ALUMNI NEWS
Six CDE alumni honoured at NUS Alumni Awards
Congratulations to the six CDE alumni honoured at the biennial NUS Alumni Awards, including Ms Ho Ching (Bachelor of Engineering, 1976), presented with the 2025 NUS Eminent Alumni Award.
Held on the evening of 25 November 2025, the awards recognise University alumni who have distinguished themselves through significant and impactful contributions to their alma mater, society and the world.
Other CDE alumni presented with awards were:
Distinguished Alumni Award
- Professor Lim Chwee Teck, NUSS Chair Professor, College of Design and Engineering, and Director, Institute for Health Innovation and Technology
- Er. Lim Peng Hong, Managing Director at PH Consulting
- Dr Sharon Nai, Senior Principal Scientist at the A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (A*STAR SIMTech) and Director of the A*STAR Additive Innovation Centre (AIC)
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
- Ms Chang Qingyang, CEO and Cofounder of ConcreteAI
- Mr Chio Wen Tian, Principal Architect and QP(Architect) at CHIO Architects
Read more: https://cde.nus.edu.sg/news-detail/six-cde-alumni-honoured-at-nus-alumni-awards/
CDE Alumni Gala Dinner 2025 celebrates excellence and community
“Tonight, we celebrate not only excellence, but our shared journey as one CDE family,” said Prof Teo Kie Leong, Dean of CDE.
Held on 7 November 2025, the CDE Alumni Gala Dinner 2025 was a celebration of the people who continue to define and strengthen the CDE community. The dinner brought together alumni, faculty, students, industry partners and friends of the College to honour the recipients of the CDE Alumni Awards 2025. These awards recognise graduates who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and to society, and whose achievements reflect the spirit and values of CDE.
This year’s celebration carried special meaning. It coincided with two milestones: 70 years of Engineering education at NUS and 120 years of the University’s founding, reminders of the generations of educators, pioneers and students who believed in the power of education to transform lives.
In his address, Prof Teo paid tribute to the alumni who continue to carry that legacy forward: “Our award winners come from diverse disciplines and sectors, but they share a common thread, a commitment to excellence, a spirit of innovation, and a heart for service. You make us proud not only for what you have achieved, but for the values and character you embody.”
For many alumni, that sentiment resonated deeply.
"Being part of CDE was more than just an academic experience — it was a turning point in how I see the world and navigate my career," shared Ms Istilah Yanti, the recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni award. "CDE encouraged me to stay curious — to keep asking questions and exploring new ideas. That mindset has helped me grow, especially when facing tough challenges."
Five award categories were presented:
- Distinguished Alumni: Prof Ho Teck Hua
- Alumni Excellence: Mr Lee Aik Seng, Mr Cheung Yik, Ar Muhammed Khairudin B Saharom & Er Teh Poh Suan
- Outstanding Young Alumni: Mr Allan Tandiono, Ms Istilah Yanti, Mr Tan Wenyou, Ar Lee Hui Lian, Ms Sum Kun Shan & Dr Koh Siang Hui Jeremy
- Alumni Rising Star: Ms Chang Qiangyang, Mr Lim Jia Wei & Dr Lim Kang Hui
- Alumni Team Excellence: CDE Fundraiser team (Er Wong Jin Kok, Mr Edwin Seow, Mr Seah Cheng San & Mr Yeo Keng Joon)
Together, the recipients represented the breadth of CDE’s impact across industries, from engineering and design to architecture, sustainability, entrepreneurship and technology.
Beyond the awards, the night was a joyful reunion of friends, mentors and former classmates.
As Ms Hou Linxin, a former alumnus and current PhD student, said, "I am truly grateful for the chance to reconnect and be inspired by the vibrant community that continues to make our university a place of growth and pride."
Many of these guests are also part of the CDE Alumni Mentorship Programme, which has grown from 35 pairings in 2022 to over 140 this year — a reflection of how deeply connected and invested our alumni community remains in nurturing future generations.
More than a night of recognition, the CDE Alumni Gala Dinner 2025 was a celebration of shared purpose, lasting friendships and the collective spirit that continues to inspire, innovate and transform society.
Congratulations to all our award winners!
View the full list of award recipients here: https://cde.nus.edu.sg/alumni/awards/cde-alumni-gala-dinner-2025/
Alum Dr Zhao Zhao awarded Humboldt Research Fellowship
Dr Zhao Zhao has been awarded the Humboldt Research Fellowship, a prestigious scholarship in Germany granted to highly qualified researchers from around the world.
Dr Zhao completed his PhD in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the National University of Singapore in 2023, under the supervision of Associate Professor Low Ying Min. His doctoral research focused on developing advanced analytical methods for system reliability analysis.
DID 2005 cohort reunites for 20th anniversary dinner
The third cohort of the Division of Industrial Design (DID) reunited for the first time since their graduation in 2005. Held on the evening of 14th November, the dinner marked the 20th anniversary and celebrated their journeys since graduation.
Seventeen of the twenty-one graduates attended, some of whom have not met since their graduation. Most have remained in the design and education sectors, while some have also maintained close ties with DID.
Over dinner, the group caught up on the division’s progress over the past twenty years, including the move into the SDE4 building completed in 2019, the expansion of the division’s curriculum beyond traditional Industrial Design, such as Service and Interactive design, as well as the growing focus on research.
Associate Professor Yen Ching-Chiuan and Associate Professor Hans Tan Yan Han were also in attendance. Dr Yen served as acting Head of Department during the cohort’s time in DID, while Assoc Prof Tan is a member of the cohort.
The evening proved to be a warm catalyst for new connections, both during the gathering and in the days that followed.
Fresh DID Graduates participate in Singapore Clay Festival 2025
Recent graduates Bryce Lim, Sophia Chin and Jared Lim from the Industrial Design Class of 2025 participated in the Singapore Clay Festival, held from 6-9 November at the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre.
The festival is a biennial event that celebrates the arts of ceramics, Singapore clay heritage and creating dialogue, education and awareness to the community through exhibitions, workshops and a clay makers’ market.
Participating under the name Workshop Two, a nod to the space where they spent their final year, the trio took the opportunity to reconnect with and re-explore the medium of ceramics.
Rooted in a shared interest in materiality and craft, they engaged with the wider craft community, sharing their approach as industrial designers and celebrating the spirit of making.
The trio shared, “It was eye-opening to see how people connected with our work. Beyond the objects themselves, they engaged with the ideas, processes, and stories behind them. We also found ourselves learning from other makers who generously shared insights honed over years of dedicated craft, reminding us how much knowledge lives within the community.”