National Day of Singapore is celebrated every year on August 9 in commemoration of Singapore’s independence from Malaysia in 1965. The holiday features a National Day Parade, an address by the Prime Minister of Singapore, and stunning fireworks displays. To mark the day, we spoke with some members of the University’s Singapore Society to find out more about the Society and Singapore!
Rupasri is the ex-president of the society and studies Architecture at the University. She is currently in Singapore, but when in Dundee, the society is a home away from home.
Tell us a bit about the Singapore Society. It’s a home away from home
Why did you join? I joined because I was introduced to it before I arrived at Dundee. The committee member held events to help inform me meet other Singaporean going to Dundee and made me feel like I wouldn’t be alone there.
What’s your role within the Society? I am the ex-president of Singsoc
What would you say to others to encourage them to join? Singapore society is a society to help Singaporean feel at home as it can get lonely sometimes but non-Singaporeans are welcome too, you can get to learn the different culture and experienced we Singaporeans have had growing up in a different part of the world.
In one sentence, how would you describe Singapore to non-Singaporean friends? Full-of-culture LOL… is that one word?
How will you be celebrating the National Day? With family watching the march
What’s your favourite…
thing about Singapore? The blend of different cultures.
Singapoereandish? Chicken rice.
Singaporean snack? Pandan waffles.
Do you have any fun facts about Singapore? The national language of Singapore is Malay. The four official languages of the country are English, Chinese, Tamil, and Malay.
Something about Singapore that more people should know? You get fined for importing or selling chewing gum not the consumption of chewing gum.
A Singaporean that should be celebrated, and why? Everyone as there is no one person only that contributes to Singapore’s identity.
Some members of the Singapore Society
Lim Ren Jye, the society’s current president, is from Malaysia. He is studying Medicine at the University and says he wanted to experience more of Singapore and its culture.
Tell us a bit about the Singapore Society. We are a warm community which wants to promote the culture and lifestyles of Singapore to everyone whose interested.
Why did you join? I wanted to get a taste of what Singapore was like and experience the culture and diversity there.
What’s your role within the Society? President.
What would you say to others to encourage them to join? It is an opportunity for everyone to experience singapore without having to travel there physically!
In one sentence, how would you describe Singapore to non-Singaporean friends? A highly efficient city with an believable hot climate.
How will you be celebrating the National Day? Watching the parade and enjoying the day off
What’s your favourite…
thing about Singapore? The safety and efficiency.
Singapoerean dish? Anything with spice!
Singaporean snack? Bubble Tea.
Do you have any fun facts about Singapore? All Singapore males have to serve 2 years in the army.
Something about Singapore that more people should know? We are actually a country!
A Singaporean that should be celebrated, and why? The founder Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
Aw Zhi Jie Vanessa is Secretary of the society and is studying Biological Sciences at the University. She says the society helps her adapt to life as an international student in Dundee.
Tell us a bit about the Singapore Society. It provides a home away from home for fellow Singaporeans to gather and find a community, and also celebrates the Singaporean culture.
Why did you join? It provides some sort of familiarity for me as I seek to adapt to life as a foreign student.
What would you say to others to encourage them to join? Everyone is welcome, Singaporean or not. Come and join in the fun!
In one sentence, how would you describe Singapore to non-Singaporean friends? We are a little but no so little red dot!
How will you be celebrating the National Day? Spending time with my family.
What’s your favourite…
thing about Singapore? Park connectors!
Singapoerean dish? Rojak.
Singaporean snack?Seaweed rings.
Do you have any fun facts about Singapore? We are 12 times the size of Dundee!
Something about Singapore that more people should know? We are not part of Malaysia!
A Singaporean that should be celebrated, and why? Lee Hsien Loong, because he has been working hard to lead Singapore well in the time of the pandemic.
The Singapore Society enjoying the festivities
Tony Yap, the society’s Treasurer, currently studies Medicine at the University. He says the society is a great community for all.
Tell us a bit about the Singapore Society. It creates a home away from home
Why did you join? To stay connected with people from my country; helps with homesickness. And, at the same time, to introduce Singapore and her culture to others.
What would you say to others to encourage them to join? Don’t be strangers! We’re all nice people! Whether you’re Singaporean or not, I think that it all boils down to creating/sustaining a community to get through Uni life.
In one sentence, how would you describe Singapore to non-Singaporean friends? It’s humid, fast-paced and has a lot of food.
How will you be celebrating the National Day? I’ll be celebrating it with my family. Probably watching the annual parade/ celebration on TV.
What’s your favourite…
thing about Singapore? The convenience to get to just about anywhere.
Singapoerean dish? Hard to decide on one, but at the moment it’s Minced Meat Noodles (Bak Chor Mee).
Singaporean snack? Bubble Tea??
Do you have any fun facts about Singapore? It takes just about 1h30mins to get from the east to the west of Singapore by train!
Something about Singapore that more people should know? Singaporean & Permanent Residents males have to go through a mandatory conscription for at least 22 months, that’s why most of us are slightly older when we enter university.
A Singaporean that should be celebrated, and why? Dr Tan Lai Yong. He spent 15 years in Yunnan, China working in remote villages and training around 500 local doctors over there. He responded to his calling to heal the sick. And even after returning to Singapore, he has continued to volunteer to help communities that are marginalised over here.
Julia Soh is studying Molecular Genetics at the University and says the society is a very warm and friendly community.
Why did you join? To meet new friends & to settle into Dundee.
What would you say to others to encourage them to join? The members are very friendly and helped a lot in application to the University!
In one sentence, how would you describe Singapore to non-Singaporean friends? Convenient and warm!
How will you be celebrating the National Day? Farewell party with my Singaporean friends before I leave the country.
What’s your favourite…
thing about Singapore? The transport system is very easy to navigate and travel times are short.
Singapoerean dish? Bak Kut Teh.
Singaporean snack?Wang Wang biscuits.
Do you have any fun facts about Singapore? It was first discovered in 2015 in Singapore that Group B Streptococcus (S. agalactiae) had been capable of food-born infections despite having always been known to cause infections only in the elderly, neonates and the immunocompromised.
Something about Singapore that more people should know? Singapore isn’t a part of China. I’ve been hearing this since 2000. Guys, please!
A Singaporean that should be celebrated, and why? Prof Huck Ng, executive director of the Genome Institute of Singapore, led a team that conducted the first genome-wide functional genomics study in human embryonic stem cells.
If you would like to see what the Singapore Society get up to, make sure to follow them on Facebook or Instagram.