Full circle: From RC4 and Back Together Again

Annette Wu (Class of 2017) and Tinesh Indrarajah (Class of 2018)

In 2013 the first class of Yale-NUS College moved in to RC4, our home for almost half of our time as students. Students were allocated to RC1, RC2, or RC3, but in the early stages, this was more of an indication of which floors we lived on and not of RC identity. We spent much of these first two years imagining and creating a vibrant campus life and strong sense of Yale-NUS identity. We always knew we were going to leave RC4 and split into multiple towers on our own campus. Although we were excited, many of us worried about how this might impact our close-knit community, where so many memories were made in spontaneous chats and activities. Over time, within the new spaces of our campus, came new ways of experiencing community and building an identity that has grown over the last 7 years to what we all enjoy today. A guiding principle that we believe has remained true in our time at RC4 and at our Yale-NUS campus is that it is the community that defines what a space means to us and not the other way around. There is truly something very special and irreplaceable about being in the same space, together, intensively placemaking and creating lasting memories.

Transcript

The other aspect that has changed is that, because I work in questions of inclusion and belonging, there is an intentional effort to include NUSC students in some of the programming that we do, or an intentional effort to be a part of their orientation programming, using the knowledge and resources we have. And there are also, of course, questions of ‘How do we make sure that our communities are engaging with each other in a respectful way, in a way that celebrates difference, with NUSC students living on the Yale-NUS campus?’

Our Student Government they did a really fantastic job, and all the students and staff and faculty in the committees related to residential life were very thoughtful about this. From last year [2023], not only are NUSC students living on campus, but some of us at Yale-NUS were part of the NUSC Onboarding Week for their First Years. So, I did the orientation session where I asked NUSC students and Yale-NUS students to work together to co-facilitate the dialogue groups. That was one way to get students to interact with each other at all these different stages. At least with the programmes that I run, the students that I work with at Yale-NUS have been really excited about NUSC students getting involved. This is true for the queer community on campus, like expanding the solidarity that we have created, the safe space we have created on campus to others. Our ‘first generation low income’ group called the In-Betweeners, they just had a welcome tea this week, very explicitly marketed towards Yale-NUS and NUSC students.

One of other events, we had Singapore Sign Language workshops led by a Yale-NUS student, she very explicitly wanted to invite NUSC students and students from the NUS Enablers club. So, I think there are lots of different perspectives on campus, different experiences, some have not been so great, there has been tension of course, but in all these pockets of students there has been a lot of openness and there’s been a lot of positive connections created on both sides.

Yale-NUS College celebrated the Class of 2025 graduates

The graduation ceremony for the final cohort of Yale-NUS College students was held on 14 May 2025, at the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Of the 247 graduands, 13 were in the Double Degree Programme (DDP) in Law and Liberal Arts, jointly offered by Yale-NUS College and the NUS Faculty of Law; two were in the Concurrent Degree Programme in the Public Policy with the NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and one was in the Concurrent Degree Programme in Public Health with the Yale School of Public Health.

During the ceremony, the Class of 2017 award was given to a student recognised for their outstanding contributions to the College, and was selected by the graduating class through a voting process. The prize was made possible by Mrs Doris Sohmen-Pao. The 2025 award went to Ashvine Naray Pandian.

Ashvine headed the Cendana College Council in his first two years at Yale-NUS, then assumed the responsibilities of a Senior Residential College Advisor (RCAs) for the next two. RCAs are instrumental in shaping the residential experience for students. As an RCA, Ashvine worked with his team to respond to attend to first aid cases on campus and organised campus events to promote residential living and community wellness. Ashvin had earlier received the ‘Residential Life Service Award’ at the 2025 Kingfisher Awards. He also worked for several departments around the campus, including the Library, Alumni Affairs, Intercultural Engagement, and was also on the committee for the school’s legacy sculpture project. In addition to these responsibilities, he co-captained the Yale-NUS College tchoukball team. The award recognised his efforts working hard behind the scenes to add to the campus’ flourishing community life.

On receiving the award, Ashvine said, “I’m glad that I’ve been recognised for my service to the school and look forward to engaging with other Yale-NUS College community members.”

The Emerging Young Leader Award was given to a member of the graduating class who has made outstanding contributions in addressing a local or global challenge to enhance the quality of life in the community. This award, made possible by Mdm Kay Kuok, went to Sophia Chok in 2025.

At Yale-NUS College, she was part of the In-Betweeners, a support network to aid Yale-NUS students in navigating their college experience, particularly aimed at students who are the first from their families to attend university or from low-income households. She mentored her fellow First Generation Low Income (FGLI) students and helped them navigate their academic and professional journeys. She also started the ‘Dinners with the President’ initiative, which brought students, faculty and staff together over meals to create an opportunity for closer bonds among the community.

“At Yale-NUS, I have been given the space to ask questions and think deeper,” said Sophia. “These past four years have been incredibly formative, allowing me to travel to numerous countries which shaped my worldview.”

“I feel really lucky to have learned from brilliant peers and professors. Professors Swapna Nayudu, Justin Stern, Ho Kong Chong, and Yong Zhang have been instrumental in my academic journey and professional aspirations.”

In her speech, President Joanne Roberts reflected on the last four years of the College, and shared her hopes for the Yale-NUS community.

“When I first arrived here, I was drawn to the project of building an institution. But I have learned from all of you what building Yale-NUS really means – Yale-NUS is not just about building an institution, a place – it is about building a community, a people.” said President Roberts.

“When I think about what is next for Yale-NUS, I know that you will each be the authors of this legend, this legacy. What you have learned here will be taken, built on, and embedded into the new communities you will join and create. Communities defined not by places but by you – our people and your ideas. In this way, I know the legacy of Yale-NUS will endure. A story, a legend, written and told by each of you in your own lives.”

Professor of Humanities (Philosophy), Andrew Bailey represented the College’s faculty in congratulating the students.

“The College’s gift to you isn’t books or credentials, or even the home we hoped it would become. It is these people around you, for as long as they last. In their mercy, the gods leave us with a gift: each other. Not forever. But for now. We will remember what we had.”

Student speaker, Zahra Lalani, who uses a cochlear implant to help her hear, shared about being connected to the community. “When I was struggling, professors made time for me, offering extra office hours and support. And when I approached the Student Affairs Office for notetaking help, they didn’t just approve it—they said, ‘Let’s build it together.’”

“And so we did. You attended my Deaf Awareness trainings, joined Kimberly’s and my sign language tables, and cheered me on as I stood onstage at Bread and Jam concerts performing sign language interpretation. Thank you. You showed up. Yale-NUS showed up, making sure that I – and so many others with different needs – never had to struggle alone.”

The ceremony featured two guest speakers, Shou Zi Chew, Chief Executive Officer of TikTok, and Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, Member of the Yale-NUS Governing Board. In their speeches, Mr Chew and Prof Tan spoke about the importance of resilience in today’s world of evolving changes, and how graduates can meet these challenges.

“The Yale-NUS education was purpose-built with the goal of helping students cultivate key qualities of the mind and character that would be of broad and enduring value…These qualities will provide you with the intellectual and personal means to adapt positively to the challenges of a rapidly changing environment,” said Prof Tan.

In a similar vein, Mr Chew said, “Over the last few years, you’ve forged bonds with people here at Yale-NUS. You’ve supported each other… challenged each other…and helped each other make the most of your shared university experience. You’ve seen the power of people showing up for each other in times of success and loss. This sense of connection and community is vital to the human experience – it sustains us and supports us, especially in the face of challenges.”

In the week leading up to the Graduation ceremony, the Student Affairs Office held a series of activities during Seniors’ Week for the graduating seniors to create meaningful memories on campus and prepare them for life after. Some events were aimed at bonding, like Class Day, where students visited Universal Studios Singapore and a cat cafe. Others focused on imparting life and professional skills, like cooking while on a budget. Seniors’ Week culminated in Family BBQ, where the Class of 2025 gathered on campus for a barbecue, to say their final goodbye to the school and celebrate their time at Yale-NUS.