EVENTS & OTHER HAPPENINGS
Department of Design marks a new phase for design
“As we become the Department of Design, people remain at the centre of all that we do. This is how we move forward — onwards and upwards, together,” said Professor Cees de Bont, Head of Department of Design.
CDE celebrated the redesignation of the Division of Industrial Design as the Department of Design, recognising the Department’s growth and the broader vision that now shapes its work.
Established in 1999 as Singapore’s first university-level industrial design programme, the Department has grown into an internationally recognised community known for academic rigour, forward-looking teaching and strong industry relevance. Over the years, its evolution has mirrored the changing nature of design itself, extending beyond products and objects to engage systems, services, experiences and complex societal challenges.
As CDE Dean Professor Teo Kie Leong said, “Design does more than solve problems. It defines our relationship with the world and each other. This influence is often subtle, but essential.” He added that by bringing design, engineering and architecture together, CDE is in a strong position to create solutions that are not only functional and viable, but also meaningful and human-centred.
That expanded scope was reflected not only in the Department’s journey over the years, but also in the perspectives of its community. At the alumni panel led by Associate Professor Hans Tan, alums revisited shared memories of the programme and reflected on how design has become increasingly interdisciplinary. Reflecting on the value of design education, Nicky Goh (Class of 2003), Director of Catalyst Studio, shared: “As a student, design was about creating something meaningful and distinct, a mindset that continues to shape how we think about not only physical and digital products, but also the systems and experiences that surround them throughout our lives.”
Read more here.
CDE Annual Dinner 2026
“Each of us has a different role to play; but no role is insignificant. So when times are demanding, let us remember why we do what we do. We do it for our students, we do it for the generations to come.” – Professor Teo Kie Leong, Dean, College of Design and Engineering
The CDE Annual Dinner 2026 brought together approximately 700 colleagues at Resorts World Sentosa on 31 July for an evening of celebration, connection and appreciation. Centred on the theme Movie Magic, the night featured performances, games, a best-dressed competition, lucky draw, and moments recognising the people who continue to shape the College’s story.
Opening the evening, Prof Teo reflected on CDE’s mission as both an educational institution and a research-intensive college that creates opportunities for students, pushes the frontiers of knowledge, and translates ideas into impact.
He said that CDE has continued to grow from strength to strength, with six departments ranked among the world’s top 10 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026, and Arts & Design entering the top 20.
Honouring years of service
A key highlight of the evening was the Long Service Awards presentation, which recognised over 150 colleagues for their dedication to CDE. Among them were five colleagues marking an inspiring 45 years of service, including Professor David Chua (Civil and Environmental Engineering).
Speaking about his achievement, Prof Chua said, “Reaching this 45-year milestone at CDE is incredibly special to me. Watching our community grow and evolve over the decades has been an amazing journey, and I am deeply grateful for the lifelong friendships and shared successes along the way. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this rewarding chapter.”
Also celebrating 45 years of service are Mr Abdul Khalim Bin Abdul, Ms Chia Meow Hua, Mr Chiam Tow Jong, and Mr Sukiantor Bin Tokiman. See the full list of Long Service Awards recipients below.
Celebrating collective strength
Beyond the awards and performances, the dinner was a reminder of CDE’s collective strength. As Professor Teo said, CDE’s scale gives it breadth, resilience and the ability to support one another through change.
The evening closed on a note of gratitude and shared purpose — a celebration not only of achievements and milestones, but of the people whose commitment makes CDE what it is today.
Read more here.
NUS CDE Robotics & Innovation Showcase @ Hwa Chong Institution
At the NUS CDE Robotics & Innovation Showcase @ Hwa Chong Institution, prospective students experienced CDE in an engaging and immersive way. Organised by the Office of Outreach & Special Projects (OSP), the showcase featured 24 innovative projects across five themes — Digital Systems, Intelligent Machines, Impacting Lives, Built Environment, and Design & Architecture — offering visitors a closer look at how CDE applies engineering, design, architecture, robotics, and AI to address real-world challenges. Through interactive demonstrations and meaningful conversations with faculty members, researchers, and students, attendees gained deeper insights into the College’s diverse academic offerings and the impact of its work.
A Fresh Start: CDE's fruit pack distribution day
As part of efforts to encourage healthier habits among staff, CDE held its first fruit pack distribution on 5 August 2026. A total of 600 packs containing a selection of fresh fruits were distributed to staff, in support of healthier eating and well-being. Let's celebrate this initiative as we nurture our well-being together!
Basic Electrical Repair Workshop
The Office of Strategic Initiatives and Operations organised the Basic Electrical Repair Workshop, led by Mr Vincent Bay from the Engineering Design & Innovation Centre (EDIC). Over four sessions, participants learned safe techniques for everyday tasks such as cleaning fans, replacing light bulbs, and understanding the distribution board (DB box). The workshop gave participants greater confidence in carrying out simple electrical repairs safely. Special thanks to Mr Bay for sharing his expertise!
HIGHLIGHTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
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CDE Career Fair 2026
The College of Design and Engineering (CDE) brings back the CDE Career Fair, on 8 & 9 September 2026, at the EA Atrium. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet with representatives from more than 60 choice employers from the public and private sectors.
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![Position Open: [____]. Reimagining Social Design Careers for Shared Futures](https://cde.nus.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/bb-plugin/cache/Untitled-design-1024x1024-square-bbaf48836efea69002af964895fbea52-.jpg "Position Open: [____]. Reimagining Social Design Careers for Shared Futures")
Position Open: [____]. Reimagining Social Design Careers for Shared Futures Exhibition
The Social Design Lab is pleased to invite you to our upcoming exhibition, Position Open: [____]. Reimagining Social Design Careers for Shared Futures, featuring social design projects by students from NUS Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Industrial Design, LASALLE College of the Arts, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The exhibition hopes to open up conversations […]
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Singapore Defense Tech Hackathon
If you’re a student interested in what it takes to build technologies that respond to real-world security challenges, the Singapore Defense Tech Hackathon (SDTH) 2026 offers a hands-on opportunity to find out. Bringing together engineers, founders, operators and innovators, the hackathon invites participants to explore real-world deployment needs through collaboration, experimentation and problem-solving. Taking place […]
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CDE–LTA NEBULA X Hackathon
The NEBULA X Hackathon invites Singapore university and polytechnic students to take on real-world mobility challenges and develop innovative solutions that could make our rail network smarter, more reliable and more resilient.