Published on 27 Oct 2026

Building on Strong Foundations: A New Chapter for SCDS

A new chapter in student leadership began on 18 September 2026 as the Students' Computing and Data Science (SCDS) Club welcomed its 27th Management Committee at its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Led by President Ranjanaa Baskaran, the 16-member committee succeeds the 26th Management Committee under Lin Junyang, Jex, whose tenure saw initiatives spanning student welfare, professional development and community engagement.

The AGM was an opportunity to recognise the outgoing committee's contributions while setting the stage for the next generation of student leaders.

A foundation built around students

Reflecting on his tenure, Jex described leading SCDS as one of the most meaningful experiences of his time at NTU.

"We hoped to build a club that students could genuinely feel was there for them," he shared.

That aspiration guided the committee's efforts throughout the year. From TechFest 2026 and opportunities to connect with industry mentors to Back to School Carnivals and student welfare initiatives, the committee sought to create experiences that were relevant and meaningful to the student community.

For Jex, however, the lasting value of these efforts extends beyond individual activities.

"As I hand over to the 27th Management Committee, I hope we leave behind not just successful events, but a strong foundation for a club that continues to put students at the heart of everything it does."

His reflections capture an important aspect of student leadership – that each committee builds on the work of those before it, strengthening the community for future generations.

A vision for a more connected community

For Ranjanaa and her team, the year ahead is about building on that foundation while creating more opportunities for students to connect, contribute and thrive.

The new committee has identified four broad priorities: Community and Connections, Real-World Readiness, Open Culture, and Pathways for Everyone.

Together, these reflect an ambition to strengthen the sense of belonging within CCDS, support students in preparing for opportunities beyond the classroom, and make student engagement more inclusive and responsive.

"For our term, we want CCDS to be a community that students feel part of and one that continues to support them beyond their time in CCDS," Ranjanaa shared.

A particular emphasis will be placed on encouraging students to participate in shaping the club's direction. Through more regular conversations, feedback channels and opportunities for involvement, the committee hopes to make SCDS more accessible and responsive to the community it represents.

Its plans for the year encompass a broad range of initiatives in academic and career development, student welfare, community building and peer support.

Underlying these ambitions is a simple principle – that students should not only benefit from the opportunities available to them, but also have a voice in shaping those opportunities.

Strengthening connections with College Management

This commitment to student engagement was reinforced at an informal lunch on 14 October, where the newly installed SCDS leadership met with Professor Luke Ong, Dean of the College of Computing and Data Science, and members of College Management.

The gathering provided an opportunity for student leaders to share their aspirations and discuss how SCDS and the College could work more closely together to support the wider student community.

Prof Ong highlighted the importance of SCDS as a bridge between students and College Management – providing a channel through which students can share their experiences, raise concerns and contribute ideas for improving student life.

Discussions also touched on preparing students for a changing professional landscape, strengthening mentoring relationships and making better use of opportunities already available within the College.

The College reaffirmed its support for meaningful student-led initiatives, including helping student leaders raise awareness of their activities and connect with more students through its communications channels.

The exchange underscored a shared commitment to fostering an environment where students are heard, supported and empowered to contribute to their community.

Carrying the momentum forward

As the 27th Management Committee begins its term, it does so with an appreciation of the work that has come before it and a clear sense of what it hopes to achieve.

For Ranjanaa, the goal is not simply to deliver another year of activities, but to leave SCDS stronger for those who follow.

By building on established foundations, creating more opportunities for participation and strengthening its partnership with the College, the new committee hopes to nurture a student community in which more individuals feel connected, represented and encouraged to play an active role.

It is a vision that brings together the legacy of the outgoing leadership and the aspirations of the incoming team – with students firmly at its centre.

Meet the SCDS Executive Committee: