Talent Development (Galileo)

A Student-development Programme

Every July, NYJCians who demonstrate exceptional character, academic excellence, and leadership potential are invited to join NYJC Galileo, one of the college’s most prestigious student development programmes. This programme aims to equip students with essential values and skills, fostering their growth into active global citizens ready to contribute meaningfully to society and achieve their fullest potential. To achieve this aim, NYJC Galileo collaborates with different Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) and college committees to organise and coordinate diverse workshops and activities throughout the year, tailored to meet students’ developmental needs.

One standout feature is the Crafting my Story of Self workshop, where Year Two Galileo students explore their values and strengths by sharing personal stories that define their identity and priorities.  Another notable highlight is the Galileo Fire-side Chat, usually held in May as a Zoom seminar. In 2023, NYJC Galileo alumni, Ms. Chew Jiahui (NUS Geography / URA Scholar) and Ms. Rachele Letchme Mohan (NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine / NUS Merit Scholarship), shared their university experiences, emphasising personal growth and providing insights into the advantages and challenges of scholarship opportunities.

Each year, two teams of Year Two Galileo students participate in the Nanyang Junior College – Braddell Heights CCC Community Leadership Programme (CLP), a six-month student-leadership initiative. This programme includes Block Visits and Meet-the-People Sessions, culminating in a project designed to enhance the lives of residents in the Braddell Heights community. In 2023, one team identified a decline in family bonding due to the pandemic and organised a Family Fair. This event featured engaging games and activities aimed at fostering meaningful connections between parents and children.

The Leadership Series, a flagship component of NYJC Galileo, invites accomplished individuals – such as entrepreneurs, poets, and corporate leaders – to share their journeys and achievements, inspiring students to pursue their passions. In Term 2 of 2024, for instance, Mr Edward Lim shared his leadership experiences across various organisations, including Wilmar International, one of Asia's leading agri-business groups, and his role on the COVID-19 Ministerial Taskforce at the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Previous speakers include Mr. Tong Yee, co-founder of The Thought Collective, and Mr Jason Wong, founder of the Yellow Ribbon Project and Dads for Life movement.

Reflections
Than Zheng Yu / class 1910
Scholarship: PSC Scholarship (Open)
Degree: Psychology
Uni: NUS

NYJC Galileo provides a transformative experience, nurturing holistic development and offering unique opportunities.  It is a programme that not only supports students in preparing for their future but also encourages them to develop a reflective mindset and a deeper understanding of their aspirations.

The advice I received from my mentor throughout the programme instilled in me a reflective mindset and provided personalised guidance relevant to my interests. This mindset allowed me to leverage on the multitude of opportunities presented to me throughout my journey in NYJC. Even today, it enables me to derive meaningful lessons from the various activities I participate in. Despite the hectic life of a student, the mentoring sessions I had helped me shift my attention beyond academics. Aware of my interest in psychology, my mentor provided valuable insights into potential career paths that would not typically be explored in a classroom setting. 

The many informative sharing sessions and opportunities, covering a wide range of topics, provided a platform for me to consider the various career paths. In my first year, I participated in the Criminal Behavioural Analysis Competition, which exposed me to a unique field of psychology. The sharing by then principal, Mr. Low Chun Meng, on public service also introduced me to a career that could integrate both my leadership experiences and my interest in psychology. Through these exposures to multiple future pathways, I was able to make an informed and confident decision about my direction, ultimately leading to a scholarship in the public service.

Galileo: Darren Ang Soon Peng
University: University of California, Los Angeles
Degree pursuing: Sociology
Scholarship awarded: Overseas Merit Scholarship / SAF Overseas Scholarship

Darren’s reflection on NYJC Galileo

NYJC Galileo, in my opinion, can be summed up in one word: Opportunity.

That was why I signed up for the programme, right after Orientation, despite hearing seniors' accounts of how hectic junior college life was going to get. I wanted to see more, do more, and take away an experience richer than the average junior college student's. Of course, obtaining a scholarship upon graduation was an aim of mine, but I'd decided that, scholarship or not, the opportunities in themselves were already worthwhile experiences.

From talks by overseas universities, SATs and interview workshops, to the National Day Rally, MINDEF Internship Programme and a six-month community leadership programme with Braddell-Heights CCC, SDP provided me with so many different opportunities that I would be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Beyond the opportunities provided, the teachers in NYJC Galileo Committee imbued in me the belief that I could compete with the best of them. Indeed, as I look back, I would have been a rather different individual if not for NYJC Galileo. As a parting shot, I just want to say that the opportunities will always be there, and in fact continue to increase, but whether you let them slip past or make the most of them in your two years in Nanyang Junior College – the decision is for you to make.

Galileo: Justin Ng Thian Huat
University: Imperial College London
Degree pursuing: Civil Engineering
Scholarship awarded: Singapore Government Scholarship (Open)

Justin’s reflection on NYJC Galileo
Kurt Hahn, the founder of Outward Bound School, once said: “There is more in us than we know if we could be made to see it; perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” Many Outward Bound schools use that quote to describe how their programmes change people’s lives for the better. Well, I could safely say the same for my experience in NYJC Galileo.

Being in NYJC Galileo has certainly exposed me to many things. The myriad of programmes, ranging from SAT Training to Personal Grooming workshops, had taught me many things which mere academic study could not. I have matured and become an analytical individual due to the talks that NYJC Galileo sends its students for. One example is the Temasek Dialogue held annually which discusses many issues such as the growth, sustainability and development of Singapore’s defence.

Moreover, one of the plus points about NYJC Galileo is its dedicated and effective team of teachers. The teachers in NYJC Galileo Committee will always go the extra mile to help their students. I was one of those who benefitted from their constant coaching.I remember that I was an individual who was really nervous and fidgety whenever it came to public speaking or interview sessions. The teachers would arrange mock interview sessions to better prepare me for interviews. The numerous coaching sessions have paid off as I have become a more confident individual who no longer stammers during interviews.

Lastly, my word of advice for those who are interested in being part of or who wish to find out more about NYJC Galileo: The two years in Junior College are crucial to your development. Joining NYJC Galileo is opening up a window of opportunity for you to become a more informed and mature individual. I made that step to join NYJC Galileo three years ago when I first stepped into Nanyang Junior College and to date, I have not regretted my choice as it developed me holistically. Even in National Service, I find the skills I learnt useful and applicable. In view of this, I hope that you will be able to benefit from joining NYJC Galileo, just like I did.

Further Information

Please approach Mr Chng Yongxi if you have any queries on NYJC Galileo and talent development in Nanyang JC. To find out more about the public service, please visit https://www.scholarships.gov.sg/, a website that brings together all information on public sector scholarships and public service careers on a single platform.