NUS Hosts Youth-Led Regen Asia Summit for Ecosystem Revitalization and Community Empowerment
The Regen Asia Summit (RAS) 2025 began at the National University of Singapore (NUS) on July 4, focusing on environmental and social revitalization through regenerative practices. The summit is part of the university’s 120th-anniversary celebrations and attracted approximately 600 attendees, including 31 student leaders from the ASEAN region, who aimed to explore strategies for restoring ecosystems.
Collaborative Environment and Global Leadership Engagement
The event provided a collaborative environment for participants to engage with around 100 global leaders and innovators, including members from indigenous communities. Discussions centered on interdisciplinary approaches to socio-environmental challenges, with an emphasis on developing intergenerational solutions to empower youth and enhance skills for sustainable network building.
Organizational Structure and Student Leadership
Organized entirely by a team of 31 ASEAN students and led by final-year students Misha Rajendran and Brendan Toh from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the summit involved comprehensive planning that encompassed programming, speaker outreach, logistics, and sponsorship.
Themes and Focus Areas
Under the theme “Intergenerational Collaboration for Regeneration,” the summit featured nearly 50 panel discussions, fireside chats, showcases, and workshops across six focus areas: Culture & Society, Ecology, Economy, Governance & Civil Society, Built Environment, and Life & Wellbeing. This initiative aims to promote holistic solutions that prioritize not only sustainability but also the active restoration and rejuvenation of ecosystems and communities.
Keynote Insights from Leadership
A notable session included a fireside chat with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who provided insights for aspiring young leaders. As the Chancellor of NUS, President Tharman highlighted the value of platforms like RAS for student leaders to conceptualize sustainable development pathways that balance societal needs with environmental considerations.
NUS Commitment and Future Expectations
The Regen Asia Summit aligns with NUS’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and service over its 120-year history. NUS President Tan Eng Chye acknowledged the efforts of student leaders to address pressing issues in environmental protection and social resilience, reflecting on their potential to inspire a new generation of youth leadership for tackling global challenges.
Precursor to the Asian Undergraduate Symposium
The summit also serves as a precursor to the Asian Undergraduate Symposium (AUS) 2025, which aims to engage diverse stakeholders, promote collaboration across Asia, advocate for actionable changes, and influence policy directions. Scheduled to take place from July 7 to July 19, 2025, the AUS will welcome 300 undergraduates from over 50 ASEAN partner universities as part of the NUS-AUN (ASEAN University Network) Summer Camp.
(Source: NUS News)
