EVENTS & OTHER HAPPENINGS
CDE ranks in world’s top 10 in six subjects
The latest QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 reaffirm CDE’s global excellence, with top five rankings in Civil and Structural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering. We’re also ranked in the top 10 for Materials Science, Architecture/Built Environment, and Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering.
This achievement reflects our multidisciplinary approach to education and research—bringing together design, architecture, and engineering to tackle global challenges and drive innovation.
Professor Teo Kie Leong, Dean of CDE, said: “These latest rankings reflect CDE’s enduring commitment to delivering world-class teaching and research. The College’s multidisciplinary approach - bringing together expertise across design, architecture and engineering - enables us to tackle complex global challenges and drive impactful innovation. This recognition underscores the strength of our integrated approach, shaping future-ready graduates and advancing knowledge that benefits society.”
Read more here: https://cde.nus.edu.sg/news-detail/cde-ranks-in-worlds-top-10-in-six-subjects/
CDE@NUS Open House 2025
We had an amazing time at the CDE@NUS Open House and Robotics Fair on 8 March! More than 16,000 eager visitors popped by the 22 booths set up at UTown Sports Hall 1. They interacted with over 300 staff, faculty and students to learn more about the amazing programmes at CDE.
Aside from the booths at UTown, the EA foyer was also packed with visitors who were there to view the awesome projects on display at the CDE Robotics Fair. And not forgetting the tours around the CDE campus, which were all fully booked throughout the day!
Thank you to everyone who made the effort to join us. We are excited to see how your passion and imagination will shape the future.
To learn more about the undergraduate programmes at CDE, you can head over to our ISSUU page to read the CDE programme brochures: https://issuu.com/nus-cde/stacks/d863b511d7a1450093062c1c03352eeb
CDE Robotics projects featured in the news
Making the news! Our robotics projects and the Robotics Fair held during the NUS Open House were featured in Singapore's Straits Times.
Projects featured include:
Beam-a-bot
The robot-assisted microsurgical system that applies artificial intelligence to understand surgical scenes and automatically assists surgeons in completing specific tasks during microsurgery thus potentially improving surgical outcomes, enhancing surgical safety, and reducing surgeon workload.
Lead researcher: Associate Professor Chee Kong Chui (NUS Mechanical Engineering)
Team: Lin Wenjun (Research Engineer), Zhang Wending (PhD Student) and Zhang Ziwei (PhD Student)
IRBIS - Integrated Robotic BIM Inspection System
IRBIS integrates AI-assisted tools and robotics into the building inspection workflow, enhancing inspection processes by making them more efficient, accurate and safer. It has been deployed to inspect the condition of staircases in flats, among other trials, and is on track to expand into a start-up in the coming months.
Lead researcher: Dr Justin Ker-Wei Yeoh, NUS Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Team includes: Khiong Kiat C. (Research Associate), Professor Marcelo Ang, Advanced Robotics Centre (ARC) and Mechanical Engineering, and Assistant Professor Guillaume Sartoretti, MarmotLab, Mechanical Engineering.
BoxBunny
An innovative training robot for boxing developed by a student team from CDE’s Innovation and Design Programme (iDP) provides an immersive experience that is accessible, safe, and adaptable to individual skill levels.
Student team mentored under the NUS Innovation and Design Programme (iDP) Team includes: Kiruba Sankar (Mechanical Engineering), Ramie Lim (Mechanical Engineering), Jeanette Sim (Engineering Science) and Zakir Haziq (Engineering Science)
Read the full article here: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/would-you-trust-a-robot-to-operate-on-your-eyeball
From farm to table: Landscape Architecture students cultivate sustainability
Recess week at the Department of Architecture, CDE, NUS, isn't just a break — it's an opportunity to get our hands dirty in our very own Nasi Ulam Forest Garden! On 24th February 2025, students and CDE staff joined forces to harvest, propagate edible plants and cook with fresh ingredients from the garden.
Check out what our CDE community thought about this unique experience here! We're excited to see more colleagues and students at our next planting day.
Dr Su Bin weighs in on Singapore's climate change and sustainability initiatives on Mediacorp's 8world news
On 4 March 2025, Dr Su Bin, senior research fellow with Energy Studies Institute (ESI) and the department of Industrial Systems Engineering and Management (courtesy), was invited to be on Mediacorp’s 8视界 (8world news), together with Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, to weigh in on Singapore’s climate change and sustainability initiatives. Dr Su is also an ISE alumnus and currently teaches a course on energy systems modelling and market mechanisms at CDE.
Topics discussed ranged from climate vouchers, climate adaptation and flood resilience plans, and packaging waste from online retailing industry. The panelists emphasized on the importance of long-term preparedness and planning in combating climate change challenges.
The program segment (in Mandarin) can be found in the link:
https://lnkd.in/eMW5Vcb9
World Engineering Day 2025
"Unleashing the Power of Engineers to Advance the Sustainable Development Goals" is the theme for the 2025 World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, celebrated annually on 4 March.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cover a wide range of global issues, from "No Poverty" to "Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure" and "Sustainable Cities and Communities."
Research conducted by our faculty and students supports a number of these goals.
For World Engineering Day this 2025, we would like to highlight the work of Assistant Professor Lin Zhao that intersects the exciting areas of AI and Robotics.
Quadcopters, or drones, with their four rotating rotors, have become an essential technology for militaries, enthusiasts, and first responders. Advanced, agile drones have revolutionised high-stakes operations by delivering critical medical supplies to those in need and assisting in search and rescue missions in areas too dangerous for human involvement.
Assistant Professor Zhao Lin and his team have developed a fast-adaptive estimator known as the Neural Moving Horizon Estimator (NeuroMHE). This innovative system combines deep learning techniques with traditional control algorithms to improve the estimation and response to disturbances.
As a result, NeuroMHE has the potential to create more robust and reliable flight-control systems for high-performance drones, even in the face of unexpected and severe disruptions.
NeuroMHE's adaptability makes it suitable for applications where reliability is essential, including disaster response, autonomous delivery in crowded urban environments, and precision agriculture, especially as labour shortages increasingly impact the sector.
"Its adaptable framework can also be generalised to enhance the control of other robotic systems operating in dynamic environments, such as underwater or space exploration vehicles," explains Assistant Professor Zhao. To learn more about this research, click here.
Ramie Lim: She is not a boxer but she has a robot as a sparring partner
It is often said that college is the best time to try new things, learn not to be afraid of challenges, broaden perspectives, and make lifelong friendships.
It continues to amaze us how so many of our students have not just taken a step into their futures but positively leap ahead, full of enthusiasm for learning and life.
Meet Ramie Lim from Mechanical Engineering (Class of 2025) who was recently featured on Lian He Zao Bao.
During her freshman year, Ramie had her first experience with robotics and programming, which sparked her interest even further.
It led her to a second major in the Innovation and Design Programme (iDP), where she met teammates passionate about boxing. “Curiosity inspired me to learn more about boxing, and I learned that it depends on skill and finesse rather than just strength,” Ramie shared in the interview with Lian He Zao Bao.
Together, Ramie, Zakir Haziq, Jeanette Sim, and Kiruba Sankar created BoxBunny, an innovative boxing training solution designed for both aspiring and experienced boxers. It addresses common challenges faced in traditional boxing training, such as the lack of personalised coaching, the risk of injuries, and the high cost of personal trainers. By merging cutting-edge technology with boxing expertise, BoxBunny provides an immersive training experience that is accessible, safe, and adaptable to individual skill levels.
To prospective students fretting about what courses to pick, she advises, “There is really no cause for worry as the CDE curriculum offers great flexibility. I measuredly built my Majors and specialities slowly over the years. Even if you feel you have made the wrong call, there is always a window for change - wide enough for you to recalibrate your educational pathway to what suits you best,” she reassures.
Find out more about the Robotics and Machine Intelligence programme and the Innovation Design programme.
Futuring Architecture: The role of education
"Architecture is a reflection of our culture and way of life. Good architecture aspires to inspire humanity to rethink and improve their lifestyle. As architects, we have the opportunity to shape a better environment for everyone, one building at a time,” stated Jonathan Chin, a graduate from the Department of Architecture, Master of Architecture, Class of 2017.
At the recent event "Futuring Architecture: The Role of Education," held on March 6th, Jonathan, now a registered architect in Singapore with experience at prestigious firms like Bjarke Ingels Group and DP Architects, shared his insights with prospective students. The evening featured six speakers, including recent graduates from the various architecture programmes in Singapore, who discussed their diverse career paths and experiences.
Professor Jeffrey Hou, Head of the Department of Architecture, also spoke during the event, providing valuable perspectives on the rapidly evolving landscape of architectural education. He remarked, "The presentations this evening showcase a variety of practices that architecture education can prepare students for. The practices in turn suggest possibilities of our profession and our greater responsibilities to society and the planet.”
Jonathan’s pursuit of architectural excellence has taken him around the globe. He shared how this journey has “opened my eyes to the boundless possibilities of shaping a world limited only by our imagination."
Inspiring future engineers: Hwa Chong Institution participates in a hands-on workshop on optical fibre sensors organised by CEE
As part of ongoing outreach to pre-university students, Associate Professor Kevin Kuang from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering conducted a laboratory taster session on 14th March 2025 (Friday) at the Digitalisation Laboratory. The 2.5-hour workshop welcomed 17 students from Hwa Chong Institution, immersing them in a workshop entitled “Design & Make Optical Fibre Sensors for Structural & Water Level Monitoring,” where they fabricated and tested optical fibre sensors for real-world applications.
The session received highly positive feedback, with students showing a heightened interest in engineering and its practical applications. Many found the interactive and immersive approach engaging, appreciating how fundamental scientific principles they encountered in Physics as a subject could be applied to solve engineering challenges. The experience not only deepened their curiosity about STEM fields but also provided valuable insight into the kind of hands-on learning opportunities available at CDE, NUS in a university setting.
This initiative underscores CDE, NUS’ commitment to fostering early interest in STEM education through experiential learning and applied research. By offering high-impact, hands-on workshops, CDE, NUS continues to engage and inspire the next generation of engineers, strengthening connections with young talents who are exploring future pathways in engineering.
CDE Staff Bonding - The Fall of Singapore Walking Tour
The NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) organised a two-hour staff bonding tour on February 14, 2025, titled "The Fall of Singapore Walking Tour," led by Dr Johannes Widodo from the Department of Architecture. The day and period were significant in history, marked by several key events. On February 11, 1942, Japanese troops captured Bukit Timah. On February 13 and 14, 1942, the Battle of Pasir Panjang Ridge occurred. On February 14 and 15, 1942, the Massacre at Alexandra Military Hospital occurred. Finally, on February 15, 1942, the British surrendered to the Japanese at Ford Factory in Bukit Timah.
The tour is focused on the Battle of Pasir Panjang Ridge, which took place on the current NUS campus site during World War II. The Malay Regiment, led by Lieutenant Adnan Saidi, made a valiant stand against the Japanese forces, symbolising resistance and sacrifice. Despite being heavily outnumbered and running low on ammunition, the regiment fought fiercely, engaging in hand-to-hand combat when necessary. The battle was one of the last and fiercest fought in Singapore, with the Malay Regiment's position on the ridge being overrun only after the previous few defenders were killed. Lieutenant Adnan was captured and executed by the Japanese, and his bravery has since become a symbol of resistance and sacrifice.
Participants explored significant historical sites, including Kampong Tulloch, Masjid Tentera Diraja, and Clementi Road, learning about their roles during the war. Kampong Tulloch, named after Major General Derek D. C. Tulloch, was developed in the 1950s to provide low-cost housing for Malay soldiers and their families. Masjid Tentera Diraja, established in 1961 for Muslim servicemen in the British Army, remains a significant landmark. Clementi Road, formerly known as Reformatory Road, holds historical significance due to its role in the Battle of Pasir Panjang. Participants walk through the site of the British military guard post on Kent Ridge Road on the hill and the commemorative plaque marking the visit of the Duchess of Kent in 1952, which became the reason for the Kent Ridge and Kent Vale names.
These events were highlighted in detail during the tour to accord the events and those affected due respect. The significance of our surrounding areas and shared collective memory is a critical part of the place and was emphasised throughout the tour. This immersive experience, full of determination, walking together under the heavy rain, fostered a more profound connection among staff through shared historical knowledge, respect for the past, and understanding the meaning of the NUS campus site as a sacred historical ground.
HIGHLIGHTS
UPCOMING AND ONGOING EVENTS!
