To commemorate World Mental Health Day, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) collaborated with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on 13 October 2024 to promote mental and physical well-being among migrant workers. The event saw some 250 migrant workers participate in a 2km mental health awareness walk in West Coast Park, followed by a wellness roadshow at the Penjuru Recreation Centre where SIT’s Physiotherapy team of faculty and students led personalised physiotherapy sessions for these migrant brothers.
This collaboration is part of SIT’s “10 Acts for Good”, a year-long endeavour featuring community and social initiatives in celebration of its 10th anniversary as an Autonomous University.
SIT Physiotherapy team supporting migrant workers
Organised by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) with support from various partners like SIT, the roadshow was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the mental health support ecosystem for migrant workers.
Physiotherapy does not only treat the injuries of migrant brothers, but also helps them prevent injuries and relieve psychological pressure through limb stretching exercises.
“If a foreign worker suffers from pain, it will inevitably cause psychological stress and affect his concentration. The purpose of physical therapy is to create a virtuous cycle from physical health to mental health,” said SIT’s Assistant Professor Audrey Lim from the Health and Social Sciences Cluster, who led a team of 20 Physiotherapy students at the event.
Asst Prof Audrey and her team were on site to teach the migrant workers some exercises to prevent injuries or pain from worsening. They also led group sessions using trigger balls to relieve muscle tension. “This is the second time that our SIT Physiotherapy team and students are involved in providing physiotherapy services for our migrant brothers. This time, it is on a much larger scale as it was conceived as one of the events under SIT’s 10 Acts for Good,” added Asst Prof Audrey.
The migrant brothers weren’t the only ones to benefit from this collaboration. As Asst Prof Audrey puts it: “SIT students gained valuable first-hand exposure to diverse cultural norms and practices, fostering empathy and enhancing their cultural competence and sensitivity.”
In addition to physiotherapy sessions, the migrant workers brothers also got to experience activities like participating in a game of giant Jenga. Organised by SITIntegrates, a student-led group focused on community integration, the activities were designed to promote teamwork and camaraderie.
“When we engage directly with migrant workers, we begin to see them not just as labourers but as individuals with unique stories, talents, and experiences. These interactions create opportunities for mutual respect and appreciation, which are key to bridging cultural and social divides,” said Cheryl Tay, a Year 3 Information and Communications Technology (Information Security) student and President of SITintegrates who was actively involved in the programme and logistics planning on the event day.
Cheryl’s earliest exposure to migrant workers was when they often joined her and her cousins for volleyball games at the playground during her childhood days. Their infectious energy and thoughtful gestures, such as offering her water after each game, fostered her respect and appreciation for the community.
The MOM roadshow wasn’t the first time SITIntegrates has engaged in such outreach efforts. Established in 2021, SITIntegrates aims to help migrant workers integrate into Singaporean society through various initiatives. The group has organised a number of recreational activities for migrant brothers, such as dodgeball, to help ease their transition.
Cheryl and fellow SITizen Kiran Kaur, a Year 3 Civil Engineering student, have been volunteering with the group since their first year at SIT back in 2022. Through the club’s meaningful events, they’ve had the chance to engage with migrant workers and build deeper connections with the community they serve.
“Working and interacting with our migrant brothers also helps to raise awareness for any challenges they might go through, which may result in a bigger community being able to help them,” said Kiran, who is also SITIntegrates’ head of publicity responsible for raising awareness of the roadshow.
SITIntegrates embodies the SITizen-DNA of being grounded in the community, aligning with SIT’s mission to use skills and knowledge to serve and strengthen society. Through the group’s efforts to help migrant workers integrate into Singaporean life, students from various disciplines collaborate to make meaningful contributions, enhancing the communities they live and work in.
With migrant workers comprising nearly one-fifth of Singapore’s population, supporting their well-being not only enriches the social fabric but also strengthens both the economy and the community at large.
SIT’s Punggol Campus embodies the spirit of the SITizen-DNA
In addition to its 10th anniversary, another milestone for SIT this year was the first phase of move into its new state-of-the-art waterfront campus located in the heart of the Punggol Digital District in September.
Underlining SIT’s dedication to giving back, the SIT Punggol Campus was where the “10 Acts for Good” initiative was conceived. Staff and students actively contribute their time and expertise to conceptualise and execute these efforts, working together to build a lasting impact on Singaporean society.
Through programmes such as mentoring at-risk youth, hosting public talks at the Punggol Regional Library, and providing healthy food options for local beneficiaries, SIT remains committed to creating a lasting, positive impact within the local community. There are also plans to establish a Mangrove Conservatory to preserve a range of genetically diverse mangrove species and reintroduce species that have disappeared from the local ecosystem.
Over the past decade, SIT has experienced remarkable growth, guided by its vision of applied learning to prepare future-ready graduates for Singapore’s progress. Central to this is the SITizen-DNA which shapes the university’s pedagogy: SIT students aren’t just preparing for the workforce—they actively contribute their talents to help the community. By placing individuals, industry, and innovation at its core, SIT fosters a deep connection with society, ensuring that students make meaningful impacts through both their education and service to the nation.
To discover more about SIT’s impactful initiatives, its unwavering commitment to community engagement, and its dedication to producing job-ready graduates, learn more here.
