Briefing on

Student Life and Development in NUS

by

Mr Reza Shah Mohd Anwar

Head, Student Organizations

Office of Student Affairs

National University of Singapore
 The NUS Experience
The NUS experience extends beyond the
classroom. At NUS, we provide an environment
and system of support that enables students to
complement their learning with personal
development through an active and enriching
university life.

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 Office of Student Affairs
Mission Statement

“ To provide, in partnership with

students, a total University experience
that builds a strong NUS spirit ”

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 Office of Student Affairs Organisation Chart

Dean of Students
Vice-Dean of Students

Student Services Dean’s Office Student Life &

NUS Career Centre
Division Development
(Team of 9) (Team of 10) Division
Student Service Centre Student Organizations
Residential Services International Students
(Team of 32)
Residential Life
Special Projects
Sports
(Team of 3)
Training & Development
OSA Facilities
(Team of 35)

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Main Functions of OSA

• Student Services

• Student Life & Campus Vibrancy

• Student Development

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Student Services
• Assistance to over 80 Student Organisations
o Guidance and support
o Funding matters
o Information dissemination
o Event Organization & Management

• General Services
o Lockers system
o Student ez-link card
o Student facilities in YIH
o Students with special needs

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 NUS Student Organisations

NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU)

Ten Faculty
Political Community Cultural Sports
Clubs e.g.
Association Service Club Activities Club
Science
(PA) (CSC) Club (CAC) (SC)
Club

Over 60 Societies e.g. Junior Common Room

Photography, Motoring, Committees in Six Halls of
Adventure, Religious, Graduate Residence
Student Society, etc.

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Student Services
•Residential Services
o Hostel Application and Admission
o Hostel management, operation &
services
o Community standards & pastoral care
o Private housing resource

•Residential Life
o Settling in assistance
o Pastoral Care

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 NUS Student Hostels

OSA Residential Services

Prince Ridge View Residential

Six Halls of Residences & Gillman
Residence George’s Park Colleges
Residences Kuok Foundation Heights
(2,794 places) House @ Warren
(3,054 places) (555 places)
(940 places) Campus

Database of
private
residences
for rent

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 Student Services
• International Student Services
o Airport meeting services
o Entry and Exit Orientations
o Host Family Programme
o Cross Cultural Understanding
o Immigration & P/T employment matters

• Sports & Recreation

o Recreational sports
o Administering & managing sports facilities
o Guidance & support for Sports Club

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Student Services
OSA’s Service Centres
• NUS Career Centre
o Personal and skills development
o Job Fairs, Job Portal, Career Talks
o Career counselling
o Networking with employers
• Student Service Centre
o Gateway for various services offered by
administrative departments
o Services include:
- Academic Services e.g. Academic Transcripts.

- Administrative Services e.g. Student Status

Letters.
- Payment and Billing Enquiries
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Student Life & Campus Vibrancy
• The NUS campus is a very vibrant one, with
more than 800 events/activities organized by
the various student organizations and
interest groups.

• Student life also extends beyond the

campus, as student groups contribute their
time and efforts to undertake projects in the
local as well as overseas communities.

• An active and vibrant student life helps forge

friendships, sharpen soft skills, broadens
education, and builds character. This is
related to Student Development.

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Key Student Life Activities
• Welcome & Settling In
o Orientation for Freshmen
o Freshmen Inauguration Ceremony
• Community Service
o Rag & Flag (Charity Fund Raising Event)
o Community Service Projects (Local & Overseas)
• Arts & Culture
o Hall Productions, Concerts, Talent Quests
• Sports
o Inter-Hall, Inter-Faculty Sports Competitions
o Friendly Tournaments
o Recreational Sports, Learn-A-Sport
• Student Forums, Debates, Quizzes
• Socials
o Dinner & Dance, Jams & Hops, International Nite
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Student Development

Apart from academic development, students

in NUS are provided with opportunities and
support to enhance their personal, all-round
development. These include areas such as
leadership qualities, building of character,
social responsibility, global perspectives,
and soft/inter-personal skills.

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Student Development
Student Development is promoted through :

• Leadership positions in student organizations

• Leadership in organizing student projects/events

• Involvement in Fund-raising and Community Service Projects

• Involvement in arts & cultural events

• Engagement in competitive sports

• Participation in student forums

• Attendance at training workshops,

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Development Programmes offered by OSA
1. Youth Leadership
2. Effective Leadership
3. Student Mentorship
4. Social Development & Enhancement
5. Motivation
6. Event Management
7. Crisis Management
8. Sports Psychology
9. Injury Prevention in Sports
10. Sports Coaching
11. Cross-Cultural Awareness
12. Community Engagement
13. Overseas Student Forums, Workshops,
Symposia (e.g. through NYAA, Global
Village Programme)
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Development Programmes offered by OSA
1. Resume & Cover Letter Writing
2. Presentation Skills
3. Developing Interview Skills
4. Business Etiquette
5. Networking (Job Search Strategy)
6. Understanding Self
7. Personal Profiling
8. The Impressive You
9. Dining Graciously
10. Achieving A Leading Image

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Student Achievements
• Highest collection in fund-raising for charity (Average
$500,000 a year).
• NUSSU’s VAC won the Singapore Youth Award in 2002,
the President’s Social Service Award in 2006, the SIF
Award in October 2006 and the Commonwealth Youth
Silver Award in July 2008.
• Students (Operation Orion) conduct an annual overseas
community service in Myanmar, Hainan Island, Thailand,
Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
• Students won awards for efforts in environmental
protection issues eg. Bayer Yong Environmental Envoy
Award, HSBC/NYAA Environmental Award.
• 12 Engineering students ranked 9th in design and 27th
overall in the Formula Society of Automative Engineers
Annual Competition in 2006.
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Student Achievements

• NUS English Debating Team ranked 8th worldwide at the

World Universities Debating Championships in 2004.
• NUS Students topped International Chinese Proficiency
Competition for foreign college students in 2003 and 2004.
• NUS Chinese Debating Team was the champion at the 2nd
Asia-Pacific Inter-Varsity Chinese Debate Tournament 2006.
• NUS student was among the NUS Team of 3 to submit Mt
Everest in 2005, and became the first Singaporean to do so.
• The Varsity Canoeing Team won top prizes in regional and
international competitions.
• Ms Valerie Teo, a varsity bowler won top awards in
numerous competitions. She is also a national bowler who
won the gold medal at the DOHA Asian Games.

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Date: 12 August 2008