As Commencement season approaches once more, the nerves start to set in — not just in the graduating students, but also those of their families, and perhaps in their friends who wish to send in their best wishes.

Whether your university school life has been the best time of your life; or you spent all your hours mugging away; or it was a bittersweet experience, it’s finally time to walk out this chapter of your life and start a new one with a bang~🎉

Are you a graduate-to-be? Or someone who wishes to get a thoughtful gift for a friend who is graduating this year? To help ease your pre-commencement jitters, we have prepared a few tips (and special rates with selected partner vendors!) in this article:

Capture your best moment with professional studio photography

Photo credit: Werkz Photography

All those years of hard work, sweat, tears and mugging have got to count for something…right? If you’re like most asian families, your family would be proud to show off this milestone with a professional photo that properly captures the significance of this moment.

Sure, you can snap plenty of quick photos during the ceremony with your smartphone, but there’s something different about engaging the services of a pro photographer that allows you to get a shot in your best angles — optimised, framed up and ready for display.

For Commencement 2022 this year, we have tied up with one of our trusted vendors, Werkz Photography, to offer professional photography packages at special rates:

PACKAGE A - S$280

• 1pc of 11”x14” canvas print with exclusive frame (family)
• Complimentary 1pc of 8”x10” digital print in exclusive folder (individual)
• Complimentary passport photo taking

PACKAGE B - S$180

• 1pc 8”x10” canvas print with exclusive frame
• Complimentary passport photo taking

Things to note:
*Gowns may be borrowed at the studio for the photo shoot, and the gowns will be sanitised after every session.

*All photoshoot packages purchased with the discount code come with no expiry date, upon full payment made.

Photo credit: Werkz Photography

To enjoy this special package, key in promo code: NUSGRAD2022 under ‘Remarks’ in the booking form. Valid till 31 July 2022. Click here to purchase.

Academic plaques: timeless and classic

Photo credit: House of Poroseal

Academic plaques have been around for years, since the early 1900s. Yet, it remains popular even till today - and for good reason.

For those who wish to encapsulate the graduation milestone in a timeless and classic manner, you can’t go wrong with the sturdy, trusty academic plaque. If you’re looking for a place to customise an academic plaque, we recommend our partner House of Poroseal, which has a lifetime guarantee for all their plaques.

Their quality plaques are printed using a technology that permanently embeds into the pores of the aluminium which makes it impossible to peel. They are also free from discolouration and yellowing, making this a one-off investment will be one that will not fade away with time.

Photo credit: House of Poroseal

Specially for our NUS community, quote NUSGRAD2022 under the comments form for $20 off all plaques. Valid till 31 July 2022. Click here to purchase.

Twinning with the official NUS graduation bears

What makes an NUS graduation different from another school’s graduation ceremony? Apart from the distinctive graduation gown, of course - that would be the NUS official graduation bears!

A long-held tradition since 2005, the graduation bears have not failed to make an appearance at every NUS commencement ceremony since. Cuddly and studious-looking, they come complete in an NUS graduation gown with a matching hood.

Official NUS Grad Bears will be sold during commencement at NUS University Cultural Centre. Limited stocks available - while stocks last.

… don’t forget the flowers!

Photo credit: FarEastFlora.com

No celebratory events are complete without the presence of fresh flowers that represent a gifter’s good wishes to the newly-minted graduate. Following the overwhelming response to flower sales for NUS Commencement 2021, we have once again partnered up with FarEastFlora.com to provide a special rate for bouquet sales for all NUS graduating students (details below)!

More about FarEastFlora.com
FarEastFlora.com has been Singapore’s leading online florist for almost two decades running, and that’s because Singaporeans trust us to deliver quality fresh flowers and beautiful gifts. To ensure that you and your recipients receive only the freshest flowers, we only source directly from reputable farms. On top of over 150 designs of hand bouquets, explore unique table flower designs ( floral teacup, anyone?), preserved flowers that one can keep for years or even flowers paired with yummy cakes/ ice cream and wine!

Best thing, from now till 31 July 2022, enjoy 15% OFF regular-priced flowers & plants by signing up an account and checking out with promo code NUS15OFF. T&Cs apply. Shop now on www.FarEastFlora.com

Customise a graduation gift — for students, by students!

This year, with the inaugural launch of the Student Entrepreneur’s Market (SEM) programme, we have partnered with no other than 3 of our own student businesses to offer bespoke graduation gifts for the graduating batch of 2022.

After all, who would best understand the gift preferences of the graduating students, but fellow students themselves!

Personalised Floral-Infused Coasters

Keepsakes do not always have to be loud. For those with a taste for aesthetic and meaningful keepsakes, these beautiful Botanical Acrylic Coasters from Le.cleobyv would perhaps be your cup of tea (and the holder of your tea too?)

Made of preserved flowers encased in clear acrylic with hints of brass, these coasters carry a sense of understated elegance. You may also personalise the coasters with a name or a quote of your choice (up to 5 words) that hold personal meaning to you or your intended recipient.

Vanessa, a Year 2 undergraduate from the School of Business, is the founder behind Le.cleobyv, a handcrafted gifts brand.

Click here to place an order for the Personalised Botanical Acrylic Coasters.

Customised 3D-Printed Colour Adora Rectangle

If you’re looking for a functional keepsake, the Colour Adora Box that can double up as a pretty night light would make the perfect choice. Customise the Adora Rectangle with your photos and watch your treasured memories pop up in colour and in 3D!

Define3D is run by Nithvin, a Year 1 undergraduate from the School of Business, which provides custom 3D printing services.

Click here to place an order for the Customised 3D-Printed Colour Adora Rectangle. *Do note that due to the customisation process, each order will take up to 14 working days to be completed.

Customised Acrylic Night Lamp with Bluetooth Speaker Base

Got an ear for great music? This gift is perfect for the graduate who is a music junkie! Not only can you etch your favourite graduation photo onto an acrylic night lamp, it comes fully equipped with a functioning bluetooth speaker!

Created by Mathan from Crafts ‘N’ Designs, he offer graduating students modern choices of gifts made possible by technology. Mathan is an incoming undergraduate student from the NUS School of Computing (Graduating Cohort of 2026).

Click here to place an order for the Customised Acrylic Night Lamp with Bluetooth Speaker Base.