Media release: 355 LASALLE College of the Arts Diploma graduates champion the power of the arts to inspire and connect
LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore (LASALLE) celebrated the achievements of 355 graduates at its Diploma Convocation, held over two ceremonies at the Singapore Airlines Theatre on 14 August 2026.
Marking four decades of nurturing the next generation of creatives, this milestone honoured the Class of 2026 as they prepare to make their mark across Singapore’s evolving arts, media, fashion and design industries. For the first time, LASALLE held its Diploma Convocation at its McNally Campus, bringing together graduates, their families, faculty and distinguished guests for the occasion.
Guests of Honour Ms Denise Phua, Mayor, Central Singapore District and Member of Parliament for Jalan Besar GRC (Kampong Glam), and Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim, Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC, graced the two Diploma Convocation ceremonies, where they delivered speeches honouring the accomplishments of the graduating cohort and presented awards recognising outstanding student achievement. These included the Creative Future Impact Award and the LASALLE Awards for Academic Excellence, presented to seven top-performing graduates.
Professor Venka Purushothaman, President of LASALLE, said, “Our Diploma class of 2026 is graduating into a world of rapid and profound transformation, where new technologies are reshaping how we work and entire fields are emerging, while familiar ones are being remade. For artists, designers, performers and creative thinkers, this is a time brimming with potential—a space where something new can be formed. We are proud to have been part of our graduates’ journey, and we look forward to seeing how they will shape the future with courage and imagination.”
Among this year’s graduates, Heema Izzati received the Creative Future Impact Award in recognition of her exceptional artistic vision and promise as an emerging creative practitioner.
A multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Heema, who graduates with a Diploma in Music, has already carved out a place in Singapore’s music scene through collaborations with acclaimed local artists including Sezairi, Charlie Lim and Rahimah Rahim. She has performed on major stages such as the National Day Parade 2025 and the Esplanade, and released her debut EP, Sleep When You’re Tired, which showcases her signature blend of alternative rock, pop and soul. Building on this momentum, Heema will continue her artistic development at LASALLE, where she will pursue a BA (Hons) in Music while creating new music and growing as an independent artist.
Ong Jiakang Roger, one of the recipients of the LASALLE Award for Academic Excellence, graduates with a Diploma in Theatre Production and Management, demonstrating how technical excellence behind the scenes enables powerful artistic experiences. He has already built a diverse portfolio across stage, production and technical management, contributing his expertise in prop-making, set construction and camera operation to festivals and productions, including Ding Yi Music Company’s ECOncert.
For Diploma in Fine Arts graduate Dessa Nur Binte Khair, art is a powerful catalyst for community impact. Combining technical craft with a passion for public engagement, she has worked to make the arts more accessible, including through the design and execution of a large-scale mural at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in 2025, featuring uplifting typography to support and encourage healthcare professionals. Her work has also received institutional recognition, earning accolades at the Singapore Youth Festival 2018 and being exhibited at the National Gallery Singapore.
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