NUS Student Achievement Awards Ceremony 2012

Written by: Adrian Chia

Edited by: Celine Yeap

Congratulations to the 4^th Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP) team and the 13^th Xin Qing Rong Ji (XQRJ) for bringing glory to KEVII Hall!

On 17^th February 2012, the annual NUS Student Achievement Awards (SAA) Ceremony was held at the University Cultural Centre (UCC) Auditorium. The SAA is an initiative of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) to recognize exceptional individual students or student groups who have made noteworthy contributions to the University outside of their academic curriculum. This year, KEVII Hall was represented by two student groups – the 4^th OCIP team and the 13^th XQRJ, both in the Community Projects (Group) category.

Unlike the past, all nominees were invited to attend the ceremony this year. Suspense was kept to the maximum as the winners were only made known during the event itself – in the words of NUS Deputy President and Provost Prof. Tan Eng Chye, the Guest of Honour, it was like “the Academy Awards style”.

First up from KEVII Hall to receive an award was Mr. Eddie Tan, President of the 55^th Junior Common Room Committee (JCRC), who represented the Rag & Flag team 2011 to receive the Special Commendation Award. He was soon up on stage again to receive the Special Achievements to Student Organizations Award, in recognition of the contributions made by the 55^th JCRC.

When alas it came to the Community Projects category, a video clip showing all nominees was played before the winners were announced. Our hearts began pounding violently; the intense palpitations were symptomatic of our immense anxiety. When the 4^th OCIP team was declared the winner of Trophy Award, we nearly jumped from our seats in sheer delight. We took our time to bask in the glory and limelight; we went up on stage, received the award and took a group photo with Hall Master. It was truly a moment to savour.

A sumptuous buffet dinner marked the end of the ceremony. Amidst all the feasting and mouth-watering food, it was also the perfect opportunity to cam-whore as we sought to preserve the glamour and glory of the night in the form of photos.

 

KEVIIans at the ceremony

A brief introduction of both committees that did us proud:

The 4^th OCIP team, led by Chen Haojin, was in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, between 16-31 May 2011 teaching English and building libraries. Seeking to better the lives of the impoverished communities, the team served in an orphanage, a rural secondary school as well as a primary school at the heart of a slum. This year was the second consecutive time the KEVII OCIP team received the honour.

On the other hand, the 13^th XQRJ, headed by Andy Sim, organised the annual regional Chinese song writing and composition competition in 2011. Attracting over a hundred entries from Singapore and Malaysia, the competition culminated in a Grand Final held at the UCC Auditorium. Adding much vibrancy to the NUS and KEVII cultural scene, the committee members had put in countless hours making the event a great success.

Eddie, our JCRC president also commented, “It was comforting that the University is recognising what we do in Hall as an important part of NUS. I also wish to congratulate the OCIP team and XQRJ, for they truly deserved the awards after putting in so much, not for the CCA points, but for what they believe in and what their committees stand for.”

Haojin, leader of the 4^th OCIP team, wishes to express his gratitude to the SAA selection committee for the recognition; KEVII Hall for providing the team unwavering support; and of course, all OCIP team members for their effort and sweat! Even though the group of started off as strangers from different backgrounds, the same spirit of volunteerism allowed all difficulties to be overcome and the project to be accomplished. He believed the award should not be the destination, “It is the beginning of more enthusiastic people joining volunteer work.”

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