Editor’s Note

Dear Fellow Alumni,

As an alumnus, I have an indelible connection to the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) because SUSS was where I exemplified how a Doctoral student demonstrates resilience in overcoming depression as well as being separated from my wife and children due to the Covid19 pandemic and successfully graduate. Looking back, it was indeed an exceptionally challenging academic journey for me. However, life’s limitations can sometimes inspire us to strive for heights we may not have reached, otherwise. 

And to me, SUSS is more than just a local Singapore university. In my opinion, the degrees awarded at SUSS represented not only academic achievement but also tenacity, willpower, and the ability to succeed in the face of any kind of difficulties faced by the graduand who was once a student at SUSS, like myself. And this indelible connection with SUSS has resonated with me till today. The mere mention of SUSS in the various social media platforms will excite me. By the same token, when I first heard that SUSS will have a new campus at the site and vicinity of the former Rochor Centre, located near Bugis, by the mid-2030s, I was filled with both excitement and emotion at the same time. For one very important reason, SUSS has accomplished numerous significant milestones, as we continue our journey to be the leading university for social good. I am very proud to be an alumnus of SUSS, and seeing SUSS building from strength to strength, serves as a constant reminder to all of our graduates that graduation is not just the conclusion even as they enter the next stage of their lives because the focus of SUSS is on lifelong and continuing learning. 

SUSS’s new location was first announced by Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing during his Committee of Supply (COS) speech in parliament on March 6 2025. When I first read the news on the new campus location for SUSS, I told myself, “Finally, the wait is over, and like the other five autonomous universities, SUSS too will have a space to call its own”. Indeed, a campus situated in the city is transformative for our students, including undergraduates, postgraduates, and adult learners. Numerous mature students balance full-time employment with evening courses, and the new site offers them significantly more convenience. This is essential if SUSS aims to be the preferred institution for this group.

SUSS is currently spread across multiple rented premises, with its main location at Clementi Road, co-shared with the Singapore Institute of Management. With the new Rochor campus ready by the mid 2030’s, the central location will increase SUSS’s accessibility for its diverse student body, which includes young students earning their first degree before work and adult learners. It will also make the university more accessible for its partners in the industry and the social sector. Being centrally located in the Rochor area means that SUSS is in close proximity with the industry and community partners, many of whom are located in the Central Business District . And these include industry partners and large corporate organizations such as JP Morgan, Barclays Bank, Morgan Stanley, Citibank Inc., Bloomberg Inc., SGX Group, DBS Bank, UOB Bank, OCBC Bank as well as large Tech firms such as Google Inc., Meta Inc. and others. Rochor is also in close proximity to different places of worship, education institutions and ethnic enclaves. This close proximity will further support SUSS’ mission to create meaningful societal impact through applied education, research, and collaborative partnerships. 

Additionally, this new central location for SUSS may boost our AR Team’s efforts to effectively and efficiently retain – and grow – alumni engagement post-graduation.

This new prime city location at Rochor will hopefully entice alumni to attend various in-person events tailored to different interests and demographics.  Located within Singapore’s Central Area, Rochor is easily accessible and is a vibrant hub of Connections, Community, Opportunities, and Inspiration. 

Nevertheless, ensuring alumni engagement after graduation requires continuous communication and a focus on the incredible value that alumni networks bring to their lives. From setting up seamless communication channels to developing a special space just for them, these strategies turn alumni connections into a lifelong journey of support and opportunity. 

We invite you to remain engaged with SUSS as we believe that togethAR, we can be better!

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Christopher Toh
SUSScribe Editor