Experience is the best teacher

Year 4 College of Humanities and Sciences (CHS) student Maryam SALEEL, who majors in Life Sciences and minors in Asian Studies and Geosciences, believes that experience is the best teacher.

“Real-world lessons cannot be taught but must be learned,” she says.

It was with this in mind that she embarked on her research and internship projects.

For her Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS), Maryam is investigating recreational fishers' perceptions on elasmobranch management and conservation. This project aims to address the largely unregulated issue of recreational fishing in Singapore. The research project allows Maryam to complement her scientific skills with social sciences knowledge.

Beyond the laboratory, she also interned at the Emirates-based Nautica Environmental Associates, an environmental consultancy, where she conducted mangrove surveys and developed the company’s first ever greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory. She also had the opportunity to get her open water diving license! Her time at Nautica taught her much, and further solidified her passion for the environmental sciences.

Under a second internship with NUS Residential Life, she was tasked with writing blog articles and creating reels on the vibrant residential life in NUS, an entirely new experience which opened her eyes to the world of digital content creation. 

Her multifaceted interests in science and social sciences earned her a place at the Institute of Policy Studies’ annual Singapore Perspective Conferences (2024), where she represented NUS.

Maryam is also committed to supporting her peers through the NUS Muslim Society, where she is involved in programme planning and marketing. She was also previously with NUS iCare, a platform to engage international students.

Her well-rounded experiences have improved her interpersonal and communication skills. She says, “I get to talk to people of all backgrounds, including people I would not have interacted with otherwise - from scientists to other youths. It adds a lot of nuance to my worldview and has made me a more empathetic and self-assured individual overall.”

She adds, “A holistic academic experience enables me to delve into topics surrounding the environment but also to pair it with a balanced understanding of social contexts.”