+ Theme

When we create products, more often than not, we create by-products too. One such by-product is okara, the remnants left after making soya milk. Tasteless and lacking appeal, it is easy to see why the soy pulp was often discarded after production. In 1929, T.A Van Gundy had the foresight to realise the market potential of okara. He led the production of Soy Spread, the first okara-based commercial product in the US. The example of okara is a poignant reminder of how resources can have other uses if only we can think it. Hence, the question at the heart of our theme is: How can we achieve more out of our resources?

The theme for AUS 2019 is Harnessing Untapped Potential. It focuses on resources that have not realised their full potential either because they are not currently being utilised or are utilised only in selected manners. The first step would thus be to identify areas in which resources can be better mobilised. Thereafter, we will look into ways to optimise such resources to meet the needs of your own community with the tools at your disposal, which include technology, education to train and change mindsets as well as interregional collaboration and sharing of expertise.

As the saying goes, "One man's trash is another person's treasure." Each resource has its intrinsic value and it is up to us to imagine the numerous ways it can be used. Through AUS 2019, we hope that all will take up the challenge and dare to dream of the infinite possibilities, Â thereby creating a cycle of renewal and revitalisation for resources that have yet to realise their full potential.

+ Overseas Partner Universities

• Royal University of Phnom Penh
• Fudan University
• Universitas Indonesia
• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
• University of the Philippines
• Mahidol University

+ Overseas Leg

The Summit Theme sets the broad agenda for both the overseas and Singapore legs in order to provide unity across the two parts of AUS. Each host university is encouraged to then develop their own Summits around a particular topic relating to the theme.

Overseas Host Universities:

• Zhejiang University: "Sustainable Cities"
• Seoul National University: "Peacebuilding"
• Chulalongkorn University: "Tapping on the Aging Population"
• Universitas Airlangga: "Technological Advancement and Leadership"
• Hindu College: “Cultural and Environmental Resources”

Details for our overseas legs in AUS 2019 can be found here

+ Singapore Leg

Drawing from the main theme of “Harnessing Untapped Potential”, the focus of the Singapore leg is on the novel connections that can be created between different entities (which can be organisations, communities, sectors and more). The “potential” here is not any particular area or section of society, but of these connections which have not been realized yet (or not been established to their full potential). Finding and forging such connections can lead to the mutual benefit of everyone involved, where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts (synergy). The human, economic, cultural and environmental perspectives are some ways that participants can consider. In addition to forging such synergies, it is equally important to ensure that they are sustainable and can continue to persist over an extended period of time. This would also mean a solution that continues with minimal upkeep. In essence, the Singapore leg will focus on solutions which involve collaborations that are sustainable.

Our vision for this year’s Singapore programme is to offer a different aspect to the overarching idea of tapping into potential. While the overseas legs explore potential for growth in specific sectors, the Singapore leg looks at how different sectors and entities can come together to unlock new possibilities. Firstly, the groups involved may be able to provide what the other is looking for. Secondly, skills and resources that seem without purpose in isolation can be put into good use through collaboration.

+ Deliverables

In the Singapore Leg of AUS 2019, participants came up with innovative solutions to tap on unharnessed potential.

Click here to take a look at the deliverables the AUS 2019 Participants have come up with.

+ Media

Click here to take a look at the pictures taken during AUS 2019!