Singapore, 29 August 2015 

· K-pop girl group Dal Shabet and MediaCorp celebrities light up the night

· Record-breaking largest logo made of 10,000 photographs, made-in-NTU science and technology exhibition and art showcase to mark SG50

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students are holding their biggest public event of the year – NTU Fest – at the Promontory @ Marina Bay today. Comprising a day-long carnival, charity run and concert, the mega event celebrates Singapore’s Golden Jubilee and marks the start of NTU’s new academic year.

Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, will launch the event by unveiling NTU’s record-breaking NTU Fest logo formed by 10,000 photos of NTU students and the community. The photos – that took five months to put together to commemorate SG50 and will enter the Singapore Book of Records – surpass the previous record of more than 1,000 photos.

Mr Heng, who also chairs the Singapore50 (SG50) steering committee, will then launch the evening segment of the NTU Fest concert with a National Day song, accompanied by MediaCorp actress Rebecca Lim, NTU senior management and student performers.

Ms Tan Hui Jun, Chairperson of NTU Fest 2015 organising committee that has been working feverishly over the past year, said: “NTU Fest is a unique opportunity for the public to experience the richness and diversity of our university, as it showcases some of the best talents that we have at NTU.

“This year’s NTU Fest is particularly special as we also celebrate Singapore’s 50th birthday.  We hope this event will inspire people to see how far Singapore has come, and how bright the future looks with so many talented youths,” she added.

The student organisers’ final line-up of 50 carnival booths, 2,400 runners and a wide slate of local and international artistes attest to their hard work and success.

Celebrating Singapore’s Golden Jubilee

In celebration of SG50, the NTU students worked with the university to put together two exhibitions spanning a diversity of disciplines. An art exhibition features eye-catching art installations based on the theme of “SG50 and beyond”.

A science and technology exhibition presents more than a dozen made-in-NTU inventions. Among the innovations on display are interactive ageing technologies, cutting-edge medical devices and satellites designed and built by NTU students and researchers. NTU, which is driving to be at the forefront of electromobility research, is also showcasing a student-built car made out of 3D-printed parts, the NAVYA, Singapore’s first driverless vehicle, and BMW’s latest i8 hybrid sports car that runs on electricity and petrol and i3 electric car.

As a gesture to give back to the community, the students gathered more than 100 underprivileged children who have been mentored by NTU students and 41 needy families to participate in the charity run and spend the day at NTU Fest. In addition, proceeds from the registration fees for the run will go towards a two-year training programme in partnership with SportCares Foundation to promote character development in underprivileged youths. NTU students will mentor the youths and join them in swimming, sailing and windsurfing training.

Commenting on the students’ efforts, Associate Provost (Student Life), Associate Professor Kwok Kian Woon said: “I am proud of our students who have truly stretched their abilities and revealed new talents, as they give back to the community through this project. Given the huge scale of the event, not everything may run as smoothly as we would wish, but the students have proven yet again that they are up to the challenge. They have also showed us that they have big hearts. They have touched the lives of many disadvantaged children and families through this event and through their project to help the youths at SportCares.”

Star-studded line-up

(Photo provided by NTU Singapore)

Performing at NTU Fest this evening are Dal Shabet, one of K-pop’s most popular girl groups and more than a dozen Mediacorp’s hottest stars and deejays. MediaCorp is the Platinum Media Partner of NTU Fest.

Dal Shabet is scheduled to perform some of their most popular hits, including Supa Dupa Diva, B.B.B (Big Baby Baby), and Joker, the new title track from their latest album Joker Is Alive. 

(Photo provided by NTU Singapore)

Five of the Eight Dukes of Caldecott Hill – Ian Fang, Shane Pow, Romeo Tan, Jeffrey Xu, Zhang Zhen Huan – will also be out to entertain the crowd. In addition, appearing on stage with Rebecca Lim are Elvin Ng, Jeffrey Xu and Zhang Zhen Huan, who star in Channel 8’s latest drama serial, Sealed with a Kiss, plus the cast of Channel 5 drama, Tanglin – Nat Ho, Eswari Gunasagar, Elfaeza Ul Haq and Jae Liew.

The evening show will be hosted by 987FM deejays Gerald Koh and Joakim Gomez from the popular radio show, The Bro Code.

Carnival full of treats and attractions

The carnival booths run by NTU students and vendors feature a wide range of cuisines, games and fun activities for the whole family.

Making appearances at MediaCorp’s Toggle booth in the carnival are up-and-coming actresses Jayley Woo and Seraph Sun as well as actor Shaun Chen. Local comedians Alaric Tay and Chua Enlai from The Noose will also appear in character.

NTU Fest’s Gold Media Partner, The Straits Times, also has a booth at the NTU Fest carnival.

This is the second year that NTU Fest is being held. Last year’s inaugural event at the Padang attracted more than 8,000 people and featured a star-studded line-up headlined by K-pop stars Running Man’s Kang Gary and singer Jung In as well as MediaCorp artistes.