED (a budding online support platform for eating disorder sufferers). Come, join in the fun-filled fair and learn more about eating disorders! CTPCLP is based in and supported by USP.

Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme (CTPCLP) is organising its introductory workshops to build up the capabilities of student fellows and any interested students in carrying out their research on social issues in Singapore. The workshops will be conducted by CTPCLP Director, A/P Albert Teo. CTPCLP is based in and supported by USP.

Five USP students, together with NUS students from other faculties, will travel to Jakarta on a programme led by USP faculty A/P Syed Farid Alatas. The programme aims to acquaint participants with various aspects of Islamic thought in Indonesia, with particular emphasis on the challenges presented to modern Muslims.

Two USP students will travel to Tufts University to participate in the Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC) International Symposium hosted by the Institute for Global Leadership. The theme for this year’s symposium is “Order and Chaos: Diplomacy and Force in a Changing World” and students will present an issue related to the theme, attend panel discussions and participate in informal gatherings and workshops.

Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme (CTPCLP) is organising its introductory workshops to build up the capabilities of student fellows and any interested students in carrying out their research on social issues in Singapore. The workshops will be conducted by CTPCLP Director, A/P Albert Teo. CTPCLP is based in and supported by USP.

Ten USP students will travel to Princeton University to participate in PICSim, a flagship programme of the International Relations Council at Princeton University. The programme simulates real world diplomatic interactions and student delegates work closely with one another to influence and make policy decisions.

This workshop by the USP Career Services seeks to 1) help a USP student prepare a resume for application of International Programmes, internship or full-time job, 2) tailor a resume aligning to his/her career inclination and, 3) personalise a resume to reflect his/her uniqueness as a USP student.

Join this discussion hosted by A/P Barbara Ryan, A/P Ken Kahn and A/P Martin Henz as they discuss ideas from historian Yuval Harari’s books titled “Homo Deus” and “Sapiens”.

Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Programme (CTPCLP) is organising ts introductory workshops to build up the capabilities of student fellows and any interested students in carrying out their research on social issues in Singapore. The workshops will be conducted by CTPCLP Director, A/P Albert Teo. CTPCLP is based in and supported by USP.

Assoc Professor Ashok Singh Rao, Head Department of Arts, CASH, Mody University will be visiting USP as an Academic Visitor from 4 – 8 March 2017. He will be conducting two seminars during his visit. The first seminar, moderated by USP faculty Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, is on Indian Poetry: Artistic and Thematic Constructions. Today, there are a large number of educated Indians who use the English Language as a medium of creative exploration and expression of their experience of life. As a result. Indian writing has now developed into a substantial body of literature in its own right under a Poetic manifesto prepared in The Writers’ Workshop at Calcutta (Kolkata). Unlike British poetry, Indian poetry has always stressed on the need for the private voice, especially because we live in an age that tends so easily to demonstrations of mass approval and hysteria. The definition of poetry “it begins with delight and ends with wisdom” is an integral message on Indian poetry.

Moderated by USP faculty Dr Leung Wing Sze, this second seminar conducted by Assoc Prof Ashok Singh Rao is on Indian Literature: Contemporary Sociological Issues. It encompasses a large variety of languages and genres and depicts a wide range of issues like poverty, unemployment, gender inequality and many more. This lecture indents to have deliberations on Kamla Das and Arvind Adiga.

Clinicians of the future will not only need to practise medicine, but also play a role in improving the practice of medicine. Find out how you can apply your training in USP to medicine, thinking critically and asking the right questions to offer fresh perspectives on overcoming challenges in healthcare.

We will open our premises to visitors on NUS Open Day 2017. Our USP booth will be located within the Chua Thian Poh Hall, and planned activities will happen throughout the day in and around USP. There will be four talk sessions at the nearby UTown Auditorium 3. Three sessions will focus on USP, at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm. The fourth session at 5pm will focus on the NUS-Sciences Po Double Degree Programme. Of notable mention are five sample classes to be offered by USP professors, spread out between 12.15pm – 4.15pm. Open Day is important to USP and the entire NUS community so let us all welcome visitors enthusiastically on that day. For USP students, do invite/encourage your juniors to visit us!

ISMs are independent research opportunities to explore a specialised area of interest and an academic requirement for all USP students. The briefing is very important for all first year students, as well as those who have yet to fulfil their ISM requirements. USP students who have done their ISMs will be sharing their personal experiences and providing practical advice for those who are embarking on an ISM. Do come and hear what these seniors have to say about the ISM experience.

This is a showcase of some of the short-term USP International Programmes that took place in AY2016/2017 Semester 1. It provides a setting for recent programme participants to share their experiences with the rest of the USP community in an exhibition format. Do drop by to view the displays or discuss the programmes.

This workshop is organised for final year students who are still unsure about what jobs to apply for, or what career to pursue.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, has been invited by The Sessions to visit USP and have a dialogue with our students. The topic for the dialogue that evening is “A Crossroad: International Relations and the Environment”.

NUS Arts Festival 2017 presents a talk by two respected theatre practitioners, USP faculty Mr Huzir Sulaiman and Ms Edith Podesta. They will share their personal journeys as artists and their thoughts about the future for young theatre makers in Singapore.

Join this informal panel discussion with USP faculty Dr Leung Wing Sze and three invited speakers – Stephanie Chok (Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics), John Gee (Transient Workers Count Too) and Wei Ng (Hagar International, Singapore) as they look at various issues of human trafficking and migrant labour in Singapore.

The Robert D Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon is one of USP’s long-standing Student Exchange Programme (SEP) partners. The exchange has been on hold for the past few years but is set to resume in AY2018/2019. Professor Terry Hunt (Dean of Robert D Clark Honors College and Professor of Anthropology) and Elizabeth Raisanen (Director of Undergraduate Advising at Robert D Clark Honors College and Instructor of Literature) will provide an overview of the Honors College and the University of Oregon. Students interested in pursuing SEP to the United States in AY2018/19 are strongly encouraged to attend this session.

As the second semester crosses the half-way mark and work continues to pile, some of us may be getting anxious and feeling stressed. Come, take a break and join a deep breathing and relaxation exercise session conducted by NUS Counselling and Psychological Services (CPS) counsellor Fabiola Agustina Kansil.

Drawing on more than a decade of his own ground-breaking research, Professor Terry Hunt from University of Oregon documents Easter Island’s (or Rapa Nui) astonishing prehistoric success—indeed its resilience, despite marginal resources. A significant part of this remarkable story is Professor Hunt and his colleagues discovering just how the multi-ton statues or moai were transported to every corner of the island. Easter Island has a lesson for us today, but Professor Hunt provides compelling evidence that it is a different lesson than the one made so popular in recent years. Professor Hunt will talk about his interesting research at this special guest lecture.

In collaboration with People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM), The Sessions will play host and bring to USP a “YOUTHSpeak” post-Budget dialogue session. Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam (Deputy Prime Minister), Ms Grace Foo (Minister for Culture, Community and Youth) and other Members of Parliament in the west of Singapore are the guests for this dialogue. The aim of the dialogue is to provide a platform for USP students and youths from the various institutions and organisations to share their views and feedback on the Singapore Budget initiatives, as well as to network with other like-minded youths. Through this process, USP students and PAYM hope youths will gain insight on and deepen their interests in current affairs, and specifically, understand the trade-off in policy-making.

This is a special game organised by the USP Residential Assistants (RAs) for all USP students to come together to have fun and bond. Participants stand a chance to win movie vouchers, f&b cards and many more. For more information, click HERE.

In this session under The Rector’s Programme (TRP), students can get to engage with Mrs Lim Hwee Hua on the topic of “Managing Surprises in One’s Career”. Mrs Lim is currently the Executive Director of Tembusu Partners. She previously served as a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office for more than 10 years. She will share the challenges in her career, how she manages the surprises in her career and navigates the fast changing world.

This is a ground-up platform for USP students to showcase their ideas in an intimate setting. Join this session at the USP Chatterbox as five USP students present on topics ranging from Absurdism to Stereotypes to Wingmanning.

USP organises a series of “Dinner Conversations” — informal sessions aimed at encouraging USP students to explore new horizons of work by having them interact with USP Fellows over dinner. (USP Fellows are specially appointed faculty members from various faculties, schools, and disciplines across NUS, who are committed to scholarship and mentoring students.) In this special Tea Session, we are happy to have Prof Wang Gungwu and USP Rector Ms Euleen Goh joining USP Fellows and students in conversation over tea and snacks.

In this second instalment of The Sessions’ Reserved Presidency (RP) Series (and last The Sessions for the semester), the student team has invited four panellists – Mr Azmoon Ahmad (Nominated MP), Mr Nizam Ismail (Co-founder of RHTLaw Compliance Solutions), Prof Kevin Tan (Constitutional Law specialist) and Dr Gillian Koh (IPS Deputy Director). The panel discussion will look into the issues of how the RP may influence race relations in Singapore.

The USP community is invited to the launch party of this semester's USP Senior Seminar eMagazine - Cura – a student-written periodical that explores a variety of topics important to Singapore and to the world! iPads will be provided for reading the eMag articles, after which you can chat with the writers over some ice cream and prata! 

Last December, USP students visited Perak, Malaysia to conduct ethnographic field research on three ethnic Chinese fishing village communities. While studies have been conducted to document the demographic changes in such villages, documentation of the experiences of the villagers remains scarce. The ‘Forgotten Communities’ participants have completed research reports on the three villages and will present their key findings to the USP community.