In August 2023, the University honoured eleven undergraduates with donor-sponsored Community Service Student Achievement Awards for their unwavering dedication to community service.

We share the good work of some award winners and find out what motivates them to serve the community.

Bridging Communication through Music

Joseph Tan Wei Sheng (Year 4, Yong Pung How School of Law)
Soka Gakkai Singapore (SGS)-Ikeda Peace Award

Law student and SMU SoundFoundry member Joseph Tan Wei Sheng wanted to use his musical talents to serve those in need. He started a community service project (CSP) to serve non-profit organisation AphasiaSG, which engages Persons with Aphasia (PWAs) and their caregivers during the COVID circuit-breaker period. Aphasia is a communication disorder typically caused by traumatic brain injury.

To ensure long-term impact, Joseph secured the project's adoption by SMU SoundFoundry as its annual CSP, Voices: In Collaboration with AphasiaSG. The project was subsequently re-named Espressivo. Joseph and his peers conducted virtual singing and music therapy sessions, and virtual choir practices with the AphasiaSG Choir to support the rehabilitation of PWAs. They also launched marketing campaigns and produced video resources to raise awareness about the cause. For his dedication to helping PWAs, Joseph was presented this year’s top community service award – the Soka Gakkai Singapore (SGS)-Ikeda Peace Award – which recognises SMU students committed to the spirit of volunteerism.

Joseph said, “Using my passion for music to support the community has been a uniquely satisfying experience! I am also immensely grateful to subsequent groups of student volunteers, who have helped make this project sustainable in the long run. I look forward to working with AphasiaSG and Espressivo members in future!”

Lighting the Way for Seniors
Kok Shu May (Year 3 Lee Kong Chian School of Business)

Yu Xin Community Leadership Award

Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) student Kok Shu May’s compassion for seniors moved her to devote time to improving their quality of life. In recognition of her commitment, she was conferred the Yu Xin Community Leadership Award for exceptional leadership and service to the elderly.

As a freshman in 2021, Shu May joined Project Inspirar.  She taught Zumba to seniors through virtual sessions and together with her peers, produced videos for National Day and Mid-Autumn celebrations. She went on to serve as project leader piloting Project Silverlight, which partners the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA) and En Community Services. The project increases civic engagement among older adults by empowering them to curate social engagement activities for themselves and their peers.

Commenting on her experience, Shu May said, “This project took on the objective of empowering the elderly. We provided them with resources to help them plan activities. I was very heartened to see their smiles after a day out. It was good to know that our actions had made their day and broadened their social circle.”

Giving Children a Head-start in Life
Liao Qiu Xu (Year 4, Yong Pung How School of Law)
Pilot Pen Community Champion Award (Low-income Families)

Yong Pung How School of Law (YPHSL) student Liao Qiu Xu believes that instilling children from disadvantaged backgrounds with life skills will give them a head-start in life, and his service in this respect had won him the Pilot Pen Community Champion Award for AY2020/21 and AY2021/22. This year, he received the Award once again, with special recognition for helping low-income and single-parent families.

In 2022, Qiu Xu co-organised the Project Sunbeam Life Skills Programme which aims to instill life skills in children under Child Protection Services. Being well-versed in Japanese, Qiu Xu conducted a basic Japanese language workshop for the beneficiaries. Serving on the organising committee of SMU Rotaract Club, Qiu Xu was involved in Project Nurture which equips underprivileged children with emotional and life skills. He also taught English to disadvantaged primary school students through Project Nurture with Faith Acts and contributed to Project Sparks, working with children with mild autism and dyslexia.

Qiu Xu explained how his motivation stems from personal experience: “Growing up in a less well-to-do household, I know how support during childhood or adolescence can make much difference to an individual’s life. I want to be that someone supporting these kids as it is the most meaningful way for me to pay it forward.”

A Beacon for the Marginalised
Lee Hong Xian Nicole (Year 4, Lee Kong Chian School of Business)
Pilot Pen Community Champion Award (Persons with Disabilities)

Lee Hong Xian Nicole has fulfilled 495 hours of community service to date – more than six times SMU’s graduation requirements. As an executive committee member of SMU Caretalyst, she led Project Illuminate and Project Ai. These have positively impacted underprivileged children and persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs), earning her the Pilot Pen Champion Award for Persons with Disabilities.

In 2021, she served as Project Director for Project Illuminate 1 and 2 where she provided academic and character development support for underprivileged children aged 7 to 12. She was also an active member of Project Ai with MINDS MYG Terra Hope Project, a volunteer group under the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS). As Vice President for SMU Caretalyst in 2022, she led 195 students in CSPs which engaged 198 beneficiaries. These included Project Illuminate, Project Ai, Project Enrich and Project YOLO, which empower primary school children with teamwork and communication skills. The projects also educate beneficiaries on Singapore's culture and heritage through outdoor learning.

Nicole’s strong belief in equity and inclusivity inspires her to serve. She said, “This belief has ignited my dedication to work towards creating a more accessible and compassionate world; it's a lifelong commitment to ensure that everyone – regardless of ability – will have an equal opportunity to thrive.”

Nurturing Future Innovators
Tan Yi Peng (Year 3, School of Computing and Information Systems)

Pilot Pen Community Champion Award (Youths-at-Risk)

Tan Yi Peng, from the School of Computing and Information Systems (SCIS), is making an impact in youth mentoring development. Through his passion for IT, he has empowered and inspired less privileged youths to explore this field of study and work through solving real-world problems with IT innovations.

Yi Peng has participated in three stints of Project HeartCode, in partnership with the Chinese Development Assistance Council. He managed budget and procurement as finance director of the project and mentored and taught secondary school students basic web development. Currently, he co-leads the project and guides his teammates. Project HeartCode is definitely a cause close to his heart. “I truly see the impact of helping youths consider a career path in IT. I am very passionate about IT and it warms my heart to share my passion and interest with other youths,” he said.

May the work and reflections of the award winners inspire SMU students to continue their efforts in service to the community. 

The full list of winners: