With an appreciation for the beauty of numbers and the drive to create a positive impact in the world, Tasneem Binte Jamaludeen, a Year 1 NUS College student with a double major in Mathematics and Political Science, seeks to conceptualise irrefutable data-driven climate policies.
Climate as a catalyst
Tasneem’s interest in such topics was first ignited while working on her International Baccalaureate (IB) thesis at Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah, one of six full-time, private Islamic institutions of learning in Singapore.
Having learnt about future carbon emissions and measuring the effectiveness of climate change policies in Singapore through calculus, she was inspired to pursue further studies in this area.
She also greatly valued how holistic learning grants its students more than the sum of its parts, and hence thought to combine her two passions: mathematics and politics.
Finding her footing
As a first-year student in her NUS journey, Tasneem has already broadly explored subjects such as Mathematics and Singapore Studies through her compulsory core classes.
She is grateful that she has picked up a foundation of knowledge on hard-hitting issues such as meritocracy, cosmopolitanism and parliamentary debates, which she is excited to apply in her upcoming Political Science courses.
Even as a new student, Tasneem is inspired by what she has learnt so far. She gushes, “I can see NUS’ dedication to interdisciplinary learning, because the core courses require every student to use critical thinking and data analysis to understand the world around us.”
She describes the NUS College core courses to be “immensely engaging” with its many opportunities to partake in productive critical discussions between groups of diverse students.
“It encourages a lot of intimate conversations about critical social issues and being open-minded to different cultures.”
Tasneem has also been supported and inspired by many of her teachers so far, and named her Understanding the Social World: Singapore and Beyond teacher, Professor Shivani Gupta, as someone she looks up to. “In terms of the classroom, she’s very passionate about feminism — I’ve learnt so much from her,” Tasneem recalls.
Her top tips for students enrolling to NUS College?
Be your authentic self, be honest about your purpose and intentions in joining NUS College, your visions for the future and how you can contribute to the community.
Looking beyond grades
Still in her first year and with much to learn, Tasneem is keen to embrace any new opportunity that will help her grow.
She dedicates her time to several extra-curricular activities, such as NUS College’s Netball Interest Group and fitDeen, a part of the NUS Muslim Society which focuses on spirituality and growth. Tasneem also participated in a one-off event during Orientation Week dubbed ArtJam, during which attendees learnt all about painting.
Tasneem is also excited for her upcoming semester, when she will participate in NUS College’s sustainability interest group. She hopes to pick up the valuable skills and knowledge in this field that can help strengthen her resolve and know-how regarding climate change advocacy.
With so much on her plate, though, Tasneem is quick to advocate for mental health breaks. “Don’t feel guilty about taking a break,” she counsels. “Being properly rested and fed helps you be more productive in the long run.”
Life is sweet in Cinnamon College
Staying in Cinnamon College has also opened a world of new opportunities to Tasneem. The experience invites her to explore a realm outside of her comfort zone — something she is grateful and proud to have gone through.
“Living away from my family gives me the opportunity to be more independent and is beneficial for my personal growth!” she enthused.
Being able to spend time with the diverse and open-minded student community at Cinnamon College is also something Tasneem appreciates about her College experience.
Beyond motivating each other to excel at their studies, she and her group of friends also take the time to care for one another, through birthday celebrations or even discussing and debating hot-button topics.
Being exposed to new perspectives and mindsets is another learning point that Tasneem embraces. “We take the same NUS College courses and it’s interesting to notice how we can approach the same topic differently because of our different majors and experiences.” she says.
Charting the future
Although Tasneem is still finding her footing in her first year, she has a clear goal in mind: completing her core Mathematics and Political Science courses under the semester-long Student Exchange Programme (SEP) in Cambridge, in her third year.
With her eyes set firmly on a future bright with possibility, Tasneem is excited to utilise the plethora of resources and opportunities NUS has granted her, and discover more about the world and what she can do to make a tangible difference.
Her greatest takeaway from her university journey so far?
That she can do anything she sets her mind to, and that no action is too small:
“NUS has shaped me as a person in understanding current world issues. I have learnt I can play a part in addressing these issues — however small I am as an individual!”
*The article above first appeared on NUS News.
