Evolving thoughts about USP

I've been thinking about the future of USP for a while now, and these thoughts continue from last semester.

Here are some thoughts that show the stage of my thoughts, as a result of the numerous conversations that I've had. Some of these thoughts are not new, however.

USP remains an excellent programme. The writing module, the interdisciplinary focus, and the wide range of extra-academic programmes continue to provide a compelling opportunity for highly motivated, curious undergraduates.

That said, I believe that so much more can be done at USP in nurturing the talents of students. The transition to the RC then holds tremendous promise for current and future batches of students. In order for the promise to be fulfilled, I believe that a 'strong' community is necessary. This is not about how 'weak' the current community is, but about how much better it could be. All of these is necessary for providing USP students with a different edge when it comes to their life after graduation...

All that said, there are two tensions in the continual creation of a 'strong' community.

1. The USP student community is composed of people with a myriad of skills and talents.

2. There will always be a need to cope with the yearly-changes in the atmosphere and attitude of the USP cohort, yet there also has to be some form of continuity for students and subsequently alumni to feel a connection to.

Point 1
With that in mind, there has to be a wide spectrum of platforms for students to participate in to cater to the diversity of talents, while maintaining a common focus or theme to unite the different platforms. A sense of academic rigour and an interdisciplinary focus should be the common theme to unite the different platforms. Through the participation of multiple platforms, students could then come into contact with students from different backgrounds instead of being consistently in their own cliques, and allow for linkages between different batches, disciplines and groups.

Different parties have different roles to play in the creation of these opportunities. The Admin has already done a lot in terms of international contacts, while the MC has also been on the look out for opportunities as well. Various students who are not so connected to either have also found different avenues to participate as well. The development of a vibrant community entails that institutions, individuals and groups actively contribute in the initiative and the participation of different opportunities. In this way, no single group should be marginalised or left out, with minimal alienation from the USP.

There really can be no overemphasis on the dynamism and diversity of USP students. To specifically focus on a few institutions or students makes the entire USP poorer, and that would be just plain sad, and undermines the effectiveness of USP.

Point 2
Every year, people graduate, and people come in. People go for exchanges, summer programmes, NOC... while others will return from their respective programmes... New people come in wanting to make an impact in their own lives and/or in their lives of others, while others are jaded after spending a period of time in their studies. New people come in with little knowledge of what to expect, and are eager for new experiences, while older batches remain with their expertise and experiences. Established circumstances are thus often in negotiation with new expectations, and with limitations of space and time, conflicts can and do occur.

With these in mind, there is a need to emphasize that no single institution, batch or group of people can impose their will over others, and requires the apreciation that everyone in USP is able to bring something unique to the programme; at the very least - their own presence and participation to the programme; at the very most - the giving of their lives for a worthy cause.

Also, there is a need to recognise that different batches, discipline and groups of people can organise to bring something totally different from their individual selves - more senior students as a group bring a sense of continuity into the student community act as bridges between the current student cohort and the alumni, while younger batches together can bring new energy to USP with their new ideas and as they try to find their place in the programme.

Conclusion
All that said, USP is still relatively young, only celebrating it's 9th year of existence as USP (although it has existed in various forms for a few decades now). In the current ecosystem of highly competitive undergraduate programmes both local and overseas, the life of USP as a dynamic programme cannot always be assured. This sounds cliched, but in order for USP to attract highly motivated and dynamic students batch after batch after batch, it has to branded as what it is - an interdisciplinary programme that offers students a compelling experience, with the provision of skills and additional skillsets to enhance their chances of success in life...

On a parting note, yeap, it sure sounds like SG...