Nanyang Polytechnic Students Debut in SIF’s Service-Learning Programme
The Singapore International Foundation (SIF) Water for Life programme celebrated a landmark milestone this year as it brought its first-ever cohort of 10 student volunteers from Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) to Siem Reap, Cambodia from 6 to 10 April 2026. Their participation was supported by the Dr Ang Poon Liat and Dr Wu Eu Li Service-Learning Fund, made possible by the donors’ $50,000 gift to the SIF.
Tasked with assembling and installing bio-sand filters in rural households, the students stepped out of their labs and into the field, adapting their technical skills to solve urgent, real-world water sanitation challenges. The mission’s impact went far beyond the mechanics of filtration. Working side-by-side with local partners and villagers cultivated a sense of grit and gratitude in the students as they witnessed the strength and spirit of the Cambodian people.
Ms Tang Juanfei Joyee, a Year 3 Diploma in Communication and Motion Design student at NYP, shared: “I met a man who lost his arm during the war. I deeply respect that he remained resilient and continued to build his life and family from that point on. This also made me reflect on my own life and to not take everyday things for granted.”
Fellow participant Ms Kaelyn Chong Si Yu, a Year 2 Diploma in Nursing student at NYP, added: “I used to be someone who gave up easily, but I did not give up this time despite the heat and other external challenges. I spoke to a Cambodian girl who told me about her hopes for the future; moving to China or Singapore and becoming a teacher. It made me realise how important it is to stay positive and have ambitions, and I thought it was inspiring that they think seriously about their futures.”
The transformation in the students was equally evident to Mr Khoo Kiah Hong, Lead Executive, Student Development and Alumni Relations at NYP. Accompanying the students on the trip, he observed a significant shift in the students’ confidence and interpersonal skills. Noticing how they stepped beyond their comfort zones to engage more meaningfully with the locals and partners, he shared that the trip had given the students a “real environment” to develop resilience and perseverance – both important character traits – while gaining a deeper understanding of the ASEAN region.
As an important platform for Singaporean students who wish to develop the necessary skills to thrive in an interconnected world, the Dr Ang Poon Liat and Dr Wu Eu Li Service-Learning Fund ensures that the opportunity to serve and grow is never a privilege just for the few.