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

Education Working Group (EWG) wins UK Impact Award

The Education Working Group (EWG) has been awarded the 2024 Student Partnership Impact Award by the Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA), a UK-based professional association for staff and educational developers. Leong Jing, Wesley led the AY2023/24 EWG team of Foo Yong Kun, Bertrand Yang Junrong, Ganaapathy Balakumar, He Yuxin, Alyssa Lee Xin Yi, Lim Ying See, Cheryl, Ng Wan Xin and Esther-J Yoong, with the advice of Dr Connor Graham (Director of Studies).
 
The EWG are a group of Tembusu students who work with the Director of Studies to improve the quality of learning and engagement in the College’s academic programme: the University Town College Programme (UTCP). The EWG was started by the first Director of Studies at Tembusu College, in collaboration with Tembusu students. The goal of the group has been to build a bridge between the student body and the College lecturers (fellows) through communication and in-person initiatives, creating additional enrichment and learning opportunities with a living-learning context.
 
The EWG received the SEDA Award in recognition of their efforts to ‘inform and enrich’. They ‘informed’ through communication efforts to educate internal and external stakeholders concerning the learning and enrichment opportunities and choices that are available through the College’s academic curriculum. At the 2024 Open House, the EWG designed, curated and constructed a multi-room exhibition that included specially designed posters, multimedia project exhibits and installations and course guide software which was custom designed and built. Over 2000 people attended the College Open House and positive feedback was obtained from visitors and Tembusu College staff. They ‘enriched’ through extending the boundaries of the classroom, allowing students’ learning to occur through informal, non-compulsory, ‘out-of-classroom’ learning. Through ‘Fellowship’ sharing events, the EWG allowed for fellows to interact in an intimate setting with College students and share their own research interests. These initiatives not only enhanced the student academic experience but also built a strong learning community within the College.

First row (from left to right) – Alyssa Lee Xin Yi (EWG Member), Dr Connor Graham (Director of Studies), Lim Ying See, Cheryl (EWG Member)

Second row (from left to right) – He Yuxin (EWG Member), Ganaapathy Balakumar (EWG Member), Ng Wan Xin (EWG Member), Foo Yong Kun (EWG Co-Lead for AY2024/25)

Wesley Leong (EWG lead for AY2023/24), at a Fellowship event led by Dr Ernest Tan (back row, fourth from left)

First row (from left to right) – Lee Chee Yong, Feng Xinyun (EWG Member), Joy See, Michelle Lim, Caleb Lee (EWG lead for AY2021/22)

Second row (from left to right) – Andre Foo, Wesley Leong (EWG lead for AY2023/24), Hubert Quek (EWG Member), Dr Ernest Tan, Gabriel Lee, Justin Tan