By Muhammad Al Hakim (Political Science + NUSC ’26) and Deng Huiru (PPE + NUSC ’28).
On the 4th of February, Salifian Sulaiman (History + USP / NUSC ’24) shared about his undergraduate experiences and winning the prestigious Singapore Rhodes Scholarship this year with the NUSC community. Titled “My University Experience: Perspectives from a Rhodes Scholar”, the session covered a range of topics; from managing burnout and navigating imposter syndrome to balancing extracurriculars, academic and social obligations. The session was dynamic, with eager students chiming in with questions. After the session ended, Muhammad Al Hakim (Political Sciences + NUSC ‘26) & Huiru (PPE + NUSC ’28) from the NUS College Alumni Relations Committee had the pleasure to have a (virtual) chat with Salifian. This is their conversation:
How was being from a working-class family shaped your educational or intellectual interests?
It had a tremendous impact. I spend much of my time here [Singapore] and in Waseda talking to people from lower-income backgrounds. In Waseda, I often visit this particular mosque that Indonesian migrants go to. My final thesis was about drug abuse in Singapore and how it impacted the Malay community. No doubt, my background has shaped my research interests. Beyond that, it has motivated me to volunteer. I have relatives with tons of potential but they can’t reach it because of financial constraints. That’ s why I make an active effort to raise funds or talk to people, and to encourage them that they can do it.
Who were your role models growing up?
My biggest role model is my father. My father dropped out of secondary school. The most important thing he taught me was about sacrifice. I share this story a lot but it really impacted me. His pocket money every month was $30 for most of his life because every dollar goes back to the family. He doesn’t spend anything on himself, until recently. For almost 30 years of his life, he has sacrificed so much for us all. I hope to measure up to him one day. My father is a reminder that if you want something, you must give your all.
Were you a studious child?
To answer your question another way, I never imagined that I would be here. I was doing mediocre in class. I was from a normal neighbourhood school. I got straight U’ s during JC Prelims. What I am glad about is that places like NUSC look beyond grades. They also look at creativity, which is what I excel in. Modules by Professor Charles Burke exemplified just that. I was rewarded for creativity in NUSC whilst retaining that academic rigour.
Tangentially related, I’ve got to shout out to Professor Kang Hway Chuan. During the transition from the University Scholars Programme (USP) and Yale-NUS College (Yale-NUS) to NUSC, he reached out to me and other prominent Malay figures in our batch to ask us how to make NUSC a more inclusive space. So during our NUSC outreach, we connected with Mendaki and Madrasah. This is one of the things I appreciate about NUSC. I owe a ton of my personal and academic success to NUSC.
How do you deal with “Imposter Syndrome”?
I met a professor when I was in Waseda and shared about how I struggle with imposter syndrome. She said “Isn’t it better to question whether you deserve it rather than thinking that you definitely do?”. In other words, imposter syndrome instils a little doubt to keep us grounded. So I use it as a motivation to work harder, to serve the community and above all, remain humble. It is something I still struggle with, especially after getting Rhode’s Scholarship, but I am slowly getting better at it.
We wish Salifian the very best in his studies at Cambridge!
