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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ UNION NUSSU Secretariat, Yusof Ishak House, 5th Floor, 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119078 Office: 6601 1345 Fax: 6777 1874 Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/nussu
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ UNION NUSSU Secretariat, Yusof Ishak House, 5th Floor, 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119078 Office: 6601 1345 Fax: 6777 1874 Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/nussu
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ UNION NUSSU Secretariat, Yusof Ishak House, 5th Floor, 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119078 Office: 6601 1345 Fax: 6777 1874 Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/nussu
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ UNION NUSSU Secretariat, Yusof Ishak House, 5th Floor, 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119078 Office: 6601 1345 Fax: 6777 1874 Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/nussu
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ UNION NUSSU Secretariat, Yusof Ishak House, 5th Floor, 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119078 Office: 6601 1345 Fax: 6777 1874 Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/nussu
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ UNION NUSSU Secretariat, Yusof Ishak House, 5th Floor, 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119078 Office: 6601 1345 Fax: 6777 1874 Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/nussu
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ UNION NUSSU Secretariat, Yusof Ishak House, 5th Floor, 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119078 Office: 6601 1345 Fax: 6777 1874 Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/nussu
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NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENTS’ UNION NUSSU Secretariat, Yusof Ishak House, 5th Floor, 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119078 Office: 6601 1345 Fax: 6777 1874 Website: http://www.nus.edu.sg/nussu
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THE RIDGE Statement of Intent for the
Upcoming Academic Year
THE RIDGE hopes to produce 8 issues (4000 copies each) within the current academic year producing
articles that have opinion, news, entertainment, lifestyle, sports and other elements. THE RIDGE, as a
magazine, aims to enhance the prestige of the Union by providing information about the Union’s activities
and by serving as a bridge between students and the Union and ultimately by providing a service to the
students in the form of a regular student-run publication.
Moreover, THE RIDGE hopes to be a publication that acts as a platform for students to learn important
journalistic, designing, editing, man-management and work-related skills. The Magazine is also an
avenue for other student committees and organizations to showcase their work to the university at large.
THE RIDGE is managed by an Editorial Board comprising of the Chief Editor, the Assistant Chief Editor,
the Secretary, the Copyeditors, the Creative Director, the Head of Design, the Treasurer, the Head of
Operations and six desk editors managing the writers from the six sections of the magazine – the
Outspoken, News, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Sports & Wired desks.
A 30-day work cycle has been devised outlining the roles and responsibilities of each section of the
magazine and the Editorial Board seek to work closely with Exco representatives such that the Union is
constantly informed of the inner workings of the magazine and the content that is to be distributed to the
university in every month.
Members of THE RIDGE also hope that THE RIDGE can provide potential revenue for the Union’s
activities through advertisement and sponsorship opportunities and in this vein, THE RIDGE has an
Operations Team that is seeking to fully analyze the potential financial opportunities that the Union
Magazine can provide. THE RIDGE members hope to utilize THE RIDGE to obtain revenue to increase
the circulation to 8000 copies especially as the opening of University Town (and hence the University’s
expansion) would serve to diminish the outreach of THE RIDGE which happens to be one of the most
visible facets of the Union’s efforts towards enhancing student life.
It is hoped that the magazine will be able to function smoothly this year (hopefully with each issue coming
in the first week of every month) and that it will be to the liking of all parties involved with high quality
articles, designs and photography. An online portal is being created for The Magazine as well.
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Achievements
Two issues have been published thus far
A new contract with a new printing company will be signed soon saving significantly on printing
costs
We have reestablished a Photography department with active photographers ensuring high
quality images within the magazine
Created a new website – nussutheridge.com – spending just 60 SGD
Facts about THE RIDGE
Number of Members: 70 (writers, editors, designers, Operations Team members, photographers)
Chief Editor: Suhas Bhat (FASS/ 4)
Assistant Chief Editor/Creative Director: Kaden Hoe (Business/3)
Head of Design: Caryn Quek (FASS/2)
Desk Editors: Meera Nair (News Desk/FASS/3), Saheli Roy Choudhury (Entertainment Desk/FASS/3),
Tamara Kisha (Lifestyle Desk/FASS/3), Chen Yongquan (Outspoken Desk/FASS/3), Chow Yongjun
(Sports Desk/FASS/4), Shanmugam MPL (Engineering/2) & Raymond Lau (FASS/3) (Wired Desk)
Copyeditor: Arnab Ghosh (Engineering/2)
Secretary: Anokhi Vakil (FASS/1)
Treasurer: Chen Liang (Engineering/1)
Head of Operations: Vincent Lau
Contact [email protected] for any further enquiries
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NATIONAL UNIVERISTY OF SINGAPORE (NUS)
STUDENTS’ CHARTER FOR SUSTAINABILITY
The signatories of the NUS Students’ Charter for Sustainability acknowledge that NUS, being a leading
global university centred in Asia, plays an important role in developing future leadership and cultivating
habits and mindsets required to shape a more sustainable future. The creation of a united student voice
for the future expressed by the signatories illustrates the views and hopes of the youth of NUS to see
future generations enjoy same quality of environment as we enjoy today. At a time of change, when the
University still has many opportunities to develop in a sustainable manner, the drafting and subsequent
implementation of a student-initiated roadmap for sustainability within the student body would serve to
shape a vision and a paradigm shift for sustainability in a collaborative effort.
Signing the present charter represents the student organization’s commitment to aligning its operations
and activities with the goal of sustainability. The signatories commit to:
1. Commitment and Consultation: Implementing a sustained and united approach towards conserving our environment that is based on the five NUS Students’ Sustainability Principles and agreed upon through dialogue and discussion.
2. Action and Accountability: Taking concrete steps towards sustainability and evaluating the impact and compliance of the Charter through regular reports and reviews on their organisations’ operations and activities.
3. Relevance: Review and renew the sustainability targets to keep up with the needs of the ever-changing environment.
Principle 1: Waste Minimization
To reduce our contribution to the accumulation of rubbish that hastens the depletion of
Singapore’s landfill.
Student activities and events generate both recyclable and non-recyclable waste. While these
activities are central to a vibrant student life on campus, steps should be taken to reduce the amount
of waste generated and recycle the waste produced. With an integrated and comprehensive recycling
and waste disposal infrastructure already in place in NUS, recycling of recyclable items is more
convenient than other areas in Singapore. Each student organization will have to take up ownership of
their waste disposal arrangements after concluding their events. In addition, support systems will be
introduced amongst the signatories to allow for easy adoption of sustainable best practices.
Principle 2: Resource Management and Conservation
To minimize wastage of our limited resources by cultivating a frugal attitude to avoid the use of
unnecessary materials whenever possible.
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Recognising that the careful use of our limited resources is the only way to ensure that future
generations can enjoy the same standards of living now, the commitment towards conservation of
energy, water, natural and food resource should be key considerations in the planning and execution
of student activities and operations. Proper resource allocation and their efficient usage allows for
better cost-savings within the student organisation. New standards, procedures and regulations that
aid in maximizing resource usage will be formulated while sustainable best practices will be adopted to
modify or replace past conventional formalities.
Principle 3: Appreciation and Protection of Green Spaces
To demonstrate respect for nature and natural heritage within NUS such that the provision and
consideration of green spaces are integral in the planning, construction and renovation of
buildings on campus.
Nature protection and proliferation serve both economic and social purposes. Maintaining and even
increasing the green areas on campus will help to reduce ambient air temperatures and hopefully air-
conditioning costs. In addition, the increase in greenery creates a conducive environment in NUS to
learn, work and play. The rich natural heritage of the NUS campus should be preserved as they add
value to the university’s environment. However, campus development has often come at the expense
of the green spaces. Students are rarely consulted in long-term development and sustainability plans
of NUS. A united students voice to call for the continued protection of existing green spaces on
campus is necessary whenever the existence of green spaces is compromised. To provide carbon
offset measures for student events, green activities such as reforestation will be made available as
options for signatories to fund or participate in.
Principle 4: Education
To mould and nurture our future leaders in exemplifying environmentally friendly behaviour and lead our community in creating a more environmentally conscious community in the future. Environmental consciousness and care should be promoted as an integral part of the NUS student lifestyle. While infrastructural additions and improvements can be made throughout NUS, to a certain extent, they merely allow for passive participation. In the long run, to achieve significant change and for the environmental initiatives to take root in the larger student population beyond the student organizations, environmental education through informal channels, peer influence and active participation is crucial.
Principle 5: Partnership and Collaboration
To ensure a sustained and long-term commitment built on trust, consensus and alignment of
every individual organization’s core operations towards sustainability.
Based on the concepts of Commitment and Consultation, it is essential that student organizations
work together to reach new levels of environmental sustainability within the student community. Joint
efforts in evaluation, formulation and agreement of new ideas and initiatives are needed to ensure the
process is as inclusive and fair as possible. By being accountable and transparent about the extent to
which each other’s operations are environmentally friendly, signatories can be confident to act
together in good faith as a united student front for environmentalism.
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As signatories to the NUS Students’ Sustainability Charter, we aim to share our goals and experiences on
sustainable campus initiatives with our peers and other stakeholders. The central instrument for this is our
regular reporting on steps taken as part of this Charter, which will be supported done through completion
of sustainability forms and their consolidation through a yearly NUS Students’ Sustainability Report.
Drafted and Prepared by:
Tan Kai En, Calvin
Chairperson
17th Management Committee (AY09/10)
Students Against Violation of the Earth (SAVE), National University of Singapore
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24th March 2010
Joint Statement on NUS Tuition and Hostel Fee Increment
by the 31st NUSSU Council and 2009/2010 NUS Hall JCRCs
Following dialogues with the NUS administration and the recent reinstatement of tuition and hostel fee
adjustments deferred since March 2009, student representatives from the constituent clubs of the NUS
Students’ Union and the NUS Hall Junior Common Room Committees (JCRCs) have conferred and
agreed on the following statements:
Statement 1:
We understand that this is not a new fee hike, but the reinstatement of a prior cohort-based fee
adjustment that was deferred in 2009 due to the dire national economic situation at that time. Other than
the students matriculated in AY 09/10, who have been duly informed about the increased tuition fees prior
to their entrance into NUS, no current students are affected by the tuition fee increase.
Statement 2:
We expect NUS to provide good education as part of its obligation to its students, and understand that the
school needs financial resources to maintain good facilities and retain world-class faculty members.
Statement 3:
We are aware that the university has taken additional cost-cutting measures after the fee hike instated in
2008 was subsequently deferred. This includes a university-wide salary freeze and minimization of
expensive university advertisements. We understand that such measures are not sustainable and
detrimental to the development of the school in the long run.
Statement 4:
We are appreciative that the Provost inserted more details into his circular disseminated on 18 March
2010, after hearing concerns from student representatives about the need for more transparency.
Specifically, the Provost implemented student representatives’ persistent recommendations to include the
URL link of a specially prepared webpage that provides more information on the basis for the phased
hostel fee increment (para 8), and publicly committed to a newly created financial assistance scheme –
the NUS Students’ Assistance Loan – to assuage needy students’ concerns with regards to the fee hike
(para 16).
Statement 5:
We look forward to the NUS administration’s fulfilment of its promise to engage students more seriously
with regards to future school policies. This includes giving reasonable notice to students or their
representatives, and to gather students’ input for deliberation before confirmation and announcement of
future school policies that directly affect students.
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Statement 6:
The Union is looking to increase the NUSSU administered NUS Students' Fund Bursary in response to
the fee hike. The 6 JCRCs will also be increasing the quantity and quantum of Hall Bursaries for needy
residents starting next semester. We strongly urge the university to do the same for all NUS administered
Student Bursaries.
Statement 7:
The Union is resolved to fulfill our constitutional objective to uphold, safeguard and promote students'
interests and welfare in campus. We look forward to further support from both its members and the NUS
administration.
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Draft Press Release
New intake of NUS students to be given free membership to NUS Co-op
NUSSU and NUS Co-op to pay entire fee to help students enjoy discounts on text-books and learn
about co-operative principles
The National University of Singapore’s new cohort of 7,000 students this year will automatically be
provided free membership to the NUS Multi-Purpose Co-operative Society (NUS Co-op) to enable them
to enjoy discounts on textbooks and other goods and services during their course of study.
For the first time ever, the National University of Singapore Students’ Union (NUSSU) and the NUS Co-op
will jointly pay for the new entrants’ membership to the co-operative. This is the first educational institution
in Singapore to come up with such a move, which takes off when the new term begins on 10 August.
Prior to this collaboration, incoming students had to pay $5 plus GST ($5.35) if they wanted to join the co-
operative.
NUS Co-op plans to introduce further benefits such as a customer loyalty programme and patronage
rebates in the near future.
The co-operative has a total of 21,264 members as at 31 December 2009. Of these, 6,382 are term
members and 14,882, ordinary members. It offers discounts on textbooks, general books, stationery, NUS
memorabilia and PC accessories on sale. In addition, the student members are also eligible to apply for
Book Assistance Awards worth $400 each and Bursaries worth $1,000 each.
Said Jessie Lee, general manager of NUS Co-op: “We had not been able to reach out to all the students
at every intake in the past. Now, this is the best way to reach out to the entire student intake through
collaboration with NUSSU.
“In reaching out to them this way, we will build a closer relationship with the students, and collaborate with
them through other projects and activities. At the same time, we will help them learn about co-operatives.”
NUSSU president, Ho Jun Yi, said: “Many students’ unions in the United Kingdom, Australia and New
Zealand run their own co-operatives on campus. Here, we already have a co-op, and we found that such
a venture is viable. It will be of benefit for our students to be members.”
“We hope that this will be the first step for many such potential ventures in future. Already, the co-
operative is bringing in some of the students to work with them! Additionally, I hope that they will be able
to learn more about co-operatives and social enterprise.”
The NUS Co-op Board, which has representation from NUSSU, felt it was in the best interest of students
to become members of the co-operative so that they could take advantage of the discount benefit to
purchase text-books and other items.
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The Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF), which recently embarked on a new direction to
target youth and attract young blood for emerging leadership of the Co-operative Movement, is delighted
with the move.
Said SNCF Chief Executive Officer Mrs Dolly Goh: “This is a good way for our youth to learn about co-
operatives. Today’s youth are very aware of social issues around them and they want to play an active
role in alleviating such issues. Co-operatives promote self-help and mutual help. Members run viable and
sustainable businesses, help themselves and address social needs. I want to congratulate both the NUS
Co-op and the NUSSU for this historical co-operation. It will be an invaluable experience for the students
to understand how co-operatives operate and the good that they can do for themselves and the
community by playing an active role in contributing to their own co-operative, the NUS Co-op.
Co-operatives, besides being viable and sustainable, must have a social mission to help their members
and the community.
NUS Co-op is one of 72 such entities affiliated to SNCF, the apex body for co-operatives in Singapore.
There are 12 campus co-operatives working out of educational institutions such as universities,
polytechnics, junior colleges and schools.
In the case of NUS Co-op, a not-for-profit organisation, a portion of the surplus made from the co-
operative is contributed back to the NUS community in the form of Book Assistance Awards, donation to
NUS Endowment Fund and sponsorships to NUS Halls of Residences, clubs and societies. In 2009, in
conjunction with its 40th Anniversary Celebration, NUS Co-op contributed more than 40% of their surplus
to the student community, some of which are as follows: a $10,000 donation to the NUS Endowment
Fund; $23,200 worth of awards under their Book Assistance Scheme for needy student members; $9,000
worth of bursaries; and other student activities in the campus.
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Ground Floor NUSSU Secretariat NUS Central Library Yusof Ishak House Kent Ridge Crescent 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road Singapore 119260 #06-05, Singapore 119075
Membership Collaboration Agreement THIS AGREEMENT is made this day of 2010 between:
1. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE MULTI-PURPOSE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD
(hereinafter “NUS Co-op”); and 2. NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE STUDENT UNION (hereinafter “NUSSU”) (collectively, the “Parties” and each a “Party”). WHEREAS: (A) NUS Co-op is a co-operative society registered under the Co-operative Societies Act, Cap. 62.
NUSSU is the student union of the National University of Singapore.
(B) The Parties propose to enter into this Agreement to document the terms on which NUS Co-op will offer Term Membership services to NUSSU.
NOW THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS: 1. Provision of Services
NUS Co-op shall provide Term Membership services (“Services”) to members of NUSSU on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
2. Eligibility of Term This Agreement shall commence as of: 22 July 2010 (“Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect
until terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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3. Service Requirements and Conditions
3.1 NUS Co-op will provide the Services to NUSSU on the following terms and conditions with effect from the academic year 2010/2011:
(a) Recognition
Upon matriculation, all incoming members of NUSSU who hold a valid NUS student matriculation card shall be automatically eligible for NUS Co-op’s Term Membership, provided they satisfy all relevant criteria for membership under NUS Co-op’s by-laws.
(b) Applicability of Term Membership
NUS Co-op’s Term Membership is applicable for NUS students only (and provided they satisfy all relevant criteria for membership under NUS Co-op’s by-laws) and is valid for the duration for such student’s course of study in NUS. The Term Membership will automatically expire upon the student’s graduation from the course of study, but shall not automatically expire if the student ceases to be a member of NUSSU for any reason.
(c) Application Process
NUSSU shall notify all NUSSU members who hold a valid NUS student matriculation card that (i) they are eligible for Term Membership; and (ii) they have up to thirty (30) days after matriculation (the “cooling-off period”) to decide whether to opt out of Term Membership. As soon as practicable after the end of the cooling-off period, NUSSU shall endeavour provide NUS Co-op with a list setting out (i) details of all such students who have decided to remain as Term Members; (ii) details of all such students who have decided to opt out of Term Membership; and (ii) the amount of fees payable to NUS Co-op in respect of such Term Members, calculated in accordance with Clause 4 below.
(d) Liaison
NUSSU shall endeavour to provide NUS Co-op with:
(i) the full name; (ii) the matriculation number; (iii) the gender; and (iv) NUS email address
(the “Contact Details”) of all NUSSU members who hold a valid NUS student matriculation card, but if NUSSU is unable to provide NUS Co-op with such Contact Details for any reason, NUSSU will endeavour , on NUS Co-op’s behalf, to contact such students regarding any announcement or promotions which NUS Co-op wishes to make or launch.
(e) Branches
The Term Membership shall extend to all branches of NUS Co-op in Kent Ridge campus, including but not limited to Bukit Timah campus, unless otherwise stated.
(f) Validity of Term Membership and Refund
If any NUSSU member voluntarily decides to opt out of Term Membership of NUS Co-op, NUS Co-op shall be liable to refund the amount of the Term Membership fee to NUSSU as soon as practicable thereafter. NUS Co-op shall not, however, be liable to refund any Term Membership fees if a NUSSU member ceases to be a Term Member of NUS Co-op
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as a result of graduation, withdrawal or expulsion from any NUS course of study or for any other reason resulting in such NUSSU member ceasing to be a student of NUS.
(g) Changes to Benefits and Privileges of Term Membership
NUS Co-op shall consult NUSSU prior to making any changes to the benefits and privileges of Term Membership that may be adverse to the interests of Term Members. The Parties shall review and agree on such changes in good faith.
4. Payment of Fees
NUSSU shall pay NUS Co-op a sum of SGD$4.00 including GST for every Term Membership extended to a NUSSU member. The Parties agree to review the fees annually.
5. Rights of Termination 5.1 NUS Co-op reserves the right to suspend or terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice
to NUSSU if:
(a) NUSSU has breached any provision of this Agreement and such breach, if capable of remedy, is not remedied within seven (7) days of the breach;
(b) NUSSU has acted in a manner which clearly indicates that it has no intention of
complying, or which shows that it is unable to comply, with the provisions of this Agreement; or
(c) The provision of the Services to NUSSU by NUS Co-op is, in NUS Co-op’s opinion, no
longer commercially viable. 5.2 Without prejudice to Clause 5.1, either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving
not less than six (6) months’ written notice to the other Party at the address set out at the beginning of this Agreement.
5.3 Nothing in this Section shall affect NUS Co-op’s rights regarding provision of Services under
Clause 4 of this Agreement. 5.4 When this Agreement is terminated, all of the legal rights, obligations and liabilities that NUS Co-
op and NUSSU have benefited from, been subject to (or which have accrued over time whilst this Agreement is in force) or which are expressed to continue indefinitely, shall be unaffected by this cessation.
5.5 Termination of this Agreement shall not affect any Term Membership entered into or obtained by
any NUSSU member pursuant to this Agreement prior to the effective date of termination of this Agreement, and such Term Membership shall continue in full force and effect, subject always to NUS Co-op’s by-laws.
6. Governing Law and Jurisdiction This Agreement is governed by Singapore law and the Parties agree to submit to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Singapore courts.
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7. Miscellaneous
7.1 This Agreement constitutes the sole and final agreement between the Parties relating to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all previous agreements relating to the subject-matter, whether oral or written.
7.2 The Parties agree to treat all information relating to this Agreement, or exchanged between the
Parties for purposes of this Agreement, as strictly confidential and shall not disclose any such information except where required for purposes of performing such Party’s obligations hereunder or where required by law.
7.3 If NUS Co-op decides to establish operations in any other country, in addition to Singapore, this
shall not affect this Agreement, which shall continue in full force and effect. 7.4 A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no rights under The Contracts (Rights of Third
Parties) Act, Cap. 53B, to enforce any term of this Agreement.
Appendix
1. Who can endorse the Charter?
The NUS Students’ Charter for Sustainability is open to any official student organization recognized the
Office of Student Affairs (OSA). By signing the Charter, an organization joins the founding signatories of
the National University of Singapore’s Students Union (NUSSU) and the NUS Halls of Residence.
2. How is this commitment binding?
The organization’s commitments to the Charter are self-regulatory and are built on good faith of the
commitment of the signatories.
3. Who maintains the Charter Process?
The Charter is maintained by a yearly review of the NUS Students’ Sustainability Report at the start of the
Academic Year (AY) by the signatories in consultation with OSA and the Office of Environmental
Sustainability (OES). Guided by the five NUS Students’ Sustainability Principles, the overall stewardship
of the Charter processes is provided by Students Against Violation of the Earth (SAVE) and the
representatives appointed by the various signatories.
Based on the NUS Students’ Sustainability Report, discussions and renewal of annual sustainability
targets and goals will be done through the NUSSU Council meetings. In addition, the NUSSU Council
also serves as a platform for the formation of working groups to support an active, inclusive and in-depth
exchange of ideas between the representatives of the signatories.
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To ensure the continued relevance of the Charter, further additions and renewal to the explanations
provided under each of the Charter principles will be reviewed through dialogue amongst the signatories.
4. How was the Charter’s text developed?
The NUS Students’ Charter for Sustainability was drafted based on discussions within NUSSU and NUS
Halls of Residence on how a charter can best serve as an instrument to create a united student front for
environmentalism with commitment to sustainability by major student organizations.
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EMBARGOED TILL 21 JULY 2010
PRESS RELEASE
THE JOURNEY OF THE YOUTH OLYMPIC FLAME ALL SET TO BLAZE
A TRAIL
Celebration of Flame Arrival in Singapore to Coincide
with NUSSU Rag Day 2010 at NUS
Colourful, hand-built floats by NUS students depicting the international voyage of the Youth Olympic Flame to be part of Flame Arrival Celebration at Kent Ridge
Mass display performances by 750 performers to dazzle the crowd
SINGAPORE, 21 JULY 2010 - The much anticipated Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF) for the
Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (Singapore 2010) is all set to blaze a trail across the world. A
team from the Singapore is on its way to the birthplace of Olympic Games - Ancient Olympia, Greece, for
the Flame Lighting and Handover Ceremony to be held shortly on 23 July. Soon after its arrival in
Singapore, it will make its first stop at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Kent Ridge Campus for
a Flame Arrival Celebration, which will coincide with the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU) Rag Day 2010.
The celebration will be officiated by His Excellency Mr S R Nathan, President of the Republic of
Singapore, who is also NUS Chancellor.
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Singapore 2010 Flame Arrival Celebration
To mark the concluding international journey of the Flame, the Flame Arrival Celebration at NUS Sports
Field on the evening of Friday, 6 August 2010 will recapture the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame to
the city in each of the five continents. President Nathan will be lighting the first cauldron on home ground
to welcome the Youth Olympic Flame.
Open to the public, the Flame Arrival Celebration promises spectators an unforgettable experience with
its exciting line-up of celebratory performances that traces the Flame’s journey from Greece to Berlin,
Dakar, Mexico City, Auckland and Seoul. Combined with a JYOF song composed for the occasion, the
emotions at each city celebration will come alive once again at the show to be put up by 750 performers
and interwoven with video highlights encapsulating the excitement at each city celebration.
Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC), said, “The Singapore 2010 Flame Arrival Celebration at NUS will feature the vibrancy and zest of our youth. We thank NUS for coming forward to celebrate the arrival of the Youth Olympic Flame and Singapore hosting the first-ever Youth Olympic Games. We look forward to seeing everyone in Singapore joining us at NUS and soaking up the festivity created specially for this event.” Besides having fireworks and pyrotechnics to add to the fanfare and visual excitement, a carousel of six thematic floats - representing each of the cities that the Youth Olympic Flames has travelled to - will also make their appearance. Built by NUS freshmen and seniors as part of NUSSU Rag, the colourful hand-built floats will be a stunning display of the NUS student’s creativity. To be made out of recycled materials, the floats aptly dovetail with the pro-environment thrust of the Youth Olympic Games. NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, said “The arrival of the Youth Olympic Flame at NUS is truly
a historic moment for us. It is a privilege for NUS to be the first stop in Singapore for the Journey of the
Youth Olympic Flame, the very link that connects youth of the world to the Olympic Movement. We are
also proud that our students’ floats from NUSSU Rag will have the opportunity to contribute to the
festivities around the Flame Arrival Celebration.”
NUSSU Rag & Flag 2010
The Singapore 2010 Flame Arrival Celebration on 6 August will coincide with this year’s NUSSU Rag Day
2010
The Rag and Flag campaign is organised annually by NUSSU with participation from the NUS Halls of Residence and faculty clubs to benefit charities nominated by the students. This year’s NUSSU Flag will see some 6,000 students seeking donations from members of the public island-wide for 20 charities on 3 August 2010. NUSSU Rag, which features another 13 colourful, breathtaking floats – 11 also hand-built by students, one by NUS staff and one by NUS alumni, is held as a gesture of appreciation by the students for the public donations. Said NUSSU President and Law student Mr Ho Jun Yi, “NUSSU Rag and Flag first started off as a simple charity project by the Student’s Union in 1957. The event has gradually become an endearing NUS tradition that brings students, staff and alumni together to work towards the common cause of raising money for charity, while building floats and preparing performances collectively to thank members of the public for their donations.” “We are particularly excited about Rag Day 2010, since it is coinciding with the Flame Arrival Celebrations. This will be a historic event – another milestone for this already very meaningful project,” Mr Ho added.
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PRESS RELEASE
6 August 2010
NUS Students Raised Record Amount of $509,944.80 for Charity
Students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) raised $509,944.80 at the NUS Students' Union (NUSSU) Flag Day 2010. The amount raised for NUSSU Flag Day 2010 was also the highest over the past eight years. It was an increase of 15 percent, as compared to $443,375.35 last year. The donations will benefit 20 beneficiaries under the Community Chest. This was officially announced during the 52nd NUSSU Rag Day, held on the afternoon of Friday, 6 August 2010 at the NUS Kent Ridge Campus. This year, NUSSU Rag Day coincided with the Youth Olympic Flame Arrival Celebration. More than 6,000 NUS freshmen and seniors went all over Singapore on 3 August 2010 to raise funds and the proceeds would benefit the following beneficiaries:-
NUSSU Flag Day 2010 – Beneficiaries 1) AWWA Community Home for Senior 2) Lions Befriender 3) SAGE Counselling Centre 4) Moral Case Management Service 5) Metta Hospice Care 6) MINDS Clementi Training and Development Centre 7) TOUCH Ubi Hostel 8) SAMH Oasis Day Centre 9) SUN-DAC Centre for the Disabled II – Choa Chu Kang 10) The Singapore Cheshire Home Day Care Centre 11) The Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centres (Sengkang) 12) Care Corner Family Service Centre (Admiralty) 13) TRANS Centre (Bedok) 14) Pasir Ris Family Service Centre 15) Lakeside Family Centre (Jurong East) 16) Autism Children’s Centre (Clementi) 17) Katong School 18) St Andrew’s Autism School 19) Towner Gardens School (MINDS) 20) Society of Moral Charities: Thye Hua Kwan Moral Early Intervention Programme for Infants and
Children (EPIC) Centre - Woodlands
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Over the last ten years, NUS students have raised over $2 million for its beneficiaries through their annual Rag & Flag event. For their efforts, they had been receiving the Community Chest Special Events Gold or Platinum Awards on an annual basis since 2003. Touted as the university's very own Chingay, the annual NUSSU Rag Day is dedicated to members of the public, to thank them for their generous donations during NUSSU Flag Day. Themed "Splendour", this year's Rag Day presented 19 floats designed by the three pillars of the NUS community - NUS students, staff and alumni. The NUS community celebrated the diversity and vibrancy of the NUS spirit, through the floats that they had constructed out of recycled materials, as well as stunning dance choreographies. Six floats were themed after the cities that the Youth Olympic Flame had travelled to, namely, Greece, Berlin, Dakar, Mexico City, Auckland and Seoul. For more information, please contact Ms Premadevi Perumal Senior Corporate Relations Executive National University of Singapore Tel:6516 6391 E-mail:[email protected]
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