Included where the widget is dropped [NEW] Distinguished Senior Fellowship Programme (DSFP)
Asia’s First Life Transition Programme for Accomplished Senior Leaders. Navigating each of life’s major transitions can be both exciting... First Transition (<25 years old) Forging a Fledging Career Second Transition (25-50 years) Career Advancement Third Transition (>50 years onwards) Recalibrating Your Life ...and soul-searching Recently retired or retiring soon from a successful career as a senior leader, and wondering, What is my post-professional identity going to be? Invested your energy in growing your businesses and teams, and thinking, “Where will my personal growth take me next?” Looking back on your life accomplishments and pondering over, “How do I stay actively learning, contributing and making a difference?” What are the dots that need to connect, and how to connect them, for a joyful, fulfilling life of significance in your Third Transition? Launching August 2025 Distinguished Senior Fellowship Programme (DSFP) Specially designed and curated for accomplished senior leaders who want to reconnect with their self, community and the world through a bespoke three-month journey of inquiry and discovery Reconnect with Your Self, Community and the World, Rediscover your place in the world, Reflect on which community, culture and region you belong to, and how you want to relate to them in the next season of life. Redefine your purpose in life Identify new goals, pursue meaningful endeavors, and align experience with aspiration for a fulfilling new chapter. Recharge your learning and growth Revisit topics of interest that you had not have time to dive deeper into. Or explore new ones that pique your curiosity. Reboot your impact for a cause you advocate Where you desire to channel your energy into, inspire change, and leverage your expertise to make a difference. Accomplished senior leaders in any public or private industry sector At least 20 years of professional, executive or entrepreneurial experience Consistent track record of action, innovation, service and impact Motivated to explore and redefine their post-professional identity and significance in the Third Transition of their lives Enthusiastic about nurturing new relationships, building new partnerships, gaining new insights and honing new skills in a robust learning environment with distinctive like-minded peers and NUS Faculty Invested in driving impact - regardless of area and scale - through advocacy, innovation and collaboration in the next chapter Committed to fully participate in the stimulating yet flexible programme throughout the three months One-of-its-kind life transition programme in Asia The first and only life transition programme for senior leaders in Asia, uniquely designed for the Asian context. Holistic Focus on relationships and productive ageing Focuses on the whole human and relating its experiences to the people and environment around. World-class institution in the heart of Asia Choose your desired Asia-centric courses at Asia’s top university and the world’s 8th university. Exclusive Cohorts Small classes, for DSFP only. Bite-size Master-level Courses With stackable core and elective modules. Keynotes by Eminent Speakers Who are authorities in their fields. Team Project-Driven Collaborate with distinguished peers. Faculty Advising Weekly coaching consultations. Experiential Fieldwork Engage with community & industry stakeholders. Group Wellness Programmes Nourish both body and mind. ASEAN Capstone Celebration Trip With final team project presentation. Post-Programme Learning Benefits for Continual Personal Growth & Engagement with the NUS & DSFP communities Connect with 370,000 NUS alumni globally as an NUS Associate Alumni Gain access to more than 50 Alumni Networks across over 100 countries and regions. Complimentary Access to Future DSFP Courses Keep your intellectual curiosity engaged with free access to any DSFP course for the first three years after graduation (subject to availability). Invited to join future DSFP capstone celebration trips Stay plugged into the vibrant, growing DSFP community as a pioneer member through connecting and networking with future cohorts. For every DSFP cohort, a total of six elective courses held over 3-hour Master-level seminars will be offered — three in the first month, and another three in the third month. Minimum requirements for completion: two core DSPF courses + four electives courses + final team project presentation. Participants may take up to six electives for the whole programme. Professor Virginia Cha is a highly sought-after educator of innovation and entrepreneurship. She has a joint-appointment as Adjunct Professor at the NUS Business School and NUS College of Design & Engineering. In addiiton, she also spearheads curriculum design at the Singapore MIT Alliance for Research and Design (SMART) for their research commercialisation programmes. In her multi-faceted industry and academic career spanning more than four decades across many countries, Virginia has been in many different roles in technology, executive management and technology commercialisation. She was also the founder or sole founder and CEO of multiple venture-funded, high-tech companies in Singapore and China, with listings in NASDAQ and HKSE. Virginia began her Third Transition when a chance meeting with the late Professor Phil Anderson of INSEAD inspired her to step away from a lifetime business and technlogy executive career. It led her to enrol in NUS to pursue a PhD, not as a career transition choice, but as an intellectual pursuit. She received her PhD five years later in her early fifties and has since found renewed joy, purpose, and new relationships as an Adjunct Professor in multiple educational institutions. She is now spearheading the DSFP for accomplished senior leaders in Asia to navigate their Third Transition with clarity and confidence. Dr Alan Wong Chief Operating Officer, St Luke’s Eldercare “As a senior executive in the elderly-targeted healthcare sector, I am thrilled to see a thoughtfully structured programme designed specially to address the needs and aspirations of experienced senior leaders like us, who are about to enter a new season in life. It goes beyond economic contributions, focusing instead on meaningful personal growth and the exploration of new aspirations. This programme offers a unique and timely opportunity for us to rediscover our purpose and impact.” Janet Ang Chairman, Public Transport Council Former Vice President, IBM Asia Pacific
gradient
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text
Descriptive alt text

Core Course: Weekly seminars focusing on finding purpose, self-discovery, nurturing of the spirit, and joining with like-minded Fellows to create impact together. Team capstone project formation and learning objectives identified.

Signature Course: Thriving in the 100-year life – unique to DSFP. Focus on health as related to longevity.

  • Faculty-led weekly elective course seminars:
    • Philosophy, Religion
    • Contemporary Affairs
  • Each elective comprises four curated topical seminars per month, 3 hours per seminar.
  • Learning concierge (NUS student assistant) to facilitate NUS campus/ecosystem navigation.
  • Faculty adviser (one adviser to a team; three to four DSFP participants in a team).

Weekly (optional) check-in for faculty consulting on team capstone projects.

Two Deep Dive seminars in current topics (AI, Healthcare, Sustainability, and the Environment).

Continued collaborative team project:

  • Research fieldwork in the specialization of your team’s choice
  • Understanding and engaging the stakeholder network
  • Understanding the impact of proposed project work

Core Course: Weekly seminars with a focus on funding of projects, impact investing, social impact communication, driving change, and roadmapping your capstone project to action.

Signature Course: Thriving in the 100-year life with a focus on nutrition/lifestyle as related to longevity.

  • Faculty-led weekly elective course seminars:
    • Arts Appreciation
    • Culture, History
  • Each elective comprises 4 curated topical seminars per month, 3 hours per seminar.
  • Faculty adviser to capstone project.
  • 7-day cultural trip to an ASEAN country for capstone project group presentation and celebration
  • Friends/family/supporters invited with additional incremental cost
Descriptive alt text
Monthly Schedule

Frequently Asked Questions



When does the programme begin?+

The DSFP is a 13-week programme that follows NUS’ academic calendar. Its first cohort, the Class of 2025, will begin on 4th August 2025 and run through 14th November 2025.

How do I apply for it? Is it by invitation only?+

Application for the DSFP Class of 2025 will open on 6th January 2025.

Can my spouse participate in the DSFP with me?+

The first 12 weeks of coursework and fieldwork are open to DSFP participants only. We welcome family members to join the participants in the ASEAN capstone trip in the 13th week (at additional cost) to celebrate their successful completion of the DSFP.

What are the requirements for programme completion?+

The programme consists of a blend of coursework (seminars), fieldwork, and a final team project presentation during the ASEAN capstone celebration trip. There are no examinations. Participants are required to take two mandatory DSF core modules, one DSF Signature module and at least two elective courses as well as complete the team project presentation.

What do I receive at the end of the programme?+

Upon successful completion of the programme, DSFP participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from NUS, an NUS email, and a personal profile page on NUS DSFP Website showcasing their accomplishments. They will be inducted as Associate Alumni of NUS, which will connect them with more than 370,000 other NUS Alumni in more than 50 Alumni Networks across over 100 countries and regions. DSFP graduates will continue to receive exceptional value in the form of exclusive learning benefits, including complimentary access to one DSFP course per DSFP run for the first three years after completion. In addition, they are also welcomed to join the ASEAN capstone celebration trips with future cohorts at-cost.

How much is the programme fee?+

Please download the programme brochure for more information.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?+

Please send in your query with this form, and someone from the DSFP team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Home

20 November 2024