Inaugural UROP+REx Conference 2024

As part of our objective to encourage UROP students to take ownership of their projects and provide avenues for students to showcase their research, the Undergraduate Research Team organised the first UROP+REx Conference held from 10-11 January 2024. With a theme of 'A Celebration of Student Researchers' Experiences', the conference programme included keynote presentations by notable faculty members, undergraduate student presentations of their UROP projects and panel discussions covering various sub-themes.

Student Presentations

One of the main reasons of organising the UROP+REx Conference was to provide opportunities for undergraduate students to showcase their work to the larger audience in NUS as well as to plant the seeds of building a community of undergraduate researchers among students, faculty members and other stakeholders.

As such, the team came up with two topics for student presenters to choose from namely UROP Project Showcase and Reflections of an Undergraduate Researcher. While the first topic gave presenters the opportunity to delve exclusively into their UROP project, the second topic was provided for students who wished to not only share details of their UROP project but also their reflections, challenges and obstacles faced, and key learning points picked up during their research journey. It is hoped that such sharings will inspire more students to dabble with research through opportunities such as UROP courses, which will hopefully kick start their journey to the research world.

At the end of the conference, judges had chosen a total of 4 best presentation winners - 1 Best Poster Presentation and 3 Best Oral Presentations. Winners were chosen based on the clarity of their presentation, their ability to communicate their research clearly to a laymen audience and how well questions were answered during the QnA segment. A Best Participant Award was also given to the most engaging member of the audience.

Prize Winners

REx Fellows Ganeash Selvarajan (top) and Dylan Alexander (bottom) presenting their research during poster and oral presentation.

Sean Chua (Best Oral Presentation) and Ignatius Choong (Best Poster Presentation) during their oral and poster presentations.

Dr Lim Zhi Han (right) providing his insights during a panel discussion of theme 'New Approaches to Communicating Research'. He was joined with Dr Alex Mitchell (left) and Mr Richard Ho (middle).

Ms Losheini Ravindran (middle) moderating a panel discussion on 'In Pursuit of Holistic Research Learning' with speakers Ms Sukanya Nadu (left) and REx Fellow Ms Clarissa Sastrawidjaya (left).

Panel Discussion

Our panel discussions were carefully curated in taking on reflective discourse on a holistic research experience and how students, educators and the university could build an effective research ecosystem together. The speakers' profiles ranged from University Librarians, Senior academics, Vice Deans and Department Heads to aspiring Undergraduate Student Researchers who had taken part in the REx programme. The discussions comprised the following themes:

New Approaches to Communicating Research

Effective communication in research provides the impetus for building networks and thoughtful collaboration. With the increasing trend in using creativity and innovation to articulate ideas impactfully, we explore how new ways in communicating research.

In Pursuit of a Holistic Research Learning

What constitutes to an enriching, wholesome research experience? Through engagement with both students and educators we explore ways to make research learning a comprehensive and invigorating experiences

Research Beyond the Classroom

Working with across the various departments and disciplines, we consider how overseas research learning opportunities and fieldwork motivates undergraduate students to apply their classroom learning in hands on projects.

Discovering career pathways with research

We discuss what are the career opportunities for students interested in the research and some of the considerations to make when deciding on a research career

Key highlights of REx STEER Vietnam 2024

Visit to VNU-HUS and Seminar about Sustainability and Biodiversity 

The visit to VNU-HUS included laboratory tours and invaluable seminars led by distinguished faculty members who covered topics on sustainability and biodiversity. The expertise shared by the Professors was both enlightening as it provides the students with a deeper understanding of sustainability and biodiversity in Vietnam. 

Industrial Visits 

The visit to Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI) provided insights to the complexities of harnessing energy, where students gained a comprehensive understanding of the energy sector’s developments and challenges. At INTRACO Vietnam, we learnt about their sustainable projects such as their energy efficient cookstoves, safe drinking water initiatives and renewal energy solutions. INTRACO Vietnam undertakes plastic recycling to produce construction materials and is a member of the IUCN Vietnam. 

Visit to Singapore Embassy  

At the Singapore Embassy in Hanoi, we learnt about the complexities of safeguarding Singapore’s bilateral relations with Vietnam. The Singapore Ambassador shared her knowledge and experience on diplomatic strategies and explained the importance of fostering strong international relations between Singapore and Vietnam. 

Cultural Exposures

Touring the Vietnam Fine Arts museum, we came across an extensive exhibition of artworks that narrates Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage. Participating in a guided tour at the Bat Trang Pottery village, we learnt about their traditional porcelain, a craft with a history spanning seven centuries in Vietnam. We even engaged in a hands-on pottery making experience, allowing us to express our creativity and appreciate the skill of pottery crafting. 

Additionally, we stayed at Thai Hai Ethnic village where we engaged with the local community, to learn about their unique traditions and way of life. This immersive experience enabled us to understand and appreciate Vietnam’s diverse ethnic cultures. 

Students trying green tea and rice flour desert during their visit to Thai Hai Ethnic Village in Thai Hai Province.

Geographical wonders 

Last but not least, we had an exciting opportunity to immerse in the natural and geographic wonders of Vietnam: the Ha Long Bay and the Cat Ba National Park at Cat Ba. The journey to Cat Ba included a scenic coastal route and a boat trip, revealing the beautiful coastal landscapes of Cat Ba. The towering cliffs at the Ha Long Bay and the dense forests of Cat Ba National Park were a sight to behold. 

Back at the mainland, we visited the Trang An Landscape Complex, which is often referred to as the “Ha Long bay of the Mainland”. Here, we explored a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks and valleys. The exploration of the caves through small kayaking boats led by the skilled local women paddlers added an adventurous element to the trip. 

Dr Hoang Truong Giang (fifth from left) with REx STEER participants visiting Ninh Binh located in northern Vietnam.

Undergraduate Research Diaries

As we commenced our new team initiative in creating greater awareness about undergraduate research, we thought that it would be certainly eye opening and intriguing to hear directly from accomplished researchers, educators and NUS student researchers about their experiences.

Seeking an intellectual and introspective perspective from our speakers, thus was created our Undergraduate Research Diaries series! With speakers ranging from Chemistry to Area studies we are bringing thoughts, reflections and research aspirations to live with engaging interviews and sharing by our NUS community.

The episodes covered in the Undergraduate Research Diaries involved various disciplines which include psychology, chemistry, life science, political science, geography, south asian studies and computer sciences. These episodes had a coverage of both accomplished research and aspiring undergraduate researchers discussing their motivation behind their choice of discipline in their research pursuits and how they navigate their way in even addressing unprecedented frontiers of research.

Click here to view all episodes of Undergraduate Research Diaries on our Youtube channel.

REx Fellows Lewis Quek (top) and Ma Shui He (bottom) in episodes 9 and 6 of Undergraduate Research Diaries respectively.

Undergraduate Research Team (from left to right; Ms Losheini Ravindran, Dr Siti Nur Fairuz Sheikh Ismail and Ms Siti Fathima D/O Rasali) promoting UROP+REx during the FASS Open House in July 2023.

Roadshows and Information Sessions

Our team has extensively reached out to students and staff who are keen in exploring a multiverse of research opportunities through interactive roadshows customised to suit the interests of each faculty. We commenced with the information sessions from AY2022/23 prior to the launch of REx in January 2023 and have conducted more than 10 online and physical sessions. With the expansion of the REx programme to two new faculty partners, CDE and SoC, the team has progressed to offering combined information sessions online on a monthly basis before the start of the semester for both staff and students for all faculties.

The Way Ahead

              NUS undergraduates benefit immensely from formally participating in research activities, regardless of their discipline. We strive to progressively extend the growing ecosystem of support under REx to all academic departments, so that all undergraduate researchers have access to resources which empower them to successfully undertake projects they are interested in.

              The challenges that research practitioners experience are constantly evolving. To equip students better, we are continuously refreshing the suite of REx learning opportunities. From workshops and masterclasses on salient research topics instructed by domain experts, and field trips to exciting destinations, students who are interested in research can look forward to a diverse array of new opportunities to learn about the life of practitioners in the research industry from experienced professionals in their fields.

              REx welcomes new and innovative ideas to electrify the undergraduate research experience. For any queries, please do not hesitate to reach out to the REx team. We look forward to another exciting year of fulfilling undergraduate research opportunities!

REx Fellows from pilot batch of Sem 2 AY2223, Clarissa Sastrawidjaya (left most) and Nicole Chan (right most) with NUS President, Professor Tan Eng Chye (middle), showcasing their respective research posters during the Medicine+Science Library Opening Ceremony on 1 August 2023.