Impact and Influence

A group of students wearing red shirts join hands, symbolising togetherness and community spirit in a vibrant gathering.

Impact and Influence

Although Yale-NUS only existed for twelve years, it had a sizable impact on the educational landscape in Singapore and beyond.

As the first liberal arts college in Singapore, it offered a new approach to higher education in the country, while educational institutions worldwide took note of the College’s pedagogical and administrative innovations, incorporating aspects into their own organisations. Yale-NUS also had a wider influence in Singapore, contributing to the development of the country’s workforce, society and culture.

That all this was accomplished in only a dozen years is testimony to the talent, hard work and dedication of the Yale-NUS community of students, faculty and staff. This small group of a few thousand individuals had an impact far beyond its size, and their influence will continue to grow as the College’s alumni disperse around the world, spreading the philosophy and spirit of Yale-NUS for many years to come.

The Educational Landscape

Some of the central features of the Yale-NUS curriculum and administration spread to other faculties in NUS and to other universities in Singapore and around the world.

The College played a leadership role in the development of liberal arts education in Asia, as recalled by President of Yale University Richard Levin.

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Since the idea of liberal arts is new to Asia, and relatively new to Singapore, it’s become an opportunity for administrators, faculty, parents and young people to learn about this kind of education and whether it might be suitable for them.

—Terry Nardin, Professor of Social Sciences (Political Science).

The enduring impact of Yale-NUS can be found in the current undergraduate curricula framework for NUS’ College of Humanities and Sciences, College of Design and Engineering, School of Computing, and NUS Business School. In each, about 40% of the curriculum consists of interdisciplinary and broad-based courses, which link directly with the liberal arts tradition.

—Professor Tan Eng Chye, President, National University of Singapore.

Dean of Faculty, Professor Jeannette Ickovics, on how other Singaporean educational institutions have been influenced by the College’s Common Curriculum and its focus on breadth and interdisciplinary education.

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Laura Severin, wearing glasses, poses elegantly against a serene forest of trees in the background.

Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid, Laura Severin, notes that other Singaporean universities have adopted a more interdisciplinary approach.

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I’ve been somewhat involved in the sexual misconduct process here at Yale-NUS and I know that some of the work that my colleagues who built that process did actually is now affecting some of the ways NUS is more broadly handling sexual misconduct and if something like that can happen, that’s wonderful, it’s really good news.

—Lindsay T Allen, Senior Associate Director (International Programmes).

Contribution to Singapore

Yale-NUS also had an impact on the wider Singaporean society, producing highly educated graduates who could offer unique skills to the workforce and to the country. In addition, the College was able to attract both local and international students who may otherwise have chosen to study in other countries, so contributing to Singapore’s economy and society.

A group of students in red shirts and shorts joyfully dancing during the Singapore National Day celebration.

A group of student joyfully waving their hands during the Singapore National Day celebration. There’s a student with Singapore national flag sticker on his face.

Multiple Perspectives

Dylan Ho (Class of 2017) explains how learning to look at issues from multiple perspectives influenced the way he approaches tasks at work.

Dylan Ho wearing glasses and a blue shirt, poses for the camera with a friendly expression.

Parag Bhatnagar with glasses and a beard, smiling joyfully, radiating positivity and approachability.

Breadth of Knowledge

Having the option to study a wide range of subjects across academic disciplines meant students could expand their knowledge, as explained by Parag Bhatnagar (Class of 2017).

Practical Experience

Juan Sebastian Cortes Sanchez (Class of 2018) on how the focus on experiential learning enabled him to apply what he had learnt in the classroom to real world situations.

Juan Sebastian Cortes Sanchez with a beard, is sitting on a couch, appearing calm and at ease in his surroundings.

Retaining and Attracting Talent

A diverse group of students stand on steps, raising their arms and throwing graduation caps in the air in celebration of graduation.

Before Yale-NUS, Singaporeans interested in studying for a liberal arts degree would have had to go abroad. Inevitably, some of these students would decide not to return to Singapore, resulting in their talents being lost to the country.

Studying overseas was also expensive for the students’ families, while it also harmed the economy by spending money in foreign countries instead of Singapore.

Pericles Lewis

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The College also attracted talented foreign students to study in Singapore, some of whom would make it their home and contribute to Singaporean society.

Pericles Lewis

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A group of three Stephen Riady Scholarship recipients pose together in front of a building, highlighting their unity and shared experience.

Building a Worldwide Network

Even if the international students decided to leave Singapore after completing their degrees, they often would retain links to, and affection for, Singapore.

All of our international students, as with our Singaporean students, they have got enduring friendships.

Professor of Social Sciences (Urban Studies) Jane Jacobs describes the establishment of a network of international and Singaporean students.

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