NUS student representatives, Celeste Ong (Year 3, Business School), Fiqri Nur Haziq (Year 4, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences) and Ryan Ong (Year 2, Business School), participated in the 12th University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) held in Bangkok, Thailand from 5 to 10 August 2024. They were joined by 485 students and, teaching and student affairs staff from 47 countries including China, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
The symposium's theme, “Be the Change,” aimed to inspire participants to find their voice and purpose in making a positive impact on the world. Over the course of four days, attendees heard from changemakers, engaged in community service, and built meaningful global connections.
A string orchestra performance opened the 12th University Scholars Leadership Symposium.
Making a difference within communities
The conference kicked off with speeches from esteemed global changemakers, including Mr David James Begbie (Founder of Crossroads Foundation) and Ms Shomy Hasan Chowdhury (Founder of Awareness 360), on their inspirational journeys of creating positive change. Their message was clear – everyone has the potential to lead and make a difference within their communities.
Mr David James Begbie, Founder of Crossroads Foundation, speaking about his changemaking journey.
Students conversed with the speakers at Q&A sessions after each talk. Celeste Ong reflected: “While leadership was a solitary journey, what truly stood out was how each speaker acted on the issues that troubled them. This shared commitment of addressing personal challenges served as a powerful reminder about making impactful changes rooted in one’s passions and concerns.”
Students raised their hands eagerly to engage with speakers.
Spreading kindness
On the third day of the symposium, attendees travelled to various parts of Thailand to engage with local communities as part of Kindness Day. Attendees fostered a deeper sense of empathy and understanding through these insightful cultural exchanges.
One of the anchor activities, Safe Passage, provided attendees with a powerful opportunity to connect with Karen refugees from Myanmar, who are currently living in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Attendees bonded with the Karen community, and engaged in music, art, and games. Beyond these heartwarming exchanges, the attendees also extended practical support by distributing daily necessities to the families in the area.
NUS student representatives, Fiqri Nur Haziq Bin Abu Bakar and Celeste Ong Si Min (far right, in white), engaging with students from a local school for refugees.
“Despite the hardships the community face, their sense of happiness made me reflect on how we perceive communities and the role of changemakers in these contexts,” said Fiqri Nur Haziq.
Ryan Ong concurred. “Joining the USLS reminded me of my initial journey when I started The Catalyst Collective. As a sole founder, it was through opportunities like these that enabled me to meet like-minded people, form a support network and continuously empowered me to continue my work in the social impact scene,” he said.
NUS student representatives with other students from Singapore universities such as Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Management University.
Empowering future leaders
The participation of Celeste Ong, Fiqri Nur Haziq, and Ryan Ong in the 12th University Scholars Leadership Symposium underscores NUS’s commitment to nurturing future leaders to create positive change. Through exposure to global perspectives, hands-on experiences, and interactions with inspiring changemakers, these students have returned with a deeper understanding of their role in shaping a better world. As they bring back their newfound insights, they will continue to contribute to the NUS community and beyond, embodying the spirit of “Be the Change” in their own journeys.
This is the second occasion that NUS, through the Office of Student Affairs, sent students to this prestigious event, aimed at broadening global perspectives, and fostering intentional connections with peers and changemakers from around the world.
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