Many of our graduate programme students and alumni will remember Matilda, the go-to person whom they approach when they have any questions or require any assistance.
After forty years serving our graduate programme students and alumni at NUS-ISS, Matilda Selvaraj, our Senior Graduate Programme Officer, is the de facto face of NUS-ISS.
Over the years, Matilda has accumulated many fond memories. And as she said, "how do you sum up forty years of memories and work experience?"
Matilda shares with INNOVATE@ISS her fondest memories and some things about her that you may not know.
1. Please tell us about your professional background
I started out as a teacher in an institution but left after a few years as I realised that teaching was not my calling. I was then offered a job at NUS mainly due to my work experience. It was a good chance to join my father who was then at the Microbiology Department at the Medical Faculty at that time.
2. Could you share more about the work which you do at NUS-ISS?
I am the contact person for student affairs for all the NUS-ISS graduate programmes - everything and anything about student matters are handled by me. I do enjoy this task as I like meeting people and solving their problems. When thank you notes are sent to me or extended personally to me, I always feel great that I have attended to their needs and that I have accomplished a great deed. I was once referred to as a Mother in the office.
Every problem encountered by students, be it minor or major ones, are handled with care and my personal attention is given. When at times I meet graduated students outside the University, they often remarked that NUS-ISS staff are very professional in dealing with students and that we took care of them during their course of studies at NUS-ISS.
We have students from various countries pursuing our programmes and some of them have issues in adjusting to the local environment. I remember an incident recently when a student arrived in Singapore to commence his programme and he had no place to stay. I immediately contacted another student who was sharing a flat with his team mates to house him for a few days till he found accommodation. This student has been grateful to me ever since and till today, he will always remind me of the help rendered to him.
3. What are your favorite activities when you are not working?
I have a passion for cooking and I feel proud that after every meal at dinner, I am often complimented by my husband and children on the spread that I put on the table for them. I am amazed at myself on how quickly my mind works when cooking is concerned - I can be cooking three dishes at the same time! This is the same attitude in multi-tasking that I use for my daily work at NUS-ISS.
4. Tell us something about yourself that very few people know
I am married to my wonderful husband who has put up with me for 33 years and who is coincidentally the son of my primary six school teacher. I have a school report card signed by her when I was her student in primary six. Till today, I look upon her as a teacher and not as a mother-in-law.
5. You've been with NUS-ISS for 40 years! What drives you at work and what keeps you going?
The trust and belief which the NUS-ISS management staff showed me during my course of work in dealing with student matters and other administrative duties here is something I will treasure. This spurs me on to work even harder and better in order to justify their faith in me. This is a contributing factor to my award of the National Day Long Service Medal by the President of Singapore in 2015, in recognition of my contribution to the University.
6. What are some of your fondest memories of your time here at NUS-ISS?
My fondest memories of my time here at NUS-ISS are the shared friendships I have been able to forge along the way. There were many times when office colleagues doubled up as family members and this is the greatest feeling one can have.
Apart from occasional challenges, I can truly say I enjoyed working with the students. I have now come to a stage where I am able to know the specific needs of students even before I read their emails in full. I am surprised that I am able to attend to their various requests without much difficulty due to my many years of handling student affairs and this has made my job very satisfying and fulfilling.