Hi there! Simren here, your SJI International Alumni Association’s new Vice-President. I am grateful to have the chance to give back to our school community and for those of you who do not know me, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. 

For the past two years, I have worked as a Research Assistant in the Social Inclusion Project at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Part-time, I have also worked as a Study Skills Coach and Diagnostic Consultant at Elevate Education Singapore. You may have also read my story, as part of AWARE’s recently published anthology, entitled ‘What We Inherit: Growing Up Indian’. 

Prior to starting work in the midst of the pandemic, I completed my Masters in Comparative and International Education at the University of Oxford, where I was a Leading for Impact Fellow, after receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Sociology at the University of Cambridge. Before that, of course, I graduated as part of SJI International Class of 2015. 

When I look back on my time in SJI International, I think of it as one of the most critical times in my life. To form friendships for life and build bonds which I continue to treasure. To learn from teachers passionate about their subject area and supporting the students they teach. To have a diversity of interests encouraged: from touch rugby, Model United Nations or Samba drumming. I remember performing in the Botanic Gardens and a St. Patrick’s Day rally as well as representing our school as Secretary General of the Singapore International Model United Nations Conference in 2016. There were of course highs and lows throughout my school journey which I have learnt and grown from. The Lasallian value of service is, without a doubt, one that continues to guide my path ahead. 

I believe in doing the best I can to undertake impactful work for our national and global community and so, I volunteer widely. For example, I currently facilitate life skills programmes for inmates in the Singapore Prison Service. I am also volunteering remotely with an urban vertical farming social enterprise based in Uganda to support them in their social impact strategy and fundraising. 

I have chosen to also dedicate my time to SJI International Alumni Association because I believe strongly that my time as a student at SJI International nurtured the foundation of who I am today. I wish to give back to the community that has served me so well. This comes at the cusp of the pandemic, which some dub as the ‘age of isolation’. For many of us, our professional paths have had to manoeuvre in a changing world. As we navigate these times of evolution, I wish to be part of making the SJI International alumni community one that you know will be there for you - whether you need a moment of nostalgia, advice for the path ahead, new connections or collaborations.

I know all of us are currently drawn to our alumni community to different extents. I want to let you know that no matter what, if you have ideas to strengthen your bond to it, the alumni association is always open, and we would love to make them happen together! There will always be space for you with us: whether you would like to organise an event, be a batch/country representative or take on other roles within the association. We also really hope to have the chance to meet you soon - be it in person at one of our reunions or online, via social media, email or our Connect platform. Here is an open invite to reach out to any of us anytime :) 

Signing off with a big hello, 

Jeyda Simren Sekhon Atac