By Ng Xin Yu
Photos by Ong Yong Jia
Excited chatter and warm laughter filled the lecture theatre during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which took place last Wednesday, as USPians gathered to discuss their hopes and plans for the upcoming academic year.
The AGM is held every year to commemorate and reflect on the past achievements of the previous USP Executive Committee, as well as to introduce the fresh faces of the newly elected 3rd USP Executive Committee to the general USP population.
The various directors of the USP Executive Committee also shared their plans, providing USPians with a glimpse of the various activities and events that they can look forward to planning and participating in the upcoming year.
Both students and professors said that they were looking forward to what the plans for the upcoming year. Choo Yi Jie, a year 3 Materials Science and Engineering student, said: “They bring with it much promise and I am excited to see what they have in store for us. I hope they build upon the foundation set by the previous EXCO, and bring USP to new heights.”
Professor Rebecca Nichols was particularly interested in what the Arts, Cultural and Social Affairs portfolio has in store for USP. She said: “There are so many art events out there, but not a lot of students are seeking them out to a large degree. I’m glad Yi Jin [Director, Arts, Cultural and Social Affairs] is taking steps towards introducing USP students to different forms of art.”
“What I really look forward to, is USP proving its athletic superiority,” said Professor Justin Clarke, who is slated to overlook the Premier Scholar Programmes’ Sports Day that will be chaired by USP this year. The annual sporting event is expected to be held in semester 2.
Eugene Teo, a year 1 Accountancy and Business student, said that he was glad to see that USP was not just about studies. “The different positions within each portfolio really encourages scholars to step out of their comfort zones, to think of new ideas to give back to the community, or even just to USP.”
At the end of the meeting, the directors of the 3rd USP Executive Committee also took the opportunity to mingle with the freshmen, in order to get to know them better and address their concerns.
Tan Ren Jun, Director of Academic and General affairs said that he was glad that the freshmen were concerned about their studies, but advised them to remember to have fun.
He said: “University can be very stressful, that’s why it’s good that USP provides a closely knitted committee to support you. But you must remember to believe in yourself and learn from your mistakes.”
All in all, the event brought USPians from different courses and years together, providing them with an effective avenue to chat and catch up with one another. Thung Yi Tian, a year 1 physics student, said that he really enjoys these events. “It’s nice how everyone can get together and talk to each other once in a while. All of us are from different courses, so it can be hard to see one another.”
