Changemakers – this is the emphasis of the Ridge View Residential College (RVRC)’s sustainability-centric two-year living learning programme. Class of 2024 graduands Aisha Shamsudin and Khin Hnin Su, both from the Faculty of Arts and Social Science, have successfully embodied this through their leadership and active advocacy efforts in their time at RVRC.
Aisha Shamsudin – mental health and community integration champion
Aisha struggled with her mental health during the first two years of university amid challenges in her personal life. Wanting to help other college residents navigate similar struggles, Aisha took on the role of Peer Student Supporter to raise awareness on better mental health management.
Aisha also took pride in being part of the Malay- Muslim community and has been a leader in promoting cultural integration and religious awareness of Islam through the first Raya with Ridge event in 2023.
Aisha (right) led the organising committee of the inaugural "Raya with Ridge" event. It has since become an annual event at RVRC.
Khin Hnin Su – a leader in sustainability education
Hnin Su has always stood out among her peers as a sustainability changemaker, whether it’s targeting food wastage at RVRC through a food donation and sharing system, or submitting ideas to NParks on the redevelopment of Labrador Park and waterfront.
In 2024, Hnin Su took her interests up a notch when she chaired the Student Organising Committee for the annual RVRC Symposium 2024. 145 invited guests including key stakeholders in sustainability and education like National Environmental Agency, National Youth Council, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment attended the event which showcased student projects on sustainability education.
Hnin Su on her way to the RVRC Symposium stage.
OSA caught up with Aisha and Hnin Su to find out how they are advancing their interests post-graduation.
How are you celebrating Commencement and what your plans for the future?
Aisha: I am rewarding myself with a well-deserved break, to freely carry out my days doing things that I enjoy and find joy in my hobbies again. I'll also be travelling with my friends to celebrate Commencement together.
Hnin Su: Likewise, I’ll be taking a break! Career-wise, I’m looking to be a User Experience Designer, but the world is my oyster, so I’m also thinking of pursuing other creative design roles such as Visual Merchandising.
If you could pick one moment that encapsulates the essence of your NUS life, what would it be?
Hnin Su: I would say it was the moment I finished giving my speech during RVRC’s Symposium as Co-Chair of the event. The essence of my NUS life is a lot about personal growth and development, and being able to share my experience, including how the College supported a lot of this growth, is definitely a moment that encapsulates this essence.
Hnin Su (right) delivering her speech as Co-Chair of the RVRC Symposium 2024.
Aisha: It would be during an event organised by PBMUKS (NUS Malay Language Society), Jom Ke NUS! (Trans. Let's go to NUS!) to introduce prospective Malay students to NUS and provide a network of seniors for prospective students to connect with in the near future. When asked why we picked NUS and what advice we would offer freshmen on how to navigate university, I was reminded of my own experience as a freshman. I felt I had come full circle and it was heartwarming to see the incoming university students so full of both fear and excitement, like I was when I embarked on my university journey.
Aisha (front row, second from left) at a PBMUKS outreach event for prospective Malay students.
What did you love most about NUS that you will miss?
Aisha: I loved RVRC and will miss it the most. I had stayed for four years and this place has truly seen me grow as an individual. It has provided me with many leadership opportunities and allowed me to pursue in my interests. I’ll miss having the chance to organise events and advocate for the causes close to my heart. RVRC provided me with a sense of community while being my place of comfort and my second home.
Hnin Su: I definitely miss campus living the most. RVRC really became a “home away from home”, and I got to be part of so many activities like Inter-College Games (ICG), RVRC’s Open House and our college’s very own student-led symposium. It’s so fun living close to friends and people you work with, and overall having your own community.
Hnin Su (rightmost) representing RVRC at NUS Open House.
Any advice to your juniors at NUS/RVRC about how to lead the remainder of their NUS life?
Hnin Su: Always stay curious and take up every opportunity you can. University is a good time to learn new things and especially for my RVRC juniors, the college is really a test bed to try out new initiatives or ideas, so go for it! Also, academics are important, but so is your health. Do take care of yourselves and make sure you’re not consistently burnt out.
Aisha: Trust the process and enjoy the journey. University is truly a roller coaster ride, so embrace any hardship that you come across, and always know that seeking help is okay! Find a community of people who have your best interest at heart, but always remember the ones who got you this far as well. Lastly, be an opportunist and take up any opportunity that comes your way - to the best of your ability and your capacity of course!
Aisha (back row, second from left) advocates mental wellbeing as part of her role as a Peer Support Leader.
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