The Alumni Magazine of UWC South East Asia
Vol 21 May 2024
WILD SIDE
EMBRACING THE
Follow our Alumni on their wild
adventures, discovering their
balance between conservation
and connection with nature.
Inside
ONE° NORTH
01
MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF COLLEGE
Nick reflects on the moments that make a difference
03
HELLO FROM YOUR ALUMNI
The team celebrates Siti Aminah on her 15th anniversary at UWCSEA
EMBRACING THE WILD SIDE
Find out how our alumni build
community through adventure,
nature and their encounters
with animals
07 Naomi Clark-Shen ’09
09 Patrick Rouxel ’84
11 Ben Howitt ’11
05
Cover story
13
MOMENTS TODAY, MEMORIES TOMORROW
The traditions continue on Dover and East campuses
“What started as
seedlings discovered at
UWCSEA when I was
just 17 have grown
into sturdy trees that
anchor me today,
enabling me to strike
a balance between
action and creativity.”
Patrick Rouxel ’84
May 2024
One°North is published by UWC South East Asia
annually for alumni, staff and friends of UWCSEA.
Reproduction in any manner is prohibited
without written consent.
We welcome your feedback;
please send comments, suggestions for
future issues and/or address updates to
alumnimagazine@uwcsea.edu.sg
Editors: Sarah Begum, Rae Omar, Lucie Snape
and Tina Tsai
Photography: Janrius Rogers, Joseph Tan,
Jules Wainwright and members of the
UWCSEA community
Design: Nandita Gupta and Grace Hong
Printed on FSC paper | MCI (P) 017/11/2023 | ALUMNI-2324
A candid portrait of marine conservationist Naomi
Clark-Shen ’09 in her natural element by the
coastline of Changi Boardwalk
THROWBACK
TO REUNIONS
From Malaysia to
Mumbai, Alumni get-
togethers were full steam
ahead in 2023/2024
23
Cover
ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT’S
TOP MOMENTS
Celebrate our
special alumni
moments both on
campus and online
17
19
KICKING OFF THE UK ALUMNI CHAPTER
Check out how much our UK Chapter has grown
since its launch in October 2023
21
CRAFTING TOMORROW’S LEARNING
This transformative pilot course is set to shake up
the International Baccalaureate
25
INSPIRING A
LEGACY FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS
Our alumni continue
to leave their mark on
the future through the
UWCSEA Endowment
27
FROM OUR
COMMUNITY
TO ANOTHER
Elitumaini Swai ’19 brings us
on her path to giving back
28
UWC CONGRESS 2024
Shaping a new world
for education
31
A GREEN GECKO
GOODBYE
Closing the GC after 15 years
33
OUR STUDENTS TAKE
ON THE PROFESSIONAL
WORLD
Explore different pathways and
industries with the UWCSEA
Careers Programme
1 OneºNorth May 2024
We always welcome a steady stream of alumni visiting
the College, and this year it’s been particularly
wonderful for me, as I have seen so many folk I taught
during my time teaching at UWCSEA all those years
ago—often with their own children now!
The faces are always familiar, but it sometimes takes me a minute to place
someone. What’s always most striking is the intensity of the memories, and
the reflections on the intervening years since graduating. Most of all, it’s
special to see eyes light up and to laugh together as we recall teachers and
escapades, even difficult ones. The stories are as unique as the individuals,
but in almost every case, there are moments that have made a difference.
One alumnus, now a 40-year-old senior executive in a real estate company,
described how he sees his time at UWCSEA as one of “planting the seeds
of why”, and that it took him years to work out the how. That he has now
founded a re-afforestation not-for-profit foundation in Mumbai suggests the
seeds are flowering. Other alumni have made contact to offer deep-expertise
in philanthropy, audit, and capital projects—wanting to bring back their
commercial expertise to connect with the College in a different way.
Two other conversations also especially struck me. One was from a student
who struggled at school. Now with her own daughter, she has recently
been diagnosed as neurodivergent and wrote with a “well that explains it!”
message. I was delighted to hear how successful she has been—as one of
only three people in her country who has two fellowships in both her areas
of medical specialism, she writes that her difficulties “made me determined
to succeed.” The other one was a student who mentioned a conversation I
MESSAGE
FROM
HEAD OF
COLLEGE,
NICK ALCHIN
Moments that make a difference
May 2024 OneºNorth 2
had with him in a mathematics lesson. Honestly, I didn’t
recall it—but when he mentioned one of my favourite books
and a quote I still recall, it certainly had the ring of truth.
And it turns out that this conversation was a significant
factor in his choice of career, where he has been very happy
and successful.
All this adds up to the great joy, and the great responsibility
that schools carry. The things that happen in schools really
do make a real difference—we may not always even realise
it in the moment, but across a lifetime, the impact can be
profound. Meeting our alumni is such a good reminder, and I
always leave these meetings with plenty to think about.
Of course, UWCSEA has changed a great deal since these
folks were at school—as has Singapore, and the world in
general. So we also need to find ways of not only looking
backwards, but also looking more widely today, and forward
into the future. The past can and really should inform us; but
the present and the future are perhaps where our minds are
more often focused.
Recent conversations on the Dover Campus lease, which
expires in 2030, have turned our eyes firmly to the long-
term future of the College. The message from the authorities
is clear: they value and support UWCSEA as a key strategic
partner in Singapore, a part of its past and also of its future.
As a community, we are considering what it means if we
stay on Dover Road—and what it means if we move. Even
those whose hearts are firmly on Dover Campus (and many
of our alumni would count themselves among that group)
say that the school is not the buildings or even the location.
The school is what happens in the spaces, the relationships
that are built between people and the “planting the seeds of
why” that happens for our students. It’s another reason that
the conversations we have with alumni are so important—
they remind us of what schools can be for young people, and
that in a world which seems increasingly polarised, schools
provide space for important conversations that bring us
together. Wherever we are in the world—or in Singapore—
our alumni will always hold space for that.
"The things that happen in schools
really do make a real difference—we may not
always even realise it in the moment, but across a
lifetime, the impact can be profound.”
3 OneºNorth May 2024
The Alumni Relations Team has been
bustling with activity this past year
organising reunion events in Hong Kong,
Sydney, Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur,
Singapore, Amsterdam, London,
and Mumbai. Our community has grown
to over 5,000 members on Connect
which complements our engagement
on social media and bi-monthly alumni
newsletters. We’re dedicated to nurturing
these connections, constantly seeking
fresh opportunities to connect with our
alumni network in meaningful ways—both
professionally and personally. We couldn’t
have done it without you!
In this edition, we’re shining the spotlight
on a beloved member of our team—Siti
Aminah. Known for her infectious laughter
and playful remarks, Siti brings a radiant
energy to every interaction and encounter
she has.
Former students returning for campus
tours are always treated to Siti’s warmth,
humour and personal touches, going above
and beyond to curate each tour to the
alum’s College experience; she makes every
campus visit a personalised journey down
memory lane, a home away from home.
Whether she’s greeting alumni at reunion
events, leading campus tours, or swiftly
locating misplaced High School transcripts
(her special talent), Siti is truly a One-
North star for both our wonderful alumni
and her fabulous colleagues and friends at
the College. Her unwavering commitment
to the College has been nothing short of
inspiring and we’re so proud to be a part of
her 15th year at UWCSEA!
To our alumni, whether you have a
cherished memory to share, an expression
of gratitude, or simply want to send a warm
‘hello’ from across the world, she would be
so delighted to hear from you. Please join
us in making this celebration as fabulous
and unforgettable as Siti herself! Please
send your congratulatory message to Siti
via alumni@uwcsea.edu.sg.
Hello!
from your Alumni Team
Hello!
3 OneºNorth May 2024
May 2024 OneºNorth 4
years of service and Milestone Reunions
15
unforgettable woman1
campus tours
300+
Everything was perfect. We had a great
time and Siti was just the perfect host. She
was so jolly in her approach and happily
showed us around the whole campus with
far more energy than us! She was able to
share all the changes that have happened
since I graduated which is plenty. Icing on
the cake was her great photography skills.
Shajir Ahmed ’05, Campus Tour visitor
As a member of the Student Alumni Council from
Grades 10–12, I had the opportunity to work closely
with Siti. Part of the Council’s duties was to assist the
Alumni Team in their events and in my three years
there, I learned a great deal about how to successfully
run a smooth event. Siti’s meticulous planning and
organisational skills with the Council were key to a
well-executed event. In addition, Siti was always open
to hearing our opinions and encouraging us to come up
with new ideas. I also appreciated how Siti puts effort
into working as a ‘team’ and her energy added a positive
atmosphere to the Council.
Mayu Kawada ’19,
former Student Alumni Council member
Alumni Relations Officer
Aminah
Siti
May 2024 OneºNorth 4
Siti has devoted the majority of her 15 years with UWCSEA to the Alumni Relations Team. I was lucky enough to
have had the immense pleasure of working with Siti for many of those years, and I look back on our time together
with great fondness. What a joy it is to know and to work with Siti—her perpetual positivity, the pride she takes in
her work, and her constant desire for personal growth. She is truly inspirational! Siti takes great delight in delving
into new experiences and taking on challenges with her constant, contagious smile. She has an unmatched ‘spark’
that makes her a fabulous colleague, travel companion and most importantly, friend. Congratulations to you, Siti,
for all of your years helping to keep people connected. May you never lose your spark!.
Brenda Whately, former UWCSEA Director of Alumni Relations
Pack
along
only
your
essentials—your heart, your
memories of UWCSEA, and
your sense of community—
as Naomi, Ben, and Patrick
lead and inspire us with their
tales of adventure. From
their memories of Project
Week
to
their
ongoing
efforts to preserve nature’s
wonders,
discover
their
deep-rooted bond with the
water, wildlife and the ways
of the jungle.
E M B R A C I N G T H E
WILD
SIDE
SIDE
Find out how our
alumni are building
community through
adventure, nature
and their encounters
with animals.
5 OneºNorth May 2024
NAOMI CLARK-SHEN ’09
BEN HOWITT ’11
PATRICK ROUXEL ’84
7 OneºNorth May 2024
Dive into the world of marine conservation
with Naomi Clark-Shen ’09, the Ocean-Climate
Programme Lead at Rumah Foundation. Naomi
is on a mission to make a difference, developing
a grant programme to support local communities
throughout Southeast Asia in protecting their
oceans. But her passion for marine conservation
doesn’t stop there—she’s also an independent shark
and ray researcher, exploring the watery depths to
protect our oceans’ most fascinating creatures.
SEA
What started out as a love for nature, has evolved into a
commitment to protecting the world beneath the waters
I’ve always loved animals and nature; I adopted
my first rescue cat at age 5, turned vegetarian at
age 11, and got my scuba diving licence at age
17. So it was no surprise when after graduating
from UWCSEA in 2009, I went on to study
Animal Behaviour at the University of Exeter for
my Undergraduate degree and then majored in
Marine Science at Plymouth University for my
Master’s degree.
After graduating from university, and following one
year of working in the UK, I returned to Singapore
to continue my marine conservation journey.
Together with a friend, I set up an independent
project to survey Singapore’s fishery ports for
sharks and rays. This project was supported by
National Geographic and the conservation division
of the Singapore Zoo. We found that many species
of sharks and rays which were being imported
to Singapore for local consumption were poorly
known and thus neglected by conservation.
VOICES FROM BELOW THE
May 2024 OneºNorth 8
Standing up for the little fish
This project inspired me to start my PhD at James
Cook University in Singapore where I got to study
the smaller, often forgotten sharks and stingrays
accidentally caught by fisheries in Southeast Asia.
I analyse their genetics to understand population
interactions; decipher their breeding patterns
to understand how often they give birth (and
thus how quickly they can rebound from fishing
exploitation); and look at their diet to see which of
their prey also needs protection to ensure they
have sufficient food. I also interview traders
to learn about fisheries, markets and
to discuss policy measures
that could explore
sustainable fishing
practices to safeguard
these vulnerable species.
Outside of my academic pursuits, I actively advocate
for animal welfare through my volunteer work on the
board of a local welfare group, ACRES (Animal Concerns,
Research and Education Society). My work with ACRES
has been incredibly fulfilling and, I get to play my part
by helping with wildlife rescues and contributing to
campaigns that promote cruelty-free living.
On a more personal level, I’ve opened my home to
foster and adopt numerous animals over the years,
ranging from fish and hamsters, to rabbits and dogs.
Whether it be advocating for plant-based diets or
actively supporting products that are not tested on
animals, I’m fully committed to making a difference in
the lives of all creatures, great and small.
NAOMI
PICTURED HERE
WITH HER
HUSBAND AND
FELLOW ALUM,
MIKE SHEN ’09,
WITH THEIR
RESCUE DOGS,
RUPERT AND
BUBU.
NAOMI PICTURED
WITH A SHARK
THAT WAS KILLED
BY A FISHERY,
AND WAS THEN
PASSED TO HER
TO DISSECT FOR
RESEARCH.
DR ANDREW CHIN ’93 IS ALSO A FELLOW ALUM, AND IS
NAOMI’S PHD SUPERVISOR AND A RESPECTED SHARK
RESEARCHER. THEIR SHARED UWCSEA CONNECTION HAS
BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER AT JAMES COOK UNIVERSITY’S
FISH AND FISHERIES LAB. DR CHIN’S RESEARCH SPANS
LOCATIONS LIKE VANUATU, PAPUA NEW GUINEA,
SEYCHELLES, AND THE GREAT BARRIER REEF IN AUSTRALIA.
May 2024 OneºNorth 8
9 OneºNorth May 2024
From UWCSEA to the great outdoors
In 2017, while working with The Dorsal Effect in Lombok, Indonesia, I had
the opportunity to collaborate with a group of UWCSEA students who
was there for their Project Week. This social enterprise aims to provide
shark fishermen with alternative livelihoods by training them as snorkel
guides for tourists. During our time together, we conducted underwater
coral surveys and visited areas where sharks were still being caught. It
was a rewarding experience to engage with these students and share
insights into the complexities of conservation, given their keen interest in
the field.
There is no question that my time at UWCSEA shaped me into the
person that I am today. From adventurous field trips where I explored
the great outdoors and discovered my desire to protect it, like snorkelling
in Tioman and kayaking in Borneo, to my Theory Of Knowledge (TOK)
assessment on the ethics of shark-fin soup, UWCSEA has always
supported me in pursuing my interests; encouraging me to stay true to
myself while making a positive impact on others.
I’ve seen the incredible efforts already underway at UWCSEA campuses,
and I’m hopeful that more graduates will step into the area of
conservation and animal welfare in the future! Over the past few months,
I’ve had the opportunity to visit seaweed farms in the Philippines and
Lombok, explore mangrove forests in Phuket and Krabi, and observe
a marine protected area in Timor-Leste. It’s incredibly fulfilling to
support regional conservationists as they strive to make a difference.
I firmly believe that together, we can make a significant impact in the
safeguarding of our environment, our habitats, and our animals.
BEHIND
THE LENS
Wildlife conservation
on the big screen
A view from
When the wilderness calls, Patrick
Rouxel ’84 answers. A familiar face
to many students at UWCSEA
throughout the years, Patrick’s
captivating films on endangered
animals have kept all eyes glued to
the screen. His documentary films
always evoke collective gasps of
wonder and nods of empathy in
any room.
May 2024 OneºNorth 10
For the past decade, Patrick has poured
his heart and soul into his nonprofit
organisation, Sun Bear Outreach (SBO),
dedicated to advocating for the welfare
of captive sun bears in Indonesia. Patrick’s
passion and commitment shine through in
his annual visits to UWCSEA during which
he shares updates with student groups
such as Global Concern group, Promoting
Animal Welfare (PAW). The UWCSEA
community’s generosity in donating to
groups such as PAW has directly helped
the critical work being done by Patrick and
his team with Sun Bear Outreach.
During Patrick’s recent visit to campus
in March, he shared a short video about
an elephant called ‘Boua’ which means
‘lotus’ in Lao, and our audience had the
chance to ask him questions about Boua
as well as his continued passion for saving
Indonesia’s sun bears.
Patrick reflects on a decade
with sun bears and a future
for elephants
Collaborating with local sanctuaries,
we’ve transformed the lives of over 100
sun bears, providing them with a chance
to thrive in natural habitats. While our
primary mission is to improve the lives
of captive sun bears in Indonesia, we also
extend support to other animals in need
and advocate for animal welfare and
environmental conservation.
Last year, I had the chance to spend time
with a mother elephant and her baby in
a sanctuary in Laos, and the connection
struck me, it’s the same feeling that led
me to advocate for sun bears 13 years ago.
In December 2023, I began a fundraising
campaign to raise USD 90,000 to rescue
Boua from being sold to the tourism
industry, and after five months of outreach
and sharing her story, we succeeded in
our goal of giving Boua the life of freedom
she deserves.
My world now embraces both sun bears
and elephants, and I’m confident that my
future endeavours will always reflect my
passion for these magnificent creatures.
From UWCSEA to the forests of
Southeast Asia
I remember my expedition for Project
Week in 1983, I travelled alone to Sabah,
Malaysia, where I visited an orangutan
sanctuary. Together with the local staff,
I went to a part of the forest where
orangutans had been released but were
given supplementary food. Once the
fruit we had brought had been placed on
a platform, we called out the names of
the orangutans and they came from all
directions, slowly moving from branch to
branch in the canopy down to the platform
where they helped themselves to the food.
It was the first time that I saw orangutans
in the rainforest. It was magical. I was in
awe and I loved it.
I even pursued the thrill further by
following a path on my own, far into the
forest up to an abandoned camp, where
I spent the night by myself. Surrounded
by the sounds of the forest at night, it felt
so strange and foreign to my 17-year-old
self. At sunrise, I was greeted by beautiful
monkeys and felt it was such an authentic
moment to share the wild with them.
What may have been ordinary for them
opened up a whole new world for me.
I remember how I found a way to translate
my passion for wildlife, and it was when I
was working on my “Extended Essay” as
part of my IB. I chose to write a play and
direct it with fellow students playing the
different characters. In that exercise, I
discovered creative writing, how to direct
actors and how it all came together in the
end in front of an audience. I realise now
that I was very lucky to have the support
of the College to allow this to happen.
Having that support and space to grow my
passion has stuck with me 40 years later,
now both the wildlife of the rainforest
and my creative work in filmmaking have
emerged as the two primary driving forces
in my life. What started as seedlings
discovered at UWCSEA when I was just 17
have grown into sturdy trees that anchor
me today, enabling me to strike a balance
between action and creativity. I will
forever be grateful to UWCSEA.
Patrick will be reunited with his
classmates at Reunion 2024 taking
place in Singapore this August. Alumni
from the classes of 1974, 1979, 1984,
1989, 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2014
will be celebrating their milestone
anniversaries through a series of events
over Reunion Weekend!
You can visit saveboua.com to learn
more about the elephant!
May 2024 OneºNorth 10
11 OneºNorth May 2024
This vet's animal instincts take him around the world
We recently caught up with Ben Howitt ’11, a
veterinarian who in January 2022, launched
the Galápagos Animal Doctors (GAD)
Programme in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz
Island, Galápagos!
Ben first developed his own foundation, Pan
Animalia before launching GAD, a clinical
programme that provides expert care to domestic
animals while facilitating community engagement
on sterilisation and conservation on the Galápagos
Islands. This is a joint venture between Pan Animalia
and the Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS), a
UK-based charity, where he currently serves as the
Director of their South America wing. He currently
oversees six Ecuadorean vets employed across three
projects based in the Galápagos, Quito and the high
Andes regions.
Ben’s experiences have deepened his understanding
of animals and their connection with humans,
motivating him to advocate for animal welfare in
local communities. “This career path felt like the
perfect fit for me, combining both my passions; to
work hands-on with animals while also being a part
of the medical field, which has always intrigued me.”
CONSERVATION
ON THE COASTLINES OF
Galápagos
FROM L TO R:
BEN WITH HIS
TEAM ON OPENING
DAY; BEN WITH HIS
COLLEAGUES DURING
A MISSION RABIES
VACCINE CAMPAIGN;
BEN WITH HIS FORMER
SPANISH TEACHER
MS ESPERANZA AND
BEN WITH HIS FATHER
AT THE RICKSHAW RUN.
May 2024 OneºNorth 12
Catching up on campus
Ben made a pit stop at UWCSEA after
recently completing a significant
veterinary project in Phnom Penh,
Cambodia, as a field manager with
Mission Rabies, whose goal is to eliminate
rabies from all the endemic areas of the
world. They mobilised 560 people in 120
teams over 10 days in a massive door-
to-door outreach exercise, resulting in
the vaccination of 75,000 dogs against
rabies. While his current focus is on South
America and the UK, Ben engages in global
projects as needed. He partners with
exceptional veterinarians to lead initiatives
in Nepal, India, Cambodia and Bolivia,
aiming to elevate standards of animal
welfare.
Ben also shared how he jumped at the
opportunity to lead a centre in the
Galápagos Islands—fresh off veterinary
school and having undergone three years
of fieldwork—only to run into a language
barrier almost immediately.
“All the clientele only speak Spanish, so
I had to quickly brush up on my Spanish
from school and take crash lessons! The
years of Spanish lessons with Ms Esperanza
Gutierrez and other teachers at UWCSEA
really paid off.”
Working in the Galápagos exposed Ben
to the challenges small communities face
when accessing veterinary medicine. To
him, it’s vital for projects to be run by
people who know these spaces well, as it
helps to find solutions that address animal
welfare issues while also embracing the
nuances of each community.
“We now have a site in the centre of
Puerto Ayora in the town of Santa Cruz
that hosts a veterinary programme with
volunteers and students coming out and
training with our team as well as providing
sterilisation and consultation capacities
for the local population. We see lots of
dogs and cats but we plan on expanding to
vaccines, horses and livestock by the end
of the year.”
Looking back on his journey in the
veterinary field, Ben shared that he was
riddled with uncertainty when he was
setting up a clinic from scratch at the
age of 28 but remains grateful for the
experience and to everyone who helped.
He reflected on the valuable life skills
he picked up during Project Week at
UWCSEA, which continue to influence
his daily life. Taking on the responsibility
to plan and execute a trip at a young age
expanded his perspective and instilled
confidence in navigating the world and
challenges in life.
To anyone passionate about the veterinary
field, Ben had this to share:
“You don’t need to do it alone and failure
is not a reflection of you. Find support
in the people who share your passion or
are in the same background as you are.
Take care of your mental health and it’s
so critical to take the pressure off your
shoulders when you need to. You can
achieve just as much if not more, with
more people in your corner.”
Raising funds in a Rickshaw Run
Never one to stay still, Ben recently took
on the Rickshaw Run in Northeast India
for the second time to raise funds for
Mission Rabies and Cool Earth, a charity
that supports rainforest protection and
climate action. Together with his father, in
a Tuk Tuk, he raced across a total distance
of 1,800km in 12 days. From traversing
mountains and jungles to tackling
challenging roads and river crossings,
their journey took them through the
diverse landscape of Assam and into the
Himalayas of Arunachal Pradesh. Despite
the dusty lowlands of the Brahmaputra
river and the thick fog of the mountains,
the rickshaw held up admirably, ensuring
they reached the finish line in one piece.
One thing we know about Ben is his
adventurous side, and in true style, his
passion for animals will bring him around
the world and back to us to share his
stories. We can’t wait to see where he
goes next! If you’d like to reach out to
Ben to get involved, offer support, or
seek mentorship, you can contact him
through UWCSEA Connect. Check out his
Instagram page @bovhowitt for updates
on all his exciting projects!
13 OneºNorth May 2024
13 OneºNorth May 2024
The traditions
continue on both Dover
and East campuses
Change may be the only
constant but for many of
our alumni, signature events
like Graduation, SEASAC,
UN Night and CultuRama
have stayed true to their
essence over the years,
holding a special place
in their most cherished
UWCSEA memories.
Nothing beats the feeling
of being able to create,
compete and celebrate
together, along with staff,
families and other members
of our College community.
Relive these iconic moments
from this past year.
WORDS OF WISDOM
TO OUR CLASS OF 2023
Graduation for our Class of 2023 was a
memorable and emotional one! Our UWCSEA
community united in joyous celebration,
honouring our graduates as they embarked on
their transformative paths as individuals and
young alumni.
“No matter how this world feels, acts, and acts out,
amidst all of the noise and grabbing for our attention
sits our distinct, unbreakable and irreplaceable
humanness … your humanness will be challenged
many times, by intellectualism, by all kinds of
intelligence, formulas and versions of life that seem
successful, by a digital speed that you were born
into. So hold your humanness close, because it is
alive, awake, and the force that saturates the sweet
experience of living. I hope you never give this up.”
Anita Kapoor ’89
Alumni Graduation Speaker
MOMENTS
today,
MEMORIES
tomorrow
May 2024 OneºNorth 14
GAME ON!
The SEASAC Championships were in full swing this
school year. Dover Phoenix and East Dragons represented
UWCSEA in various sporting events across Singapore and
the region. Our students were dedicated, training hard
and demonstrating the elements of good sportsmanship
through their confidence, resilience, humility and
determination. Go Phoenix! Go Dragons! Go UWCSEA!
“Thanks for the amazing season, I couldn’t have asked
for a better last one.”
Harry Xu ’23, Boys’ Badminton, Dover Campus
“Mistakes are inevitable, but being part of a team that
both forgives you and pushes you to be better is one of the
greatest privileges I’ve had during my time at UWCSEA.”
Lila Salaria ’23, Girls’ Volleyball, East Campus
Guess what? The UWCSEA Phoenix spirit lives beyond
the Singapore borders! A group of UK alumni have formed
a football team, and Alexander Smit ’14 arranged a batch of
UWCSEA kits so that they could, quite literally, wear their
alma mater proudly on their chests during games. What a
great way to represent UWCSEA from across the world!
15 OneºNorth May 2024
FROM CULTURE
TO CHOREO
WITH UN NIGHT
AND CULTURAMA
When ticket sales for United Nations
(UN) Night and CultuRama open,
snagging tickets is always a mad rush
for anyone who’s ever wished to attend.
Ask any of our lucky showgoers about
their experience, and they’ll gush about
the mind-blowing extravaganza on
stage, with student-led performances
representing the many countries that
make up our UWCSEA community.
These annual celebrations are more
than just a showcase of spectacular
student talent, they also highlight our
community’s dedication to embracing
diversity and creating a sense of
belonging for all.
May 2024 OneºNorth 16
Embracing our community
“Being part of this richly diverse
community presents us with the
opportunity to explore, exchange
and engage with cultural ideas from
around the globe. With UN Night and
CultuRama, the world truly is our stage,
where our backgrounds and identities
cross paths. Here, we get to dive into a
melting pot of cultural ideas, exchanging
and engaging with one another to bring
our diversity to life through dance. Once
the curtains close, these experiences
don’t just entertain; they empower,
enlighten, and leave us with a sense of
unity and respect for one another that
lasts far beyond the applause.
Mohamed Abeid ’24,
CultuRama Tanzanian Dance Cultural
Ambassador, East Campus and
Soktheara, Grade 11,
UN Night Cambodian Dance Cultural
Ambassador, Dover Campus
May 2024 OneºNorth 16
Introducing South Australia’s 2024
‘Australian of the Year’, Tim Jarvis
’84! From supporting conservation
charities like Fauna & Flora, Koala Life
and Foundation for National Parks
& Wildlife, to his involvement in
South Australia’s Forktree Project, his
passion for mitigating climate change
and preventing loss of biodiversity is
truly exceptional.
“We can’t live without biodiversity. I
think that even if an individual doesn’t
necessarily value the importance
of one plant or animal species over
another, we all need to acknowledge
that our survival depends on protecting
and restoring biodiversity.”
Explorer and environmental
scientist wins award
Find your way into the fantasy world with Karma of the Sun by debut novelist,
Brandon Boey ’96. After a 10-year journey of writing, looking for an agent, and going on
submissions for a book deal, Brandon’s relentless pursuit of his creative vision paid off when
Karma of the Sun was released in 2023 to rave reviews. His journey began as a hobby while
studying Economics at NYU and continued
through his career in investment banking.
“My time in Singapore as a UWCSEA boarding
student contributed greatly to my sense of
imagination and my development as a writer.
Growing up and moving frequently, constantly
meeting new people, and learning new cultures,
helped me see the world in a deep and unusual way
that I felt like I could only unpack by putting it down
on paper where I could make sense of it all.”
Banker by day, writer by night
ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT’S
TOP
MOMENTS
With so many special moments
to celebrate with our alumni
this past year, let’s take a look
at these standout highlights
we’ve handpicked based on all
the buzz they garnered both on
campus and online!
A new mystery series in
the making
Congratulations to Karina Thakrar ’16 and
Vedant Gupta ’16 on their recent engagement
right where they first met—at Tampines House
on East Campus!
“Our story started right there, on the 14th floor
so it was almost perfect to seal the deal there as
well. I don’t think anywhere in the world would
match up to the beautiful moment we shared
at Tampines House. To think, two kids from
Mumbai found their soulmates in High School in
Singapore—that’s fate!”
They found love in
Tampines House