Student leaders from the clubs, societies and Hall Junior Common Room Committees meet for a night of learning and discussion.

The NTU student leaders get-together was held on 28 January 2008 in order to bring the leaders of student organisations together, convey to them the important role they play in cultivating a sense of unity and belonging among the student population, and give them a chance to voice their concerns.

This event was organised by the NTU Alumni Affairs Office. Mr Anthony Teo, Secretary to the University; Mr Soon Min Yam, Director of the Alumni Affairs Office (AAO); Ms Marina Tan Harper, Director of the Development Office (DO); Assoc Prof Lok Tat Seng, Dean of Students; and some Senior Hall Fellows, were present at the meeting.

"Great students make a great university; great alumni make a great university. We want a smooth transition from student leaders to alumni leaders and we must start working on that during your time in the university," Mr Teo said to the students. "I hope that the buds of your experience will flower and you will become the great alumni that we look for."

About 170 students and guests were in attendance at the event, which was held at the Nanyang Executive Centre, including representatives from 13 Hall Junior Common Room Committees, and 33 clubs and societies.

The event gave the student leaders the opportunity to interact with one another as well as learn more about the roles of the AAO and DO through presentations by Mr Soon and Ms Harper.

And the students showed their true mettle as leaders during the final segment of the evening's programme – the question and answer session. The concerns raised reflected the leaders' pragmatism as well as their forward-looking mindsets. Some wanted to find out how they can set up alumni associations; others wanted to reach out to their alumni; still others asked for assistance in funding their club's activities. And appropriate advice and offers of help were given by the three panelists - Mr Teo, Mr Soon and Ms Harper.

As suggested by Ms Harper, these leaders are in the front pack of a huge student population and we hope they take what they learnt back to their communities!



© Alumni Affairs Office