ALUMNI NEWS
More than a reunion as the Civil Engineering Class of 1978 ushers in 2026
On 2 January 2026, the NUS Civil Engineering Class of 1978 reunited at MYO Restobar for a warm, spirited evening with about twenty alumni, joined by Emeritus Professor Cheong Hin Fatt, Assistant Professor Chew Soon Hoe and Associate Director Ms Peggy Leong from CEE.
The gathering was filled with nostalgic stories, lively conversation, laughter, and renewed connections – classmates caught up on life and careers, shared memorable moments from their student days, raised toasts, and enjoyed hearty food together. In a meaningful show of solidarity and generosity, the Class of 1978 collectively pledged $150,000 to support scholarships and bursaries as part of the CEE 70th Anniversary Celebrations in 2025 – giving back to the next generation and strengthening the legacy of the Civil and Environmental Engineering community.
Mechanical Engineering Class of 1995 marks 30th anniversary reunion
The Department of Mechanical Engineering welcomed the Class of 1995 back to campus for their 30th Anniversary Reunion. Hosted by Professor Lee Poh Seng, Head of Mechanical Engineering, the event brought together alumni from diverse sectors to reconnect and reflect on how the discipline, and the community, has evolved over three decades.
Key themes highlighted during the reunion:
- Enduring fundamentals: Alumni noted that core mechanical engineering principles continue to underpin careers across industry, consulting, finance, entrepreneurship, public service, and leadership. As Prof Lee remarked, “The ME ‘core’ never expires—first-principles thinking, disciplined problem solving, a systems perspective, and the confidence to make decisions under uncertainty.”
- Lifelong community: The cohort’s network has grown into a “distributed ecosystem” spanning geographies and sectors, with bonds strengthened by shared experiences, friendships, and professional respect. “A cohort is more than a graduating class,” Prof Lee said. “It’s a community that reconnects instantly.”
- Expanding scope of ME: Mechanical engineering has broadened to include advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI-enabled engineering, energy transition, sustainability, and the physical infrastructure that underpins the digital economy. According to Prof Lee, “Mechanical Engineering has expanded, not diluted.”
Prof Lee also shared how the department is evolving within CDE, with a stronger emphasis on interdisciplinary innovation, real-world impact, and preparing engineers to build solutions that are high-performance, sustainable, and resilient.
In closing, Prof Lee encouraged continued alumni engagement: “I hope this reunion is the start of a renewed journey of giving back—through mentoring, guest sharing, student engagement, and industry–academic collaboration.”
