Celebrating our student leaders

Congratulations to Nicolette Koh, Year 3 (Major in Pharmacy) and S Sandiyashini, Year 4 (Double Majors in Life Sciences and Management, Minor in Public Health) on receiving Distinction and Commendation awards, respectively, in the Leadership category in the NUS Achievement Awards (2024) held on 26 October 2024!

Find out from Nicolette, President of NUS Enablers and Sandiyashini, President of the NUS Life Sciences Society (LSS), how the challenges and experiences they faced in their roles shaped them into leaders who inspire other students with their commitment to excellence and service.

What are your sentiments receiving the award? 

Nicolette: I am deeply honoured to receive this award. This award reinforces my commitment to advocacy and inclusive leadership and motivates me to continue raising awareness and encouraging meaningful conversations about disability.

Sandiyashini: I am honoured to receive the award and glad that NUS recognises non-academic contributions.

Please highlight some of your contributions.

Nicolette: NUS Enablers’ significant achievements include being the main organiser for NUS’ first-ever Purple Parade contingent, overseeing Inclusive Fest, and offering Singapore Sign Language classes taught by Deaf instructors. We collaborated with SPD on a disability awareness talk and invited a national goalball athlete to teach about the sport at the Inclusive Fest. These initiatives reached over 500 people, amplifying awareness of the disability community. 

Sandiyashini: I served three years in LSS and contributed in various capacities. From there, I discovered my interest in leading and encouraging my peers to attain greater heights. As President, I worked with people from different walks of life, varying levels of motivation and differing strengths to enhance the society’s achievements in an all-rounded manner.

What are some the challenges you faced? How did you overcome them?

Nicolette: One of the biggest challenges is shifting deeply ingrained mindsets. Overcoming these misconceptions calls for consistent effort. Through it all, we remained steadfast, focusing on education and encouraging egalitarian perspectives. This involved initiating difficult conversations and challenging long-standing practices, such as transitioning from peer-led sign language instruction to having Deaf instructors. These experiences reinforced the importance of humble, patient leadership that not only guides but inspires change.

Sandiyashini: My biggest challenge was juggling my various commitments, including academics and serving as a mentor in the Special Programme in Science. It was during these challenging stretches when I reminded myself how the people I work with are my constant sources of inspiration. Indeed, leadership is a means to give back to the student body – by giving freshmen a memorable experience or helping my fellow leaders feel a sense of fulfilment and growth in their journeys!

How do these experiences value add to your undergraduate journey?

Nicolette: Being part of NUS Enablers has enriched my undergraduate experience in numerous ways. It allowed me to connect with new friends from diverse courses, opening my eyes to unique perspectives that I would not have gained in an academic setting. Leading this interest group has also been instrumental in developing my leadership, planning and communication skills. It is tremendously fulfilling to make a tangible impact on inclusivity!

Sandiyashini: As a student, we often get carried away by academics and life becomes very mundane. LSS was a platform for me to make new friends and pick up soft skills like people management, public speaking and communication. There are so many things to learn to become a better person, leader, student and scientist – and the best way to learn is from people who go through similar experiences.