CAREER PERSPECTIVES

The MAUD experiences provide its students with visionary insights, critical skills and needed knowledge to excel in various urban sectors in the region and beyond. In particular, it gives them newfound capacities and broadened perspectives to address emerging challenges to high-density cities in Asia.  With a degree from one of the world’s premier universities, NUS graduates’ standing and marketability are greatly enhanced.

The MAUD programme has established collaborations with Singapore’s government agencies, such as Urban Redevelopment Authority and Housing Development Board, and various local practices like DP Architects, providing students with opportunities to experience professional life and complement with their classroom learning. The internship may also be integrated with and validated as part of the Urban Design Dissertation module.

Since the establishment in 1997 as the first-of-its-kind program in Asia, over 300 MAUD alumni work as professionals in 20+ countries and in different fields, from design firms to planning institutes, from real estate developers to government authorities, and from urban consultancies to creative industries. Some graduates become entrepreneurs, others may segue to research and continue to pursue PhDs.

Some of the employers our graduates work for are:

• Government authorities: Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore; Housing Development Board, Singapore; Land Transport Authority, Singapore; Singapore Food Agency; Ministry of Civil Service, Cambodia; Korea Land and Housing Corporation; Hwaseong City Hall ……
• Design consultants and engineering corporations: DP Architects; Surbana Jurong; JTC Corporation; RSP; Morrow; SAA; P&T; WATG; SCP; China Academy of Urban Planning & Design; AECOM; Aedas; Hassell; MLA+; Ramboll; Kettle Collective; KIND; ARCADIS; PGAA; Place Making Architects; PGAL; Broadway Malyan ……
• Real Estate Developers: CapitaLand; Sentosa Development Corporation; Cushman & Wakefield ……
• Nonprofits and academic institutions: UNHabitat; NUS; Singapore University of Technology and Design; Singapore-ETH Center; Singapore Polytechnic; Chinese University of Hong Kong; CEPT University; Korea University; Universitas Gadjah Mada; University of Nottingham; The University of Edinburgh; Curtin University ……

STORIES FROM RECENT GRADUATES

See what our recent graduates said about their experiences at NUS MAUD:

 

Cheng Tsz Ching Crystal (Class 20-21)
Landscape Architect, Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl

“Critical thinking acquired from the programme allowed me to understand and question the ideas in urban design and modern society today.”

“Experience in MAUD has helped my professional career as a landscape architect by expanding and complementing the scale of what I do, and a better understanding of how urban components (land use, typologies, population, infrastructure, mobility, energy and sustainability) interact with each other in different cities.”

 

Nakanishi Tsubasa (Class 20-21)
Assistant Project Manager, Cushman & Wakefield

“Collaboration with colleagues of different nationalities and specialties was not easy, but I gained professional and practical experience in carrying out projects in collaboration with experts in various fields.”

“I have deepened my understanding of analyzing challenges and risks from various scales to find ways to deal with a threat to a sustainable environment that is comfortable to live in for all biodiversity. Analysis of each urban element on different scales helped me identify the potential of data extension methods to urban design and clues to solve ecological issues.”

 

Anjanaa Devi Srikanth (Class 19-20)

PhD Student, Singapore University of Technology and Design; PhD Researcher, Singapore-ETH Centre

“The modules offered me opportunities to enhance my skill set, ameliorate my academic rigour, and refine my design thinking processes. These skills have proved invaluable to my marketability and my career in research thus far. I benefited from the network opportunities with the visiting staff and lecturers, who are among Singapore’s top practitioners and academicians.”

“The design studios of both semesters exposed me to sites of varying physical and socio-economic parameters, with a keen focus on sustainability and urban resilience. My peers and I engaged in a range of tasks varying in skill under the collaborative nature of the assignments.”

 

Shao Mengqi (Class 16-17)

PhD Candidate of International Studies, University of Nottingham Ningbo

“I was once at a loss, but the professors at MAUD, and my seniors and colleagues gave me a lot of valuable advice which will benefit me for my whole life. MAUD helped me realize that I can do much more than just design, and there are so many urban-related works that you can try and explore. I must say, life in MAUD and NUS is the best experience of my life.”

“MAUD has a very compact, substantial, and diversified course schedule and a very interesting field trip. It has provided me with an unprecedented vast platform to reach out to NGO, government department, and research institute. It has offered great opportunities to learn how to cooperate, how to think out of the box, and how to understand the city from various angles.”

 

Lin Yongtian (Class 15-16)
Executive Urban Planner, Morrow Architects & Planners

“My experience in MAUD was an eye-opening adventure. I was exposed to opportunities to improve myself, like talks, workshop, etc. and to exchange my mind with students / professionals from other countries. It brought me into the UD and UP career in Singapore. After graduation, I can access to better opportunities. The most useful skillset that I learned at MAUD was the method to analyse the site at the beginning, and the principles of creating high density and liveable environment.”

ALUMNI NETWORK

Dear alumni, we are establishing MAUD alumni network to better serve and connect our alumni. Please let us hear from you via this quick survey.

For more information, feel free to contact:

• Ang Kwang Lin Jason (Class 97-99), Lead of Alumni Working Group & Adjunct Associate Professor, Email: akiaklj@nus.edu.sg
• Zhu Yihan (Class 16-17), Deputy Lead of Alumni Working Group, Email: yihan.zhu@u.nus.edu