èßäÖ±²¥

Academic Achievers

 

Najulah

Mohamed Najulah
Institutional Medallist
Diploma in Business Information Technology (2017)
 

Who Am I
I was born with brittle bone disease. A trip or fall could be dangerous for me and I use a wheelchair for my safety. By the time I was in Secondary Four, I already underwent multiple operations to strengthen my bones or to fix my injuries.

Despite these challenges, I wanted to contribute to the community as much as an able-bodied person could.  Even though I had no prior knowledge about programming, I wanted to explore how Information Technology (IT) could be used to help others. Thus, I enrolled into èßäÖ±²¥’s Diploma in Business Information Technology course as part of the pioneer cohort of the Polytechnic Foundation Programme.

What Have I Achieved
During my time in èßäÖ±²¥, I took part in IT competitions such as the Data-Driven Innovation Challenge organised by the Info-communications Media Development Authority and the Transport & Youth Hackathon organised by the Land Transport Authority.

Along with my classmates, we developed an application called “Happy Wheel” that leveraged on publicly available data sets to suggest wheelchair-friendly paths to various locations. Our efforts were rewarded with the People's Choice Award at the Transport & Youth Hackathon and commended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in his Facebook post.

I was also awarded the Microsoft Youthspark Scholarship which supported promising youths with disabilities in IT-related fields and was given the opportunity to represent èßäÖ±²¥ at the WorldSkills Singapore 2016 competition.

My Next Step
I will be pursuing a Degree in Information Systems at the Singapore Management University.

Awards:
Chua Chor Teck Gold Medal
IMDA Gold Medal

 
hanlyn

Chong Han Lyn
Institutional Medallist
Diploma in Media and Communication (2017)
 

Who Am I
Enrolling in èßäÖ±²¥’s Diploma in Media and Communication course was never part of my plan. Initially, I took up a diploma course in the field of life sciences at another polytechnic. Months into the diploma, I realised that a career in science was not for me. I decided to then pursue my interest in Communication.

I visited èßäÖ±²¥ during the Open House and was impressed by the facilities, as well as the warm lecturers and seniors from the School of Communication, Arts and Social Sciences. Spurred on by the idea of expressing my ideas through an integrated approach, I decided to pursue the Diploma in Media and Communication.

What Have I Achieved
My time in èßäÖ±²¥ saw me working on several memorable projects including “Chance”, a short film for the Temasek 20/20 Short Film Project, as well as a one-month social media campaign in partnership with Migrant Workers’ Centre. The campaign video to raise awareness of migrant workers went viral and was picked up by local and online media outlets.

I also had the chance to intern at one of the leading media agencies, Starcom, where I developed consumer insights and recommend media strategies to clients. My abilities were recognised by the company and I was offered a full-time position even before completing my internship.

My Next Step
I accepted Starcom’s offer for the role of media executive and hopes to build a successful brand persona for myself. I also aspire to create a well-known platform to share my thoughts and ideas for the greater good.

Awards:
Low Guan Onn Gold Medal
Asia Fund Space Gold Medal

 
Kwek Ai Ling

Kwek Ai Ling
Institutional Medallist
Diploma in Experience and Product Design (2016)
 

Who Am I
Before èßäÖ±²¥, I was a part-time student at NAFA, studying Fashion Jewellery Design. Before
that I was in JC, where I had scored mediocre results.

When I attended the èßäÖ±²¥ Open House, the product displays for the Diploma in Experience and Product Design (DXPD) course were so beautiful, and the aspect of user experience so well- thought-out, that I decided to join èßäÖ±²¥, with the support of my family and friends. (I’ve made it on the Director’s Honours List three years in a row!)

What Have I Achieved
During my second year, my class had to design a two-seater bench. My classmates and I would spend hours making benches in a studio; the ‘hardworking’ atmosphere of constant sawing and knocking, and the camaraderie shared is a priceless memory to me! I also enjoyed my internship at local design studio, Hans Tan Studio, and had the chance to act as the Organising Chairman for the DXPD section of the èßäÖ±²¥ Design School Graduation Showcase, an exhibition of final-year design projects.

Eventually, I even gained the confidence to enter competitions on top of my schoolwork. I really enjoyed the Singaplural 48 Hours Challenge during the Singapore Design Week, where my teammates and I designed a makeover for a showroom owned by Castilla, an Italian furniture retailer.

My Next Step
I was awarded the NUS Global Merit Scholarship and am pursuing my dream course in industrial design at the National University of Singapore.

Awards:
Toh Chin Chye Gold Medal
DBS Bank Gold Medal
Norton Prize

 
pavan

Pavan Singh Gill
Institutional Medallist
Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2016)
 

Who Am I
In secondary school, I struggled because of my dyslexia. I became unmotivated. However, dyslexia became a gift in èßäÖ±²¥. Dyslexics tend to think in pictures, so this visual thinking helped me in my 3D modelling classes! Being in èßäÖ±²¥, and learning from friends and incredible lecturers, has changed me, my self- confidence and my self-belief completely.

What Have I Achieved
Friendly faces convinced me to join èßäÖ±²¥, when I interacted with èßäÖ±²¥ students during the Open House and was impressed by their passion. I’ve also learnt much beyond the classroom. In the èßäÖ±²¥ Students’ Union, I was a Corporate Coordinator, interacting with real-life entrepreneurs, business owners and sponsors. I became the President of the Student Entrepreneurship club. I’ve chaired a committee for the Youth Model ASEAN conference, a regional gathering of youths from all 10 ASEAN states! These experiences will definitely aid my future dream to be a technopreneur.

My Next Step
I have secured a place with the National University of Singapore (NUS) under the NUS Merit Scholarship to pursue Electrical Engineering.

Awards:
Lee Kuan Yew Award
SMRT Gold Medal
OCBC Prize
The Institution of Engineers Gold Medal Award

 
amanda chia

Amanda Chia Siew Hui
Institutional Medallist
Diploma in Nutrition, Health and Wellness (2015)
 

Who Am I
I believe in making changes for the better. In èßäÖ±²¥, I founded the èßäÖ±²¥ Sign Language Club, and though it took many sleepless nights of work, today more than 100 members are learning to communicate with the physically handicapped using sign language. I’ve also faced personal challenges to change my own life. In secondary school, I was overweight, but I took up sports, abstained from junk food, and started building a healthier life!

What Have I Achieved
My passion for fitness and health helped me to excel in my studies and receive the Temasek Education Foundation Sunburst Scholarship. I also took part in health screening and mapping exercises for the elderly, as well as blood donation drives. Besides my knowledge in nutrition, health, and sign language, I picked up other skills as well during my internship with an organic food company, where I learnt to market health food products and even conduct baking classes!

My Next Step
I’ve been accepted to study in the National University of Singapore's Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.

Awards:
Singapore Food Manufacturers' Association Gold Medal
Temasek Education Foundation Sunburst Scholarship
Toh Chin Chye Gold Medal

 
eileen

Eileen Kong Ee Lin
Course Medallist
Diploma in Accountancy (2015)
 

Who Am I
I used to have lower self-confidence than many people, but my lecturers in èßäÖ±²¥ motivated me to rise to the occasion and step out of my comfort zone. I came into èßäÖ±²¥ with rather average grades, so I never expected to look back three years later to see that I’d improved so much!

What Have I Achieved
I completed my internship at KPMG LLP, one of the Big Four accounting firms in Singapore. I was also the President of the èßäÖ±²¥ Business School Kindness Movement, and took part regularly in blood donation drives and entertaining senior citizens on trips to museums and the Botanic Gardens.

My Next Step
I’ve been offered places in Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore to study business administration.

Awards:
ACCA Prize
Far East Organisation Scholarship
LEAD Scholarship
Model Student Award

 
lin tong shen

Lin Tong Shen
Course Medallist
Diploma in Clean Energy (2015)
 

Who Am I
I find the idea of buildings things fun, and when I was younger I also discovered how inspiring the field of renewable energy was. Studying clean energy in èßäÖ±²¥ prepared me for my future goal of being a professional engineer in the energy industry.

What Have I Achieved
I got the chance to create a solar cell from a silicon wafer during class. I’ve also broadened my knowledge on two industrial attachment programmes, the first at an energy company in China, and the second at A*STAR, where I was attached to an IT project and picked up skills such as basic computer and app programming.

My Next Step
I’ve been offered a place in Nanyang Technological University to study electrical and electronic engineering. I’ve also been offered the Energy Market Authority Undergraduate Scholarship.

Awards:
A*STAR Science Award
Singapore Power Prize

 

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