NTU by the numbers
by Foo Jie Ying
Photo: Ivan Yap
1
1st publicly-offered sustainability-linked bond by a university
We take the lead in walking the talk when it comes to fighting climate change. In 2021, NTU became the first university to issue a publicly-offered sustainability-linked bond. The proceeds from this bond go towards wide-ranging efforts to create a low-carbon campus that’s also ahead of the curve in solving global sustainability challenges – the kind of environment you’d like to live, learn and play in.
2
National monuments
We treasure our cultural heritage. Don’t be surprised to find two national monuments on campus. Sited at the recently rejuvenated Yunnan Garden, both hark back to the days of the former Nanyang University, which was on the grounds of the current NTU campus from 1955 to 1980. Past graduation ceremonies of Nanyang University have even taken place at one of them, the beautifully restored former Nanyang University Administration Building, dubbed NTU’s “Shaolin temple”, which today houses the Chinese Heritage Centre.
3
MRT stations
NTU – a town unto itself? By 2029, there will be three new MRT stations at our doorstep as part of the new Jurong Region Line. These new stations will shorten the travelling time by 25 minutes if you are coming from Jurong East or Choa Chu Kang MRT stations. Even better news for the Easties: your commute to campus from Pasir Ris MRT station could be 35 minutes shorter with these new additions.
4
Shuttle bus routes
Wondering how to get around NTU’s 200-hectare campus? Hop on an electric shuttle to get from hall to class and back, or to Pioneer MRT station. Three shuttle bus routes ply the campus on weekdays, with one more running only on weekends.
Tip: Download the NTU Omnibus app to check when your shuttle is arriving and its occupancy rate in real time.
5
Bubble tea shops
Nothing quite hits the sweet spot like a cup of bubble tea on a hot day. Take your pick from the five different options found around campus, depending on your flavour of the day. Each-A-Cup, one of the bubble tea OGs here, serves up some reliable and classic flavours, while tea connoisseurs may appreciate the varieties available at CHICHA San Chen. For those who prefer an indulgent treat, the newest kid on the block, Yilin Likes Tea, specialises in tea lattes topped with whipped cream.
6
Core values
Our values define us. NTU’s six core values – Integrity, Care, Respect, Impact, Service and Partnership – serve as the compass for the NTU community, guiding our daily actions and decisions. These values anchor the OneNTU culture, a collective spirit that fuels a sense of camaraderie and fosters an environment where we come together to inspire and uplift one another. Wear our core values by bagging a free T-shirt at the next HEY! event.
7
ICC courses
Transferable skills and an awareness of global challenges matter even more in these fast-changing times. Sometimes, this means nudging you out of the comfort zone of your chosen discipline to broaden your understanding of the world. As part of the Interdisciplinary Collaborative Core (ICC) curriculum, undergraduates take seven mandatory courses covering topics like critical thinking and writing, ethics, navigating the digital world, innovative enterprise, sustainability and wellbeing.
8
Zero-energy buildings
NTU has the greenest campus in Singapore, and we’re not just talking about the swathe of trees on our grounds. We are also home to eight zero-energy buildings – the most among universities here. These zero-energy buildings produce enough energy to run themselves, making them a better option for the planet. Some of the buildings, like Gaia and The Wave, have become iconic landmarks.
9
Corporate labs
Grab a front row seat to the inner workings of industry heavyweights. NTU has partnered nine prominent companies such as Rolls-Royce, Hewlett Packard and Continental to set up corporate laboratories practically next to your classrooms. These labs create impact with cutting-edge solutions for problems faced by industry – and you can be part of it all.
10
Satellites
Does designing, building and testing a satellite sound out of this world? Not at NTU, which has been pushing new frontiers in space. X-SAT, the first made-in-Singapore microsatellite, was borne out of research at NTU’s Satellite Research Centre and launched into space in 2011. Since then, nine more NTU satellites have taken to the skies. This includes the shoebox-sized SCOOB-I, a joint effort involving more than 50 students over four years. And there’ll be more such student-built satellites. Watch this space.
This story was published in the Jul-Aug 2023 issue of HEY!. To read it and other stories from this issue in print, click here.
