How service-learning projects and Wednesday afternoons off help students embrace a full, immersive and holistic student life

A student from the Department of Food Science and Technology guides another student in making her own gimbap during The Gimbap Roll-volution - Its History & Nutrition workshop.

Picture this: you wake up on a bright and sunny Wednesday and it’s time for class. All morning you sit attentively in front of the screen and take notes, occasionally checking with your friends when the professor introduces new terms. When the clock strikes twelve, you collect your items, stuff them into your bag and head to the nearest canteen.

After lunch, there is a surprising twist: instead of going to your next class, you head to a family service centre to meet your mentees, whom you’ve been getting to know over the past few weeks. Laughter and fun ensue during the tutoring session, complete with games, quizzes and hard work on both sides, and the day ends on a high note. The best part? Volunteering at the centre counts towards your graduation requirements.

This is not a new concept for students at NUS, many of whom have chosen to participate in initiatives like Teach Singapore (Teach SG) to mentor children and youth from disadvantaged families. Part of a range of community engagement activities under NUSOne, Teach SG aims to promote social mobility and inclusiveness by providing access to positive role models and enhancing learning opportunities.

NUSOne is a new initiative that started in August 2024 and aims to broaden students’ access to and encourage their participation in a wide range of out-of-classroom activities. As part of efforts to transform higher education, it elevates the emphasis on student life activities and develops well-rounded, resilient and dynamic individuals who can thrive and flourish during and beyond their time at University.

Another example is the “Dabble & Discover” (D&D) series, which comprises a variety of workshops ranging from coffee mindfulness to a learn-to-play series on Wednesday afternoons. One such workshop was The Gimbap Roll-volution - Its History & Nutrition, organised by NUS Libraries in collaboration with BeyondFST Classroom (a student society from the Department of Food Science and Technology) and Good Day Café at the Medicine+Science Library. Participants learned about the role of gimbap (Korean rice rolls wrapped in seaweed) in Korean culture, its nutritional benefits and how to roll it. They were also given a primer on how to discover the authoritative resources on food science and technology in NUS Libraries’ collections. Other D&D activities – comprising sports, arts, wellness, and leadership workshops – also offer students opportunities to explore new interests, develop self-awareness, and build friendships.

Beyond a designated day for holistic experiences, opportunities to serve have also been embedded in an informal capacity. The NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine)’s Health, Humanitarian, and Leadership (HHL) Programme provides a space outside the formal curriculum for students to transform their ideas into real-world interventions for underserved communities, empowering them to lead service-learning projects that make a real-world impact.

Project Health Empowerment for Youth (HEY) is a community health initiative by the NUS Medical Society comprising students from various faculties including NUS Medicine, the School of Computing, and the College of Design and Engineering. They aim to enhance the awareness of primary school students on the importance of both physical and mental well-being. 

Project HEY Health Screening with beneficiaries of the Foundation of Rotary Clubs Singapore Family Service Centre. Project HEY members are pictured from left to right: Adeena Ansari, Collin Chu, Shreya Mahesh Menon, Phoon Jing Faye, Mathakanti Mythri, Charmaine Lee, Mirudhula Gnanavelou.

Together with families, teachers, and friends, HEY members act as pillars of support for these students, “elder brothers and sisters” with whom they can share concerns and challenges that may otherwise be difficult to express. Several workshops have been successfully conducted, with the students participating in health screening sessions and mini games which cover topics such as diet, exercise, phone usage, and environmental awareness. Learning journeys to various locations have also enabled them to forge stronger mentor-mentee bonds.

Founding Project Director of HEY and third-year NUS Medicine student Collin Chu shared that he had been inspired by Teach SG, where he served as a mentor in his first year. “We recognise that primary school students juggle various demands, such as their academics and co-curricular activities, and we hope Project HEY can provide them with useful strategies and resources to adopt a healthier lifestyle,” Collin said.

“Through HEY, my team and I have learned about the importance of communication not only within the team, but also with beneficiaries and community organisations, as each stakeholder has unique needs and ideas. Moreover, as role models, fostering a conducive learning environment is integral to gaining mentees’ trust, especially when they are still at an early stage of life and require more guidance and support. The experience with HEY has strengthened our motivation to create a positive and sustainable impact,” he added.

An outing with members of Project HEY at Marina Barrage. From left to right: Collin Chu, Mathakanti Mythri, Shreya Mahesh Menon, Mirudhula Gnanavelou, Phoon Jing Faye, Charmaine Lee, Nagarajan Abhijeeth, Nagarajan Aparajith.

SIGNapse is another service-learning initiative that is making an impact. It started as an interest group among NUS Medicine students and has now grown into a thriving initiative spanning six disciplines in NUS: Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry, Social Work, and Psychology. Since its inception in 2016, SIGNapse has been dedicated to equipping future healthcare professionals with a foundational knowledge of Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) and a deeper appreciation of Deaf culture. SIGNapse works to bridge communication gaps between the Deaf and hearing communities through structured learning, immersive experiences, and advocacy.

One of SIGNapse’s key initiatives is the provision of Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) classes. In line with NUSOne’s move to encourage out-of-classroom learning, the classes are scheduled on Wednesday afternoons and are open to the wider NUS student body. Conducted in collaboration with NUS Enablers (a student interest group promoting accessibility and inclusivity for students with accessibility needs on campus) and led by trained Deaf instructors from Equal Dreams (a social business that provides consultancy, services and training for disability inclusion and accessibility), these classes emphasise the deep connection between language, identity, and inclusion.

Participants and instructors posing for a photo at one of SIGNapse’s engaging SgSL exposure workshops.

In addition, SIGNapse hosts interactive half-day exposure workshops together with The Singapore Association For The Deaf (SADeaf), designed to introduce participants to Deaf culture and communication, with discussions on Deaf identity, the importance of inclusive communication, and hands-on SgSL practice. SIGNapse has also worked with SADeaf to launch the "In Another Shoes" video campaign, an ongoing initiative which features interviews with Deaf representatives who work closely with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) community. Through personal stories, the campaign highlights the everyday challenges Deaf individuals face, the crucial role of interpreters and the significance of inclusive communication in healthcare settings.

Almost a year on, NUSOne has already made a remarkable impact on students’ university experience. Associate Professor Wong Mun Loke, NUS’ Associate Provost for Integrated Education said, “These [out-of-classroom] activities allow them to explore new areas of interest and develop life skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability. Together with their academic studies, this broader exposure on campus allows them to embrace a more holistic educational experience and enhance their future-readiness after graduation.”

Keen to kickstart a vibrant student life? Find out more about admission to NUS at this link.



News from: https://news.nus.edu.sg/blazing-a-trail-nusone-debuts-with-meaningfully-diverse-activities/