The Tembusu (Fagraea fragrans) is a large evergreen tree in the family Gentianaceae. It is native to Southeast Asia. Its trunk is dark brown, with deeply fissured bark, looking somewhat like a bittergourd. It grows in an irregular shape from 10 to 25m high. Its leaves are light green and oval in shape. Its yellowish flowers have a distinct fragrance and the fruits of the tree are bitter tasting red berries, which are eaten by birds and fruit bats. Source: Tembusu, Wikipedia

Ms Dayna Naidu

Resident Assistant

Tembusu College
National University of Singapore

  dcardona@u.nus.edu

Dayna is a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Political Science and Sociology, though she wishes that she minored in Linguistics too.

For the past 3 years, Tembusu has been a safe space for Dayna to explore her hobbies, interests and values. She hopes to be a warm presence that supports Tembusians in making the most out of their College experience, just as she has. Her journey in Tembusu began with the Tancho House Committee, Tembusu Ambassadors and slaTe (drama club). Currently, she focuses more on singing — particularly with Tempo and NUS Amplified! 

Dayna is fiercely competitive when it comes to the New York Times’ games and enjoys writing, musicals, and revisiting childhood media. She is also passionate about teaching English, and is currently focused on understanding mental health conditions and their impact on Singaporean students, especially girls. If these resonate with you, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with her! 

Some of Dayna’s favourite moments in Tembusu have been hilarious debates with her suitemates, late-night lounge talks, and house dinners where conversations seem endless. Always open to making new friends, Dayna welcomes anyone who’d like to chat.