Celebrating the Festive Season Through Giving

Celebrating the Festive Season Through Giving

25 Mar 25 | All, World of Potential, Student Leadership, Leadership & Development

Celebrating the Festive Season Through Giving

The festive season is a time for joy, togetherness, and giving back to the community. With this in mind, SIM-UOB Student Council partnered with Marsiling SunLove Active Aging Centre (AAC) to bring an early Chinese New Year celebration to the elderly on 25th January 2025. Our Student Council members dedicated their time to creating a meaningful and engaging experience for the elderly, ensuring they felt appreciated and valued during this special time of the year.

This initiative was not just about celebrating a single event but about fostering a culture of community service and meaningful engagement with the elderly. By building relationships with Marsiling SunLove AAC, we hope to continue similar collaborations in the future, ensuring that we can bring joy and companionship to the elderly beyond festive occasions.

Bringing Smiles to the Elderly

Through this event, we connected with the elderly in meaningful ways, engaging in various activities that sparked joy and warmth. The celebration was more than just a festive gathering—it was an opportunity for the elderly to feel appreciated, included, and uplifted. The interactions not only brought smiles and laughter but also fostered a sense of belonging and happiness within the community.

Encouragement for the Student Council

One of the most touching moments of the event was seeing the genuine smiles and heartfelt gratitude from the elderly as they participated in our planned activities. The time spent planning for the activities such as lantern-making, and for preparing the festive goodie bags truly did not go to waste! We are honoured to play a part in making this Chinese New Year a special one for them.

A simple gesture of spending time with them made a huge impact, reminding us of the power of community and human connection.

Waking up early on a Friday morning to volunteer was not easy, but our Student Council members were eager and committed to making the event a success. The biggest challenge was ensuring that all elderly participants felt engaged and included, but through teamwork, enthusiasm, and genuine conversations, we managed to create a warm and lively atmosphere.

Making Future Events Even Better

While the event was a success, there is always room to improve. We found that early planning and teamwork helped make the celebration smooth and enjoyable. One area for improvement could be increasing the variety of activities to better cater to different interests among the elderly. We also hope to involve more student volunteers in future events to create an even bigger impact. (Yes, we are on a lookout for more student volunteers- Join us!)

Moving forward, we aim to continue working with Marsiling SunLove AAC and explore other opportunities to give back to the elderly community. Whether through festive celebrations, regular visits, or interactive workshops, we want to keep spreading kindness and making a difference as a student body.

Celebrating the Festive Season Through Giving

The festive season is a time for joy, togetherness, and giving back to the community. With this in mind, SIM-UOB Student Council partnered with Marsiling SunLove Active Aging Centre (AAC) to bring an early Chinese New Year celebration to the elderly on 25th January 2025. Our Student Council members dedicated their time to creating a meaningful and engaging experience for the elderly, ensuring they felt appreciated and valued during this special time of the year.

This initiative was not just about celebrating a single event but about fostering a culture of community service and meaningful engagement with the elderly. By building relationships with Marsiling SunLove AAC, we hope to continue similar collaborations in the future, ensuring that we can bring joy and companionship to the elderly beyond festive occasions.

Bringing Smiles to the Elderly

 Through this event, we connected with the elderly in meaningful ways, engaging in various activities that sparked joy and warmth. The celebration was more than just a festive gathering—it was an opportunity for the elderly to feel appreciated, included, and uplifted. The interactions not only brought smiles and laughter but also fostered a sense of belonging and happiness within the community.

Encouragement for the Student Council

One of the most touching moments of the event was seeing the genuine smiles and heartfelt gratitude from the elderly as they participated in our planned activities. The time spent planning for the activities such as lantern-making, and for preparing the festive goodie bags truly did not go to waste! We are honoured to play a part in making this Chinese New Year a special one for them.

A simple gesture of spending time with them made a huge impact, reminding us of the power of community and human connection.

Waking up early on a Friday morning to volunteer was not easy, but our Student Council members were eager and committed to making the event a success. The biggest challenge was ensuring that all elderly participants felt engaged and included, but through teamwork, enthusiasm, and genuine conversations, we managed to create a warm and lively atmosphere.

Making Future Events Even Better

While the event was a success, there is always room to improve. We found that early planning and teamwork helped make the celebration smooth and enjoyable. One area for improvement could be increasing the variety of activities to better cater to different interests among the elderly. We also hope to involve more student volunteers in future events to create an even bigger impact. (Yes, we are on a lookout for more student volunteers- Join us!)

Moving forward, we aim to continue working with Marsiling SunLove AAC and explore other opportunities to give back to the elderly community. Whether through festive celebrations, regular visits, or interactive workshops, we want to keep spreading kindness and making a difference as a student body.

Unlocking AI Potential: Highlights from the Omnitool Hackathon

Unlocking AI Potential: Highlights from the Omnitool Hackathon

18 Dec 24 | All, World of Potential, Special Interest Club, Leadership & Development

The recent hackathon event has garnered overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants. The event, meticulously planned by a team of 20 club members – including 8 Excos and 12 subcommittee members from 3 departments – featured 20 group of 3 to 5 participants, totaling 80 enthusiastic participants.

A key highlight of the hackathon was the introduction of Omnitool.ai, a versatile software platform that integrates multiple AI tools and models and models into a single, user-friendly interface. Designed for users without extensive coding knowledge, Omnitool.ai supports tasks such as image generation, text analysis and data processing by incorporating AI services from providers like OpenAI, Google and Hugging Face. Participants expressed that the hackathon introduced them expanded their knowledge of AI and Omnitool, emphasizing the lessons in time management, project planning, and thriving under pressure. The event showcased the potential and significance of AI when utilized effectively, demonstrating its practical applications in today’s industry. Participants expressed their intention to incorporate Omnitool into their daily lives, highlighting the event’s tangible impact on their professional lives.

 

Beyond technical skills, the hackathon provided valuable networking opportunities, a panel discussion and dedicated networking sessions allowed participants to connect with the Omnitool team and special guests from Mata and Hiverlab. These interactions offered insight into the evolving landscape of AI development and practical advice from industry experts. To recognize outstanding teams, prizes awarded to the top 3 teams with the most creative ideas. All participants received certificates of participation, which they can showcase on LinkedIn or include in their professional portfolios. This recognition not only rewarded their hard work but also added value to their professional credentials.

SIM IT Club hosts at least one hackathon annually and actively shares external hackathon opportunities with members through our club’s Telegram channel. Notable events shared include those from AngelHack which often collaborates with major companies. Recent examples are AngelHack and DSTA BrainHack, providing students with diverse experiences in the hackathon ecosystem. The primary objective of this hackathon was to encourage students to develop innovative ideas using Omnitool.AI. Additionally, the event aims to facilitate meaningful panel discussion and networking opportunities with the Omnitool Co-founders, Creative Technologies Ex-strategic at Meta and two special guests from Mata and Hiverlab. This collaboration and the event’s success highlight out commitment to fostering innovation, learning and professional growth among our members. We look forward to continuing this tradition and creating more impactful experience for our students in the future.

Growing from the Inside Out: EQuip Leadership Camp’24

Growing from the Inside Out: EQuip Leadership Camp’24

18 Dec 24 | All, Student Leadership, Leadership & Development

The EQuip Leadership Camp 2024 embraced a fresh and meaningful approach by integrating a theme inspired by the movie Inside Out 2. This year’s camp underscored the idea that effective leadership starts from within, emphasizing that leaders, like everyone else, are human—complete with emotions that guide their decisions and actions.

For the first time, Student Development (SDev) empowered student leaders to take the reins in planning and running the camp, with SDev staff providing support as facilitators and managing logistics. The camp’s focus on emotional intelligence (EQ) reflected the importance of self-awareness in leadership. Participants explored how understanding their own emotions could help them better manage their clubs and the diverse working styles of their members.

 

Day 1: Connecting and Understanding

The camp began with icebreakers and team-building activities designed to establish trust and connection among participants. Leaders from various clubs came together to share their expectations and set the tone for the days ahead. A surprise fire drill added a spark of excitement, while the lessons that followed laid a foundation of self-awareness, highlighting the core leadership values of empathy, communication, and resilience.

The first day ended with an early wrap-up, allowing leaders to rest and recharge for the challenges to come. This moment of pause reflected the camp’s theme: understanding that effective leadership requires balance—between drive and rest, ambition and reflection.

 

Day 2: Stepping Beyond Comfort Zones

Day two was the most physically and mentally challenging, pushing leaders to step out of their comfort zones. Clad in maroon EQuip tees, participants travelled to HomeTeamNS to tackle high and low-element challenges. These activities emphasized not just physical strength but also emotional resilience, as leaders had to communicate and collaborate effectively under pressure.

Beyond the physical tasks, traveling and working in teams deepened bonds, reinforcing the importance of emotional intelligence in building strong relationships. The day continued back on campus with an Amazing Race, further testing both the participants’ teamwork and endurance.

The night’s highlight was a 5km night walk near Bukit Batok hiking trail, where leaders reflected on their leadership journeys and vulnerabilities. They were encouraged to discuss questions such as their greatest achievements and what they would like to change within their clubs. This exercise allowed participants to express themselves openly, recognizing that great leaders are also those who understand and embrace their emotions. The day ended with a comforting cup-noodle supper sponsored by SDev, a moment of shared connection after a long, challenging day.

 

Day 3: Reflecting and Celebrating Growth

On the final day, participants had the opportunity to reflect on the leadership theories they had learned throughout the camp. The afternoon brought the much-anticipated campfire performances, where each team demonstrated the theme of the camp through skits. Each scenario involved real-life situations student leaders might face—such as leading an exco meeting for the first time or navigating budget approvals—and portrayed different emotions, from joy to frustration. These skits symbolized the complex emotional landscapes leaders navigate, reminding everyone that leadership is as much about managing emotions as it is about managing tasks.

The campfire, set against the scenic rooftop of Block A, created an intimate and reflective atmosphere. Participants gathered around a makeshift fire, sharing stories and celebrating their collective growth. Prizes were awarded to the winning teams, and the camp ended on an energetic note with a group Zumba session, leaving leaders refreshed and united.

 

Through the EQuip Leadership Camp, participants were reminded that great leadership begins with self-awareness and emotional intelligence. By learning to recognize and manage their emotions, they became better equipped to lead with empathy and resilience.

If you’re ready to embark on your own leadership journey, join one of our SIM clubs today! Register with your SIM email via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/pR6A2mtStc

Achieving New Heights with Mu’tasim

Achieving New Heights with Mu’tasim

16 Feb 23 | All, World of Potential, Special Interest Club, Student Leadership, Leadership & Development

Achieving New Heights with Mu’tasim

Engaged and involved in clubs ranging from International Affairs Society and Singapore Affairs Society, Mu’tasim was a stellar student in SIM who always found the time to both indulge his interests and create opportunities for his fellow club students to shine in their respective club activities. Read through this article and learn more about how he kept himself motivated in his time with us!