The NUS Nursing Sub-Club was established during the early days of the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing) at the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. What drives the Sub-Club, and how is it relevant to Nursing students?
NUrSing finds out from the man running the show (with the capable help of his committee, he emphasises)—NUS Nursing Sub-Club 17th Exco President, Sebastian Koo.
NUrSing: What’s the NUS Nursing Sub-Club?
Sebastian: The Sub-Club is a student-run committee that looks out for the needs and welfare of NUS Nursing students. We run quite a few signature programmes year-round, including the House system and welfare events during exam season; as well as help manage the Community Involvement Projects (CIPs). When there are important issues to be announced or discussed, we also act as a bridge between the faculty and student body.
NUrSing: What are some recent memorable events for the Sub-Club?
Sebastian: Welfare events are always popular (who says ‘no’ to free snacks and goodies during exam season?)—but the one we organised last semester probably takes the cake. We received lots of feedback from Nursing students who told us it was one of the best welfare distribution events they ever attended—probably because of the extra items we added to the Welfare Packs and on-site games like claw machine and pinball. There were even reports of students from other faculties trying to gatecrash! Of course, full credit goes to the Welfare team who took care of everything.
The Exco members also went on a trip to Ipoh last November with our staff advisor and Director of Student Affairs, Dr Lim Fui Ping, to discuss the possibility of setting up a research symposium between NUS Nursing and Universiti Kuala Lumpur Royal College of Medicine Perak (UniKL RCMP). It was fun interacting with our UniKL RCMP counterparts—touring their campus and comparing the differences between our syllabi. The experience really opened my eyes to regional perspectives on Nursing, and I look forward to these collaborations bearing fruit.
NUrSing: What’s the Sub-Club currently working on?
Sebastian: We are looking into revamping the House system—which has been around for a long time. The original intention was for Houses to serve as a support community for students. But House engagement largely trickles off after peaking during the Freshman Orientation period. So Dr Siriwan Lim, Chairperson for Houses, and Nicholas Koh, our House Master (one of the Sub-Club Exco members) are working to see how we can continue engaging students all through the semester.
Also on the cards is an expansion of the Peer Mentoring Programme. Besides pairing freshmen with seniors, there are plans to include alumni mentors as well as organise workshops for both mentors and mentees. We are working out the kinks and figuring out what works best for the NUS Nursing student population.
NUrSing: As the President, what’s your role in all this?
Sebastian: My job is really to oversee everything and look at the big picture. This includes managing conflicts, offering feedback, seeking the necessary approvals, and to mediate if there are differing expectations between my team and the faculty, among other roles. Oftentimes, my team members are the ones coming up with the big ideas—while I help to make sure things run smoothly.
NUrSing: You’ve been a student leader before in secondary school and junior college. How different is leading the Sub-Club?
Sebastian: There’s a lot more freedom to lead and be involved in decision-making. Previously in secondary school or junior college, the teaching staff would make most of the major decisions. All I needed to do was plan and execute them.
But here, the Nursing faculty and even the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) would often involve us and seek our feedback before any new changes are implemented. I feel involved and invested in the leadership process, which makes the work we do in the Sub-Club all the more meaningful. Of course, the faculty and OSA’s receptivity to the Sub-Club’s feedback and suggestions also enables us to better carry out our duty as the voice of the NUS Nursing student body.
NUrSing: As the 17th Exco President, what legacy do you hope to leave?
Sebastian: My predecessors had the challenging job of restarting Sub-Club activities after the COVID-19 pandemic—and I decided to take up the role because I wanted to build on what they have done and offer more platforms for students to engage with the Sub-Club. So if I have left a stronger foundation for future Sub-Club Excos to build on their activities—I’m satisfied. Another thing I’m trying to do is start more collaborations with other healthcare faculties at NUS. It’s been challenging so far with our busy schedules and conflicting timetables—but hopefully I can sow some seeds for future interfaculty events and projects.
NUrSing: For students still hesitant about engaging with the Sub-Club—what would you say to them?
Sebastian: There are so many ways to engage—and it’s really up to you. I would recommend trying out at least one CIP, since many NUS Nursing students enjoy the chance to put their skills into practice and serve the community at the same time. Throughout the semester, our social events like Halloween and Movie Night also offer opportunities to make new friends and have fun. Studies are important, but everyone needs a break sometimes.
