By Siddhika Didel (Economics + NUSC ’26)
The Class of 2025 gathered for their Commencement Dinner on the 26th of July 2025 at the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel. It was an evening of celebration, reflection and heartfelt farewells for the final graduating cohort of the University Scholars Programme (USP). Perhaps it was the theme, Celestial Bodies, that lent the night its glow, capturing the idea that even as the graduates drift into different orbits, they remain part of the same constellation, held together by memory, gratitude and the shared experience of something rare.
At the heart of the evening were the Class Ambassadors and Class Champions – Chew Hong Jin, Jeff Chin, Eu Shae-Anne, Fiqri Nur Haziq Bin Abu Bakar, Goh Hong Pei, Hannah Ong, Toàn Oswald, Daniel Poon and Lauren Sim. As fellow cohort students, they emceed with a personable touch, engaging the audience with warmth and subtle humour.
The night opened with an address from Associate Professor Loy Hui Chieh, Vice Dean of Academic Programmes at NUS College. Assoc Prof Loy first met the cohort through the pixelated screens of a Zoom classroom during their first-year seminar. He recalled shared breakfasts and dinners as their Residential Fellow, before reflecting on the rapid changes that marked their journey—from the announcement of NUS College just weeks into their studies, to navigating the integration of two communities. Despite these shifts, he commended the class, “Through it all, you demonstrated resilience and adapted, exactly as we expect of students who are curious, critical, engaged and courageous!” His remarks were both a tribute to their adaptability and a recognition of the role they played in shaping NUS College’s future.
One of the evening’s highlights was the NUSC/USP Graduation Awards, which recognised students who excelled in academics, leadership and service. The recipients embodied the ethos of intellectual rigour, active contribution to the community and a fierce commitment to collective growth, serving as role models for current and future students.
Assoc Prof Loy and Prof Simon Chesterman with 14 awardees who were present for the dinner.
A moment of quiet reflection followed, as the community honoured the late Mdm Anne Yeo, whose warmth, generous spirit and steadfast support left a lasting impact on generations of students—through the Peer Mentorship Programme, student life academic initiatives, or just a kind word in passing. A moment of silence was observed, before Chiew Chern Faye (Law + NUSC [USP] ’25) delivered a moving rendition of Remember Me.
The evening also included a heartfelt farewell to Assoc Prof Kang Hway Chuan, who served as Director of the University Scholars Programme before taking on the role of Master of the West Wing. Lauren Sim (Sociology + NUSC [USP] ’25) recalled how his spirit of engagement and mentorship continued throughout his tenure, making him an inspiring role model for both students and staff alike.
Prof Simon Chesterman presenting a token of appreciation to Assoc Prof Kang.
The Class Champions then shared about the Commencement Class Giving Campaign with a dance performance to encourage contributions, underscoring the campaign’s role in supporting future students and sustaining the programme’s legacy. Fiqri and Hannah led a lively “Giving Rap”, a fun remix backed by Lauren and Shae-Anne.
The energy packed “Giving Rap” performance by Fiqri, Hannah, Lauren and Shae-Anne.
Faye delivers a heartfelt message in song.
Faculty member Dr Lai Ah Eng and Joshua Wee (Biomedical Engineering + NUSC [USP] ’25) team up for a special performance.
Between performances, the celebratory atmosphere continued with a series of lively games that brought out smiles and sparked friendly contests. First came a USP-themed round of Jeopardy, where tables competed to solve trivia. This was followed by a tongue-in-cheek “Best Dressed” vote for the coveted sash of ‘USP: University’s Sexiest Person’, and finally, “Dress to Impress: Assoc Prof Kang Edition,” in which each table transformed the spacefaring Assoc Prof Kang into a glittering style icon.
Staff live dress-up of Assoc Prof Kang.
Students decorating Assoc Prof Kang into a glittering style icon.
Throughout the evening, students and faculty serenaded our community with performances. Special thanks to all the performers:
- Chiew Chern Faye (Law + NUSC [USP] ’25)
- Dr Lai Ah Eng (Former Adjunct Senior Fellow)
- Bella Santosa (Physics + NUSC [USP] ’25)
- Joshua Wee (Biomedical Engineering + NUSC [USP] ’25)
- Three Sum:
- Hannah Ong (Psychology + NUSC [USP] ’25)
- Caresse Chin (Accountancy + NUSC [USP] ’25)
- Tan Hong Liang (Computer Science and Business + NUSC [USP] ’26)
- Drop Out Boys:
- Joshua Wee (Biomedical Engineering + NUSC [USP] ’25)
- Rachel Sim (Business + NUSC [USP] ’25)
- Erica Soh (Sociology and Communications & New Media + NUSC [USP] ’25)
- Loh Le Xuan (Pharmaceutical Science + NUSC [USP] ’25)
Bella belts out a familiar tune specially dedicated to the Class of 2025.
The band, Three-Sum, singing their spirited set.
The band, Drop Out Boys, warming the audience’s heart.
To conclude the evening, Prof Simon Chesterman delivered a closing address, reflecting on the journey and achievements of the Class of 2025. He encouraged the class, “Your class has overcome challenges and weathered many transitions, yet through it all you have forged strong and lasting friendships. As you step into this next chapter, carry those friendships with you—and know that you are always welcome to return and remain part of the NUSC community.”
Following his remarks, the graduating cohort presented a special class gift, a yearbook lovingly compiled by members of the batch. The yearbook is a culmination of the efforts of every single student in the batch, where individuals submitted photographs and quotations of themselves to be compiled in the yearbook. The yearbook team spent a lot of time and effort scheduling and taking photographs, compiling all the submissions, resulting in a snapshot of the university life the last batch of USP experienced, and a keepsake for generations of students to come.
Class Ambassadors and Class Champions present a Class Gift, the yearbook to Prof Simon Chesterman and Assoc Prof Kang.
“Personally, it was incredibly gratifying to finally see all of the stars aligning on the night of our Commencement Dinner. Each part of the night was a reflection of so many individuals’ dedication and love for our community, and I could not have been more grateful to be a part of such a meaningful constellation of people,” shared Hannah. “Especially to my fellow class champions and ambassadors, that night was such a well-deserved culmination of our collective effort. In our wise words, ‘everyone’s giving’ and we truly gave it our all.”
The night drew to a close with a group photo capturing the momentous occasion, followed by warm exchanges of autographs in the yearbook. With spirits high and memories cherished, the Class of 2025 stepped forward into their next chapters, forever connected by the constellation they have formed together.
Hannah adds, “Our Commencement Dinner felt like a fitting close to a memorable chapter and a joyful start to the next. I look forward to seeing the best that life has in store for each of us, and I can’t wait to reunite with all of these people that feel like home. See you at our next class gathering!”
