The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is organising a day-long carnival for the first time to kick off the new academic year for 6,400 freshmen.
Instead of the usual freshmen orientation camp, the university's students have organised for the incoming juniors a festival with highlights such as a concert and a 4.8km run through Singapore's Civic District. It will also raise funds for needy ITE students.
The NTU Fest will be held from 2pm to 9pm at the Padang on Saturday, Aug 16, about two weeks after school opens next month.
By having a common event instead of separate faculty and co-curricular activities, the festival aims to unite students and alumni across NTU, said organising chairman Wu Guo Yi, 22.
"I also thought of a close friend in university and how she struggled to pay her school fees at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE)," said the final-year chemistry undergraduate.
Based on her suggestion, the event will raise funds for needy ITE students.
The Straits Times is involved in the festival as a media partner. Sponsors and partners have already given a sum of $100,000.
The highlights of the event include performances by two Korean stars - rapper Kang Hee Gun and female singer Jung In.
Kang is known to many fans as Kang Gary from the popular variety show Running Man, where he is a regular cast member.
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat will launch the event, which is open to the public.
He will also flag off the 5TYLO MILE-O Run, which will take runners from Esplanade Park along the Singapore River, through Fort Canning Hill and back to the Padang.
It costs $10 to register for the run. The first 300 people to register will receive mosh pit passes for the evening concert.
Ms Wu said NTU students have shown "strong support", and this will "also foster closer ties and goodwill between our two institutions."
"As university students, we are privileged to receive a first-class education and we should do our best to give others a leg up too on their education journey."
In a statement by the university yesterday, NTU provost Freddy Boey said: "This festival is a great way for our students to take the lead by being role models for current and future NTU students to care for our community by raising money for needy ITE students."
Student groups from both NTU and ITE will be running the carnival booths, which will offer a range of food and games.
