Boosting alumni recipients’ post-graduation endeavours

The broad-based nature of Yale-NUS College’s curriculum plays a crucial role in motivating our students to embark on unique journeys of self-discovery. Coupled with donor-supported study awards and scholarships, students can explore more opportunities during their college journey and for some, these eventually shape their professional and academic endeavours after graduation.

Rebeca Salazar (Class of 2019), a recipient of the Santander Scholarship, shared how her liberal arts and sciences education gave her the confidence to explore her options and try different endeavours. “I have felt very supported to change [my] career even in these past three years. I have already made a big change in terms of [the] industry I work in, starting in education and now in data.”

Rebeca Salazar (Class of 2019) started her career in education and is now in the data industry. Image provided by Rebeca Salazar.

Her experiences at Yale-NUS have also aroused her curiosity, “I read about anything from mathematics to environmental anthropology, fiction, poetry, biology, physics, and feminism. I also feel confident taking classes in new topics – for instance, I’m currently learning Salvadoran Nawat.” she added.

Besides Rebeca, Sean Cham (Class of 2019) had the honour of receiving the Global Leaders Scholarship.

As an Urban Studies graduate, Sean has gone on to pursue a Master of Arts at the Bartlett School of Architecture and is now on a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership between Birkbeck (University of London) and London’s National Gallery.

Sean Cham (Class of 2019), is currently on a Collaborative Doctoral Partnership between Birkbeck (University of London) and London’s National Gallery. Image provided by Sean Cham.

Echoing Rebeca, Sean believed that his undergraduate years at Yale-NUS motivated him to explore other fields of study, extending the boundaries of his Urban Studies interests.

“It helped me gain a firm foundation both in and out of academia,” he shared. “I was an Urban Studies major but had the opportunity to take classes beyond my field, such as in history and fine art. I grew interested in the intersections between art, architecture, history, and the public.”

For some, their university experience strengthened their commitment to drive social impact in their professional capacity. This was the case for Waihuini Njoroge (Class of 2020), a Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) graduate who currently engages in strategy consulting at Eden Strategy Institute.

A recipient of the Stephen Riady International Excellence Scholarship during her time at Yale-NUS, Waihuini Njoroge (Class of 2020) is seen above facilitating a virtual workshop on building management and operations. Image provided by Waihuini Njoroge.

“The classes at Yale-NUS sparked my curiosity and awareness of some of the world’s most pressing problems and the different ways that I could get involved in mitigating these issues,” she explained. “My liberal arts background enabled me to approach my projects with the sensitivity, mindset, awareness, and appreciation that many business and societal challenges require.”

Waihuini shared that the Stephen Riady International Excellence Scholarship has shaped not only her college experience, but the start of her career. “It is a gift that continues to give,” she enthused.

Scholarships have also empowered recipients to carve out their own paths in entrepreneurship.

One such individual is Jolene Lum (Class of 2019), who is a recipient of the ​​J Y Pillay Study Award, and the Lim Ngee Khoon Study Award.

Jolene Lum (Class of 2019) was the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of Urban Tiller, a local start-up focusing on agrifood. Image provided by Jolene Lum.

Before her current role as part of the team developing Temasek Holdings’ new platform for sustainable foods, she was involved in the agrifood and technological space. Jolene was previously the Founder and former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Urban Tiller, a local start-up which focused on finding solutions for sustainable nutrition.

Jolene is grateful that the awards allowed her to engage in multiple extracurricular activities, instilling within her a strong sense of duty towards the community. “This is something that continues to inform my work – from previously running my own company as CEO and now working towards larger interests in a team with very diverse backgrounds,” she shared.

Zac Yeow (Class of 2020) concurred that through the support of scholarships, he was able to participate in non-academic ventures. His experiences helped nurture his budding interests and ultimately impelled him to pursue entrepreneurship.

Zac Yeow (Class of 2020) created his own food business, Zac’s Signature. Image provided by Zac Yeow.

As a recipient of the Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple Study Award, Zac said he was able to personalise his Yale-NUS journey. “My role as the buttery senior manager at The Shiok Shack inspired me to create my current food business, Zac’s Signature,” he added. “My college experience not only influenced my personal values, but also my company’s core beliefs – that is, a commitment to environmental consciousness and work-life balance.” Zac’s Signature is the innovative brainchild of Zac, and is a product from his love for cooking, travelling, and discovering culture through food and conversations.

Thanks to the support of numerous donors at Yale-NUS, scholarships and study awards have helped to provide a great environment for students to experiment and make the most out of their university years.