Three Yale-NUS graduates received NUS awards for academic and extracurricular excellence

Three Yale-NUS graduates were recognised by the National University of Singapore (NUS) for their outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements during their time at the College. The awardees are chosen from the graduating classes across different disciplines offered by NUS.

Aaditya Patwari (Class of 2024) was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal in the Bachelor of Science with Honours programme. This medal is presented to the best-performing graduates across all programmes. Reflecting on this achievement, Aaditya, who majored in Mathematical, Computational and Statistical Sciences, said, “Receiving this award is undoubtedly a great honour. I am grateful to my family, friends, and professors for their help and support in this journey.” Sharing that Yale-NUS played a significant role in shaping his academic journey, Aaditya added that the liberal arts programme offered him the freedom of exploring diverse disciplines and modes of thought. The Common Curriculum introduced him to new interests and intellectual curiosities that he pursued throughout his four years at the College.

Recognising and appreciating the mentorship he received at the College, Aaditya said, “I am particularly grateful for the exceptional professors I encountered during my time at Yale-NUS. Their infectious passion for their respective disciplines motivated me to actively participate in class and get the most out of my courses.”

Following his graduation, Aaditya joined Meta as a Software Engineer.

Teo Chee Yan (Class of 2024) was conferred the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal in the Bachelor of Arts with Honours programme. Chee Yan said, “It’s an immense honour to receive this award and I am deeply indebted to my family, friends, and professors whose unwavering support have spurred me on to greater heights. I am also grateful to have been part of the Yale-NUS community, which will always have a special place in my heart.”

While Chee Yan graduated with an Anthropology degree, she did not decide on her major until her second year at the College. “I believe that Yale-NUS’ innovative curriculum offers an unparalleled flexibility that not only allows but encourages exploration across a wide variety of disciplines and majors,” Chee Yan reflected on her academic journey. “Although I did not initially intend to major in Anthropology, I stumbled into my first anthropology class in Year 2 after reading some works by anthropologists in the Modern Social Thought class and fell in love with the discipline ever since.” Her senior capstone project about development and dispossession on Pulau Ubin received the Bernard Bate Prize for Outstanding Capstone Project in Anthropology.

Chee Yan will be joining the Associate Programme of the Singapore Economic Development Board. Connecting her academic achievements and professional aspirations, she said, “As I develop myself professionally, I aim to constantly challenge myself to approach issues as the critical, compassionate, and reflexive thinker that my education at Yale-NUS has nurtured me to become.”

Lim Lecarl (Class of 2024) received the NUSS Medal for Outstanding Achievement. This medal is awarded to graduates in each university-wide programme who achieved excellence in both their academic performance and their extracurricular contributions. In addition to the medal, Lecarl received a National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) membership.

Lecarl expressed appreciation for those who joined and supported him in his extracurricular contributions: “Throughout my journey, I’ve drawn inspiration from fellow student leaders, organisers, fundraisers, social entrepreneurs, advocates, and innovators who translate their education into action. To everyone engaged in this important work, you deserve recognition as well.”

For Lecarl, the time he spent at Yale-NUS has been transformative. “It ignited a deep curiosity and love for learning within me and taught me to draw insights and find inspiration from various fields beyond my major.” He joined Aaditya and Chee Yan in giving thanks to the Yale-NUS faculty and the wider community, “The guidance and expertise of my professors in Environmental Studies were pivotal in equipping me with the necessary knowledge tools for my environmental organising work. I am also deeply grateful for the supportive community at Yale-NUS, who continuously shared ideas, opportunities, and encouragement for our initiatives.”

Sharing his post-graduation plans, Lecarl said, “I am considering a role in the humanitarian sector where I can contribute to building equitable and resilient communities globally. Additionally, I aim to advance the post-growth movement in Singapore by developing grassroots practices and platforms for collective learning.”