To reinforce SUSS connections with the community, our Service-Learning (SL) team held the annual Community Partner Appreciation and Dialogue Session for over 75 partners in appreciation of our common vision to impact lives.
All smiles from the Community Partner Appreciation & Dialogue session 2023 participants!
With an apt theme of ‘Reciprocity’, Professor Robbie Goh, SUSS Provost, kickstarted the session by expressing gratitude to the strong community partnerships that have enabled the university to co-create meaningful experiences for our students to do social good. He emphasised that a healthy ecosystem for service-learning in SUSS entails all stakeholders having equitable opportunity and voice in SUSS courses and programmes. Referencing Stanton’s Principle of Reciprocity, which aims to level power relations and ensure humility and respect in the act of service, Professor Goh encouraged all to reflect on their own experiences of what they believe reciprocal partnership looks like in reality.
Professor Robbie Goh sharing insights with our community partners.
A lively panel discussion moderated by Ms Cynthia Chang, Assistant Dean, SUSS College of Interdisciplinary & Experiential Learning (CIEL), about the concept of reciprocity ensued. Speakers of diverse backgrounds and experiences were featured, including: Dr Wong Sweet Fun (Senior Consultant, Geriatric Medicine; Deputy Chairman, Medical Board, Community Care & Population Health; and Clinical Director, Population Health & Community Transformation at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Health), Mr Edward Tang (Assistant Manager, Care Corner Seniors Services Limited), Dr Caroline Lim (Head of SUSS Organisation and Leadership for Non-Profits Programme) and Ms Charlene Chua (SUSS full-time Year 3 Marketing undergraduate).
The panel discussion deconstructed the concept of reciprocity using the context of education, healthcare, community and student projects. Participants were given insights into the complexities of the stakeholder ecosystem and the importance of collaborative goals and agendas.
Panel discussion on deconstructing reciprocity - From left to right: Ms Cynthia Chang, Professor Robbie Goh, Mr Edward Tang, Dr Wong Sweet Fun, Ms Charlene Chua, and Dr Caroline Lim.
Community partners, SUSS alumni, current SUSS student leaders and various SUSS Head of Programmes were then invited to reconstruct reciprocity by sharing their perspectives and ideas on the possibilities of the partnerships that can flourish between all stakeholders.
Participants engaging in deep sharing and discussions at each table.
Ms Tan Hui Yin, Senior Assistant Manager of Community Operations, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, shared, “The group discussion was helpful as I got to see how the challenges that SUSS faced with their partnerships were overcome by dialogue, and the genuineness that they share in the partnerships and relationships with one another.”
Creative illustrations of the panel and dialogue discussions by Ms June Yeo of Artese Studios.
The event culminated in the opportunity for students to feature their projects in collaboration with their community partners. Student leaders from projects such as Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges (BBBB), SUSS WILDSMarines, Children’s Cancer Foundation YouthConnect x SUSS Outdoor Adventure Interest Group, S.G.E Association, Project Colour the Rainbow and The More We Get Together, alongside their community partner mentors, shared more about their projects with attending guests.
Student leaders and their Community Partner mentors in action, sharing more about their projects.
As SL shifts its service-learning programmes into the credit-bearing space, more valuable sharing and insights catalyse conversations about how reciprocal partnerships are envisioned. The team takes this opportunity to thank all community partners for their efforts in mentoring and supporting students in their community engagement initiatives.
Learn more about SUSS’ Service-Learning.