Shaping Inclusive Futures: DOA Awards 2025
This year’s DOA Awards Ceremony was held on 3 October 2025 at the SDE3 Level 1 Architecture Gallery, at which more than twenty-five scholarships, bursaries, travel grants, and study awards were presented to fifty-two student and faculty recipients.
Unlike typical ceremonies, this joyous occasion brings donors and award recipients together in a uniquely appreciative and rewarding setting. One deserving recipient, Nie Jiarong—a PhD candidate who received the Tan Cheng Siong Research Scholarship—had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Ar. Tan Cheng Siong in person, alongside the other recipients after the ceremony.
RECIPIENTS MEETING THEIR DONOR, AR. TAN CHENG SIONG, AFTER THE CEREMONY
“As a foreign expert on Shenzhen’s first municipal planning committee when the city was established, Ar. Tan shared valuable insights into its early housing planning. Because Shenzhen is precisely my research area, and I am involved in its contemporary planning and policy studies, our conversation felt like a wonderful connection and a ‘passing of the torch.’ I was deeply impressed and inspired that, even in his 80s, he continues to work, maintain his creativity, and develop concepts for contemporary housing issues—hugely motivating,” shared Jiarong. “As my research is historical in nature, it requires visiting libraries and archives in the capital and several provincial cities. The scholarship provides crucial support for travel expenses and the costs of acquiring historical materials, which is invaluable for my work.”
Another recipient, Ian Hiedie Zuraimi from the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) programme, received the LAD3001 Design 5 Studio Award. He reflected on the role of AI in design: “Artificial intelligence is new and has become a tool of great use when articulating, curating, and constructing design ideas and implementation in Landscape Architecture. It was foreign to me at first, yet it was introduced as the main driving force of Digital Studio, putting me in a position of uncertainty and confusion. Through learning and adapting to AI—as it adapted to my prompts—I was able to champion a design and a story with AI alone, illustrating my ideas in ways I never imagined. Receiving the award means the world to me, especially as I pursue work in the public sector; it gives me a boost of confidence for both me and my future employers. One key lesson for future students: you are the master of your creation. Curate with AI and let it guide you, but never forget that the human touch comes from you—and only you.”
A VIDEO MESSAGE FROM ONE AWARD RECIPIENT WHO COULD NOT BE PRESENT
The DOA Awards celebrate the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our students, strengthening the bond between education, practice, and community. We extend our deepest gratitude to all donors whose support empowers our students to pursue excellence and impact. As we look ahead, the Department remains committed to nurturing compassionate, innovative designers who will shape inclusive, resilient environments. Alumni and friends who wish to contribute to future awards and student initiatives are warmly invited to partner with us in flying the NUS flag high.
Browse more photos from the event here.
This year’s recipients are:
Ong and Ong Traveling Fellowship
Ang Yu Cong
Aw Wei Kang
Kondratova Diana
Peng Yating
Edmund Ng Architects Award
Daniel Britelit Joseph
Mishka Lai Syin Yu & Sarvesh Bhargav
Tun Tan Cheng Lock Traveling Research Award
Bryan Lee Jia En
Lu Yixin
Mok Ze Chun
RT & Q Paris Award
Chooi En Yu
Edward D’Silva Award
Patel Hiralben Hemin
Milton Tan Design Exchange Scholarship
Jared Daniel De Souza
Chong Jia Xin Trenyce
Ryan Kurniawan
Chen Junyu Ryan
Natasha Aneesa Marican Binte Mansor
Yoong Jia Wei, Jarod
PiD Public Interest Design Prize
Cai Yujun
Jordan Yeo
Kumpulan Akitek Prize
Associate Professor Michael Budig
Associate Professor Francois Blanciak
Tan Cheng Siong Research Scholarship
Wang Linghao
Wang Xinyi
Nie Jiarong
Yang Sijie
Feng Lishen
Li Jingyi
Lu Yijun
Nguyen Dang Dao
Qiao Runze
Liu Yanhan
Chan Soo Khain Scholarship
Chen Kangyu, Ryan
Alfred Wong Scholarship
Soo Jia Wei, Clarence
Ng Wai Keen Memorial Fund
Low Si Ling, Sheryl
Ong Guat Aing & Toh Seng Huat Scholarship
Soong Jack Khai
Mario Yuan and Du Juan Scholarship
Wan Fatin Farzana Binte Wan Amir
Ajit Balaji
Tan Yan
Justin Ho Chung Sian
LAD1001 Design 1 Studio
Bian Chuqi
LAD2006 Design 3 Studio
Layla Grace O’Connor
LAD3001 Design 5 Studio
Ian Hiedie Zuraimi
LAD4008 Design 7 Studio
Altoaimi Lina Walid S
LAD1005 Design 2 Studio
Paul Yee Ze En
LAD2007 Design 4 Studio
Sumaiya Azad
LAD3002 Design 6 Studio
Dang Van Trang
LAD4010 Design 8 Studio
Altoaimi Lina Walid S
Department of Architecture Bursary
Brian Teo Zheng Jie
Huang Danlan
Lee Kip Lin Bursary
Clement Wong Xing Rong
Yin Wei Hao
SAA EnReach Study Grant
Tan Xin Yi Caslyn
Ryan Kurniawan