Issue 53
Feb 2025
STUDENT MATTERS
By Dr Kristy Fu and Dr Lee Zi Yao, Co-leads of Health, Humanitarian, and Leadership Programme, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Chu Ho Lun Collin, Selvaraj Vijayaragavan, Sim En Jie Bryan, Third Year Students, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
NUSOne is a new, transformative initiative that aims to seamlessly integrate the formal and informal curriculum for the holistic development of students. Aligned with this, the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) Health, Humanitarian, and Leadership (HHL) Programme empowers students to lead meaningful service-learning projects that make a real-world impact.
At the heart of healthcare lies a commitment to service. NUS Medicine believes that cultivating this professional demeanour requires more than just academic rigour. Providing space outside the formal curriculum for students to transform their passions and ideas into real-world interventions for underserved communities is critical to their growth as confident and compassionate professionals.
The HHL Programme collaborates with the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health to provide structured, problem-based training to equip students with the skills to design, implement, and evaluate community health interventions. Reflecting a commitment to co-creation, the programme has undergone multiple iterations, shaped by input from students and stakeholders to ensure that it remains relevant and impactful.
A key feature of the HHL Programme is its emphasis on mentorship and peer learning. Each year, former project directors and current student leaders come together to share reflections and lessons learned about leadership and community service. These insights are shared at platforms such as the annual HEARTS Playlist, a hallmark event where outgoing project directors and committee members review their year and share meaningful moments or key learning points of serving others (HEARTS stand for: Humanitarian, Empathy, Action, Reach, Transformation, Service). This fosters a passionate Community of Practice, where like-minded individuals can stretch their capacities to learn, collaborate, and amplify their efforts in community service.
The results speak for themselves. The HHL Programme has proven to be a powerful catalyst for students’ holistic development, professional identity formation, and personal fulfilment in serving others. Projects such as Athlead and Health Empowerment for Youth (HEY) exemplify the value of student empowerment in a flourishing student life. Both projects have not only made a significant positive impact on their respective communities but have also gained recognition by winning the prestigious NUS Achievement Awards (Community Impact category).
By aligning with NUSOne’s vision, the HHL Programme at NUS Medicine reaffirms its commitment to nurturing students into future healthcare professionals who are dedicated to making a difference in the world.
Project Health Empowerment for Youth (HEY)
Project Health Empowerment for Youth (HEY) is a community health initiative founded in August 2023, consisting of NUS students from various faculties including Medicine, School of Computing, and College of Design and Engineering.
Recognising that primary school students struggle to balance studies and co-curricular activities, Project HEY aims to enhance their awareness on the importance of both physical and mental well-being. It also seeks to provide them with valuable strategies and resources to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Along with the support of the students’ families, teachers, and friends, HEY members act as “older siblings”, providing students with a dependable support system. The aim is to help students feel more at ease when sharing concerns and challenges that they may otherwise find difficult to express.
Project HEY has successfully conducted several workshops where primary school students participated in health screenings and mini games. Healthy lifestyle tips covering topics such as diet, exercise, and phone usage were shared. Some parents also joined the activities and had a great time! Additionally, Project HEY organised Learning Journeys to places like the Singapore Zoo to offer students a well-rounded learning experience beyond academics and give mentors a chance to strengthen their bond with the students.
Click here to learn more about Project HEY.
Project HEY members group photo at SPARKS@Bukit Canberra.
Project Athlead
Project Athlead is a new initiative led by NUS Medicine students to harness the power of sports for social inclusion. The project organised a sports camp for underprivileged children living in Jurong and Buona Vista, to try sports they might not have experienced before. Igniting their interest and providing a platform to hone their talents, Project Athlead hopes to encourage these young participants to pursue sports in school and beyond.
A two-day sports camp provided the children with engaging sessions in basketball, football, floorball, and touch rugby. Reaching out to over 60 children, the team ensured that the camp was inclusive by covering transport, meals, equipment, and venue costs, as well as professional training. This initiative encouraged the children to explore new interests and emphasised the importance of teamwork, discipline, and resilience—values that are fundamental both in sports and in life.
Looking ahead, Project Athlead aims to broaden its scope by introducing a wider range of sports, providing even more opportunities for children to discover their passions. The team also plans to extend its reach to children who are differently abled. With these goals in mind, the project continues to embody the spirit of giving back, fostering holistic growth, and making a lasting social impact.
Project Athlead receiving Distinction award at the NUS Achievement Awards – Community Impact category. (From left) Selvaraj Vijayaragavan, Amolika Thapliyal, Bryan Sim and Chepurthy Varnika.
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