To celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Dragon, SUSS organised a dinner celebration at the Stamford Arts Centre on 23 February 2024. Members of staff, alumni volunteers, and student brand ambassadors were invited to this event and everyone had a blast as we reminisced about the past and discussed the possibilities of the future.
As guests started arriving, some of us were pleasantly surprised to see friends that we had not been in touch with for several years. Surprises quickly turned to joy as we warmly greeted and reconnected with one another. The cosy ambience in Tipo Pizzeria e Trattoria provided an immersive environment for everyone to mingle. Our experience was further enhanced once they started serving the food and drinks.
Amidst the celebration, President of Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), Professor Tan Tai Yong, took time to address the guests and was heartened to note the diverse group of alumni present which included graduates from the Open University programmed back in the ‘90s, those who graduated from UniSIM, and the current SUSS cohorts. SUSS is indeed a university for continual education, providing education opportunities for adults who seek to improve themselves and their skill sets in this digital age.
Professor Tan encouraged our alumni to mentor current undergraduates. The wealth of experience that the alumni possess will enhance the mentorship experience that the students will receive. Volunteers were also prompted to participate in Alumni Giving. Prof Tan reiterated that Giving need not just be in the form of large donations. It is the thought and the heart that counts. Every contribution, large or small will render financial support to those in need.
The President of SUSS, Professor Tan, while giving his speech, encouraged
alumni to mentor undergraduates with their vast wealth of experience.
alumni to mentor undergraduates with their vast wealth of experience.
Guests noted the historical development of the university, from the days of being a private university for working adults as SIM University to being granted a full-fledged autonomous university status in 2017 and being renamed SUSS. SUSS has come a long way within this short span of 7 years and Prof Tan shared the good news that the university will soon be getting its own campus. Everyone was delighted with the news and looks forward to their alma mater gaining acclaim and awards in related fields.
There were many attendees that night who recalled the times when they had to sacrifice time and family and friends to juggle their studies at the university and their work commitments. However, the tacit agreement among them was that the years spent pursuing graduate and post-graduate degrees offered by the university were well worth it.
The joy, laughter, and camaraderie that night cemented our bond with SUSS and plans were in the pipeline to create a stronger alumni network for the university. One of the highlights of the evening was the lohei with echoes of the word ‘fa’ (发, which means prosperity in Chinese). The spread of cuisine demonstrated the appreciation for the volunteers present. The Lunar New Year dinner ended on a happy note with everyone being able to catch-up with friends that they have not met for some time and make some new friends. Warm and reluctant goodbyes were exchanged, marking an end to this wonderful celebration.
Lastly, I would like to compliment the Alumni Relations team for yet another well-organised and successful event!
The heart and soul of SUSS – staff and alumni volunteers that made the success of SUSS possible with their dedication and passion.
