In this episode of the IEx Podcast, I speak with  Dr Lim Chee Han, Senior Lecturer at NUS College, as he demystifies Service‑Learning—showing how it goes beyond volunteering by weaving critical reflection, academic rigor, and genuine partnership into coursework. Dr Lim tackles the curriculum challenges of workload, learning‑outcome alignment, and authentic community impact, while revealing the transformative potential for students to become lasting change‑makers.

This episode highlights how rural communities in Pong Sayaen, Thailand, and Budeng Village, Bali, are tackling environmental and economic challenges through partnerships with NUSC student groups. Together, they are working toward sustainable livelihoods, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship across Southeast Asia’s diverse landscapes

While academic achievements are highly emphasized in the education system, many Vietnamese youths face challenges developing essential soft skills such as public and intercultural communication, leadership, critical problem-solving and lateral thinking. This gap leaves many young Vietnamese underprepared for the demands of the global workplace. In this episode, we spotlight a group of three NUSC undergraduates collaborating with community partners in Trà Vinh to conduct workshops to help local youth build essential skills, empowering them for future success.  

Southeast Asia faces a waste crisis as rapid urbanization, consumption and tourism puts pressure on already limited waste management and recycling resources.   In this episode, two undergraduate students discuss their respective initiatives to improve waste management capacities through infrastructure enhancement and education in Cambodia and Sabah.  

Greenery has long been integral to the Singaporean government’s urban planning agenda.  Incorporating parks and green corridors throughout the city-state has underscored its reputation as a “Garden City.”  Community gardens have served as vibrant spaces that provide respite while promoting sustainability, wellness and small-scale food production.  But what are the challenges faced by those who cultivate these gardens?  How can students contribute to these endeavours?  Three NUSC undergraduates speak about their engagement with community gardeners in Singapore.

Period poverty is the challenge of accessing affordable menstrual hygiene products and facilities. It is a problem that affects many women and girls, even in affluent societies like Singapore where the stigma surrounding menstruation often leads to silence and embarrassment. Two NUS College students describe their efforts to work with local community partners in confronting this important issue. 

The island of Bali lies within the Coral Triangle, an area of incredibly rich biodiversity that sustains the world's oceans.  The marine ecosystem there faces numerous climatic and man-made threats.  Three NUSC undergraduate students go beneath the waves to utilize local knowledge and coconut husk to confront this pressing issue.  

Stateless people, who are not recognized as nationals of any country,  do not have access to basic rights to education, healthcare, employment, and legal protection.  Two groups of NUSC undergraduate students are looking to collaborate with community partners to contribute towards the empowerment of stateless communities in Chiang Mai and Sabah.

Two million kilograms of food is discarded in Singapore every day.  Two groups of NUSC undergraduate students are collaborating with industry and community partners on implementing practical and organic approaches towards tackling the food waste problem in the city-state.

The relationship between elephants and their human custodians in Thailand are ancient and complex.  Over the years, significant attention has been placed on the physical well-being of both animals and humans.   Four NUSC undergraduate students share their experiences collaborating with local communities to advance the welfare of elephants and their mahouts in the "Land of Smiles."

Confronting the stigma of bamboo as a 'poor man's material', a group of students discuss their endeavour to advance youth empowerment by promoting bamboo-based agribusiness in the Philippines.

Working with Filipino bamboo artisans, six undergraduate students discuss their plans to facilitate youth-oriented cultural awareness workshops in Laguna, Philippines.