This year, SUSS celebrated 10 incredible years of Service-Learning with a vibrant event honoring the founders and partnerships that have shaped our journey. This special occasion brought together community partners, dedicated organizations, and passionate individuals who have collaborated with us over the years to create a legacy of impactful learning experiences.
Service-Learning has become a vital part of SUSS’s educational framework, inspiring students to transform social responsibility into tangible community impact. Over the past decade, SUSS Service-Learning has partnered with over 250 community organizations across six different sectors: Ageing & Elderly, Children & Youth, Community Building, Diversity & Inclusion, Environment & Sustainability, and Health & Wellbeing. These partnerships have provided students with opportunities to engage in projects that make a real-world impact.
The celebrations began early, welcoming guests who included our community partners, generous funders, members of the Service-Learning Asia Network and Community of Practice, as well as SUSS alumni and students who have contributed to and nurtured our ecosystem over the last ten years.
Prof. Goh welcoming the attendees to ”10 Years of Service-Learning in SUSS” celebrations
Welcoming the guest of honour, SUSS Chancellor Mdm Halimah Yacob, along with community partners and all distinguished guests, SUSS Provost Professor Robbie Goh expressed gratitude for everyone’s continued support over the years. His opening remarks set the stage for Professor Cheah Horn Mun, Dean of the College of Interdisciplinary and Experiential Learning (CIEL), who shared insights into the transformative journey of the SUSS Service-Learning programme.
Professor Cheah reflected on the programme’s impressive growth and meaningful impact, emphasizing that collaborations with community partners have not only empowered students but also fostered strong, lasting connections with the community over the past decade.
A visual representation of the sharing by Prof. Goh and Prof. Cheah
From left to right: Dr Cynthia Chang, Ms Valen Tan Husistein , Mr Muhammad Syukrie Bin Sulaiman, Chancellor Mdm Halimah Yacob, Mrs Veronica Ho , Ms Hana Ikram, Dr Siva Gopal Thaiyalan
A key highlight of the event was an engaging panel discussion titled "Enhancing Students as Stewards for Social Good." Moderated by Dr. Siva Gopal Thaiyalan from the S R Nathan School of Human Development, the panel examined how the core Service-Learning principles of reciprocity and community voice at SUSS can empower students to become effective social stewards.
Mr. Muhammad Syukrie, a final year SUSS Social Work student, sharing insights into his Service-Learning experiences as part of the panel discussion
The discussion featured a diverse lineup of representatives, including Mdm Halimah, and our community partners, Mrs. Veronica Ho, Principal of St. Andrew’s Autism School, and social entrepreneur Ms. Valen Tan Husistein who founded Social Gifting. They were joined by Dr. Cynthia Chang, Assistant Dean at CIEL and founding Head of the Office of Service-Learning in SUSS, along with SUSS student representatives Mr. Muhammad Syukrie Bin Sulaiman and Ms. Hana Ikram. Together, they discussed the vital role of authentic partnerships in fostering meaningful and lasting change, showcasing how collaborative efforts can amplify social impact and enrich the educational experience for everyone involved.
A graphic recording of the panel discussion
The event was carefully organized with sustainability as a central theme. Guests received eco-friendly gifts from City Sprouts, one of our valued community partners. To honour our longest-standing community partners, we presented them with plaques made from upcycled plastic, with each plaque representing the equivalent of eight shampoo bottles.
Sustainable door gifts such as Organic Scent Bags, Microgreen Grow Kits and Lavender Oatmeal Soap were given to all event attendees
The post-event lunch was a standout example of sustainable dining, curated in collaboration with Treatsure, a startup dedicated to reducing food waste in hotels, grocers, and retailers. The menu showcased creative dishes made from surplus or imperfect grocery ingredients, celebrating the potential of food that might otherwise be wasted. To further our commitment to sustainability, reusable cutlery and utensils were provided, and recycling stations were set up, ensuring the lunch was both circular and low waste.
Lunch specially curated with surplus or imperfect fruits and vegetables such as (from left to right): Lemon Dill Breaded Fish (with surplus lemons), Roasted Vegetable Medley (with surplus produce), Honey Glazed Chicken (garnished with surplus produce) and Aglio Olio Spaghetti (with surplus cherry tomatoes and mushrooms)
10 Years of Service-Learning in SUSS Showcase & Exhibition
Accompanying the main celebration, we also hosted an exhibition showcasing the evolution of the SUSS Service-Learning programme over the years. Featuring notable student projects across the programme's three phases, the exhibition also celebrates our milestones and our progress.
Students sharing about their Service-Learning initiative with Mdm Halimah
While the SUSS Service-Learning programme has undergone transformations, what remains constant is the underpinning of the five key elements of Service-Learning, which underscores reciprocal partnerships and meaningful service to the community.
As the guests explored the exhibition, the student projects brought these elements to life, serving as an inspiration to continue fostering meaningful partnerships and driving social impact within the community.
Mdm Halimah understanding more about the SUSS Service-Learning programme and its guiding principles at the exhibition
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the pioneers who established the Service-Learning program at SUSS, laying a strong foundation for meaningful community engagement. Our gratitude also goes to the early management team whose support and commitment ensured its successful integration into the university's learning environment. Your foresight and leadership continue to inspire us as we build on this impactful legacy.
To our community partners—past, present, and future—we deeply appreciate your unwavering support and patience as we navigated various forms of Service-Learning programs. Your guidance has enabled our students to develop essential competencies for the real world and empowered them to become compassionate individuals who serve their communities meaningfully.
To our current students and alumni, we sincerely thank you for your dedication, enthusiasm, and resilience throughout your Service-Learning journeys. We hope that your commitment to meaningful service and reflection has nurtured your growth as socially responsible and empathetic individuals.
As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we eagerly anticipate continuing the strong foundations we have laid over the past decade. As we move forward, we invite everyone to join us in shaping the next chapter of Service-Learning, where shared growth and reciprocal partnerships remain at the core of everything we do.
All smiles as we celebrate a decade of Service-Learning in SUSS!