Standing on Stage as Valedictorian and Commencement Speaker (NUS) 🎓

Sep 06, 2025

Recently, I had the honor of delivering the valedictorian speech for my cohort at NUS. Standing on stage was a moment of reflection, not just on the grades or accolades, but on the growth, challenges, and communities that shaped me along the way.

As a GitHub Campus Expert, I have had the privilege of mentoring student developers, running workshops, and contributing to open source. Delivering this speech felt like an extension of that role, representing the developer community on a larger stage and sharing lessons that are relevant both inside and outside of tech.

One key insight I hope to share is that learning never stops. Beyond exams or projects, the skills you cultivate in collaboration, problem-solving, and continuous improvement are what truly prepare you for the real world.

Another is that software engineering is a team sport. Every success, whether in a hackathon, an open-source project, or a class assignment, comes from working closely with others, listening actively, and contributing meaningfully.

Finally, I learned to cherish the people who support you, including family, mentors, peers, and friends. Their guidance, encouragement, and shared experiences shape your journey in ways no solo project ever could.

Standing on that stage as both a Valedictorian and a GitHub Campus Expert reminded me that leadership in tech is about impact, the community we build, the knowledge we share, and the doors we open for others. I hope my journey inspires fellow developers to embrace challenges, collaborate deeply, and contribute boldly, both in tech and beyond.

If you are interested, you can view the valedictorian & commencement speech PDF on my LinkedIn profile 🎉

Standing on stage as Valedictorian with Distinction, Commencement Speaker, and GitHub Campus Expert, sharing lessons on growth, teamwork, and community at the NUS commencement ceremony

Signing out,

Melvin Ng (GitHub Campus Expert, Singapore)

@melvincwng