National Institute of Education (NIE)

08/06/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Emeritus Professor Looi Chee Kit on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Global Chinese Society for Computers in Education (GSCSE).

Presented at the 30th Global Chinese Conference for Computers in Education on 3 June 2026, the award recognises Professor Looi’s outstanding contributions to the field of computers in education and his lasting impact on educational innovation and research.

NIE celebrates this well-deserved recognition and Professor Looi’s enduring contributions to education and the global academic community.

Read more about the award here: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/nie/news-events/news/detail/emeritus-professor-looi-chee-kit-awarded-the-lifetime-achievement-award

07/06/2026

🌍 This World Food Safety Day, we spotlight this year’s theme: “From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere.”

Dr Johannah Soo, Lecturer from the NIE’s Natural Sciences & Science Education Department, shares three simple ways we can keep food safe: store leftovers properly, reheat food thoroughly, and prevent cross-contamination.

Food safety is everyone’s business, and small actions can make a big difference.

04/06/2026

✨ We are honoured to have Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration officiate the opening of the NIE's Redesigning Pedagogy International Conference (RPIC) 2026.

💡 His reflections on education research for impact strongly resonate with RPIC 2026’s focus on advancing meaningful dialogue between educators, researchers and policymakers. As AI continues to shape teaching and learning, it is timely for the education community to come together to examine how research can inform policy, strengthen classroom practice and support learners in an evolving world.

🙏 We thank Mr Desmond Lee for joining us at RPIC 2026 and for affirming the important role of education research in shaping the future of learning.

03/06/2026

🧬 New research from the NIE NTU, Singapore and collaborators could transform how gut health is monitored.

A newly developed fluorescent nanosensor can rapidly detect indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a key biomarker produced by gut bacteria and linked to several health conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease.

The technology provides results in minutes and could eventually support portable testing and wearable devices for real-time health monitoring.

Learn more about this exciting breakthrough: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/nie/news-events/news/detail/ntu-singapore-and-smart-scientists-develop-sensor-that-could-help-track-gut-health

03/06/2026

Resilience: The Quiet Strength Behind Growth 🌱

Resilience is more than just toughness, it’s the silent engine for personal growth. In the latest episode of "In Conversation: Holistic Wellbeing and You" podcast, we explore:

• The Nuance: How resilience differs from grit.
• The Journey: Finding growth through adversity.
• The Path Forward: Overcoming blockages and simple steps to build your inner strength.

Resilience isn't about falling, it's about how you rise 🕊️

Tune in to the full podcast at https://youtu.be/eGl7IkRDsIU

03/06/2026

📚 This month, the NIE explores "Education Research for Impact", spotlighting evidence-driven insights, best practices, and global collaborations that translate research into practice and support educators on the ground 🌍✨

In this new issue of NIEWS, we celebrate researchers and educators who turn evidence into action, creating lasting impact in classrooms, schools, and communities💡🏫

🔗 Read the latest NIEWS issue here: https://niews.nie.edu.sg/jun2026/

30/05/2026

The NIE celebrates Singapore artist Amanda Heng, our Visiting Artist in 2018, as she represents Singapore at the Venice Biennale 2026 with her installation "A Pause".🎨

In an interview with CNA Lifestyle, Amanda shared that the work reflects on slowing down and making space for reflection in today’s fast-paced world.

Widely regarded as a pioneer of contemporary and performance art in Singapore, Amanda continues to inspire through works that bridge personal experience, community and dialogue.

We are proud to have welcomed artists like Amanda to the NIE, enriching conversations around creativity, arts education and cultural practice.

Read more at https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/living/amanda-heng-singapore-venice-biennale-2026-583471

Singaporean artist Amanda Heng created A Pause inside the Singapore Pavilion at the ongoing Venice Biennale. The 74-year-old tells CNA Lifestyle how the idea of rest and her ageing body shaped the installation, which invites visitors to slow down, reflect and experience stillness.

30/05/2026

Big conversations. Bold ideas. Future-ready educators 💡

We were honoured to host Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and Minister-in-Charge of Social Services Integration, at the NIE on 29 May 2026 for an engaging dialogue with our senior leadership team and student teachers.

From exploring the NIE’s latest innovations in teacher education and research, to hearing firsthand from student teachers about their projects and learning journeys, the session highlighted the passion and possibilities shaping the future of education ✨

29/05/2026

First organised in 2025, the Science Learning Festival provides a platform for science educators across Singapore to come together to learn, exchange ideas, and build professional networks 🔬✨

Organised annually by the NIE's Natural Sciences and Science Education (NSSE) Department , this year’s festival centred on the theme: “Innovating Science Learning: AI, Inquiry, and Real-World Problem Solving.” Science educators explored fresh approaches to science teaching through engaging workshops focused on technology integration, scientific inquiry, and 21st-century competencies.

Associate Professor Tan Seng Chee, NTU Associate Vice Provost (Education Transformation) and Provost’s Chair in Education, delivered this year’s keynote address on “Transforming Science Education Practices in Singapore with AI,” setting the stage for meaningful conversations on the future of science education.

This year, the festival attracted 97 participants - an increase from 2025. Building on the strong participation and positive response, we look forward to welcoming even more educators to future editions of the Science Learning Festival.

28/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Asst Prof Mervin Ang on receiving the Inauguration Grant under the Singapore Teaching and Academic Research Talent Scheme (START) by MOE!

START provides a suite of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and awards to Singaporeans interested in an academic career at the Autonomous Universities (AUs), strengthening the pool of Singaporean talent in both research and teaching.

Asst Prof Mervin Ang will formally accept the award at the START Award Ceremony on 31 July 2026.

28/05/2026

Excellence & Well-being: Supporting Youth in Schools 🎓🧠

How do we protect students’ mental health in current school environments? In the latest episode of "In Conversation: Holistic Wellbeing and You" podcast, Asst Prof Jacqueline Lee Tilley explores:

• The Pressures: Navigating academic stress and self-identity
• Breaking Stigma: Empowering youth to seek help without fear
• The Support Net: How parents and schools can collaborate to support struggling students

Our goal is to nurture the well-being of the human behind the academic high.

Catch the full podcast at: https://youtu.be/aFCeWA7URXw

27/05/2026

Selamat Hari Raya Haji! This day reminds us of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness, values that strengthen classrooms and learning communities ✨📚

👉 Reflect on a meaningful moment of generosity in your life or school community.

26/05/2026

On 22 May 2026, scholars and readers came together for the Colloquium on Wong Phui Nam: Malayan Letters, World Literature, co-organised by the NIE's English Language & Literature Department and the School of Culture and Communications, University of Melbourne.

The colloquium featured eleven speakers who explored the poetry, criticism and literary legacy of Malaysian poet Wong Phui Nam (1935–2022), a towering figure in the university poetry circles of Singapore and Malaysia in the 1950s. Discussions explored how Wong's writing responded to themes of postcolonial authenticity and repurposed Egyptian and Greek mythologies to express integrity and alienation in his context.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this conversation on literature, history and cultural identity 🌏📖

26/05/2026

As more restaurants in Singapore become halal-certified, conversations around food are also shaping discussions on inclusion and multiculturalism.

For Lecturer Dr Diyanah Anwar, whose research focuses on multiculturalism and citizenship, these conversations reflect how deeply food is connected to everyday life and community in Singapore. While reactions to halal certification often centre on preferences and dining habits, they also highlight how Singaporeans navigate diversity in a changing social landscape.

Yet, Dr Diyanah remains optimistic. She believes that as Singapore becomes more diverse, understanding and acceptance across communities will continue to grow.

Read the full article here:

While it is natural for major change to encounter some degree of resistance, researcher Diyanah Anwar cautions that these reactions – though ostensibly about food and taste – could easily morph into something more sinister.

25/05/2026

On 20 May 2026, the NIE Policy, Curriculum & Leadership Academic Department featured Assoc Prof Tan Cheng Yong from the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong, who presented on “Socioeconomic Status (SES), Parenting, and Student Learning Outcomes: What Can We Learn from Synthesizing Decades of Evidence?”

Drawing on major evidence syntheses across decades of research, the seminar explored how socioeconomic status, parenting practices, school processes and leadership shape student learning outcomes across different contexts. The session highlighted the importance of parental expectations, school climate and equitable leadership in supporting student success and addressing educational inequality.

The seminar sparked discussions among participants from MOE and the NIE on the implications for Singapore’s evolving educational landscape, including family engagement, digital parenting and creating more equitable learning opportunities for all students 📚✨

25/05/2026

As we look towards the future of Singapore education, one question becomes increasingly important: how do we preserve the languages, cultures and literary traditions that shape who we are? 📚✨

After decades of nurturing generations of teachers, writers and researchers, Dr Sa’eda Buang retires from the NIE, leaving behind a profound legacy in Malay language, literature and teacher education. Her journey reminds us that the future of education is not only about innovation and change, but also about continuity: passing on knowledge, values and cultural heritage to the next generation 🌱

As Singapore’s education landscape evolves, Dr Sa’eda’s story invites us to reflect on how we can continue inspiring young educators and scholars to champion our mother tongue languages for years to come 💬

Read the full article here:

Inspired from a young age by her mother’s storytelling and traditional Malay poetry sessions, Dr Sa’eda devoted her career to teaching Malay language, literature, history, multiculturalism, and civilisation.

21/05/2026

🌏✨ Today, we're celebrating World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development! Every culture carries stories, traditions and perspectives that enrich the way we learn and connect with one another.

We feature Prof Arndt Graf from Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, the inaugural Dr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad Professor in Malay Studies at the NIE. Through his work in Malay Studies and cross-cultural scholarship, Prof Graf reflects on how in times of crisis, people often turn to stories, music and the arts, and how Singapore’s mother tongue languages can become a reservoir of resilience for the future 🎶📚

20/05/2026

🌍✨ How can education prepare students to improve the world?

On 11 May 2026, the NIE hosted Prof Fernando Reimers, Ford Foundation Professor of the Practice of International Education and Director of the Global Education Innovation Initiative at Harvard University, and the NIE’s 11th C J Koh Professor, for his talk, “Educating Students to Improve the World”.

Prof Reimers shared powerful insights on how education systems must evolve to prepare students for a world shaped by artificial intelligence and climate change, not through isolated reforms, but through coherent, system-wide transformation.

From AI literacy to climate action, his lecture reminded us that education must equip students with the knowledge, values, and agency to navigate complexity and contribute meaningfully to society 💡🌱🤖

19/05/2026

A celebration of life, movement and meaning ✨

NTU Beztari, the Malay Dance group of NTU-NIE MLCS-PERBAYU, took the stage at Goodman Arts Centre Black Box on 9 and 10 May 2026 with "Selagi Hayat Dikandung Badan".

The production reflected on what it means to be human, exploring moments of growth, joy, responsibility and choice through the language of dance.

A heartfelt congratulations to the dancers, crew and everyone involved in bringing this meaningful production to life 👏

19/05/2026

🌟🚀 A Journey To The Stars 🚀🌟

Graduating student teachers across the NIE came together on 15 May 2026 for an evening of laughter, memories and celebration at the Graduation Initiative 2026, one of the key events organised alongside NIE Day.

This year’s theme, A Journey To The Stars, brought graduates on an immersive mission filled with mystery, teamwork and interactive station games as they worked to uncover the imposters among them 👀✨ The event was also a meaningful opportunity to reflect on their journey at the NIE, celebrate friendships and create lasting memories before the next chapter begins.

The event was graced by Guest of Honour, Assoc Prof Stephen Burns, who joined the graduating cohort in celebrating this milestone. A big thank you to the NIE Day 2026 committee for organising the event, and the 35th NIE Student Teachers’ Club Management Committee and the NIE for their support! 💫📚

18/05/2026

🌏 Join leading global experts at the AI for Education Conference 2026 from 16 to 18 Nov 2026, as we explore the pedagogical, inclusive, and ethical use of AI in education.

We are proud to feature keynote speakers from world-renowned institutions, including:
• Prof Kaśka Porayska-Pomsta (UCL)
• Prof Carolyn Penstein Rosé (Carnegie Mellon University)
• Prof Xiaoming Zhai (University of Georgia)
• Prof Zhang Yu (Tsinghua University)
• Asst Prof Farhan Ali (National Institute of Education)

📢 Call for Contributions
Extended Summary and Symposium submissions: 2 Jun 2026
Full Paper submissions: 15 Jun 2026

🔗 For more information, visit: https://aife2026singapore.org/

Be part of the global conversation shaping AI in education.

16/05/2026

How can marine snails help us understand the health of our shores after an oil spill? 🐚🌊

An NIE study led by Dr Beverly Goh from the Natural Sciences & Science Education Department worked with 100 citizen scientists to examine marine snails from affected and unaffected beaches to monitor changes in marine environmental conditions.

Catch the broadcast coverage tonight on Channel 8 at 6.30pm and Channel 5 at 9pm.

Read more:
The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/marine-life-affected-by-2024-pasir-panjang-oil-spill-showing-signs-of-recovery

Lianhe Zaobao: https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20260516-9058262

15/05/2026

What is the role of literature in an age shaped by generative AI and growing climate anxiety? 📚🌍

"Little Things: An Anthology of Poetry (2nd ed.)", co-authored by the NIE faculty members Assoc Prof Loh Chin Ee and Assoc Prof Angelia P**n, as well as the NIE alumna Esther Vincent, offers a timely reminder that literature helps us pay attention, imagine deeply and connect meaningfully with the world around us.

Through poems that reflect on growing up, love, loss, belonging and our relationship with the Earth, this anthology invites readers to rediscover the value of everyday experiences and the enduring importance of human creativity ✨

Find out more in NIEWS Issue 135: https://niews.nie.edu.sg/mar2026/library/little-things-an-anthology-of-poetry-2nd-ed 🔗

13/05/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Emeritus Assoc Prof Hadijah Rahmat on the launch of "Masjid Al-Taqua: Kilauan Mutiara Kota Singapura"!

📖 The 444-page pictorial book traces the 142-year journey of Al-Taqua Mosque, from a small surau in 1883 to a cherished community institution in Bedok.

We are proud to celebrate Emeritus Assoc Prof Hadijah’s meaningful work in preserving heritage, history and community memory 🌿

Read the full article: https://www.beritaharian.sg/singapura/buku-baharu-abadikan-sejarah-142-tahun-masjid-al-taqua

Berita - Diasaskan sebagai sebuah surau kecil di atas tanah wakaf pada 1883, Masjid Al-Taqua kian berkembang seiring dengan pertumbuhan masyarakat Bedok dan hingga kini, ia terus menampung keperluan ibadah serta aktiviti kemasyarakatan di Jalan Bilal. Baca lebih lanjut di BeritaHarian.sg

13/05/2026

More Than Words: The Link Between Language & Mental Health 🧠💬

How does the way we speak shape how we feel? In the latest episode of "In Conversation: Holistic Wellbeing and You" podcast, we explore:
• Development: How language impacts emotional regulation
• Inclusion: Why is inclusive language a mental health tool
• Culture: How our background shapes our expression

Join us as we look at how to build stronger bridges between our inner and outer worlds.

Check out the full video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRHTSfRFSMg