High above the bustling city NUS Hill stands tall. Its slopes whisper tales of a rich history. NUS Hill wasn’t always a hilltop campus. It once housed Raffles College a cradle of tertiary education. This grand institution opened in 1928. It stood at 469 Bukit Timah Road. Students studied arts and sciences there. The college was a long-awaited result of colonial efforts. It marked Singapore’s founding centenary.
Raffles College wasn’t alone on the hill. King Edward VII College of Medicine also had a presence. This medical college began in 1905. It was built on the Sepoy Lines. That location is now the site of the Singapore General Hospital. In 1949 Raffles College and the medical college merged. They became the University of Malaya.
The University of Malaya later split into two. One part remained in Malaya. The other became the University of Singapore. The University of Singapore eventually moved to Kent Ridge. This relocation began in 1969. It was completed by 1986. The Bukit Timah campus housed other institutions after the move. The National Institute of Education and the Singapore Management University were among them. NUS returned to Bukit Timah in 2006. The Faculty of Law and research institutes moved back. The Bukit Timah campus buildings were restored. They became classrooms and lecture theaters again.
The original Raffles College design was brilliant. It was created by Cyril A. Farey and Graham R. Dawbarn. Their design won a competition. It incorporated modern and elegant patterns. The design also adapted well to the tropical heat. The design included two quadrangles. These were grassy courtyards. Long halls surrounded them. The Manasseh Meyer Building bisected the courtyards. It had a pylon-like roof tower. The Oei Tiong Ham Hall was the gateway to the college. It had prominent arches supporting an upper gallery. Many buildings were named after donors. Oei Tiong Ham Manasseh Meyer and Eu Tong Sen were among these generous benefactors.
Today NUS Hill stands as a testament to Singapore’s educational journey. It is a place where past meets present. It is a beautiful example of architectural conservation. It is also a vibrant hub of learning. The hill’s transformation reflects Singapore’s growth. It is a reminder of the institution’s enduring legacy. It is a place of learning and progress. NUS Hill continues to shape future generations.