Talent Development (Galileo)

Every year in July, NYJCians who have exhibited outstanding character, academic achievement and leadership potential, are invited into one of the most prestigious programmes in the college - NYJC Galileo. A top-student development programme, NYJC Galileo aspires to help students develop values and skills and become active global citizens who are keen to contribute to society as they learn to stretch their potential in life. To achieve this aim, NYJC Galileo partners with different Co-Curricular Activities, college committees and external organisations, to organise and coordinate a range of workshops and activities throughout the year to cater to the needs of different students.

Some highlights of the year include the Crafting my Story of Self workshop, where Year One Galileo students learnt to define their values and strengths through the articulation of stories, through which they communicate to their peers who they are and what matters most to them, and the Galileo Fire-side Chat, held in May in college. During the Fire-side Chat, two NYJC Galileo alumni, Ms Megan Teo (SMU Business Administration with double major in Global Asia / Lee Kong Chian Scholars Programme) and Mr Tan Ting Hui (NUS Computer Engineering / NUS Global Merit Scholarship) shared with our students about their undergraduate lives, the importance of curating personal development, and the pros and cons of scholarships.

Hoping to inspire and motivate students, various leaders in society - entrepreneurs, poets and company directors were invited to share their journey in achieving success in their different areas of passion under our Leadership Series. Last year, we had the privilege of having an alumnus, Mr Alfie Lim share with us his leadership experiences practicing law in a leading local and subsequently US law firm, and eventually joining the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to work on law and regulatory reform in financial services.

From March to July every year, two teams of Year Two Galileo students were also involved in the our Community Leadership Programme (CLP). A six-month long student-leadership programme, the CLP provides a range of experiences to participants, such as sharings by the Social Service Office and Serangoon Moral Family Service Centre. Through these involvement, participants plan and carry out a project to improve the lives of residents in the Braddell Heights community. Besides providing service to the wider community, the CLP also helps students develop qualities such as empathy, flexibility and teamwork. Last year, after consulting block advisors and grassroots leaders, one team organised Project Under the Stars - an astronomy-themed block party with the NTU Astronomy Club to promote family bonding. Featuring stargazing booths, a family constellation walk, and dinner under the stars, the Galileo students received glowing feedback as residents enjoyed their first hands-on astronomy experience together.

Reflections 

Than Zheng Yu / class 1910
Scholarship: PSC Scholarship (Open)
Degree: Psychology
University: 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.

Gabriel Tan Teng Liang / class 2026
Scholarship: PSC Scholarship (Open)
Degree: Geography
University: NUS

For me, the Galileo programme was a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, I was introduced to the workings of the Public Service through the various leadership seminars and small-group dialogue sessions with school leaders organised for Galileo members. I was also paired with a mentor who gave me concrete directions I needed to take to apply for the Public Service Scholarship. In my application, former principal, Mr Low and other school leaders provided me with one-on-one mentoring to expand my understanding of what it means to serve in public office. I am extremely grateful for these moments and the dedicated staff in charge of the Galileo programme, as they have shaped my worldview and primed me to consider life after JC.

The programme developed me holistically, allowing me to understand that my role as a student transcends the academic context, and extends to my wider community. There are many opportunities to engage with community stakeholders, and to be more in tune with society through the course of the programme. If there were one takeaway from the programme, it would be servant leadership. We must be careful not to exercise a form of self-serving leadership that detracts from the needs of people on the ground. The Galileo programme has enabled me to be a more perceptive leader, and more importantly, a more concerned member of society.

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.