SLAAN 2025: Celebrating Student Excellence and Leadership

On 9 July 2025, the SIM Student Development team proudly hosted the annual Student Leaders’ Awards & Appreciation Night (SLAAN) at the SIM Multi-Purpose Hall — an evening dedicated to celebrating their remarkable contributions to student life.

This year’s SLAAN recognised students who have gone above and beyond in leading clubs, mentoring peers, volunteering, and building a vibrant and inclusive campus community. Whether through event planning or peer support, their efforts have left a lasting impact on campus life.

✨ The Performance ✨

The celebration was elevated by performances from Esprimere Band, who performed “The Climb” and “Come Inside of My Heart,” and the SIM Guitar and Strings Ensemble, who presented “Beauty and the Beast” and “Fly Me to the Moon.”

Both groups captivated the audience with their heartfelt renditions.

✨ The Awards ✨

The evening was graced by Mr David Chua, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Council (NYC), who delivered an inspiring keynote on the power of youth leadership.

🎓 Awards Presented at SLAAN 2025: 

🏅 Impetus Award 
🌟 Impact Award 
🤝 Peer Mentoring Award 
📝 Certificate of Appreciation 
🏆 Excellence Award 
✨ Helm Award
🎉 Outstanding Event Award

These awards celebrate excellence across leadership, initiative, mentorship, and service — and reflect the heart, energy, and dedication our students bring to the SIM community.

“My biggest takeaway is to accept that you might not know all the answers. Your members may come to you for guidance and you are expected to be a rock. This can distort you to thinking that you are always right and only your way works.

Do not let that perception creep in, always be humble and open to new opinions and experiences.”

– Jees Adams, President of RMITSC

“Being in SIMAA helped me to hone my interpersonal skills by giving me the chance to be a part of a team and learn how to communicate effectively……I started to learn how to create teams and how to manage them so that we work as one functioning body to execute our goals.”

– Trevor Tan, President of Accounting Association

🌟 Congratulations to all awardees! 🌟

Your passion, resilience, and commitment continue to uplift and inspire those around you. As SIM continues to empower future-ready leaders, may your stories of service and leadership spark even more students to step forward and make a difference.

Links to full event photos:

Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HDvxsDbig/

Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/176VEsQuZ1/

Part 3: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1749yAiwxD/

A Day to Remember: The Junior Olympics!

27 May 25 | All, World of Potential, Student Leadership, Leadership & Development

A Day to Remember: The Junior Olympics!

This article was written by Bryden Chew, the In-Charge (IC) of The Junior Olympics Event and a member of the Community Involvement team representing the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Student Council.

The Junior Olympics, a sports day event, was specially curated for children from underprivileged backgrounds by the RMIT Student Council. A part of RMIT Student Council’s commitment is to give back to the community, hence the event was more than just a recreational activity. The initiative aimed to create joyful memories, foster confidence and ensure that every child felt valued and supported.

Purpose: Sports as a Catalyst for Joy and Confidence

The idea behind the Junior Olympics was to give the children the chance to play and make new friends. We worked closely with a third-party partner, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, to bring this vision to life and design a full day of sport activities, prizes and meaningful interaction. We believe that sports is a powerful tool to promote inclusion and teamwork. Many of the children may not have regular access to such opportunities, so giving them a day to shine meant more than we could have imagined.

Lasting Impact

For many children, this was their first experience participating in a sports event. Some expressed how it made them feel like they belonged, while parents and social workers shared how meaningful the event was in fostering inclusion and joy. It served as a powerful reminder that a few hours of thoughtfully planned fun can leave behind lasting, positive memories.

Overcoming Challenges: Driving Participation and Engagement

As with any initiative, the Junior Olympics encountered its share of challenges, particularly in garnering student involvement amidst a busy school calendar filled with competing events. The organising team adopted a multifaceted approach to raise awareness and sustain engagement. The organising team utilised social media campaigns, hosted smaller promotional activities and shared real stories to showcase the significance of the event. These strategies helped build awareness and encourage support across the school.

Improving the Process

While the Junior Olympics was a success, there are areas for improvement. Engaging stakeholders earlier and securing resources in advance would help streamline planning. Gathering feedback from participants and volunteers can also guide future enhancements.

Moving forward, using digital tools for coordination and expanding student outreach through class visits and peer promotion can boost participation and efficiency. These steps will help make future campaigns even more impactful and well-organised.

Looking Ahead

The success of the Junior Olympics has set the foundation for future initiatives. There are plans to make this an annual event, involving more student volunteers, community partners and sponsors. The long term goal is to continue fostering inclusion and empowerment for children who may otherwise be overlooked.

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.

Helping Children with Cleft Lips: A Student-Led Smile Asia Campaign

18 Dec 24 | All, World of Potential, Student Leadership

This article was written by Johnson Cheah and Mabel Sim Zhi Yi, representing the University of Stirling Student Council, who independently managed most of the operations for Smile Asia, a charity group that provides surgeries to change the lives of children with cleft lips. They hope their initiative inspires students of SIM to take the lead in similar projects and make a positive impact. Continue reading to discover their thoughts on how they started this project and their plans for the future!

Purpose: Doing Charity for a Change

This campaign is a chance for us to focus on giving back. Our decision to work with Smile Asia was inspired by an interview with our Student Council president, Johnson, who has interacted with several fundraisers with them in the past. He shared how impactful their work has been and why it aligns with our goals. Since this initiative is non-funded and led by first-year members, it is a great way to get involved in charity and community work that is cost-friendly while also helping students develop empathy and character outside of the classroom.

Supporting children with cleft lips is important because these surgeries not only improve their health but also help them feel confident and happy. We believe helping Smile Asia is a great way for us to make a positive impact.

Sustainability: Keeping the Campaign Going

Our campaign is designed to be low-cost and something we can manage without needing extra funding from the school. We are using social media and word of mouth to spread awareness about children with cleft lips. Our goal is to keep this campaign going in the future and to raise awareness so that people continue supporting Smile Asia, even after the event is over.

By making the campaign low-cost, we hope to repeat it every year, ensuring that we can keep helping Smile Asia long-term.

Beneficiary Impact: How the Campaign Helps

After one week of fundraising, we managed to raise approximately $1500, enough to cover the surgery for 3 children. The money we raised went directly to providing surgeries for children in need. Each donation helped a child receive life-changing treatment, allowing them to speak better, smile confidently, and live without the difficulties caused by a cleft lip. Additionally, we got students to write heartfelt messages on a mirror, the idea is to let the kids who have completed their surgery, see their new smile alongside the messages left by the student body.

Improving the Process: Making Future Campaigns Better

As we look ahead, there’s always room for improvement. We want to build stronger partnerships with local businesses to get more support, and we will work on getting more alumni and outside supporters involved. What worked for us was having an activity to interact with students and lecturers at the booth to design and share about our cause. What didn’t work for us is that we could have planned it during the school term and not the holidays. By reflecting on what works and what could be better, we can continue to grow and improve this campaign. Hopefully garnering more donations for future editions of our fundraiser.

Future Plans: Continuing to Work with Smile Asia

In the future, we plan to keep working with Smile Asia because of the incredible impact they make. This campaign has been successful, and we want to keep this partnership going. At the same time, we’re open to exploring other causes that need support, while still keeping Smile Asia as a priority.

Personal Stories: What Inspires Us

One story that touched us deeply was about a young girl who, because of her cleft lip, was excluded from school and her community. After receiving surgery through Smile Asia, she was able to return to school and live a happier life. Stories like this remind us of why we’re doing this campaign—to change lives, one surgery at a time.

Overcoming Challenges: Getting People Involved

Like all campaigns, ours has faced challenges. It’s not always easy to get students to support a cause, especially when many other events are happening in school. But we’ve worked hard to spread the word by using social media, holding small events, and sharing personal stories to show people why this cause is so important. These efforts have helped us keep students engaged and supportive.

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.

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.

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