NUS Law alumni celebrate new home at Kent Ridge

NUS Law alumni gathered on 25 July 2026 to celebrate the Faculty’s return to NUS’ Kent Ridge campus after nearly two decades at the Bukit Timah campus.

The event brought together alumni from the inaugural Class of 1961 to the Class of 2026 to reconnect with one another, reacquaint themselves with their alma mater at its new home, and witness the unveiling of a commemorative artwork that marks a new chapter for NUS Law.

Celebrating continuity and change

In his opening remarks, NUS Law Dean Professor Andrew Simester reflected on the Faculty’s rich heritage dating back to 1957, while looking ahead to its future.

Recalling that it has been 70 years since the Faculty’s first Dean, Professor Lionel Sheridan, was appointed to establish a new law school at the University of Malaya at the Bukit Timah Campus, Professor Simester said the return to Kent Ridge marked a new chapter for NUS Law.

“Location does not define an institution. Our values and people do,” he said. The move to Kent Ridge, he noted, better positions the Faculty to prepare students for an increasingly complex world reshaped by technology and geopolitical shifts as “being part of the wider NUS community creates more opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and innovation, while allowing our students to enjoy a more connected and vibrant university experience”.

Professor Simester also reflected on NUS Law’s enduring mission to develop legal talent for Singapore, highlighting how NUS alumni have helped build and administer the country’s legal system. This legacy was celebrated in a specially produced video paying tribute to students, faculty and staff who have shaped NUS Law over the past seven decades.

The optimism about the new campus was shared by alumni from more recent and earlier cohorts.

Ms Shyrie Chopra ’22, who attended the event to catch up with her former classmates and explore the new campus, is excited about the opportunities for NUS Law students.

“When I found out about the move, I thought ‘how lucky these students are’. My advice is to look beyond just the law school. You will discover lots of new friends and activities, and you will come to realise as you move into legal practice how valuable connections outside law school can be,” said the former resident of Residential College 4.

Mr Ho Jun Yi, ’11 added that the Faculty’s integration to the rest of NUS creates more opportunities for collaboration and an enriched student life. “Being closer to the rest of the University creates more opportunities to interact with students and faculty from different disciplines. But wherever NUS Law is located, the sense of fraternity will always remain,” he said.

Throughout the afternoon, alumni got a glimpse of the Faculty’s new home during the campus tour, including its iconic library and moot court.

A highlight of the event was a symbolic human chain around the Oculus, the architectural landmark at the entrance to Faculty grounds. Alumni stood in order of graduation year to create a visual spectacle that underscored the enduring bonds within the community across seven decades. Law graduates across the years connected with one another through a symbolic band of seven alternate red and gold ribbons tied together, each representing a decade of NUS Law’s history.

Finally, the gathering also saw the unveiling of “NUS Law: A New Chapter at University Town”, a commemorative photomosaic comprising graduation class photos that celebrates the Faculty’s heritage and future.

This story was first published on 31 July 2026. Click here for more NUS News stories.