From left: Yim Zheng Long, Chan Rae Lynn and Dafa Briliant Herdiansyah at USLS 2026
CEE students Chan Rae Lynn, Dafa Briliant Herdiansyah and Yim Zheng Long attended the 14th University Scholars Leadership Symposium (USLS) hosted in Bangkok from 4 to 7 August 2026. The symposium broadened their perspectives on the role of engineering in addressing societal and global challenges.
Through talks, workshops and interactions with delegates from around the world, the students gained new perspectives on leadership, sustainability and social impact. The experience highlighted how addressing complex challenges requires more than technical expertise, reinforcing the importance of empathy, community engagement and cross-sector collaboration in creating meaningful and sustainable solutions.
Reflecting on the experience, Rae Lynn said: “The symposium showed me the power of authentic connections which can be achieved through advocacy and storytelling. Hearing the founder of the Save the Elephant Foundation share her journey emphasised that meaningful change starts locally and with an open heart. This reshaped my understanding of how we can communicate with different organisations and individuals to build genuine trust and support.”
Discussions on climate resilience, sustainable development and infrastructure also encouraged the students to think more deeply about how engineering solutions can respond to local contexts and communities, and how considerations such as equity and long-term impact can be incorporated into their future work.
