To unite is to be defined as coming together for a common purpose or action.
For the past years, unite has been the theme of SUSS Alumni Relations. As graduates leave to pursue new goals upon graduation, ties remain. The focus has never been about a goodbye to the university but a hello to a new adventure, as an alumnus.
This year’s Unite 2021 saw more than 50 participants compromising mainly alumni who were joined by the SUSS’s Senior Management, Deans and Directors to commemorate 15 years of alumni building. Kicking things off with a heartwarming speech by the President of SUSS, Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, the energy of the day was set to be a light-hearted and nostalgic one.
Emotional wellness comes under a much larger umbrella of mental wellness – the other aspects being social wellness and psychological wellness. Mr Ong explained the benefits that come with taking care of our emotional wellbeing. These include maintaining healthy relationships, being able to enjoy and be contented with life, and building resilience to stress. Yet, Singapore was crowned the most emotionless country in the world. This is troubling because ignoring your emotions may have repercussions, such as excessive worrying, and issues with our memory, sleeping or appetite.
The event focused around the support and hard work that had been put in by the alumni and recognising those who had been volunteers for the past decade or more. As these recipients were given the limelight upon receiving their plaques, when questioned about why they were committed and the motivations for their continual support, each responded with words that tugged on our heart strings.
Serene Ong, the recipient of the 11 Years’ Service Award, highlighted the besides acquiring new skills, the friendships built through the years, and the joy that one feels when the events put together bring about smiles on other alumni’s faces, these make all the effort worth it. Hui Shan, the recipient of the 10 Years’ Service Award shared how she incorporated volunteering as a part of her life that has even value-added to her family bonding as they get to come together during events held for the alumni.
Though physically separated due to this pandemic, a warmth filled the air around those who attended the virtual event. Hearing the recollections from these volunteers, and even pre-recorded performances by the Adult Learning Community (Music Group), wistfulness filled the air. From swaying heads through tiny virtual boxes, paired with smiles and clapping hands and playing trivia quizzes, bonding over the memories and reminiscing through the Alumni Relations Milestones Video, it was clear – the distance did not dampen the cohesion as each attendee grew more sentimental with each activity planned.
As with any anniversary event, the mandatory “Happy Birthday” song was sung with each participant holding up the cakes that had been specially delivered to their homes, singing along to the familiar melody. As far as COVID birthdays goes, it was safe to say that everyone felt the joy celebrating this one.
“We’ll soar on wings it’s onwards and beyond, our spirits rise to dreams we can achieve”
Sung by SUSS’s own students and alumni, the SUSS Song indeed lifted everyone’s spirits to celebrate this momentous occasion. The events ended with everyone extending well wishes to one another and expressing a desire to meet again in person soon. Here’s to more AR-mazing years, soaring to greater heights, partnering you in our future.
