A timelapse image of a man in a pink shirt walking past a white wall with Yale-NUS College logo and the quote: “A community of learning. Founded by two great universities, in Asia for the world.”

A Community of Learning

Yale-NUS College was the first liberal arts college in Singapore, and one of the first in Asia.

A collaboration between Yale University and the National University of Singapore (NUS), the College aspired to create a new educational model for the liberal arts and sciences in the 21st century, unifying the best of East and West to create a truly global education.

The College was fully residential, with students living and learning together, and working alongside faculty and staff to build a unique and diverse community of learning.

Dreams and Aspirations for Yale-NUS College

NUS President Tan Chorh Chuan describes some of his wishes for the future of the College.

Tan Chorh Chuan, in a suit and tie, smiles warmly, embodying a sense of approachability and professionalism.
Lee Hsien Loong, dressed in a tie, speaks confidently at a podium, addressing the audience during a formal speech.

A New Offering in the Singapore Higher Education Landscape

Singapore’s Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong speaking at the College campus groundbreaking ceremony.

Vision and Mission

The Yale-NUS vision was written by the College’s first President Pericles Lewis, with input from the faculty and staff. Its form is similar to that of a haiku.

A community of learning,
Founded by two great universities,
In Asia, for the world.

Yale-NUS College, a residential college located in Singapore, aims to redefine liberal arts and science education for a complex, interconnected world.

Professor Tan Tai Yong is giving a speech behind a glass stand with a microphone in a pink-white shirt and black pants. There are two music stands and a keyboard in the background. The banner at the back says “Co(ngra)tul(ations) cl(ass) (o)f 2(xxx)” on a green background with flower motifs at the frame.

Yale-NUS' second President Tan Tai Yong speaking to the students about the College's vision

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A Community of Learning

We are a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, and supporters, dedicated to building a community in which living and learning are intertwined and habits of creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking are encouraged. Our innovative curriculum integrates knowledge from across the disciplines and around the world.

It suggests the shared character of the learning that we’re all undertaking.

Inaugural Yale-NUS President Pericles Lewis shares his interpretation of ‘a community of learning’.

Pericles Lewis in a suit and an orange tie.

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Three students observing a paper on the whiteboard in a classroom. The leftmost student is male-presenting, wears glasses and a blue shirt, reaching for the paper on the board. The student in the middle is blond and female-presenting. The rightmost student is male-presenting, wearing a shirt with navy and white stripes, posing with his hand on his chin.

A ‘community of learning’ in a way defines what the College is.

Professor Tan Tai Yong describes how the College is a ‘community of learning’.

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Three students observing a paper on the whiteboard in a classroom. The leftmost student is male-presenting, wears glasses and a blue shirt, reaching for the paper on the board. The student in the middle is blond and female-presenting. The rightmost student is male-presenting, wearing a shirt with navy and white stripes, posing with his hand on his chin.

Founded by Two
Great Universities

An intimate liberal arts college, dedicated to undergraduate education, Yale-NUS draws on the resources and traditions of two great universities. We pursue excellence through innovative teaching and research, and we provide global opportunities for our students.

Yale University campus, Sterling Memorial Library with greenery in front.
Pericles Lewis in a suit and an orange tie.

Professor Pericles Lewis

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Professor Pericles Lewis recalls the discussions about the use of the phrase ‘two great universities’.

Pericles Lewis in a suit and an orange tie.

Transcript

’Founded by two great universities’: we had a little bit of a debate among the faculty—it may have been a staff person because some of the comments were anonymous—that saying ‘great universities’ was not modest enough, but I felt that if you said ‘two reasonably good universities’ or ‘two decent universities’ or ‘two noted universities’ it wouldn’t be a strong enough statement. And then, also it suggests partnership, and there was some indication—what we’ll talk about later on—that some people at Yale thought NUS might not be good enough to be a partner. I wanted to assert the equality of the two partners in this relationship.

I suppose some even then might have thought that emphasising the founding universities was a problem, but I think it’s important to understand that we’re the product of a partnership between two universities and that’s where this College comes from. It’s not a freestanding college, I think that’s important.

National University of Singapore (NUS) sign for Entrance A. Background includes greenery and the NUS Engineering Building. There’s a woman walking beside the sign with an orange umbrella.

Professor Tan Tai Yong

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Professor Tan Tai Yong describes the College’s relationships with Yale and with NUS.

In Asia

Our location at the crossroads of Asia informs our pedagogy. Drawing on active modes of learning associated with American liberal arts education, we introduce our students to the diverse intellectual traditions and cultures of Asia and the world.

’In Asia, for the world’ emphasises our distinct location in Singapore, and our desire to meld East and West learning traditions.

Professor Tan Tai Yong notes how the College’s curriculum and location provide a unique opportunity to learn about Asia in depth.

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2 professors and 18 students of different ethnicities in front of a mosque in Chulia, Penang.

Our curriculum is designed to address the Asian context, so I think our location is important in that way.

Professor Pericles Lewis explains why it was important for the Vision to include the College’s location in Asia.

Pericles Lewis in a suit and an orange tie.

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2 professors and 18 students of different ethnicities in front of a mosque in Chulia, Penang.

For the World

A class of nine students sitting in an art atelier (1 standing by the wall). There are papers, paints, tumblers and various stationary items are present on the tables. There is a TV displaying class content and two easels in the background.

We educate citizens of the world and uphold the principles of free exchange of ideas, pluralism, and respect for diversity.

Pericles Lewis in a suit and an orange tie.

Professor Pericles Lewis

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Our extra-curricular and residential programmes support student learning and encourage an ethic of service. By our example, we seek to spur innovation in higher education across the globe.

Professor Tan Tai Yong

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A female-presenting student writing on a black board filled with chalk writings and drawings of other students. The student is photographed from behind and has long black hair, black t-shirt and jean shorts. The words on the black board include: “Eco-planet”, “diversity week”, “community?”.

Core Values

At Yale-NUS, we seek to inspire innovation in higher education across the globe. Through open inquiry and scholarly exploration, we delve into enduring disciplinary concerns and develop creative interdisciplinary approaches to problem solving. As a community, we aim to provide every member with a transformative experience by encouraging habits of the mind (such as creativity, curiosity and critical thinking) and character (integrity, professionalism and ethic of service). Central to the transformation process is our engagement with diverse modes of enquiry and a commitment to challenge our assumptions.

Baby bird

Transformation
‍We strive to be a centre for quality scholarship and continual learning that makes a positive difference in the world.

Flying Halcyon

Exploration
‍We are firmly committed to open inquiry and academic freedom.

Wings

Respect
‍We are committed to providing a challenging yet supportive learning and working environment for all community members.

Eggs

Inclusivity
‍We are committed to diversity and celebrate our differences and our unique perspectives.

Hugging Halcyon

Care
‍We are committed to caring for ourselves, our community and the environment.

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