NUS trains 74 students to guide tours; restricts peak-hour access to manage tourist traffic

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SINGAPORE - Some 74 students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have been trained to conduct tours around University Town, as part of efforts to manage high tourist traffic in the university.

These students, comprising ambassadors or docents, will guide visitors through the campus’ University Town, said NUS on Jan 14, in response to queries from The Straits Times.

From Jan 13 to Feb 21, visitors must pre-book guided tours led by these trained students, NUS added.

Groups with pre-booked tours are also required to submit bus licence plate details, as outlined in a circular issued by Associate Provost for undergraduate education Daniel Goh on Jan 13.

This move comes as the university continues to work on managing high tourist traffic on campus during peak travel seasons from January to February, and August, Prof Goh said. This is the latest step in addressing a growing influx of visitors since 2024.

Visitors “are expected to strictly adhere to the university’s guidelines on campus tours”, Prof Goh said, adding that they are expected to “uphold visitor etiquette” to ensure minimal disruption. They will also be issued “special identification for easy recognition”, he said.

A pilot Digital Campus Access Pass has also been introduced from Jan 13, which will grant access to official guests of the university and authorised vendors to UTown foodcourts and the internal shuttle bus during restricted access timings.

The restricted access hours on weekdays between Jan 13 to Feb 21 are 11am to 2pm for UTown foodcourts, and 8am to 2pm for the university’s internal shuttle bus.

To support these efforts, the university’s student union deployed a team of student associates to work with security officers to ensure compliance with visitor guidelines in foodcourts and on internal shuttle buses, and to assist with crowd management, NUS said.

The university “remains committed to ensuring minimal disruption to the teaching and learning for our students and staff”, the university said, adding that longer-term measures were developed in “close consultation&rdqu...

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