STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS & STUDENT LIFE
Walk 4 Wellness: Exploring scenic sights of Singapore
On 27 August, over 20 students joined the Wellness Ambassadors in the Walk 4 Wellness event, exploring the scenic sights of Singapore from Marina Barrage to Marina Square.
Along the way, teams enjoyed a fun-filled bingo challenge that fostered friendly competition and social interaction. The walk offered a refreshing break from schoolwork, promoting mental well-being while encouraging self-care. Participants left feeling energised, inspired, and more connected, making the event a perfect blend of fitness, fun, and mindfulness.
Spreading compassion, one mindful turtle at a time
Spotted a turtle buddy hiding around CDE recently?
That was part of the Turtle Wisdom Mindfulness Journey, hosted by CDE’s Peer Student Support Group (PSSG)! From 1–5 September, 120 adorable turtle keychains, each carrying a kind, mindful message, were tucked around campus as little reminders to be self-compassionate, slow down, and celebrate small wins. Each day, the PSSG had also shared vibrant posters on Instagram and Telegram, spotlighting mindfulness topics like maintaining inner peace, engaging in self-care and recognising small steps as progress. The CDE Community truly embraced the exploration, with all 120 keychains found by the week's end.
From being a nugget of joy to a gentle assurance that they were doing okay, students shared that their newfound turtle buddy had certainly brightened their day.
A big thank you to all who joined the fun. Keep your eyes peeled for more interesting workshops organised by PSSG!
Art Fest: Exploring creativity through tie-dye and perler beads
Creativity was in full swing at this semester’s Art Fest! 37 students dove into hands-on fun, exploring tie-dye and perler beads (back by popular demand) and trying out air-dry clay for the first time!
The sessions offered a mix of familiar favourites and new experiences, giving everyone a chance to express themselves, try something different, and connect with fellow students. From vibrant creations to shared laughs, Art Fest inspired imagination and brought joy to participants of all skill levels.
Five Landscape Architecture students receive the 2025 American Society for Landscape Architects (ASLA) Student Honour Award
Five Landscape Architecture students have won the 2025 American Society for Landscape Architects (ASLA) Student Honour Award in the Student Community Service category for their project, “Nasi Ulam Forest Garden: A Living Lab.”
This student-led initiative reimagines a rewilded campus landscape that blends nature conservation with community farming, rekindling the kampung spirit of connectedness. By mobilising the University community and partners, manicured lawns have been transformed into a living laboratory with integrated food-growing functions, boosting biodiversity, preserving sociocultural values, and enriching learning opportunities.
Click here, to learn more about how the garden fosters environmental stewardship and demonstrates how rewilding can redefine urban green spaces, offering a model for institutions to combine natural processes with thoughtful human intervention for a more sustainable campus.
Intensive Architecture Workshop in Tokyo (IAWT) 2025: Bridging cultures, disciplines and design
The Intensive Architecture Workshop in Tokyo (IAWT) 2025, held during the break in June, brought together ten students from the Department of Architecture alongside participants from Tokyo University of Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, and Nagoya City University for an immersive 10-day experience. The workshop, jointly organised by these three departments and universities, aimed to foster cross-cultural understanding and creativity in architectural design.
More than just a design studio, the workshop offered a rare opportunity for students from diverse majors such as architectural design, environmental design, and structural design to collaborate intensively across disciplinary boundaries.
Click here to learn more about the workshop’s unique format, which departs from conventional architecture studios and encourages fresh perspectives and a richer cross-cultural design dialogue.
Re-thinking sustainable urban-rural relations with UTokyo
In summer 2025, students from the Department of Architecture (DOA), together with NUS students pursuing the Minor in Cities, participated in the Memu Workshop at the Memu Open Research Campus in Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan. The workshop, titled “Re-reading Human and Nature Connections; Re-thinking Sustainable Urban–Rural Relations,” was led by Dr Yu Morishita and co-taught by Dr Toru Terada and Dr Giles Sioen (The University of Tokyo), Dr Rosita Samsudin (NUS Cities), and Dr Victoria Jane Marshall (DOA). This marked the third collaboration between NUS and UTokyo.
Click here to explore how interdisciplinary teams investigated human–nature connections in Obihiro during an intensive 10-day workshop.
Meet the CDE makers: Creativity in action at NUS Makers’ Alley
Our students brought their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to life at NUS Makers’ Alley in UTown, a student-run market that gives student makers a platform to showcase and sell their creations. Many people came by to check out their stalls and support their work!
Hau Hwee En, a Year 4 Biomedical Engineering student, runs @miin.lots, where she crafts unique chains and jewellery. From self-sourced charms to DIY necklaces and bracelets, her pieces allow everyone to personalise their jewellery and add a touch of their own style!
Vedika Gupta, a Year 4 Architecture student, is behind @_hivenseek_, where she handcrafts resin jars, scented candles, perfume balms, room sprays, and diffusers.
Chew Wei Lynn Clara, a Year 4 Mechanical Engineering student, runs @wlncity. Her handmade jewellery is a mix of delicate metalwork and vibrant beads, reflecting her passion for craftsmanship and design. Clara shares, “I started making jewellery before university, and I’ve loved handcrafting ever since.”
All product images credited to the student makers
CDE students drive healthcare solutions through DHIP
“The Duke Health Innovation Programme has shown me how engineers can bridge medicine and technology to address unmet clinical needs,” says Ong Jia Wen Amelia, a Year 4 Biomedical Engineering student (Second Major in iDP).
She is one of five Year 4 students participating in the year-long Duke Health Innovation Programme (DHIP), alongside Jayachandran Deepsri, Ooi Jie Min, Chew Zing Jen (Biomedical Engineering), and Gore Kyra Rahul (Mechanical Engineering).
DHIP brings together small interdisciplinary teams of students from Duke-NUS Medical School, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUS Business School, and the College of Design and Engineering to work alongside clinicians and industry partners to tackle real-world healthcare challenges.
Amelia is mentored by Dr Luke Tay Hsien Ts’ung, vascular surgeon at Singapore General Hospital, and Mr John Ong from Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), a global MedTech leader. Her project explores solutions to restore patency in dialysis access, a critical pathway for kidney failure patients that often becomes blocked, leading to repeated and complex procedures.
Through the clinical immersion phase, Amelia shadowed procedures, spoke with healthcare professionals, and identified unmet needs firsthand.
This experience has not only deepened her understanding of patient care but also highlighted how engineering design can create a meaningful impact in medicine.
Next, she and her team will move into commercial discovery and design development, translating insights into prototypes and solutions.
Amelia shares, “It’s inspiring to work alongside passionate peers and mentors who are committed to making healthcare more sustainable and meaningful for patients!”
Amelia and her teammate Lin Ming from Duke-NUS, together with Dr Luke Tay and Mr John Ong, at the Asian Society for Vascular Surgery (ASVS) Conference.
Built Environment undergraduate receives student award at Facilities Management Experts Summit 2025
Congratulations to Sayyid Harith Bin Mohd Haron (Project and Facilities Management, Class of 2025) on receiving the Student Award at the Facilities Management Experts Summit (FMES) 2025, Singapore’s premier annual conference for the facilities management industry, organised by the Singapore International Facility Management Association (SIFMA).
With the theme "The Future Workplace: Technology X Sustainability", FMES 2025 explored how the convergence of smart technologies, data-driven solutions, and sustainable design is transforming the way facilities are managed and experienced. The student award recognises students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a strong interest in contributing to the Facilities Management industry.
Mentorship that inspires: Lessons beyond the lab
What does impactful mentorship look like?
For Dr Maxim Dickieson, it meant having a mentor who recognised his strengths, challenged him to grow, and inspired him to reach his potential. His mentor, Professor Yan Ning, received the Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award at this year’s NUS University Awards for that very impact.
When Maxim left his family, friends, and job during the pandemic to pursue a PhD at NUS, it was a difficult decision. But, as he recalls, the chance to work under Prof Yan was “too good to pass up,” and he has been “rewarded ten-fold” for that choice.
Prof Yan’s mentorship went beyond the lab. His deep understanding of chemistry and engineering gave profound insights into projects. His words of wisdom, “The best researchers are able to make very complicated concepts simple and easy to understand,” continue to guide how Maxim presents his work today.
That support helped Maxim thrive. In 2023, he received the Gold Poster Award at the 4th Southeast Asia Catalysis Conference (SACC) and later led his team to a Second Runner-up finish at the China International College Students’ Innovation Competition (CICSIC), standing out among more than 4 million global entries.
Now a Research Fellow at the NUS Centre for Hydrogen Innovations (CHI), Maxim continues his work in clean energy research, carrying forward the lessons and inspiration of Prof Yan’s mentorship.
PhD candidate Heidi Seah tackles coastal resilience in Singapore
How do we keep Singapore’s coastline resilient as sea levels rise? For Heidi Seah Tse Shing, the answer lies in engineering solutions that bridge research and real-world practice.
A PhD candidate in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) and research engineer at the Coastal Protection and Flood Resilience Institute (CFI) Singapore, Heidi focuses on centrifugal modelling of seepage in seawalls, research that directly informs how Singapore can strengthen and retrofit its coastal defences. Drawing on her professional experience with large-scale infrastructure projects, she combines field and design expertise in both her doctoral work and her role at CFI.
At CFI, Heidi works on a project led by Assistant Professor Chew Soon Hoe from CEE: “Modular solutions to retrofit existing coastal protection structures with impervious interlocking features to reduce seawater seepage.” Building on her geotechnical background, Heidi is incorporating geosynthetics into her design while integrating knowledge from hydraulics, coastal environments, and sustainability to develop practical, resilient solutions.
“As an engineer, I love seeing my designs come to life in the real world! Given the threat of sea-level rise and the increasing risk of coastal flooding in Singapore, I find immense value in contributing to efforts that enhance the resilience of Singapore’s coastline.”
Exploring the past, present and future of semiconductors
“The future is being built right now on silicon,” said Mr Dennis Wee (Electrical Engineering ‘99), NXP Director, Global Operations Engineering at Semiconductor Awareness Day. The event was organised by the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association (SSIA) and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). The event provided students with an opportunity to engage with industry professionals, learn about the semiconductor industry, and discover potential career pathways.
“Beyond learning about technologies and career pathways, connecting directly with experienced professionals helps students gain practical insights and inspiration for their future,” said Associate Professor Wee-Seng Soh, Deputy Head of Undergraduate Programmes, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “The strong support from exhibiting companies and mentors broadens horizons for ECE students and the wider CDE community.”
The event featured 26 leading companies, alongside flash mentoring sessions by MentoringSG and talks by:
• Dr Zhijie Chua, Chemist, Applied Materials
• Mr Dennis Wee (Electrical Engineering ‘99), NXP Director, Global Operations Engineering – Data Solutions
• Dr Chunhui Zhou (PhD Industrial Systems Engineering and Management ‘16), Principal Data Scientist, Smart Manufacturing & AI, Micron
The talks explored the fundamentals of semiconductors, the current industry landscape, and how the sector may evolve in the coming years. Speakers shared personal career insights, challenges they have faced, and why they joined the semiconductor industry, emphasising adaptability, lifelong learning, and openness to new technologies for students considering careers in this fast-evolving field.
Narita Chrysant Lautama (Year 4 Mechanical Engineering) spoke with Micron employees after the talk about potential roles and career development. She said, “Talking with Micron employees gave me insights and showed how my interest and experience in planning and project-based engineering fit their openings. It also helped me understand what to highlight on my resume.”
Similarly, Muhammad Rakha Naufal Maulana (Year 1 Electrical Engineering), whose fascination with semiconductors began during a high school clean room visit, attended the event to learn more about industry projects and partnerships. “Meeting industry experts helped me see how the semiconductor sector works in practice and inspired me to learn more about the field.”
IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) Induction Ceremony 2025
On 30 August 2025, the IEEE-HKN Lambda Omega Chapter of NUS conducted the annual induction ceremony to welcome 33 new members into the chapter. As the international honour society of IEEE, HKN seeks to promote excellence in the profession and in education amongst its student members, with the three ideals of scholarship, character and attitude.
These individuals have thus proven their calibre through distinguished scholarship, exemplary character and impeccable attitude throughout their career as Electrical and Computer Engineering students.
Besides our new inductees, the ceremony was also attended by Dr Rajesh Panicker, Dr Biplab Sikdar, Dr Jithin Vachery, Dr Sangit Sasidhar, Dr Prahlad Vadakkepat and Dr Idris Lim, whose presence truly elevated the event as they inspired our new members on their journey as electrical and computer engineers.
The ceremony kicked off with an introduction to the history of the chapter, its function and upcoming events, followed by a ritual in which the inductees were informed of the qualities, purposes, objectives and ideals of IEEE-HKN. They then took the binding pledge required of all HKN members and were formally welcomed as fully-inducted members of IEEE-HKN. A lunch networking session followed, and our newly inducted members got to mingle with one another, senior members, chapter officers and the Professors in attendance.
Read more here.
Building connections at the HKN peer tutoring welcome tea
The NUS Chapter of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) hosted a welcome tea to kick off the AY2025/26 Semester 1 NUS ECE Peer Tutoring Scheme on 27 August 2025.
The event served as an opportunity for peer tutees to meet their assigned peer tutors, establish communication channels, and begin building a safe, supportive learning environment. The session began with a briefing that outlined the roles and responsibilities of both tutors and tutees, setting clear expectations for the semester. This was followed by a networking session over refreshments, allowing attendees to connect and get to know one another.
The attendees found the event enjoyable and appreciated the effort put into fostering meaningful connections between peer tutors and tutees. Wishing all tutors and tutees a fruitful semester of connection, learning and growth!
Read more here.
ECE Club kicks off semester with pizza party
The ECE Club kick-started its first event of the semester with an internal bonding session, an Induction & Pizza Party on 13 September 2025. The event began with an induction where members were introduced to the club structure, upcoming event timeline, and club guidelines. This was followed by two engaging games that saw enthusiastic participation from both the executive committee and subcommittee members, promoting bonding amongst them. With four executive committee members and 23 subcommittee members in attendance, the evening concluded on a high note with everyone coming together to enjoy pizza and good company.
Read more here.
Electrical Engineering undergraduate explores the science of sound
For Parv Bhadra (Year 3 Electrical Engineering, Minor in Innovation and Design Programme), engineering and music are not worlds apart, they are deeply connected.
A trained vocalist in Hindustani Classical Music for over 15 years, Parv has always been fascinated by the science of sound. That passion carried into his research, where he conducted an individual research project during his time at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He explored how to teach machines the art of Indian raags, intricate melodic frameworks in Indian classical music that shape mood and emotion. Unlike Western notation, raags are passed down through listening, improvisation and practice rather than sheet music.
Parv experimented with using computer models to capture this tradition, training them on Raag Yaman, a set of melodic rules and guidelines used in Indian classical music, to see if a machine could not only learn the rules but also improvise its own melodies. Sometimes the system stuck close to the traditional structure, while at other times it ventured into new, unexpected territory. For Parv, it was a way of showing how engineering can breathe fresh perspective into an art form that has been evolving for centuries.
In a Signals and Systems (EE2023) class under Assoc Prof Idris Lim, Parv volunteered to present how the harmonium, a reed instrument central to Indian classical music, demonstrates harmonics in action. Assoc Prof Lim said, “Drawing on his musical background, Parv was able to articulate the principles of sound, resonance, and harmonic in a way that bridges artistic expression with scientific understanding. He showed how concepts in Signals and Systems can be applied to real-world contexts, and his curiosity at the intersection of music, acoustics and engineering was inspiring.”
“My engineering education gave me tools and language to study classical music in ways I didn’t think possible. It’s rewarding to see how engineering can bring fresh perspectives to centuries-old traditions,” said Parv.
Computer Engineering undergraduate scaling new heights in Vancouver
James Hong Jey’s exchange in Vancouver was a chance to push boundaries, sharpening his engineering perspective while taking his love for climbing to new heights.
The Year 4 Computer Engineering student spent a semester at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he found himself surrounded by over 100 years of engineering heritage and a strong sense of pride in the profession. “UBC opened my eyes to what it meant to be a proud engineer, where engineering felt like a lifestyle, not just a degree. Students often built things for fun, beyond exams or grades, like a peer who designed and tested his own wall-mounted tent,” he shares.
At the same time, Vancouver’s world-class outdoors gave him the chance to pursue his love for adventure, especially climbing.
James had already been active in NUS Mountaineering Club, even serving on the executive committee and completing his Singapore National Climbing Standards (SNCS) Level 1 and 2 certifications. The club gave him a foundation in technical climbing and the chance to summit a ~5,800m peak at Tserko Peak in Nepal, during a mountaineering course in 2023. These experiences gave him the skills and confidence to fully embrace Vancouver’s outdoor scene.
“Finding the right company was initially tough,” he recalls. “But through climbing gyms and club activities, I eventually connected with locals who had the equipment and experience to take me out. It was intimidating at first but incredibly rewarding.”
For James, climbing is more than a sport; it is a mindset. “I’m far from the best climber in my friend group, but I know I can still experience and do a lot of fun things. Letting go of competition and focusing on the joy of climbing was very liberating.”
PhD student Zheng Haofei receives runner-up award at 2025 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) Conference
Congratulations to Mr Zheng Haofei, a PhD student under the supervision of Professor Ang Kah Wee, for winning the Student Poster Award (Second Place) at the prestigious 2025 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (2D TMDs) Conference held in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
This conference brought together leading global researchers to showcase the latest breakthroughs in the synthesis of 2D materials and their applications in electronics, photonics, and emerging technologies. Haofei’s poster, titled “CMOS-Compatible Integration of Ultrathin High-κ HfOx on 2D Semiconductors for High-Performance Dual-Gate Transistors,” was recognised for its originality and contributions to advancing the future of semiconductor technology.
As silicon chips reach their physical limits, researchers are exploring new materials to keep advancing transistor technology. Haofei’s work focuses on molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), a promising alternative. He developed a method to add ultra-thin insulating layers onto MoS₂, a key step for making next-generation transistors. Using this approach, he built transistors with excellent performance that match international targets for future chip technology.
Read more here.
Industrial Design students tackle real-world banking challenges with Maybank
Industrial Design undergraduates are set to reimagine the future of finance through design! For the first time, Maybank partners Division of Industrial Design (DID) to challenge how financial services can better serve people and communities.
Through this unique design platform course, students will explore three real-world problem spaces:
- Attracting younger and underserved customers through digital channels in Singapore’s mature banking market.
- Strengthening financial services across the Singapore–Malaysia corridor, serving people who live, work, and move between both sides of the border.
- Supporting seniors in banking safely and confidently in a digital world, while fostering community and purpose in their golden years.
The class prepares students to design for high-stakes, regulated environments, balancing creativity, user needs, and business objectives. Guided by Maybank specialists and DID lecturer Mr Benjamin Xue, students will research, map stakeholders, and prototype solutions that balance creativity, user needs, and business realities.
Mr Benjamin Xue said, “This is an exciting opportunity for students to enhance their business skills while pursuing their undergraduate degrees in industrial design!”
We look forward to seeing their innovative concepts come to life and sharing the outcomes later this semester!