Yale-NUS College's inaugural TEDx event: Igniting minds and fostering transformation

Yale-NUS College set the stage for a transformative and inspiring day on 21 October as it hosted its inaugural TEDx event, inviting alumni, faculty, staff and students to share their insights on a diverse array of topics under the theme ‘Phoenix Rebirth.’ The theme itself symbolised ideas of renewal, transformation, and the power of resilience.

The Yale-NUS Performance Hall was filled with Yale-NUS community members who were eager to hear the diverse insights and ideas. Photo by Rinat Musin for Yale-NUS College.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx brought together a vibrant community of speakers and participants. Representing the kaleidoscope of talent that Yale-NUS College nurtures, the speakers included three students, five alumni, and four participants from the College’s faculty and staff. Their talks encompassed a wide spectrum of topics, each offering their unique perspective and insight into the world. These ranged from a fascinating exploration of galaxies by Assistant Professor of Science (Physics) Chelsea Sharon, which left the audience in awe of the vastness of the universe, and a talk on the gregarious, curious creatures that are the otters of Singapore by Associate Professor of Science (Life Sciences) Philip Johns.

The full-day event was structured into four engaging blocks, each offering a different set of speakers and topics. Performances by students, faculty and alumni between blocks kept the energy high throughout the event. The day concluded with a barbeque dinner, offering attendees the chance to reflect on the talks and engage in lively discussions about the power of ideas to spark change.

Alumnus Manraaj Singh (Class of 2021) enthralled the audience with his ideas about how businesses can bring sustainability to the core of their operations. He emphasised the need to regard the climate crisis as a consequence of our current system rather than a side effect of it in order to move towards meaningful, sustained change.

“It was rewarding to do my first TED talk at Yale-NUS, without which I wouldn’t have had the skills or experiences that helped me get here in the first place. Cory and the Students Affairs Office were so helpful and supportive throughout the weeks and months leading up to the event. I’m immensely grateful,” said Manraaj, referring to Dr Cory Owen, Yale-NUS’ Acting Dean of Students.

Ashley Yong, a Residential Education and Dispute Resolution Executive at Yale-NUS and a TEDx speaker, spoke on change and growth as she offered a seven-step guide to the art of making mistakes. In this guide, she encouraged the audience to go easy on themselves when they inevitably err, and helped them learn to embrace these opportunities for growth by focusing on learning and reflection rather than feeling shame and guilt. Meherwan Patel (Class of 2024) was impressed with her ability to speak vulnerably and authentically to the audience. “By exploring her own experiences and giving plenty of examples, it was easier to process the lessons she was saying and it felt like she was really connecting directly with the audience. Her genuineness and honesty were what made her speech such a good one,” said Meherwan.

Ashley was not the only speaker who reminded the audience to step back and look at the bigger picture; Asst Prof Chelsea Sharon’s talk on the cosmos shed light on the vastness of our galaxy and those that lie beyond it. Her talent as an astrophysicist was on display as she broke down complicated concepts surrounding the evolution of galaxies and the lives of stars in a way that could be understood by everyone in the audience.

Asst Prof Chelsea Sharon took the audience on a journey through time and space. Photo by Rinat Musin for Yale-NUS College.

Tanmay Raghu (Class of 2025) shared his insights on the ways one transformed or rebirthed oneself every time one moved to a new country. He talked about moving from India to Singapore, and more recently to Paris for a six-month-long internship. Classmate and audience member Lily Lim (Class of 2025) said, “I found the TEDx Talks to be incredibly insightful and thought-provoking. Tanmay’s real-life anecdotes and practical tips gave me a newfound appreciation for the richness of international experience. They presented a fresh perspective on the challenges and strategies for adapting to different cultures and environments.”

The TEDx speakers of the third block. (From left) Tanmay Raghu (Class of 2025), Bryanna Marinas (Class of 2024) and Associate Professor of Science (Life Sciences) Philip Johns. Photo by Rinat Musin for Yale-NUS College.

The final speaker, Maleeka Hassan (Class of 2024), wrapped up the event with the compelling story of Sri Lanka’s recovery from an economic crisis. She expressed her gratitude for the platform to tell the story of how community and kindness helped her country regain stability. Describing why she chose to speak on this topic, Maleeka said, “When the crisis unfolded in Sri Lanka, I felt like the global news framing was centered around how another ‘poor’ country had fallen victim to bad governance and economic decisions. That was upsetting because while it was true, it didn’t tell the story of Sri Lankan resilience and care that had helped it recover and become what it is today.”

The powerful stories conveyed at Yale-NUS’ inaugural TEDx event ignited a day of transformation and resilience, celebrating the enduring spirit of learning, sharing, and renewal at the College and sparking continuing conversations and insights about the issues raised.

For the full TEDx event programme, please click here.