When Group Work Turns Into Nation Building

Written by: Jayden Lee (26S6V)

Edited by: Tan Zhengyue (26S63)

"You never really know the insights you'll gain from talking to people — or the friendships you'll forge along the way." This was one of the biggest takeaways for Jesslyn Lee (26S62) after attending the MOE Pre-University Seminar 2026. Yet beyond the friendships, the four-day residential programme challenged participants to think about a much bigger question: What role can youths play in shaping Singapore's future?

Held at the National University of Singapore (NUS), the four-day residential seminar brought together over 550 students from 30 pre-university institutions under the theme "WE: With Everyone". Working in cross-school teams, participants developed policy proposals addressing three national themes—Our People, One Heartbeat; Our Places, One Home; and Our Purpose, Infinite Possibilities. Through dialogues with policymakers, workshops and project presentations, they examined real societal challenges and explored how different stakeholders can work together to build a more inclusive Singapore.

Minister for Education Mr Desmond Lee delivering keynote address. Li Zhanyuan

For Ng Ray Jia, Ashley (26A13), the opportunity to experience policymaking firsthand was what initially drew her to the seminar. Collaborating with students from junior colleges, polytechnics and Millennia Institute proved to be one of its highlights, as adapting to different working styles and personalities became an important part of the experience. She also fondly recalled the conversations over meals, which allowed teammates to recharge and strengthen their rapport after long hours of discussion.

Participants engaging in activities. Hwa Chong Publications Society/Ashley

Jesslyn described the experience as one of "euphoria", recalling the excitement of tackling authentic national issues while meeting peers from diverse backgrounds. Her advice to future participants is simple: be willing to start conversations, because meaningful insights often come from people whose experiences differ from your own.

In a nutshell, this year’s Pre-University Seminar offered participants a glimpse into the complexities of policymaking, reminding them that every public policy involves balancing diverse needs and perspectives.