AMU Students Shine at Summer Residency Program in Singapore, Compete for Prestigious Grant
Aligarh : Ten exceptional students from Aligarh Muslim University participated in the Asian Undergraduate Symposium (AUS) organized by the National University of Singapore (NUS). The 14-day residency program, held from 1 to 13 July, drew approximately 300 students from universities across Asia, including ASEAN countries, Korea, Japan, China, and India. From India, AMU and Lady Sri Ram College sent teams to this event.
The AMU Alumni Association Singapore (AMUAAS) played a pivotal role in facilitating the participation of AMU students. The initiative was led by Mr. George Abraham, a committed senior Alig and patron of AMUAAS. A rigorous selection process ensued, with 15 students initially shortlisted and then interviewed by a panel comprising Dr. M. Izzuddin of NUS, Mr. George Abraham, and Mr. Haris Hisamuddin Farooqi, Secretary of AMUAAS. Ultimately, ten students were selected to represent AMU at the symposium.
The theme of AUS 2024, “Interconnected Communities,” focused on cultural exchange, networking, and capacity development. Participants were placed in multinational teams, fostering collaboration and cross-cultural understanding. The symposium included sessions with domain experts, training in project proposal writing, and collaborative project development based on chosen problem statements related to the theme. Out of approximately 140 project ideas presented, 38 were selected for further development under the mentorship of NUS faculty.
The selected project teams are required to submit detailed proposals to NUS by the end of July. Up to five projects will receive a grant of SGD 5,000 each to launch their initiatives within three months. Notably, three project ideas from AMU students were among those selected: Hajra Bari (B.Sc. Honours Botany), Khizer Ali Khan (B.Sc. Honours Agriculture), and Mariyam Hameeda (B.Sc. Honours Chemistry). Additionally, AMU student Sania Arif (MBBS) was part of a team whose project ranked in the top three and was presented at the symposium’s closing ceremony.
The other participants from AMU included Akash Gupta (B.Sc. Honours Biochemistry), Arooj Ahmed Wani (B.A. Honours Philosophy), Genis Jessica Doyle (B.A. Honours Geography), Mohammad Saim (B.Tech Computer Engineering), Sheeza Jamshed (B.A. Honours Linguistics), and Syed Ahmad Abdullah (B.Tech Civil Engineering). Their enthusiasm and active participation were commended by the NUS faculty.
AMUAAS hosted a reception for the AMU team, providing a platform for networking with the Alig community in Singapore. The event saw the presence of Mr. Nigel Kaw, AUS Lead and Program Designer, and Ms. Rachel Phoon, Head of Development, NUS College. Distinguished alumni, including Mr. George Abraham, Dr. Grace Zachariah and Professor Hisamuddin Farooqi, attended the reception. AMU students also performed the traditional “Tarana” for the gathering, adding a cultural touch to the event.
This representation from AMU’s exhibits its commitment to provide its students with international exposure and opportunities for academic and personal growth. The AMU community eagerly anticipates the outcomes of the grant selection process and the innovative projects that its students will bring to fruition.