(VNF) – Nanyang Technological University (NTU, Singapore) is ranked No.1 in the latest QS Asia University Rankings.

Today, NTU is a research-intensive institution bridging the best of the East and West, and the world’s fastest-rising young university, according to Times Higher Education.

Talking about NTU, most people will think about the school as a great global university founded on science and technology, nurturing leaders through research and a broad education in perse disciplines.

It is also well-known as one of the seven founding members of the Global Alliance of Technological Universities (GlobalTech), and 1st among the world’s young elite universities, among many titles and awards.

These facts are all true, but have you ever wondered, what else does NTU have to surprise you?

Fact # 1: Competitive race for on-campus accomodation

Freshmen who stay at halls of residence at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) usually have to compete with each other and take part in as many extra-curricular activities as possible to stay on for a coveted second year.

But the coming batch of freshmen will have it much easier.

The freshmen in the 2017/18 academic year, which began this July, are guaranteed a room for two years, said NTU President Bertil Andersson at the annual State of the University address on March 16.

Halls regularly organise their own sports, recreational, and social activities, such as Hall Day celebrations and inter-hall games. (source: ntu.edu.sg)

"A residential experience is part of the holistic education we offer here at NTU," he said.

Hall rooms are currently awarded to seniors based on a competitive entry points system, where students take part in hall and university activities to earn points. There is usually a cut-off to qualify for a room in the second year.

Last September, NTU opened three new halls which offered 2,100 more places to students.

With the upcoming halls, about 14,200 undergraduates will be able to live in 24 halls across the campus, fulfilling over 90 per cent of the current demand. Typically, halls regularly organise their own sports, recreational, and social activities, such as Hall Day celebrations and inter-hall games.

Fact #2: Wide range of choice for library lovers

NTU can be considered a sanctuary for nerds, as there are 8 libraries available in the school campus, namely the Art, Design & Media Library, Business Library, Chinese Library, Communication & Information Library, Humanities & Social Sciences Library, Lee Wee Nam Library, Library Outpost, and Wang Gungwu Library.

The Humanities & Social Sciences Library in NTU (digitalsenior.sg)

Each library has its own distinctive feature, which aims to meet with specific needs of learners in different majors. Though, they all share key common traits, which is abundant supply, highly convenient and well-equipped.

For example, the Humanities & Social Sciences Library offers books and periodicals related to the social sciences (history, politics, linguistics) and literature (Eastern and Western, classical and modern) and fiction and non-fiction books (mostly in English).

This small, cozy library has small couches and cushioned seats, which is great for enjoying a good book or studying comfortably. It also has three toilet cubicles and a water cooler inside the library, making it unnecessary to leave the space.

Meanwhile, the Business library provides journals, periodicals, books, and references related to management, business, accountancy, and related areas. It also has several special rooms, known as Learning Commons, for group work, presentation, language learning, and movie watching.

Things students can borrow in NTU libraries are books, magazines, movies, and music. However, there are books that they can only borrow for a maximum loan period of 2 hours. A student can borrow a total loan of 20 items at once.

Students in NTU can use the PC in the libraries too. Technically, they are supposed to book a computer at the PC booking station in the library before use; and each booking is only for an hour. But no one really abides by it unless it’s the peak time for computer usage (for example, during midterms/finals period).

Fact # 3: Green campus:

The lush NTU campus, named one of the top 15 most beautiful in the world, is home to about 33,000 students as well as 5,000 faculty and researchers.

At this top-ranked engineering school, paths lined with palm and durian fruit trees link contemporary buildings, such as the School of Art, Design, and Media—a four-story glass building with an open courtyard, reflecting pool, and grass-covered roof that doubles as an outdoor communal space.

Green campus in NTU (source: ntu.edu.sg)

NTU’s love for nature is also reflected in a type of flower named after the school: Dendrobium Nanyang.

Dendrobium Nanyang is a pristine white orchid with a burst of purple at the heart of the bloom, signifying pure energy and a caring heart. The hybrid was created by students and teachers of Temasek Primary School as part of an orchid hybridisation programme developed at NTU’s National Institute of Education.

The exquisite white petals represent the qualities that embody the university spirit – passion, tenacity, fortitude, leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.

The students in NTU sometimes receive “special guests”. For example, last year November, a young pangolin got lost in a common room at Hall of Residence 7. It was later rescued and sent back to the wild that day.

Fact # 4: Never get bored with university food

Home to many canteens, fast food outlets and eateries—there is always something to munch on here in NTU. Think you need to scrimp and save? You might be surprised at the vast array of cheap and good food that NTU boasts.

Mouthwatering dish in NTU canteen (source: http://su.ntu.edu.sg)

From snacks to desserts, from breakfast to supper, from fast food to slow food, NTU has them all.

NTU canteens are where you can find Chinese food including Chinese mixed rice, dimsum, spicy hotpot, Korean bibimbap, BBQ to Western food like Italian macaroni, US burgers, peanut butter waffles among many others. (And the list promises to get longer in near future.)

The price is very affordable for students.