IGP Hari Raya Celebration 2026

The IGP Hari Raya Celebration 2026 on 31 March has brought together students, faculty, and staff in a joyful gathering to commemorate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, fostering a strong sense of community and cultural appreciation.

The event commenced with welcome addresses by distinguished faculty members, setting a warm and inclusive tone for the celebration. Attendees were then treated to a vibrant cultural performance by Nusa Sarjana, which showcased the richness of traditional heritage and added a lively atmosphere to the occasion.

Following the performance, guests enjoyed a selection of festive refreshments while engaging in interactive activities and meaningful conversations. The celebration also featured an exciting games and lucky draw segment, which added an element of fun and anticipation for participants.

The Hari Raya celebration served not only as a festive gathering but also as a platform to strengthen bonds, promote inclusivity, and celebrate the diversity within IGP.

We appreciate all who participated and contributed to the success of this event.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Chinese New Year Celebration 2026

Our Chinese New Year Celebration 2026 on 26 February 2026 was held in a lively and festive atmosphere as staff and students gathered to usher in the Year of the Horse together.

The event commenced with inspiring welcome speeches by our leadership, setting a positive tone for the year ahead. A highlight of the celebration was the vibrant Lion Dance performance, whose movements symbolised strength, courage, and prosperity. The lively performance added energy and festive cheer to the occasion.

The celebration concluded with a lunch reception, providing a wonderful opportunity for staff and students to interact, strengthen connections, and celebrate the new year in a warm and collegial setting.

We wish the Year of the Horse bring vitality, determination, and continued achievements to everyone!

IGP Welcome Back To School & Orientation 2026

IGP Welcome Back to School & Orientation.

At the start of the term, on 06 January 2026, we welcomed both our current and new Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme (IGP) students at the Welcome Back to School & Orientation January 2026. The session provided a great opportunity to reconnect, meet new faces, and get oriented for the academic year ahead.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the session a meaningful and welcoming start to the year. We wish all our students a fulfilling and successful academic journey ahead!

The PGR Day 2026 served as an excellent platform for developing the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to a general audience. Beyond the individual presentations, it fostered mutual learning by allowing participants to gain insights into different approaches and practices for presenting research in a concise yet professional manner. The cross-disciplinary exchange of ideas made the experience enriching, and I would strongly encourage more postgraduates to participate in such platforms to further develop both their research communication and presentation skills. 

Through a socio-technical and human-centred approach, my study explores how VR experiences can be more thoughtfully and intentionally designed for this group. Drawing on interviews with young seniors, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, the research examines how factors such as design, technology, environment, and support structures collectively shape the VR experience. Ultimately, the goal of this work is to develop practical design strategies that can support safer, more meaningful, and emotionally supportive VR interventions in dementia care. 

 

IGP PhD candidate Zhaoyi Ma has won the First Prize in the Postgraduate Prizes at the 26th NZASIA Biennial International Conference in Auckland, New Zealand, for her paper “Translation of Visualising True Form in Late Qing China: Geometry, Craft, Light, and the Emergence of a New Epistemology in Qixiang Xianzhen (1872).” The study reexamines Qixiang Xianzhen, a 1872 Chinese translation of British engineering drawing produced at the Jiangnan Arsenal, showing how “visualising true form” was reworked through projection, light, measurement, and procedure to reshape visual knowledge and epistemic authority in late Qing China. 

A Painter in a Business School: Studying Humans, Algorithms, and Operations: One Problem at a Time

Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme (IGP) was honoured to host Assistant Professor Vivek Choudhary from Nanyang Business School (NBS) on 20 April 2026, for an engaging talk on his journey from engineering and consulting to academia. Drawing from his experience, he shared how many real-world challenges are not purely technological, but deeply behavioural.

The talk explored how humans interact with technology across different domains—including delivery platforms, policing, and healthcare systems—and highlighted how these interactions shape decision-making in complex environments. Prof Vivek also discussed broader questions on the future of work, including the role of AI, trust in algorithms, and the potential for bias in automated systems.

Beyond research, he offered candid insights into academic life, sharing perspectives on managing a PhD programme and navigating the doctoral journey.

Our students greatly appreciated the opportunity to engage with Assistant Professor Vivek and gained valuable insights into how to approach real-world problems by combining technology with an understanding of human behaviour. The session also encouraged students to think critically about the impact of technology on society and to consider how interdisciplinary skills can shape meaningful research and careers.

It was genuinely fulfilling to see over 70 attendees come together for this informative and inspiring Colloquium session.

Beyond Accuracy: What Business Research Studies About AI

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme (IGP) was delighted and honoured to host Assistant Professor Yao Jiayu from Nanyang Business School (NBS) for the colloquium titled “Beyond Accuracy: What Business Research Studies About AI” on 24 March 2026.

Assistant Professor Yao shared her research on the economics of information systems, highlighting how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping businesses, labor markets, and decision-making processes. She traced the evolution from predictive AI to generative AI, emphasizing that the impact of AI extends beyond technical performance to include organizational, behavioral, and societal dimensions.

The session explored key tensions such as automation versus augmentation, and the risks of over-reliance on AI, including the erosion of human expertise. Moving into the era of generative AI, she discussed its growing role as a collaborator in work and learning, while also addressing emerging challenges such as misinformation, governance, and platform competition.

Our students greatly appreciated the opportunity to engage with Assistant Professor Yao and gained valuable insights on how AI is transforming not just how decisions are made, but how work itself is performed—offering much for researchers, practitioners, and students to reflect on.

It was genuinely fulfilling to see over 90 attendees come together for this informative and inspiring Colloquium session.

Graduate College came together to celebrate the dedication, passion, and hard work of our student leaders and members at the IGP Student Club Appreciation Ceremony held on 24 September 2025

We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the 11th committee for your invaluable contributions. 💐 and a warm welcome to the 12th committee for embarking on this exciting new journey! 🌟

The event was filled with gratitude, camaraderie, and inspiration, a true reflection of the vibrant student spirit. We look forward to another exciting year ahead!! 🎉🙌

🎉IGP Year-End Celebration 2025🎉

The IGP Year-End Celebration marked the close of 2025 with a cosy and enjoyable lunch gathering involving both students and faculty on 02 December 2025. The event provided a meaningful opportunity for everyone to connect, reflect on the year’s activities, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon together.

We appreciate the support and participation throughout the year, and we look forward to creating more memorable moments in 2026. ✨

IGP Deepavali Celebration 2025

Our IGP community celebrated Deepavali on 22 October 2025 with warmth and joy. A celebration of light, laughter, and togetherness! ✨

The afternoon kicked off with a warm welcome speech by Prof Li Shuzhou, followed by a beautiful traditional Indian dance by NTU Graduate Students' Association and a singing performance by students from NTU Tamil Literary Society that set the mood for the celebration. 🎶💃

Everyone enjoyed a delicious spread of Indian cuisine — complete with a live prata station, where students could order fresh, crispy prata right on the spot! 😋

The celebration continued with some fun quizzes on Deepavali traditions, a lively lucky draw, and plenty of laughter and camaraderie. 🎁🎉

A big thank you to everyone who joined us in making this celebration a truly memorable one.

IGP Mid-Autumn Celebration 2025

On 9 October 2025, our Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme (IGP) community came together for a day of joy, culture, and connection. From mooncake tasting 🥮 to fun games and laughter, it was an event filled with festive vibes and meaningful moments. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made it unforgettable! 💛

Orientation And Welcome Back Session 2025

We were excited to welcome back our returning students and warmly greet our new students during the Orientation and Welcome Back 2025!

🌟 One of the key highlights of the day was the IGP Awards Ceremony – Year 1 to 3 students. These awards were given in recognition of students who have shown outstanding performance across academics and research progress👏

From inspiring speeches by our faculty to exciting updates and the IGP Award Ceremony, it was a meaningful day of connection, celebration, and community. 📚🌟

Here’s to a great start to the semester ahead! 💪📖

IGP Hari Raya Celebration 2025

💚On 8th April 2025,we celebrated a memorable Hari Raya event that brought together our students and staff for an afternoon filled with joy, laughter, and cultural appreciation. A delightful spread of Malay cuisine offered a taste of festive favourites, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. A key highlight of the celebration was Dikir Barat, the traditional Malay performing art that combines singing, rhythmic clapping, and poetry. 👏 🎶Another crowd favourite was an engaging quiz segment, designed to educate participants about Hari Raya in a fun and interactive way. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to deepen their understanding of the festive traditions while enjoying the spirit of togetherness. 🌙🕌

IGP Chinese New Year Celebration 2025

🎊 A Roaring Start to the New Year! 🧧

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating Chinese New Year on 5th February 2025! 🍊🍊 It was an unforgettable day, filled with joy, laughter, and good fortune. From mouthwatering food to mesmerizing lion dance performances, the excitement of Kahoot games, and the thrill of the lucky draw, the celebration was truly special. We hope everyone had as much fun as we did! 

Wishing everyone a year ahead filled with prosperity and success!🏮🎇

IGP Orientation January 2025

We are delighted to welcome a new batch of PhD students to our Interdisciplinary Graduate Program! ✨ Having their orientation on 07 Jan 2025. These bright minds are ready to embark on their academic journey, and we can't wait to see all they will achieve. 🔍

Congratulations to our Year 1 Winners for the IGP Academic Excellence Award!

The IGP Academic Excellence Award is awarded to IGP PhD students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements during their first year of candidature.

The winners of the award are Chen Xiaoqiao, Gan Ai Wei, Liang Jinxuan, Nayani Sudha Sindhuja and Ren Han. 

Congratulations to our IGP – Research Excellence Award Year 2 and 3 Winners!

The Research Excellence Award recognises IGP PhD students at NTU who have made outstanding research contributions during their studies. It honours original, innovative, and widely shared research that has made a meaningful impact on their field or on society

The winners of the award are Tang Yue from Year 2 and Fang Xiang, Hu Erhai and Muhammed Naeem Bin Muhammad Nadzri from Year 3.

Congratulations to Pei Jiaoying, our IGP student – Interdisciplinary Research Award Winner!

The Interdisciplinary Research Award is awarded to PhD students who have engaged in outstanding interdisciplinary projects among all IGP NTU PhD students.

The award acknowledges individual or collaborative research that integrate concepts or practices from various disciplines to address complex problems that extend beyond the boundaries of a single field.

Congratulations to Hu Chun-Po, our IGP student – Research Excellence Award Winner!

The Research Excellence Award is awarded to PhD students who attained significant research achievements during their studies at NTU among all IGP NTU PhD students.

The award acknowledges original, creative and widely disseminated student research with significant impacts on the field or society.

Dr Liu Qingxiang, an NTU alumnus who graduated in February 2024 under the Interdisciplinary Graduate Programme of Graduate College was one of the judges for The Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF)  which was held on March 11 at Singapore Expo Hall 3. During the judging process, he had the privilege of engaging with bright and passionate students who presented their research with remarkable clarity and enthusiasm. Their projects tackled global challenges and emerging trends, ranging from novel engineering solutions for sustainability to advancements in AI and cutting-edge aerospace technologies like eVTOL. The projects demonstrated impressive technical depth and creativity, and it was truly heartwarming to witness their passion for making a meaningful impact at such a young age.

The Singapore Science and Engineering Fair (SSEF) is an annual national competition organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Science Centre Singapore (SCS) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). It is affiliated to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), which is regarded as the Olympics of Science competitions. SSEF is an important platform for nurturing and recognising young talents in Singapore, essential for sustaining the future pipeline of our STEM workforce.

It was an honor for him to serve as a judge and witness the next generation of scientists and engineers take their first steps toward innovation.

Journey into the Living Brain: From Cerebellar Cognition to Aging Neuroscience

A heartfelt thank you to Prof. Chen for an insightful and thought-provoking session that truly broadened our understanding of the mind.

Securing the Mind and Body: Trustworthy Agent Systems Powered by Generative AI Models 

IGP is honoured to organise the colloquium, Securing the Mind and Body: Trustworthy Agent Systems Powered by Generative AI Models by Assoc Prof Zhang Tianwei on 08 September 2025.

Assoc Prof Zhang Tianwei specializes in building efficient and trustworthy computer systems. With over 200 publications and multiple distinguished paper and artifact awards, as well as the Best Editor Award from IEEE TCSVT in 2023.

In the colloquium, he has discussed the security challenges of vision-language model–driven agent systems, highlighting emerging threats such as adversarial attacks and prompt injections, and exploring strategies to strengthen their resilience.

Our students deeply appreciated the opportunity to learn from Assoc Prof Zhang and gained valuable insights from his expertise and perspectives.

It was genuinely fulfilling to see over 80 attendees come together for this informative and inspiring Colloquium session.

Data Science for Sustainability

IGP is honoured to organise the colloquium, Data Science for Sustainability by Prof Arnold Tukker on 02 June 2025.

Prof Arnold Tukker delivered powerful insights on the sustainability of EVs, bioplastics, and the urgent need for full life cycle thinking in the green transition.♻️Data science is key to cutting through greenwashing and guiding smarter decisions for policymakers, businesses, investors, and consumers alike. 📊💡

Our students greatly appreciated the opportunity to engage with Prof Tukker and gained valuable insights into the role of data science for sustainability.

It was truly rewarding to witness over 100 attendees join us, both online and in person, for this insightful and inspiring Colloquium session!

IGP Colloquium by Professor Yohanes Eko Riyanto

IGP was honored to invite Prof. Yohanes Eko Riyanto for an insightful talk on Behavioral Economics on 22 April 2025, unpacking why our decisions often defy logic — from procrastination to sticking with defaults.

Prof. Riyanto broke down key concepts like prospect theory, present bias, and bounded rationality — showing how real human behavior challenges traditional economics. Using real-world examples, he demonstrated how these ideas impact policy, finance, and daily life. It was a perfect session for anyone curious about the quirks of decision-making!

Our students had a great time interacting with Prof. Yohanes and gained a deeper understanding of the rationale behind their decision-making and behaviors.

It was genuinely fulfilling to see over 50 attendees come together for this informative and inspiring Colloquium session!

IGP Colloquium by Assistant Professor Matthew R. Foreman

On 11 April 2025, our IGP Student Club committee organised an IGP Colloquium and had the privilege of welcoming Asst. Prof. Matthew R. Foreman as our guest speaker.

In this colloquium, Asst. Prof. Matthew R. Foreman had discussed on nanophotonic platforms that use enhanced light–matter interactions for high-sensitivity single-molecule sensing and structural imaging. He has also addressed on the challenges posed by complex, dynamic biological environments and overcoming random scattering and losses in complex systems. He highlighted the importance of extract useful structural information and exploited it as a quantitative analysis tool.

The session has deepened our students' understanding of how advanced nanophotonic techniques enable high-sensitivity molecular sensing and structural imaging in complex biological environments by overcoming challenges. 

IGP Colloquium by Professor Dai Qing

On 18 February 2025, IGP has the honour to invite Prof Dai Qing as our guest speaker.

Prof. Qing Dai is a Distinguished Chair Professor and Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), China. He is a Fellow of Optica (OSA), TWAS, and the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) and has been recognized three times in China’s Top 10 Breakthroughs in Optics.

He has discussed on the topic of “Polaritons in two-dimensional materials”, where he has provided valuable perspectives nanomaterials’ photonic performance, including graphene plasmon-based nanophotonic devices and high-performance electron sources driven by ultrafast light field emission.

It was genuinely fulfilling to see over 100 attendees come together for this informative and inspiring Colloquium session!