NUS Computing has introduced a groundbreaking Computing Gallery, marking a milestone as Southeast Asia's inaugural establishment of its kind. This gallery chronicles Singapore's evolution in computing education at the esteemed National University of Singapore alongside other facets of Information Technology. Covering 120 square meters, the gallery's inauguration was honored by Dr. Maliki Osman, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Education and Foreign Affairs.
“This initiative underscores the School’s and the University’s commitment to Singapore’s technological legacy, and commemorates the remarkable growth and accomplishments in computing education and IT over the decades. It will be a learning journey for visitors to revisit the interesting and now obsolete gadgets of the past before the advent of modern-day devices. We are indeed most appreciative of our generous donors who have contributed a number of items for exhibit at the Gallery”, said Professor Tan Kian Lee, Dean of NUS School of Computing.
Associate Professor Terence Sim, as Director of the NUS Computing Gallery, spearheaded the creation of the gallery in partnership with NUS Libraries. The conceptualization and groundwork for this initiative commenced in 2022, culminating in the completion of the entire showcase by December 2023. Prior to entering the Gallery, visitors are advised to explore the display located in the COM1 lobby, featuring three sections: "Innovations through the Ages", "Computing Milestones in NUS" and "Desks of a Computing Student – Then and Now".
The establishment of the NUS Computing Gallery was facilitated by the generous contributions of individuals and organizations who shared their valuable insights, collections of historical IT gadgets, and visual materials with the School. Funding support for the Gallery was provided by the National Heritage Board. Additionally, the School collaborated with Seagate Technology, Singapore Airlines, and Joysteak Studios, a Singapore-based indie game studio, on three exhibits within the Gallery.
“Seagate is honoured to collaborate with the National University of Singapore School of Computing on the NUS Computing Gallery. This project reflects our commitment to preserving technological heritage and illuminating the evolution of computing, that is intricately interwoven with the advancements in data storage technologies, notably hard drives. Furthermore, it highlights the ingenuity and dedication of our engineers. We hope the exhibition inspires visitors to continue to explore and drive innovation”, said Mr Barish Chakravarty, Senior Engineering Director, Seagate Research Group at Seagate.
Within the Gallery, there's a dedicated section highlighting the evolution of computing education in Singapore. Here, visitors delve into how advancements in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) have influenced the curriculum at NUS Computing. Beyond its role as a heritage showcase, the Gallery aspires to be a dynamic hub for various activities such as school visits, talks, workshops, and a space for student dialogues. To kick things off, visitors can experience the Songbird Symphony video game, created by four alumni from NUS Computing. This musical adventure game blends platforming and rhythm gameplay mechanics to deliver a Disney-inspired storytelling experience.
