Yale-NUS families get a taste of campus life

Parents explore the Yale-NUS campus accompanied by student tour guides. Image taken by Alan Seah (Class of 2025) for Yale-NUS College.

Yale-NUS College has always recognised the central role of families and loved ones in the success of its students. On 5 March 2022, the College invited the families of all students to explore its campus and sample the signature Yale-NUS experience through a specially designed programme at Family Day, which was organised by the Student Affairs Office (SAO). The line-up consisted of in-person and virtual programmes to accommodate COVID-19 safe management guidelines and to reach those who were unable to join the event in-person.

This was the first outreach event to families in more than two years since the beginning of the pandemic, and marked the first time the families of current first- and second-year students were invited on campus. Associate Director at the SAO Carol Pillai shared that the team was “super excited to have parents come to the campus as part of the community.”

“We wanted them to eat in the dining halls, sit in a sample lecture, and have a feel of the Yale-NUS experience so that they have a better understanding of what their children go through, and are better able to relate to and support the students,” Asst Director Pillai said.

President Tan Tai Yong giving his welcome address. Image by Alan Seah (Class of 2025) for Yale-NUS College. 

Following an opening speech by President of Yale-NUS College and Professor of Humanities (History) Tan Tai Yong, in which he commended the “remarkable resilience” Yale-NUS students displayed over the challenging academic year, the day began with a panel discussion on sustaining the College community until its closure in 2025, and the vision ahead. The panel was attended by Executive Vice President (Academic Affairs), Professor of Social Sciences (Economics), and President-Designate Joanne Roberts, Dean of Students Dave Stanfield, and Director (Career Services) Norvin Ng. Each of them detailed their own enthusiasm and commitment towards improving the student experience.

Prof Roberts said, “We take [this time] as an opportunity to try some new things and set up some new traditions; as the College [size] shrinks, it can be a beautiful time to pull everyone together.” She also emphasised the College’s continuing mission to care for its students. “I want to guarantee that they have the same level of support as they always had before, if not more.”

President-Designate Joanne Roberts (right) discusses her hopes for the College. Image taken by Alan Seah (Class of 2025) for Yale-NUS College.

Director Ng added that the degree that students attain at Yale-NUS continues to be highly sought-after in the workplace. “In fact, a few of them lamented they have fewer options for talent acquisition after 2025,” he shared, recalling his conversations with employers. “Some of them asked what they could do to see more applications from Yale-NUS.”

The Assistant Deans and Residential Life Officers of each Residential College – key enablers of Yale-NUS’ unique residential curriculum – also presented to the families the comprehensive pastoral care students receive and the close-knit communities they are part of. Following the session, William, a parent of a current second-year student, shared that he was reassured by the “communal, relaxing environment” the campus created for learning and living.

After mealtimes in the dining halls, the families were invited to join sample seminars by Yale-NUS faculty for a taste of our students’ learning experience. The seminars showcased the College’s innovative small-class pedagogy with a range of diverse topics, including “Navigating the Common Curriculum with the Immortals” by Associate Professor for Humanities (Literature) Mira Seo, “Otters” by Senior Lecturer for Science (Life Sciences) Philip Johns, and “Resilience in College” by Associate Dean of Students Cory Owen.

Assoc Prof Seo delivering her lecture. Image taken by Alan Seah (Class of 2025) for Yale-NUS College.

“I’m quite enlightened to have been exposed to the different aspects of the literature course,” said Lum Shao Young, brother of student Lum Wan Tong (Class of 2025), after attending Assoc Prof Seo’s seminar.

A student tour guide bringing families around campus. Image taken by Alan Seah (Class of 2025) for Yale-NUS College.

The day’s events ended with a campus tour. Passionate student tour guides introduced families to places on campus like the Residential College courtyards and the Fabrication Lab where students create fond memories daily. As the family members stepped out of the campus after the day’s activities, it was clear the air was suffused with the same hope and excitement for the future that our students held when they first applied to Yale-NUS.