Striding Forward Together for a Good Cause

The Best Foot Forward fundraising initiative brings together the NTU community in support of the NTU Bursary and School Advancement Funds. This fundraising initiative was started in 2022 as part of the We Belong campaign organised by NTU’s University Advancement Office (UAO). The initiative encourages the NTU community to chip in by taking up running, walking, or cycling, keeping fit while doing good in locations all around the globe such as Melbourne, Batam, and Shanghai. 

This year’s campaign was the third edition, and it kicked off with the X Campus Run on 2 February, which was presented by the student-led NTU Runners’ Club. In April, the campaign saw participation from over 1,100 NTU alumni, staff, faculty, and students. Together, the participants recorded a total distance of over 73,000km by running, walking, or cycling, and raised more than S$180,000 for the NTU Bursary Fund and School Advancement Funds in support of student and school development. The total amount far surpassed 2023’s performance.

The NTU NBS Alumni Association participated by forming a group of our own, dubbed the NBS Kakis. We emerged as the top team, raising over S$10,000 in total. To top it off, NBS ranked first among all the participating schools, raising over S$37,000.

Participants at the Mumbai walkitecture tour

At the same time, we held multiple events in March to support the cause. NBS Alumni in Mumbai met up on 10 March 2024 for a walkitecture tour organised by NBS International Alumni representative Ritika Devidayal and enjoyed a breakfast networking session.

The morning walk in Bengaluru took place in Cubbon Park on 16 March.

On 16 March 2024, NBS International Alumni Representative Debashish Maity and fellow alumni in Bengaluru enjoyed a morning walk in the beautiful Cubbon Park. Located at the heart of the city, the Park is home to some 6,000 plants and trees, including several indigenous and exotic species. Participants had breakfast together on the day, and it was an excellent opportunity for networking as well.

NBS faculty, staff, and alumni embarked on a 7-kilometre walk through the city.

On the same day in Singapore, more than 40 participants from the NBS faculty, staff, and alumni community embarked on a six-kilometre route through the city. At the event, Interim Dean Prof Boh Wai Fong shared about the various funds available and the impact of the donations on school advancement and student development.

Best Foot Forward was also a feature in the Singapore-GoAlum Business Learning Trip. Jointly organised by NBS Alumni Relations and GoAlum group, the learning trip saw participants take part in an enriching programme of site visits and sharing sessions, but they also made time to contribute to Best Foot Forward.

Members of the Singapore-GoAlum Business Learning Trip doing their bit for Best Foot Forward

Participant Ji Ling commented on a 7-kilometre hiking event that was organised on the last day of the learning trip, saying: “It left a deep impression on me. Before the event, I was only familiar with the students of each class of our domestic EMBA, but this event connected me to alumni from all over the world.” Indeed, in doing good and keeping fit, Best Foot Forward also unites members of the NTU community by providing an opportunity for bonding.

Whether local or overseas alumni, NBS Alumni have been participating in Best Foot Forward actively, building bonds, and helping a good cause in the process. With such a successful campaign this year, we look forward to participating once again in 2025’s campaign and making great strides together.