Singapore, 19 July 2025 — The 10th edition of the annual Asian Undergraduate Symposium (AUS), concludes today, marking a decade of cultivating the next generation of impact-driven undergraduate advocates and future leaders to address real-world challenges. The two-week Symposium is jointly organised by the National University of Singapore (NUS) and NUS College, the honours college of NUS.  

The AUS was birthed in 2015 from a desire to tap on the potential of young people who want to make a positive impact in communities and contribute towards meaningful solutions for some of the world’s challenges such as food, energy and water scarcity, climate change and digital security. 

The first AUS was held in 2015 with more than 100 undergraduates from nine universities in Southeast Asia. This year, the 2025 AUS welcomed more than 300 students from 55 universities across Asia, to participate and network with peers from across Asia and deepen their passion for change. To date, more than 2,000 undergraduates from 90 universities across 17 Asian nations have convened through the AUS platform. 

Professor Simon Chesterman, NUS College Dean, said, “At NUS College, we believe that education should go beyond the classroom, preparing students not merely to succeed, but to lead and serve. The remarkable trajectory of AUS is a powerful testament to that vision. It reflects our unwavering commitment to interdisciplinary learning and to cultivating the kind of courage and creativity needed to address the complex challenges of our time. We take immense pride in seeing our alumni translate ideas into action, creating meaningful impact in their communities. And we remain steadfast in our aspiration to broaden that impact, both here in Singapore and across the region.” 

This year’s symposium, themed ‘Interconnected Communities’, focused on three subthemes that empower participants to tackle related challenges in their communities – ‘Sustainability and Regeneration’, ‘Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’ and ‘Heritage and Culture’.  

Over two weeks, participants immersed themselves in these themes through a series of interconnected expert panels, learning journeys and hands-on workshops led by NUS College’s faculty, staff and alumni, together with a network of community and regional partners.  

Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, who engaged with participants at a fireside chat on 17 July 2025, said, “Young people today possess an unparalleled capacity to reshape our world. In a global landscape marked by complexity and uncertainty, they are powerful catalysts for change. Investing in their education and holistic development through the distinctive AUS programme designed by NUS and NUS College is commendable. I congratulate the team for their dedication towards unlocking the potential of youths to create a sustainable, equitable, and interconnected future for our communities and the world.” 

To grow its impact on sustainability, AUS 2025 featured its first workshop centred on regeneration to familiarise participants with ‘regenerative sustainability’, a concept of creating systems and practices that restore and renew resources to achieve a net positive impact on the environment and communities. It also welcomed participants from the inaugural Regen Asia Summit (RAS) to collaborate and translate ideas into impact projects for a chance to secure seed grants. 

Supporting ideas that have the power to transform communities 

Since 2023, a key feature of AUS has been a ‘hackathon’ where student teams submit their project proposals on challenges in the programme’s subthemes, to compete for seed funding of S$5,000 per project to bring their projects from concept to reality. 

To date, AUS has disbursed S$55,000 to 11 student-led projects that have made significant positive change within communities. Amongst the highlighted projects are:   

• Gro Up – A gamified boardgame that has been played by more than 500 students in the Philippines to address misconceptions and foster appreciation for farming. 

• Finable – A Monopoly-style card game that has been used to engage with more than 100 students in the Philippines on financial literacy and is undergoing development for roll-out in local high schools. 

• MangoGo! – An initiative to transform wasted mangoes into eco-friendly souvenirs at mango farms in Cambodia to encourage sustainable practices and provide an additional income stream to farmers. Since receiving seed funding, the team has developed product prototypes, run farm tours, raised awareness online and secured transport sponsorship for activities in Siem Reap. 

• Weathering With You – An initiative to help the coastal community of Barrang Lompo, South Sulawesi cope with rising sea levels and extreme weather through climate education and early warning systems, including efforts such as WhatsApp-based weather alerts and educational workshops to boost local resilience. 

• Great Plate – An app-based programme that promotes sustainable food practices by encouraging the consumption of local produce, suggesting affordable meals and supporting the redistribution of surplus food to reduce waste. The prototype app is currently undergoing testing and development, and is slated to launch at the end of 2025. 

Professor Aaron Thean, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost, said, “It’s inspiring to see AUS evolve into a global launchpad, empowering young people to become community builders and catalysts for change worldwide. This decade-long initiative, now an impactful NUS College programme, embodies NUS’ mission to develop future-ready graduates who not only reach their full potential but also possess the values and skills to constructively and sensitively address the needs of their communities.” 

At AUS 2025, 40 impact projects were presented at the hackathon session titled ‘Project World Café’, where up to 10 projects will receive a seed grant of S$5,000 each to develop their ideas into real solutions within their communities of choice. Starting this year, these selected promising projects also stand to benefit from a new Impact Incubation Programme which offers additional financial support, training and mentorship to help the teams go further in their efforts to bring positive change to communities.