GUA Together - Alumni Event May 2026
The Global Undergraduate Awards proudly hosted its first international event, bringing together alumni, university partners and friends of the Awards in Singapore for an evening of connection, collaboration and shared purpose.
Held at the iconic Shangri-La Singapore, the event marked an important milestone for the Global Undergraduate Awards as we continue to strengthen one of the world’s most diverse and accomplished undergraduate alumni communities. With alumni now spanning more than 120 countries and representing every academic discipline, GUA Together builds on our already strong network to foster meaningful relationships that extend well beyond the Awards programme itself.
The Singapore gathering welcomed alumni from across Southeast Asia, alongside representatives from our partner universities, members of the GUA community and guests committed to advancing undergraduate excellence and early talent recognition. Throughout the evening, attendees shared their personal journeys since participating in the Awards, discussed emerging opportunities within their fields and explored how the GUA network can continue to support students and graduates throughout their careers.
When I won a GUA award in 2023, I remember how surreal it felt to suddenly find myself part of this incredibly international and interdisciplinary community, all deeply passionate about their own fields and ideas. Then in 2024, when I was fortunate enough to return again as a Global Winner, what surprised me was realising that the thing I looked forward to most wasn’t actually the award itself. It was going back to that atmosphere.
Keynote & Featured Speakers
We were honoured to welcome Sarah McGrath, Ambassador of Ireland to Singapore and Patron of the Irish Chamber of Commerce Singapore, who delivered the keynote address and officially launched the Singapore Chapter of GUA Together.
Drawing on her experience in diplomacy and international engagement, Ambassador McGrath spoke about the vital role of global collaboration, the transformative power of education and the importance of investing in emerging talent. Her inspiring address reflected the values at the heart of the Global Undergraduate Awards, highlighting how international communities can nurture future leaders, encourage cross-cultural exchange and create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.
Nurul Syahirah Nadirah Noorrisham (“Nadirah”), Co -Chair of the Singapore Chapter of GUA Together, shared her remarkable journey through the Global Undergraduate Awards community.
First recognised as a Highly Commended entrant in the Literature category in 2023, Nadirah travelled to Dublin for her first Global Undergraduate Summit, where she immersed herself in the experience, learning from fellow participants and Global Winners. Inspired by what she witnessed, she returned home with a renewed determination to push her work even further.
That ambition was realised in 2024 when she was named the Global Winner in Literature, while also earning two additional Highly Commended awards for entirely separate pieces of work. Nadirah’s story is one of resilience and continual growth. A powerful testament to what can be achieved when talent is matched with perseverance.
Haajar Binte Arman, Co-Chair of the Singapore Chapter of GUA Together, brought to the event the thoughtful perspective of a scholar whose work has already earned international recognition.
2024 Regional Winner for Asia in Politics & International Relations, Haajar’s academic interests are grounded in critical thinking, global awareness and a deep engagement with the systems that shape our world. Alongside her academic achievements, she shared a story that perfectly captures the spirit of the Global Undergraduate Awards community.
Although both Haajar and Nadirah studied at the same university, it wasn’t until they met at the 2024 Global Undergraduate Summit in Dublin that they truly connected. Returning home to Singapore, they continued that friendship on campus—a relationship that has since grown into a shared commitment to leading the Singapore Chapter together. Their story is a reminder that the Global Undergraduate Awards creates more than recognition; it builds lasting connections that transcend borders and continue long after the Summit has ended.
Hopefully, over the coming months the chapter becomes a space to meet for conversations, with opportunities to collaborate and form friendships through ideas and meaningful connections across disciplines and experiences.
