honorary doctorate - | ntu · doctorate 1 1 honorary doctorate. professor sir keith o’nions is...

An honorary doctorate is one of higher education’s most significant accolades. The University awards honorary doctorates to distinguished individuals who have achieved pre-eminence in their field or profession, or who have made significant contributions to their country, the society or in international relations. They are conferred on individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the University or the community in the advancement of learning and knowledge or who have contributed significantly to the development of their country or the betterment of society and international relations.

Honorees affirm and dignify the University’s achievements and standing in Singapore and internationally. The conferment of honorary doctorates brings with it goodwill and contribute towards building up a network of research and other academic collaborations.

Honorary doctorates are conferred honoris causa, “for the sake of honour”. Honorary doctorates are awarded as: Doctor of Laws (honoris causa), Doctor of Science (honoris causa), Doctor of Letters (honoris causa), Doctor of Engineering (honoris causa) and Doctor of Education (honoris causa).

Honorary Doctorate recipients are selected by the University’s Honorary Degrees Committee and approved by the University’s Board of Trustees. This year, NTU will be conferring honorary doctorates on two individuals.

The two honorary doctorate recipients are:

Degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris causa)Sir Keith O’NionsChair, Cambridge Enterprise LtdChair, British Geological Survey(Public Orator: Mr Koh Boon Hwee)

Degree of Doctor of Letters (honoris causa)Mrs Margaret Lien Wen HsienGovernor Emeritus, Lien Foundation(Public Orator: Professor Ling San)

Honorary Doctorate

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Professor Sir Keith O’Nions is currently Chair of Cambridge Enterprise Ltd and will be Chair of Council for the University of Nottingham from January 2020. He attended the University of Nottingham, obtained a PhD in Earth Sciences from the University of Alberta in 1969 and became a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oslo in 1970.

From 1971 to 1975, Sir Keith taught Geochemistry at University of Oxford. He became Professor of Geology at Columbia University in 1975, Royal Society Research Professor in Cambridge from 1979 until 1995 when he moved to be Head of Earth Sciences at Oxford.

For his distinguished services in the field of earth sciences, he received a knighthood in the 1999 Queen’s Birthday Honours. From 2000 to 2004, he was Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence. After a period as Director General of the Research Councils, he was appointed to lead the newly formed Institute for Security Science and Technology at Imperial College in July 2008. Sir Keith became President and Rector of the prestigious Imperial College London (ICL) in 2010, a post he held till 2014. He also served as a member of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2018.

Sir Keith has participated in a broad range of academic and technological committees. He has been the chairman, or a member, of a number of Research Council committees over an illustrious 35 years, including a member of the UK Council of Science and Technology from 1998 to 2000. He was Trustee and then Chairman of the Natural History Museum from 1996 to 2005. He currently serves on the Board of A*STAR and the Board of Trustees of King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in

Sir Keith O’NionsChair, Cambridge Enterprise LtdChair, British Geological Survey

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Saudi Arabia. He is also a Trustee of The Black Stork Charity (Defence National Rehabilitation Centre).

Sir Keith, as President and Rector of ICL, was highly supportive of the formation of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), a flagship partnership between NTU and ICL. He was steady and determined in his leadership to see the partnership through and was generous with his time and efforts to establish LKCMedicine as a world-class medical school. Through the unstinting efforts of Sir Keith, the two universities have worked tirelessly over the past years to design an innovative, patient-centric medical education and to recruit top-notch students who will excel as doctors serving Singapore and Singaporeans.

During his term as a member of NTU Board of Trustees, Sir Keith contributed to discussions in a wide range of academic areas including degree programmes, leadership appointments, faculty appointments, academic governance and policies. He was always willing and ready to share his first-hand experiences in Imperial College London and his wealth of knowledge of other UK universities. Sir Keith joined the NTU Academic Affairs Committee and Enterprise Committee in 2011 and 2015 respectively. The Committees benefited immensely from his insightful contributions which had an impact on the quality and future of the University.

Professor Sir Keith O’Nions truly deserves this honorary degree for his outstanding contributions to NTU, especially in setting up the LKCMedicine, and his extensive contributions during his terms as a member of NTU Board of Trustees.


Mrs Margaret Lien Wen Hsien served as Chairman of the Lien Foundation from 2005 to 2009. As Chairman, she led the transformation of the Lien Foundation, which was set up in 1980 by her late husband, Dr Lien Ying Chow, from a charitable family foundation into a progressive privately funded philanthropic organization. It took a radical approach by supporting causes that tackle the roots of problems encountered. Under her leadership, the Foundation began to engage in an array of activities ranging from awareness raising to capacity building, to conceiving of projects, their funding and realisation.

An active philanthropist and engaged board member, Mrs Lien is genuinely interested in the causes the Lien Foundation champions, such as Exemplary Early Childhood Education, Excellence in Eldercare including end-of-life issues, and Effective Environmental Sustainability in Water and Sanitation. She was personally involved in the first few water and sanitary projects in rural communities in China, going into the field to witness the impact of its philanthropic work.

Mrs Lien spearheaded strategic partnerships and activities to deliver practical, sustainable solutions for society’s benefit. The Lien Foundation joined hands with NTU in several initiatives, including the Lien Foundation-NTU Environmental Endeavour, Lien Chinese Enterprise Research Centre, Lien Challenge and Lien Public Service Excellence Index for Chinese Cities among others.

Mrs Margaret Lien Wen HsienGovernor Emeritus, Lien Foundation

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In 2006, the Lien Foundation started the Environmental Endeavour I with NTU to improve the living conditions of developing communities in Asia. The Foundation further cemented its commitment to the partnership through the announcement of Environmental Endeavour II in 2010 with the administration transferred to NTU’s Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute. More than 1.1 million people from underserved communities in 7 countries across Asia have benefited from clean water and improved sanitation from this humanitarian partnership.

Through Lien Aid, the Endeavour’s international developmental non-governmental organization, it has initiated more than 38 projects across countries and garnered support from philanthropists, foundations, international NGOs, private sector enterprises and governments.

Having paved the way for a smooth leadership transition, Mrs Lien retired from the board of the Lien Foundation in 2009, passing the baton to the younger generation. Mrs Lien is currently Governor Emeritus of the Foundation.

In 2013, Mrs Lien made a personal donation to endow the Margaret Lien Centre for Professional Success (MLCPS) at NTU to provide a holistic curriculum to prepare students for success in their professional life by developing a set of sound moral values and personal skills. Since its


launch, more than 33,000 NTU students have benefitted from the courses offered by this Centre.

The award of honorary degree on Mrs Margaret Lien Wen Hsien is a fitting recognition for her passion and unswerving support towards promoting and raising the standard of education and living for the community.

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In 1995, the Chinese Newspapers Division of Singapore Press Holdings and Sony Systems Design International Pte Ltd jointly produced a CD-ROM on then Senior Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew. With the consent of Mr Lee, the net proceeds from the sale of 100 gold-plated CD-ROMs and 20,000 copies of the CD-ROM together with a TransitLink fare card were donated to the Universities Endowment Fund in 1996 to establish the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medals.

Commanding the greatest respect by virtue of the name of the award, the gold medals are presented to NTU graduates who have demonstrated academic excellence. 1996 saw the first ten NTU recipients of the award, and thereafter, numerous NTU graduates who emerged top in their respective programmes have been bestowed the prestige of the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medals.

This year, the gold medals will be awarded to 37 top NTU students who were first in general proficiency throughout their respective programmes of study and who have obtained Honours (Highest Distinction).

Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal

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Amanda Soo Li XinBachelor of Arts (Education)

Amanda is graduating with Honours (Highest Distinction) from the NIE Bachelor of Arts (Education). She was invited to participate in the Undergraduate Research in Campus Programme (URECA) where she completed an education research project incorporating Process Drama in secondary school art lessons to develop 21st century competencies. For this project, she attained a distinction and presented a paper at the 2018 International Conference of Undergraduate Research. In addition, she contributed a chapter to the NIE Publication, Practices of Inquiry: Through the Lens of the Student Teachers, in which she shared her insights about making the art classroom an interesting and engaging experience for students.

Amanda believes that the learning of art is a doorway to channel creative expression, self-mastery and character development; that the process of art-making should be used as an approach to help students consider social issues and develop a heart for the community. She aspires to make a difference as an Art educator – to be in tune with pedagogical trends, engage in more research and contribute towards the larger Art Education landscape in Singapore.

Ang Wei LoongBachelor of Engineering Science and Master of Science in

Technology ManagementAwarded for Bachelor of Engineering Science

Ang Wei Loong is a graduate from the fourth batch of the Renaissance Engineering Programme (REP). He always maintained an outstanding academic track record, and was consistently top of his class and on the Dean's List every year for his undergraduate programme.

He was the Vice President (Management) in the Renaissance Engineering Club (REClub) in AY2015/16 and played a significant role in overseeing the welfare of the student body by organising numerous events for them. In 2016, he was part of a 3-member team that beat over a thousand entries under Shell Ideas360 and clinched the Audience Choice Award. This is a prestigious global competition for university students to address Energy, Water and Food challenges around the world. His entry was also awarded the National Runner Up under the James Dyson award for its design.

Besides excelling academically, Wei Loong was also the start-up founder and Director of SURFSG. The start-up tracks recyclable contributions of users by using QR code stickers, allowing them to track their environmental impact while receiving incentives for their contributions. His start-up was one of the five start-ups admitted into the prestigious Enactus Accelerator Programme in 2018.

Wei Loong’s internship experience with Black & Veatch in the United States provided him with an excellent cross-cultural experience and exposed him to various wastewater treatment projects. Wei Loong is currently working as a Sales Manager at Handshakes by DC Frontiers, in addition to managing his own start-up.

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Bertrand Tee Zhi YingBachelor of Communication Studies

Bertrand Tee will graduate from the Bachelor of Communication Studies programme with a grade point average of 4.81/5.00. He received the OCBC Book Prize in his penultimate year and made the Dean’s List for two years. He has also been elected as valedictorian by the graduating class.

For his Final Year Project, Bertrand and his team initiated a fully integrated health communications campaign that encouraged intergenerational walking habits amongst Singaporean adults and their senior relatives to combat dementia. Overall, the pioneering campaign was well-received, garnering more than 20 participating organisations, more than S$20,000 worth of funding, and more than 27 million earned impressions. He received an ‘A’ grade.

Inspired by his student exchange stint at the University of Missouri and his multiple internship experiences at marketing communications agencies, Bertrand hopes to return to the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information to helm a practicum that exposes undergraduates to a simulated creative agency environment.

He has been employed as a Digital Marketing Analyst for Accenture Interactive, where he will be actively involved in a wide array of digital consulting projects spanning the remit of marketing, content, commerce, design and innovation.

Cai ZhongangBachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering)

Inspired by sophisticated flying machines, Cai Zhongang decided to pursue an Aerospace Engineering degree at NTU. Not only did he strive for academic excellence throughout his studies, but he also sought every opportunity to broaden his horizon beyond the classroom.

He was a mechatronic engineer in the NTU team that made it to the International Grand Final of RoboMaster. His knowledge in 3D printing won his team the Best Platform Award (Silver) in SAFMC. His embedded development skills helped his team rise as a National Finalist in Microsoft Imagine Cup 2017.

In his last two years of study, Zhongang developed an interest in artificial intelligence. He conducted two research projects under the supervision of Professor Pham Quang Cuong regarding deep learning-based object pose estimation and visual servoing. The research papers are under review for publication in the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems 2019.

With two successful internship experiences in the fields of autonomous vehicles and artificial intelligence, Zhongang is looking forward to gaining industrial exposure as a researcher in SenseTime, a highly valuable AI unicorn.

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Choo Wen Yeong FrederickBachelor of Arts in Philosophy

Frederick has attained unprecedented success during his time as an undergraduate philosophy major at NTU. First and foremost, Frederick has published four articles in peer-reviewed international academic philosophy journals, including Topoi and Asian Philosophy. His work has been accepted for presentation at international philosophy conferences, including The Haifa Philosophy of Religion Conference and the 6th Beijing Analytic Philosophy Conference (where he beat graduate students to win the best student paper). Frederick has also presented his work at graduate-student conferences in Italy and the USA.

Frederick worked hard in all his classes and was placed on the Dean’s List all four years. He was employed as a research assistant by two members of the philosophy faculty and he completed two URECA projects. Frederick also played an active role in the NTU undergraduate community, serving as vice president of the NTU philosophy club and as a member of NTU’s CAC Harmonix, which won “Champions of the Voice of NTU” in 2017.

Frederick’s extraordinary talents are not limited to school. He works as a freelance magician and mentalist. In 2018, Lux Magazine named Frederick “Magician and Mentalist of the Year — Singapore.”

The philosophy department is thrilled that Frederick will be starting his Master’s studies at NTU in August 2019.

Chun Win EeBachelor of Arts in Psychology

Win Ee is a Nanyang Scholarship holder, and has been on the Dean's List in AY2015-16 and AY2016-17, as well as the recipient of the Psychology Book Prize in AY2015-16 and AY2016-17. He is an academically excellent student. He won the coveted title of NTU President Research Scholar for AY2016-17 and AY2017-18 after successfully completing the URECA Programme, and was awarded Distinction for outstanding performance in research.

His achievements extend outside the classroom as well. He has participated in numerous co-curricular activities which include NTU’s premier Student Leadership Development Programme, NTU PEAK Leadership programme, ShARE Global (NTU Chapter), and was Co-Chair of the Hall of Residence 8 Freshman Orientation Camp Committee.

He has also been involved in community services by providing social impact strategy consultations to a non-profit start-up, volunteer in Project Mong (Vietnam). The project involved installing a water filtration plant for 160 schoolchildren to access clean water, and mentoring students in academic success, career preparation, skills development and personal branding.


Fei JiahuiDouble Degree in Bachelor of Accountancy and Bachelor of Business

Awarded for Bachelor of Accountancy

Fei Jiahui has sustained an exceptionally impressive academic record throughout his Double-degree Undergraduate Programme in Accountancy and Business.

A passionate learner by nature, Jiahui seizes every opportunity to apply accounting theories to real-life contexts. As Treasurer and Vice-President of the NTU Traditional Taekwondo Club, Jiahui used managerial accounting knowledge to restructure the club’s budgeting and expenditure processes, boosting the club’s overall financial health. Jiahui’s enthusiasm for Assurance and Financial Accounting saw him joining the NBS Assurance and Auditing Team as an Assistant Audit Manager, conducting audits on various NTU student clubs, including the Institute of Engineers Singapore (NTU Students' Committee) and the NTU Anglers Club.

Jiahui firmly believes in learning through sharing. He frequently conducted study/revision workshops on accounting, taxation and auditing modules for his friends. Through helping others, Jiahui developed a deeper understanding of various accounting concepts and established lasting friendships with peers.

Jiahui is grateful for the opportunity to participate in an overseas exchange at ZHAW School of Management and Law which allowed him to gain invaluable international exposure.

Jiahui will be joining PricewaterhouseCoopers’ as an Audit Associate.

Foo Zi Hao Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering)

Throughout his time in NTU, Zi Hao was inspired to apply his knowledge from his mechanical engineering curriculum to tackle challenging problems in research and development. Over the course of two years, Zi Hao devised a nascent microscale channel geometry for the augmentation of heat transfer, rivalling the efficiencies of state-of-the-art designs. He was later invited to represent NTU and share his research in two international conferences. His research papers, as the first author, have been accepted and published in leading international journals in thermal engineering.

On top of clinching three MAE Book Prizes and the CN Yang Research Gold Award, Zi Hao’s strong research showing secured him a 6-month-long research internship at MIT, where he worked on his Final Year Project. There, he invented a novel chemical-free membrane cleaning technique for desalination, which is currently under patent consideration. His co-authored manuscript is also presently under review.

Going forward, Zi Hao hopes to continue leveraging his expertise in thermal sciences to alleviate problems surrounding the global water scarcity and energy conundrum. He will be commencing his Ph.D. studies at MIT in September 2019, having been awarded the prestigious MIT Presidential Fellowship.


He QixiangBachelor of Science (Sport Science & Management)

He Qixiang is an outstanding student who excels in both studies and sports. He has achieved successive Dean’s List awards over the years and demonstrated tremendous progress. His commitment to excellence in academic work did not prevent him from representing NTU in football. He led the NTU varsity team as the team captain for AY 2018/2019. He is also a recipient of the NTU Half-Colours award. Qixiang’s enthusiasm for sport science, in particular, applications of sport science knowledge to football, led to his proactive engagements with elite sport teams and organisations. Through his internship, he supported the National Youth Sport Institute’s effort in their development of talent identification methods. His work with them also resulted in a publication as the lead author. In addition, he also served as the Head of Sports Science and Goalkeeper Coach for the Singapore Armed Forces Sport Association (SAFSA) Football Team.

Qixiang has been awarded the prestigious Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship and will embark on his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research journey in the Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group at NTU’s National Institute of Education. He has chosen to specialise in data analytics in the context of football talent identification and development.

How Jian BoonBachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

Jian Boon was awarded the College Scholarship in 2016 to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences as a direct second year student. His stellar academic performance placed him on the Dean’s list for three consecutive years of his undergraduate studies. Fuelled by his endeavour to improve crop productivity and food security, he embarked on his research journey in plant biochemistry through his Final Year Project. He demonstrated that molecular chaperone-mediated reactivation of Rubisco, a critical carbon fixation enzyme in photosynthesis, can occur within protein condensates formed using a recently discovered scaffold protein. This finding is highly relevant to translational efforts aimed at enhancing the poor efficiency of natural photosynthesis and could also yield future opportunities within the realm of synthetic biology.

Eager to unravel and contribute more towards translating his work into practical applications in the long run, Jian Boon has been awarded the prestigious Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship to pursue his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in NTU.


Ian Alexander NgBachelor of Arts in English

Ian is an outstanding student who has consistently garnered excellent grades in all his semesters as an English undergraduate, earning him three consecutive placements on the Dean’s list, and the top Grade Point Average in his cohort, one of the highest in recent years. Ian has impressed all who have taught him with his astute intelligence, the breadth and depth of his reading, and his articulate and persuasive ability to frame his thoughts. His URECA project on Philip Sidney’s “Atrophil and Stella” received a High Commendation in the Global Undergraduate Awards 2018 programme, while his Final Year Project on John Milton earned high praise from his examiners.

Ian is also a gifted writer who has contributed significantly to Epiphany, NTU’s English and Drama Society. He is passionate about heritage conservation and has volunteered as a guide for National Heritage Board tours to heritage sites and buildings. Ian has fulfilled his promise as a Ministry of Education Teaching Scholar. His acceptance into the Masters programme at Cambridge University to pursue research in Renaissance Literature is a big step towards a stellar future as a teacher and scholar.

Jessie Gan Hui SzeBachelor of Science in Environmental Earth Systems Science

Jessie obtained a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Earth Systems Science with Honours (Highest Distinction) from the Asian School of the Environment (ASE), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and graduated as the Valedictorian of the graduating class of 2019. In recognition of her academic merit and leadership potential, she was awarded the NTU College Scholarship as well as the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) Scholars’ Fellowship to pursue her undergraduate education.

In her undergraduate years, she was involved in several research projects, notably an overseas summer forest research experience jointly organised by ASE and the Smithsonian Institute in 2017, and contributed to then-existing Smithsonian research projects. For her Final Year Project, she conducted a study to investigate the recovery of the secondary forest in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve by examining influences behind its slow recovery.

She has always aspired to advance environmental conservation and sustainability, and slowly but surely, make a difference in the world. Deep within, she is also strongly passionate about wildlife research. She plans to venture into the fields of wildlife research, environmental consultancy or corporate sustainability.


Jin YeBachelor of Science in Mathematics & Economics

Jin Ye has achieved outstanding academic results throughout her undergraduate study in NTU’s Mathematics and Economics programme. With an overall CGPA of 4.94, she was placed on the Dean’s List for AY2015/2016, AY2016/2017 and AY2017/2018. Her passion for statistics, economics and data science motivated her to do her Final Year Project entitled “Composite Quantile Regression for Longitudinal Data using the Mixture of Asymmetric Laplace Distributions” under the guidance of Professor Xiang Liming. Upon graduation, Jin Ye will be joining BHP, a global leading resources company, to undertake multiple rotations under its Graduate Programme. She aspires to be a data analyst, applying her statistical knowledge and computing skills to innovate scalable solutions and new insights across industries for making better future policies and business decisions.

Kon Wen YuBachelor of Science in Physics

Wen Yu is a remarkable young physicist. He is exceptionally talented and knowledgeable. In most regards, he functions closer to a senior graduate student than an undergraduate. He is able to find creative ways to analyse data, perform hard calculations, and communicate his ideas clearly. His intellectual independence is particularly noteworthy. Wen Yu made a breakthrough understanding new physical phenomena that were experimentally discovered in Tom Killian's group at Rice – specifically new features in nonlinear photoassociation of ultracold halo molecules – and devised techniques that harnessed this discovery to enable experiments to control how atoms interact, opening up paths to new types of quantum matter. While a typical exceptional undergraduate would be proud to submit one paper in a six month research project, Wen Yu published two in his time at Rice University. These papers laid the foundation for a new project, which is already being investigated in collaborations with the experimental group at Rice.


Leong Hau XiangDouble Degree in Bachelor of Accountancy and Bachelor of

BusinessAwarded for Bachelor of Business

Leong Hau Xiang has proven himself to be an academically outstanding student. He consistently maintained a near perfect GPA and was on the Dean’s List twice during his four years in NBS.

With an inquisitive mind and an insatiable appetite for knowledge, Hau Xiang strived to win the NTU President Research Scholarship, and presented a paper at the International Conference of Undergraduate Research in 2018. His research paper on size premium made a practical impact on the litigation and valuation issues faced in Singapore. He was also the Vice President (Research) in the Risk Management Society (RMS) and led a team in publishing risk management issues.

Besides achieving academic excellence, Hau Xiang possesses empathy and compassion for the less privileged. As Welfare Head of RMS’ Overseas Exposure Programme, Project WA’RMs, he campaigned for funds to contribute to the building of a secondary school in a rural Laotian village.

Hau Xiang also gained significant and invaluable international exposure during exchange at the Aalto University School of Business, and while working with Wilmar in Ghana.

Hau Xiang will be joining KPMG as a Valuation Associate.

Lie Thomas AlisonBachelor of Engineering (Computer Engineering)

Thomas is a graduate from SCSE’s Computer Engineering programme. He consistently maintained a very good academic performance throughout his studies, as demonstrated by his place on the Dean's List for three consecutive years.

Believing academic achievement must be balanced by character development, Thomas also actively participated in several on-campus club activities, such as the "PINTU Peduli", an Indonesian student welfare-oriented organisation, the NTU Students’ Union, as well as the NTU Christian Fellowship. He also went for a summer exchange at Korea University in his third year to enhance his communication and leadership skills. In line with his interest in management, he completed a Minor in Business.

Thomas’ main academic interest is in the area of computer networks, leading him to specialise in Networking and Mobility during his final year. He was also the recipient of the Accenture Book Prize. In addition, Thomas also participated in NTU’s URECA programme to explore his curiosity in the research field, which led to a nominated paper in CSEIT 2018.

Thomas plans to pursue further studies upon graduation.


Lim Zhi JunDouble Degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering)

and Bachelor of Arts in EconomicsAwarded for Bachelor of Arts in Economics

Lim Zhi Jun was awarded the NTU College Scholarship to pursue a Double Degree in Aerospace Engineering and Economics. She is an excellent student who had a near perfect academic record throughout her five years at NTU. She was consistently placed on the Dean’s Lists of both the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and the School of Social Sciences for two years and four years respectively. Apart from her academic endeavours, Zhi Jun was also actively involved in research. She undertook a research internship with Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and also participated in the Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) programme. This year, she was awarded the NTU-CAAS PhD Leaders Track Scholarship to pursue her postgraduate education with the Air Traffic Management Research Institute (ATMRI) in NTU.

Loh Jia Ling CelestineDouble Degree in Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical & Biomolecular

Engineering) and Bachelor of Arts in EconomicsAwarded for Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering)

Celestine was awarded the Nanyang Scholarship to pursue a double degree programme in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Economics at NTU. She was listed on the Dean’s Lists of both schools in 2015 and 2016. She also spent one semester in a student exchange programme in National Taiwan University. Celestine demonstrated excellent academic results with a cumulative grade point average of 4.93 in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and a cumulative grade point average of 4.94 in Economics.

Aside from her academic excellence, she was involved in various activities at NTU. In her first year, she was a member of SCBE Club Sports Subcommittee, SCBE OCIP Sports Subcommittee, and was assistant chief Programmer for the SCBE Freshman Orientation Camp. She was also an active Table Tennis team member in the NTU Hall of Residence and during her exchange at National Taiwan University. In summer of her second year, she joined the Delicieux - Ultimate Food Trail Challenge as a Business Manager to source and liaise with cafes and companies for partnerships and sponsorships. Celestine also has great interests in healthcare and joined multiple internships in hospitals such as Thye Hua Kuan Hospital, Mount Alvernia Hospital and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. Celestine will be joining the Duke-NUS Medical School to pursue a medical career.


Myo Myo Swe OoBachelor of Engineering (Bioengineering)

Myo Myo couples her academic gifts with a spirit for adventure, not in the conventional sense, but an excitement to be involved in early stage developments of programmes when there is a chance to shape things. As Vice-President at the AIESEC NTU, a local chapter of the world’s largest student-run not-for-profit organisation, she actively established new international partnerships and initiated self-improvement workshops for her peers. She brings this zeal for making a difference everywhere she goes. While on exchange in Norway, she found a knack for planning and teaching classes together with international volunteers. Back home, her talents were instrumental in her contributions towards the formation of the student ANAlytics and daTA science (ANATA) interest group, with the aim of educating peers and connecting with industry.

Myo Myo’s main passion is in healthcare technologies and how they best meet humans’ needs. She has spent much of her time interning with leading healthcare consultancies, where she was involved in overseas field studies to better understand regional markets. Most recently, she completed a project with NTUShARE Student Strategy Consulting, a student-run management consultancy chapter, and is now looking forward to making an even bigger impact in the real world.

Ng Fang LinBachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences

(NTU-Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Double Degree Programme)

Awarded for Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences

Fang Lin decided to pursue a double degree in Biomedical Sciences and Chinese Medicine due to her curiosity and interest in Chinese Medicine. She maintained a remarkable academic track record and was placed on the Dean’s List for three consecutive years. With consistent diligence at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, she was also awarded the Beijing Foreign Students Scholarship. While in Beijing, she took up a leadership role in the class committee as the academic coordinator where she faithfully fulfilled her duties of serving the class in academic related areas. For her Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) and Final Year Project, she did a research on the properties of peptides extracted from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs, which exposed her to possible research areas in the TCM field. Fang Lin hopes to use the knowledge gained throughout her degree programme to become an effective TCM physician capable of helping many patients in future.


Ooi Wen Rui KennethBachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences

With an overall CGPA of 4.99 and an astounding 31 courses graded A+, Ooi Wen Rui Kenneth’s excellent academic results have placed him on the Dean’s List for AY2016/2017 and AY2017/2018. His aptitude for learning is evident in his stellar results in a wide range of courses from Financial Mathematics through Time Series Analysis to German, French and Russian languages. He completed his Overseas Final Year Project entitled “Multi-period principal-agent problems” under the supervision of Prof. Anthony Réveillac and Prof. Nicolas Privault. Kenneth has accepted the Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship to read for a PhD at NTU School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, under the supervision of Prof. Gan Woon Seng, working on audio classification in machine learning.

Pang Aaron JianshengBachelor of Science (Education)

In four years at NIE-NTU, Aaron had the privilege of taking part in a plethora of meaningful activities. These included completing an internship at the Singapore Boys’ Hostel, participating in an International Practicum stint at Koyo High School in Nagoya, Japan, and spending a semester abroad reading courses at San Diego State University. He also undertook research in both the Education and Physics disciplines. The Education research paper he wrote, “The Role of Representations in Making Thinking Visible” attained a distinction in the Undergraduate Research in Campus Programme (URECA). It was also given a Highly Commended accolade – the top award in the Education category – at The Global Undergraduates Award in 2018. Aaron also had the opportunity to present this paper at the 2018 Korean Association for Science Education (KASE) 73rd International Conference.

For his academic achievements, Aaron is graduating with Honours (Highest Distinction). He is looking forward to serving MOE as a teacher and gaining different classroom teaching experiences, before deciding which area of education he would like to pursue more deeply in higher education.


Rifdi Bin RoslyBachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Digital Imaging

Rifdi is an NTU Dean’s List recipient for three consecutive years and is graduating as Valedictorian of his ADM batch. For his artistic practice throughout his study in ADM and his Final Year Project, Rifdi was awarded the Kwek Leng Joo Prize of Excellence in Photography in 2019, winning a cash grant that goes towards furthering his artistic practice and that will culminate in an exhibition in mid-2020.

Since 2018, his fine art photography works, which explored his lived experience as a mixed-race individual in Singapore, have been exhibited in six exhibitions, both locally and internationally. He was also part of the organising committee for ‘A State of Affairs (or the way things are)’ photography exhibition held at DECK, Singapore, which ran from 20th February to 3rd March 2019. In this capacity, he handled curatorship and logistical roles.

Rifdi also works as a freelance photographer, most notably for his continued documentative work for Singaporean painter and sculptor David Chan, as well as the ADM Gallery. After graduation, Rifdi intends to start a content creation and creative agency with some of his peers, whilst continuing his own individual artistic practice.

Seah Xin YunBachelor of Science in Chemistry & Biological Chemistry

Xin Yun is a very bright and enthusiastic student, always willing to do more and to further explore new solutions to the scientific questions given to her. Xin Yun is graduating in Chemistry and Biological Chemistry with a Second Major in Food Science and Technology (FST). Despite the demanding programme, she has managed to maintain an exceptional GPA, and helped in many other activities of the programme, including designing all the FST T-shirts. Xin Yun is always willing to help others in need, including her friends and peers. In addition, she is involved in social work on a weekly basis, guiding people with special needs. Xin Yun is very passionate about research and would like to work in the food industry.


Soh Chuah Meng EsmondBachelor of Arts in History

Esmond Soh is the outstanding history student in his cohort. Focusing his studies on the history of the Chinese diaspora, Chinese religion in Southeast Asia, and comparative religious history, Esmond demonstrated the ability to produce original historical research of a high standard. In particular, Esmond spent several years working on a collaborative project documenting the ‘Nine Emperor Gods’ festival, including conducting oral history, archival research, and photographic documentation. This work ultimately led to Esmond’s Final Year Project exploring the history of a particular temple in Singapore. Esmond has published and presented his work in a number of academic forums, including the Jonestown Report and the CoHASS Graduate Conference. Esmond was awarded a College Scholarship in 2015, was on the Dean’s List from 2015 to 2018, and was awarded the HSS Book Prize in 2016 and 2017. He will also graduate with a second major in Public Policy and Global Affairs.

Steve Peck Teck WeiBachelor of Engineering (Materials Engineering)

Steve has performed consistently well in his studies and was placed on the Dean’s List every year throughout his candidature. He challenged himself in working on his Final Year Project (FYP) on binders for lithium-ion batteries, despite having no prior knowledge of the field.

Steve attributes the main impetus of his academic growth not to a keen mind, but more towards his attitude of never giving up. He was never shy to consult his professors after class, and strongly believes that it was his fighting spirit towards understanding concepts which rewarded him in the end.

He is humbled to receive a job offer for the position of Process and Equipment Engineer from Micron. He hopes to be able to build on and expand his knowledge of wafer fabrication, which captivated his curiosity during his undergraduate studies.


Sun MengyiBachelor of Arts in Chinese

As the recipient of the Nanyang Scholarship, Sun Mengyi has consistently strived hard to maintain excellence in all areas of her study in Chinese. In recognition of her outstanding academic achievements, she was placed on the Dean’s List of School of Humanities and received the Wan Boo Sow Award for Chinese Major Students for three consecutive times from AY 15/16 to AY 17/18. While undertaking a Minor in Translation, Mengyi was also the recipient of the Wan Boo Sow Award for the course in AY 2017-18.

Besides academic pursuits in coursework, Mengyi has been active in research as well. With a great passion for the field of Chinese linguistics, she undertook the Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) and FYP-URECA to examine the formation of Singapore Mandarin Chinese as a variant of Global Chinese. Her research papers have been presented at international conferences, and one of these was accepted for publication in a journal.

A keen and dedicated researcher, Mengyi hopes to further pursue her studies and embark on a career in education and research to enhance the effectiveness of Chinese language teaching.

Tan Kit YeeBachelor of Arts in Public Policy and Global Affairs

Tan Kit Yee is a Nanyang Scholarship holder with an exemplary academic record in NTU. She was on the Dean’s List for AY2015-2016 and AY2016-2017, as well as the recipient of the School of Social Sciences Book Prize awarded to the student with the best academic performance in the programme for AY2016-2017.

In addition to her excellent academic record, she participated actively in a number of committees such as the PPGA Club Main Committee. Kit Yee also volunteers for the Regular Service Project (Elders) portfolio, providing a constant source of care and companionship for the elderly. This involves interaction with the senior citizens, understanding the needs of the elderly, and organising activities for them on a regular basis.


Tang Xian CherBachelor of Arts in Linguistics & Multilingual Studies

Tang Xian Cher is an outstanding student in Linguistics and Multilingual Studies and the University Scholar’s Programme. She was on the Dean’s List (top 5% of the Cohort) in AY1617 and AY1516, and was the recipient of the Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Award during her exchange semester in the University of Newcastle, Australia in 2017. Xian Cher is passionate about language and learning foreign languages. She has studied French, Korean, Italian, Latin, and Spanish during her time in NTU, and received the highest grade in these subjects. She also undertook the Overseas Programme for Spanish Language Immersion in the University of Salamanca, Spain in Summer 2016, and obtained an exceptional grade.

Xian Cher’s passion for and interest in linguistics and languages led her to undertake a Final Year Project focusing on language shift and maintenance in Singapore, which investigated the changes in the use of various languages across different domains. She is very professional, mature, and conscientious in her work approach.

Truong Vinh HienBachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering)

With a great interest in creating a safe and clean environment, Hien has always been motivated to excel in his academic work, and is graduating with an Honours (Highest Distinction) degree. In addition to being an ASEAN Scholar, he was given the CEE Admission Award (Silver), was placed on the Dean’s List for three consecutive years, and won four Book Prizes for Top Performance in his course.

Beside his academic achievements, he also gained valuable experience from his internship at Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Science Engineering, where he assisted in lab-scale bioreactors and analysing data. With a desire to study more about potable water, he embarked on his Final Year Project at Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, where he investigated the feasibility of nanofiltration pre-treatment in reverse osmosis desalination. Aspiring to contribute more to the field as a researcher, he decided to further his studies and has been offered the Nanyang President Graduate Scholarship for his PhD programme. By continuing his learning journey, Hien hopes to make a greater impact on creating a sustainable future.


Wee LinBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

Wee Lin was a recipient of the Toh Kian Chui scholarship throughout her five years pursuing her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. She is thankful for the guidance of good clinical mentors that shaped her clinical learning, so that she was able to earn a spot on the Distinction/Merit list for five consecutive years.

Wee Lin is also active in the field of medical research, having successfully published in journals such as the Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System. She was awarded the SingHealth Medical Student Travel Development Award in 2018, to present her research done with Prof Umapathi Thirugnanam at conferences in Baltimore, USA in 2018 and Genoa, Italy in 2019. She has also worked with Prof Philip Yap on his work with dementia patients as part of her Year 4 Scholarly Project, which earned her the Highly Commended Award. She presented the Scholarly Project findings at the Global Conference for Integrated Care in 2018, and won the First Prize in the Oral Presentation Category.

Wee Lin is active in the dance scene in Singapore, where she was a scholar of the M1 Frontier Danceland Pulse Programme from 2014 to 2017. She participated in dance competitions such as The Royal Dance Off Duet in 2016 as a finalist, and in various ad hoc dance projects, including the Colours in Motion project in 2015. Having started her first few months of clinical practice, she is grateful for the continued opportunities to learn, grow and hone her clinical acumen in the General Medicine department of Tan Tock Seng Hospital. She is looking forward to advancing healthcare to the best of her abilities for her patients.

Wong Meng HuiBachelor of Arts in Sociology

Wong Meng Hui has an exemplary academic record in NTU. She was a USP scholar and was on the Dean’s List for AY2016-2017. She was selected to participate in NTU’s Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) programme, for which she was awarded the title of NTU President Research Scholar after the completion of the programme.

Apart from her academic endeavours, Meng Hui is an active sportswoman. She joined the NTU Judo Club in her freshman year and remains an active member. She represented NTU in both team and individual events in the Inter-Tertiary Competition in 2015 and 2017, and won three bronze medals. She also volunteered for the 28th Southeast Asian Games held in Singapore, providing support to the logistical operations.


Yan ZiruiBachelor of Science (Maritime Studies)

Zirui achieved academic excellence in her four-year study at NTU. She received the CEE Admission Award (Platinum) and won six Book Prizes for Top Performance in various courses. Furthermore, she was placed on the Dean’s List for four consecutive years. She participated in the Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus and her project received the Certificate with Distinction. During her third year, Zirui participated in a semester exchange at BI Norwegian Business School, where she organised the CEE Culture Outreach Programme as the Vice Chairperson. Beyond academics, Zirui completed two internships with Maersk Line and Unilever.

With a hunger for knowledge beyond shipping, she completed a Minor in Risk Management and Insurance. From there, she discovered her interest in insurance, especially in marine insurance. Hence, Zirui has accepted the offer for the position of Deputy Claim Executive from Gard, a renowned Norwegian marine insurance company. Looking forward, Zirui wishes to continue to learn on the job, and gradually grow into a professional in the field of marine insurance.

Yang ZhutianBachelor of Engineering (Information Engineering & Media)

Yang Zhutian is graduating from the B. Eng (IEM) programme with Honours (Highest Distinction). Her studies at NTU was fully sponsored by the SM2 scholarship. She was on the Dean's list in her first two years of study. In her third year, she joined the local exchange programme at NUS and the undergraduate special student programme at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), gaining distinctions in all her class assessments. The exchange experiences inspired her to shift her focus from Digital Signal Processing to Artificial Intelligence. After graduation, she will pursue a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT, before serving her bond in Singapore. She was selected for the David S Y and Harold Wong Fellowship at MIT, which is offered only to the strongest and deserving candidates. She aspires to build a computational model of human intelligence, and is committed to further the scientific understanding of human intelligence to bring about exciting engineering opportunities to society.


Yew Shao JieBachelor of Engineering (Computer Science)

Shao Jie is a graduate from SCSE’s Computer Science programme, specialising in Data Science during his final year of study. For three consecutive academic years, he was placed on the Dean’s List for his outstanding academic achievements.

Shao Jie is passionate about Big Data and Artificial Intelligence, and is inspired to use data, logical thinking and technology to solve business problems. During his course of study, he took up various internships to keep himself knowledgeable about the technology industry and to build up expertise in Big Data. One of his intern opportunities was with Shopee as a data analyst, where he learnt valuable knowledge and leveraged technologies to make sense out of data to help the company in decision-making and strategic planning.

Upon graduation, Shao Jie will be joining the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies as a Data Engineer to follow his aspiration of working in the field of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence.

Zeng JunhaoBachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronic Engineering)

Junhao has been on the Dean’s List consistently and is now graduating with Honours (Highest Distinction). The B. Eng (EEE) programme has equipped him with practical knowledge in both hardware and software. He studied in the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA, for one semester and achieved excellent academic results. Driven by his passion for ubiquitous computing, he developed a health monitoring mobile application for his Design & Innovation project as well as an IoT device, a voice-enabled smart mirror, for his Final Year Project. The smart mirror has been deployed for practical use at the EEE Academic Programme Office.

After graduation, Junhao will further his postgraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego. Reflecting on his undergraduate experience at NTU, he will like to continue his journey as a lifelong learner and make substantial contributions to enhance human-computer interactions.


Zhu TingerBachelor of Engineering (Civil)

Inspired by enthusiasm for Civil Engineering, Tinger has completed her undergraduate study with Honours (Highest Distinction). Besides being an NTU Science and Engineering (SM2) scholar, she was placed on the Dean’s List for three consecutive years. She won the Meinhardt Book Prize in her first year, and won 11 Book Prizes for Top Performance in her courses. In addition, she also received the Academic Excellence Award during her summer study in Korea University.

Besides academic achievements, she developed her research skills by participating in the Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) programme in Year 2, and continued with the same topic for her Final Year Project (FYP). During the process, she published two conference papers as the second author. Furthermore, Tinger joined the Site Development team in Arup Singapore for Professional Internship programme in Year 3, and received the Certificate of Merit for her outstanding work during the internship. She has accepted the return offer from Arup, and plans to use her knowledge and skills learnt in the university to make an impact in the Civil Engineering industry in the future.

LEE KUAN YEW GOLD MEDAL 26

Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award

To recognise teaching excellence and the impact great teachers have on their students, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) initiated the “University Scholars Award”, first presented to the graduating class of Academic Year 2006/2007. The award was renamed the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award in 2010 in recognition of the generous gift to the University from Mr Koh Boon Hwee, Chairman of NTU’s Board of Trustees. Together with the Singapore government’s dollar-for-dollar matching contribution, the gift established an endowment fund that supports the award.

This award gives recognition to the influence of inspirational teaching, and the enduring bonds that are forged between teachers and students. It aims to establish long-lasting and fulfilling relationships between the University, the students and their teachers.

Top NTU students who win this award have achieved excellent academic performance, displayed strong leadership ability, demonstrated potential for contributing to society as well as displayed exemplary conduct and been held up as role models for their peers.

Winners each acknowledge an NTU faculty member as well as a teacher from their former junior colleges, polytechnics, or equivalent institutions, who have inspired them and contributed significantly to their education.

These teachers and NTU faculty members will be honoured at the NTU Convocation. The teachers will also be recognised for their inspirational teaching by having individual S$5,000 cash grants established in their names. Each honoured teacher can nominate a student from their junior colleges, polytechnics or equivalent institutions to receive the S$5,000 grant upon admission to NTU.

27 KOH BOON HWEE SCHOLARS AWARD

Aisyah Binte Yusoff Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Aisyah Yusoff has excelled academically in both Sociology and her second major in Public Policy and Global Affairs. She was on the Dean’s list in AY2015-16 and AY2017-18, and won the Mr and Mrs Kwok Chin Yan Book Prize in AY2015. Aisyah has a passion for research. She was awarded Distinction for her URECA project, and was selected to present at a prestigious international undergraduate conference. She was selected for the NTU PEAK programme — an intensive leadership development programme co-developed with the industry to groom high calibre NTU students into industry-relevant future leaders for the workplace and community. During the programme, she conducted an ethnographic study on company culture for Rolls-Royce Singapore. Aisyah has also dedicated her time to under-represented communities in Singapore. She has taken on key organisational roles in planning activities for persons with special needs as part of NTU-Welfare Services Club and also with the MINDS, the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled Singapore, Youth Group. Through her research, Aisyah hopes to dispel misconceptions of under-represented communities in Singapore. Aisyah is planning to further her studies.

wishes to honour:

Mr Ong Chye Meng, FredNational Junior College

Not only was Mr Fred Ong an outstanding teacher, at times, he seemed like a friend too. Students could speak freely with him and he would often crack jokes in class to relieve the immense stress we were under. He always went the extra mile when providing class materials for his students and encouraged us to do better, without fail. The manner in which he teaches students is telling of his genuine love for human geography. His passion undoubtedly sparked my interest in Sociology. I owe it to his sincerity in building up and supporting students for many of my achievements today. His disposition towards his students made me look beyond the instrumental value of education, as I began to understand the centrality of kindness, empathy and passion in our pursuit of knowledge. His belief in me gave me the confidence that I could always do better.

Assoc Prof Premchand Varma DommarajuSchool of Social Sciences

I am extremely grateful to have Assoc Prof Premchand Dommaraju as a mentor. I first worked with Prof Prem during my URECA programme when I experienced sociological research first hand. My questions were always met with patience and he was always keen to explore ideas, often offering guidance and encouragement. His compassion and genuine passion for Sociology inspired me. As I opened up to him about my future aspirations in research, he was always encouraging and often provided useful suggestions, especially when I raised doubts and questioned my own abilities. His wisdom and candid honesty on research and academia provided a balanced perspective, which allayed my fears and spurred me on to pursue my passion for research. I am thankful for his personal anecdotes and reminders of what is truly important in life through our discussions. For my interest in research, I owe it to Prof Prem.

28KOH BOON HWEE SCHOLARS AWARD

Amanda Sarah Chin Yong Hui Bachelor of Arts (Education)

Amanda has served as a Creative Director in the Bachelor of Arts Club and as Acting Chairperson for Club Ar.NEX. She also served as co-leader during the inaugural Service and Leadership Training (SALT) programme to Vietnam in 2016, and later as a facilitator in 2017. Amanda is also interested in the forces that underpin society. She was involved in Project Synthesis, which gave South Asian migrant workers a photographic platform to share their lives with Singaporeans. In 2017, Amanda organised an art exhibition titled “87% - Multiculturalism in Singapore”. This took place in an industrial warehouse, utilising organic art spaces as a platform to explore ethnic diversity in Singapore. Amanda undertook her international practicum in Switzerland, participated in Summer School at King’s College London, and did her semester exchange at the University of Cambridge. Her research interests are popular culture, visual culture and masculinities. In addition to investigating K-Pop boy bands and the movie, Crazy Rich Asians, Amanda also presented on masculinities in neoliberal offices spaces, taking reference from the American TV series, Suits. She dreams of bringing more history, art, film and politics into her English Language and Literature lessons. Amanda is also the winner of the NIE’s British Council Book Prize.

wishes to honour:

Ms Ma Jia Lin Raffles Institution

Ms Ma Jia Lin is an inspirational teacher whose love always manifests in her recognition of students as, firstly, human beings. Her care for each of us is deep and genuine. She makes it a point to be concerned about our personal lives. Despite her own struggles, she is never short of encouragement and smiles. She believed in me before I believed in myself. She patiently walked with me, through my struggles, as my counsellor and cheerleader, even though she could have chosen to let me be. Her firm adherence to her principles, despite the demands of her career, and her encouragement for me to do likewise with my own principles despite academic demands has been a perpetual education for me. Ms Ma embodies what it means to love education. Her passion for Chemistry rubs off even on the most unmotivated student. Her teaching philosophy has greatly shaped my own.

Assoc Prof Gwynne Joel RobertNational Institute of Education

Dr Joel Gwynne has continually supported my endeavours to grow intellectually. He has been my informal academic advisor throughout my four years here. Although I was offered limited choices in Literature modules in NIE, he always accommodated consults to engage me in intellectual dialogue beyond classroom discussion, even for classes under other tutors. Our conversations have also helped me reclaim my identity as an Asian person and take pride in being a postcolonial subject. His passion in research has opened up a new world of contemporary visual culture to me. The autonomy and encouragement he gave me to challenge myself in his classes has led to us working together to publish two of my papers. Dr Gwynne has become a dear mentor and friend. My education has been thoroughly enriched by him. He exemplifies what it means to instil a joy of learning so that I can, in turn, help my students reach their potential.

28 29 KOH BOON HWEE SCHOLARS AWARD

Brian Ho Han KhaiBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

In retrospect, Brian is thankful for the opportunities and challenges that he took on, over and above the undergraduate medical curriculum. Serving as the Vice-President of the Students’ Medical Society lent him insight into current issues faced by the healthcare system. School vacations, spent in medical missions abroad, brought him back exhausted but fulfilled from meeting new people and concepts of delivering healthcare. Developing an interest in research from early in medical school, Brian wrote, presented and published several works in international conferences and journals. These experiences motivate him to pursue an active role in the medical community and further his education, with a view to understand the practice of healthcare in broader contexts.

wishes to honour:

Mdm Loo Shek Kien (formerly from) Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Mdm Loo was my JC Chinese teacher and form teacher. Beyond being a dedicated teacher, she also committed herself fully to her students’ personal development. She would take time to speak to students individually to find out how they were coping and if they had friends to share their difficulties with. Mdm Loo was always keen to have students participate and put in the necessary hard work, never focusing only on achievement, but also attitude and motivation. Amongst the teachers, she stood out to me for being unflinching on matters of integrity and character. While firm in dealing with students, she was always quick to forgive. After we graduated, Mdm Loo would check in on her students, and some of our senior schoolmates who were her students would also visit her in classes. It was evident that she was remembered and loved by many generations of students. I believe that students may forget content knowledge as they move on in education, but they never forget the lessons that a teacher imparts to them. Mdm Loo was such a teacher, who taught me that a true educator teaches not only the mind, but also the heart.

Assoc Prof Eric Yap Peng Huat Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

I first met Prof Eric Yap in the Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) Programme 2015. In contrast to other mentors, Prof Yap took the time to bring all of his laboratory staff to provide a demonstration of his projects to prospective students. As I worked with him over the next year, it was clear to me that Prof Yap had ambitious ideas and expectations, but also was able to deliver tangible outcomes from his ideation. He imparted to me a valuable skill – a hands-on approach to problems and solutions. Besides being a proficient scientist and clinician, Prof Yap also took time to speak to me personally about my progress and ideas. In these discussions, I felt that my thought process was respected and valued by him. It was humbling, but also very encouraging, to have the chance to discuss ideas with Prof Yap, and be challenged by him to go further to actualise those ideas. Prof Yap also served as the faculty advisor for my OCIP in Davao, where he helped in microbiological cultures for a budding organic farm, and organised health screenings for villagers. In applying his knowledge to aid the underprivileged, Prof Yap taught me that one’s background and education are no barrier to succeeding in one’s pursuits, if one is willing to think innovatively and commit wholeheartedly to the task at hand.


Goh You Hui Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences

You Hui has always had a strong interest in and aptitude for Mathematics. His love for the subject led him to complete a URECA project with distinction and two research internships at Defence Science Organisation and Defence Science and Technology Agency. He is also passionate about teaching and believes in giving back to the society. During his undergraduate years, he selflessly provided free academic coaching on GCE A Level Mathematics and Physics to final year students at Anderson Junior College (his alma mater). As a member of the NTU Welfare Services Club, he also offered free academic coaching to youths from Jurong Secondary School and Jurong Youth Centre. In Academic Year 2018/19, he taught tutorials for first year calculus courses as an undergraduate teaching assistant in the division. His classes were innovative and students were motivated by his enthusiasm, making him a well-loved tutor. You Hui has been awarded the prestigious Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship and will pursue his Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematical Sciences beginning this August.

wishes to honour:

Ms Naomi Nesam Abraham(formerly from) Anderson Junior College

Ms Abraham is a friendly General Paper (GP) teacher in Anderson Junior College (AJC). Knowing that I was the weakest student in her class, she paid special attention to me during in-class activities. As she knew that I was a shy student, she purposefully chose to address my misunderstanding of concepts individually after class, rather than constantly asking me to speak up in front of the whole class. This specially tailored approach helped me to learn GP better and better build up my confidence. Over and above her usual duties, she initiated weekly individual remedial sessions for students who wished to consult her. I have greatly benefited from her individual coaching, and on-the-spot feedback from the marking of my GP comprehension paper during each consultation. Her encouraging words motivated me to do well for my A Levels. Her teaching approach has inspired me to better my own teaching skills.

Assoc Prof Chua Chek Beng School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

I first came to know Professor Chua when he was my lecturer for MH3701 Basic Optimisation module. He purposefully structured the course such that all lectures are online, so that there is more in-class tutorial time to clarify our concepts. A year later, I embarked on my Final Year Project (FYP) with him as my supervisor. There were times when I was lost at a certain juncture during the research process. His useful advice helped me to make consistent progress in the project. There were also times when I had misconceptions on some difficult mathematical concepts. His clear and concise explanations helped me a lot in better comprehending the mathematical theories. His great passion to teach and research has inspired me to pursue a research career in math. His friendly personality makes him very approachable. I am thankful to be under his guidance for my FYP.


Ho Kai Feng Bachelor of Communication Studies

Kai Feng believes in the power of individuals to change things. Essentially, to be the change that you want to see. It is this tenet that has guided his involvement in activities beyond academics. Elected as President of the 26th Communication & Information Club, he led a team of 13 other students in upholding the unique student life and culture present at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. A key initiative is the development of a healthy lifestyle programme set to launch in the upcoming Academic Year, creating more holistic learning opportunities for students. Sitting on the NTUSU Council, he has been a fierce advocate for students’ welfare in areas such as the Hall Admission Scheme and S/U Option. Driven by an endless love for learning, his groups’ Final Year Project Research Paper was accepted to the 2019 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Conference with plans for future journal publication. Actively involved in community outreach outside of his school life, he believes in doing good in a sustainable manner. It was during his internship at Citi Singapore, that he realised the power of companies involved in and sustainably giving back to the communities they are a part of, spurring his desire to pursue a career in Corporate Social Responsibility.

wishes to honour:

Ms Janet Fok Singapore Polytechnic

Ms Janet Fok was my very last PTN in Polytechnic, the equivalent of a form teacher. She always had time for her students and went above and beyond her mandate as a PTN. She never judged me for the grades that I had gotten in my first year of polytechnic, but looked forward to what she thought I could achieve. She helped me believe in myself again by trusting me to be in leadership despite my previous failings as a student and saw the best in me. Even after graduation, she reached out to us, to check on how we were doing, in a show of care that was sincere and genuine in wanting the best for her former students.

Asst Prof Kim Hye KyungWee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information

Prof Kim was my Final Year Project Supervisor and as such we worked closely throughout the academic year to complete my research paper. Right from the beginning, Prof Kim was invaluable to the team, utilising her knowledge and experience in guiding us to the finishing line. Prof Kim gave us the right amount of guidance, always letting us figure things out by ourselves and balanced it by pointing us in the right direction when we were at a complete loss. Her undying enthusiasm for research was infectious, and combined with her deep knowledge and ability to impart this knowledge to us, was crucial throughout the year. The faith she had in our capabilities was a big motivation, as she believed that we could not only complete this paper but write one good enough for journal/conference submission. For playing such a critical role in my final year at NTU, as well as being endlessly passionate in both in research and imparting her knowledge, I would like to nominate her to be recognised for the influence she has had in my educational journey.


Jansen Ng Jian Sheng Bachelor of Business

From the onset of university, Jansen Ng made a conscious effort to ensure that it would be a journey of holistic development; co-curricular experiences were integral throughout his undergraduate education. A key player in the Tchoukball Club, Jansen and his team amassed a total of seven championships across various national and varsity level competitions, and represented Singapore in the World University Tchoukball Championship in 2017. He was awarded the NTU Half Colours Award, and together with his team, they clinched the coveted Team-Of-The-Year award in 2019. Besides sports achievements, Jansen was actively involved in the Business Solutions Case Club. As Co-Chairperson for the Asian Business Case Competition in 2018, he planned and coordinated the six-day event that hosted nine international teams. Jansen also volunteered over 250 hours as a Wildlife Rescue Volunteer at the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, and participated in an overseas service learning trip to the Philippines. As a Ministry of Home Affairs Scholarship recipient, Jansen will be resuming his vocation as a Senior Police Officer in the Singapore Police Force to keep Singapore safe and secure.

wishes to honour:

Miss Hu Mei Jiao Anderson Serangoon Junior College

Ms Hu was my AJC Sports Club teacher-in-charge for two years, but her impact on me is still felt now. She is a person of small stature, but with big enthusiasm. She unwaveringly supports her students in their strive for excellence, and goes the extra mile to groom students holistically. As someone heavily involved in CCAs, it was a blow to me when I was not elected into the Exco. Yet, Ms Hu assured me it was not all negative. Thinking of other avenues for contribution, I initiated the idea of a Sports Club Camp, something that was new to the club. Through her guidance, we pushed forward the idea and ‘fought’ for the camp against resistance from the school. She taught me to always look on the bright side of things, and to push on despite facing difficulties and resistance.

Ms Yong Oi Hing Audrey Nanyang Business School

Ms Yong was most recently my Communications Management Strategies tutor, and my Communication Fundamentals tutor back in Year One. She was pivotal in my growth in professional communication and corporate communication. As a tutor, she frequently shared real life stories and show how we could bring our learning into the real world, inspiring me to turn theory into practice. Her love for styles of writing is displayed in how she conducted her classes, ensuring the vibrancy of learning. Her class was one of the few I felt engaged throughout and comfortable in during class conversations and discussions. Even when she was not teaching us anymore, she still asked her former students out for a meal to catch up on life. Considering the modular structure in university, if there is one faculty member whom I kept in contact with thoughout my undergraduate years, it is Ms Yong.


Jolyn Teow Hui Ting Bachelor of Science (Education)

As an aspiring educator, Jolyn hopes to motivate her students to strive for the best. She believes in “paying things forward”, just as what her teachers have done for her. She walks the talk in her undergraduate journey by actively contributing to various NIE and NTU clubs since her first year of studies as an undergraduate student. Jolyn took up simultaneous EXCO positions in NIE’s Food and Consumer Sciences Club and the Bachelor of Science Club. She was also actively involved in NTU clubs, and took up office bearing positions in the NTU Investment Interactive Club and NTU Catholic Students’ Apostolate. While juggling different activities and responsibilities, she was able to achieve outstanding academic results. She was offered and successfully completed the Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus (URECA) programme with a distinction, and was awarded the title “NTU President Research Scholar”. Beyond NTU-NIE, she has served the community as a Grassroots Leader of Punggol Park Community Centre since 2014, engaging residents from the less privileged community. In the future, she aims to embark on a Masters in Education degree and harness Data Analytics in her teaching practice. Jolyn is also the winner of NIE-Rotary’s International 75th Anniversary Gold Medal.

wishes to honour:

Mdm Ong Eng Gim Temasek Polytechnic

I have always held the vivid memory of Madam Ong Eng Gim patiently waiting for students in the lecture theatre to settle down. Always kind and caring, she was an educator that I could approach for questions. I remembered how my class struggled with nutrition modules and she found innovative ways to explain difficult concepts to us. During a service-learning trip to Cambodia with her, she demonstrated empathy and compassion towards the less fortunate, through which I saw her as not just a teacher of content but a teacher in life. She reminded me of how simple acts of kindness can mean so much to many others. With that in mind, I sought to participate in another service-learning trip during my undergraduate years to continue contributing to society.

Dr Hoh Yin Kiong National Institute of Education

Dr Hoh Yin Kiong was the first lecturer who introduced me to the world of Biology. Coming from the polytechnic route, Biology was a struggle as my peers who took H2 Biology in Junior College were always ahead of me. Sensing my distress, Dr Hoh made the extra effort to explain concepts to me after classes and reassured me that I am able to teach Biology well. Lessons with him were constantly filled with laughter, as he shared interesting experiences from his journey as a teacher. Through many interactions with Dr Hoh, he has changed my views towards teaching Biology, and made me love the subject even more. He stresses the importance for learning rather than results, and inspires me to become a great teacher like him one day. I will never forget his vadvice, just like how I will not forget how he always made his lessons meaningful.


Lin Junxian, ShokiBachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking

Shoki was awarded the Nanyang Scholarship, NTU’s foremost undergraduate scholarship, in 2015 to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Filmmaking at the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM). His second-year short film “Changi” won the Overall Best Picture Award in the National Youth Film Award in 2017. His third-year film, “Chasing Paper” had its world premiere at the Asian Short Film Competition in the 23rd Busan International Film Festival. His thesis short film “ADAM” was part of the Cinéfondation Selection at the prestigious 72nd Cannes Film Festival. Shoki was also the pioneering writer and director of the first ever hall production in Crescent Hall during his first year, and continued to serve as writer and director in his second year. Despite working as a freelancer in the film industry while schooling, Shoki maintained a stellar academic record. He was on the Dean’s List in his first and second year and is graduating with Honours. He continues to freelance in the film industry and hopes to be able to continue to tell important stories through the medium of film.

wishes to honour:

Miss Jaclyn Ng Victoria Junior College

Miss Ng was my ODAC (Outdoor Activities Club) CCA teacher. She gave us a lot of freedom and autonomy to organise our activities which gave us a strong sense of ownership of our initiatives. As a PE teacher, she also concerned herself with student affairs, inspiring not just students under her care but also the rest of the student body. Even after I graduated, Miss Ng continues to support me. She helped to facilitate my shoot in VJC. The film is titled “Chasing Paper”, which travelled to a few film festivals including the 2018 Busan International Film Festival. The film would not have been possible without her generosity. Miss Ng is very dedicated to the long term growth of her students, and till today, I still appreciate the lessons she taught me.

Ms Nicole Midori Woodford School of Art, Design and Media

Nicole is my FYP project supervisor. Through the entire filmmaking process of my FYP, she consistently guided and pushed me to go beyond my comfort zone. As an experienced director herself, she does not hold back in sharing her knowledge and experience to allow me to grow as a filmmaker. When I was attending the Busan International Film Festival for the first time, she very kindly helped to orientate me to the festival and introduced me to many key players in the industry. She did all this out of her own initiative and it greatly enriched my experience at the festival. As my FYP supervisor, she took the time to expose me to various films, thoroughly workshopped my script, and reassured me when I was feeling disillusioned. Her gentle yet enduring style of mentoring really pushed me and my team to strive to create a work that is much richer than what we had set out to do. Nicole has a genuine interest in seeing her students succeed and I find myself constantly being challenged and inspired.


Marco Lizwan Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

An enthusiastic volunteer who always thinks of new initiatives to improve the quality of life for the people he serves, Marco has served with various local and overseas organisations such as HealthServe and Healing of the Nations, to reach out to children in need, the elderly and migrant workers. He also led his team in providing free personalised spectacles and medical check ups for the elderly at a community home during his tenure as the Chairperson of the Regular Service Project (Elders) under the Welfare Services Club. An ASEAN Scholar, Marco maintained an excellent academic record and was awarded the Dean’s List in his third year despite spending a long span of time serving the community. He is also one of the authors of a scientific paper published to explore potential strategies to overcome drug resistance in metastatic cancer cells. Aspiring to serve the community through tangible ways, Marco will be pursuing his Doctor of Medicine at the Duke-NUS Medical School. He hopes to be able to travel across the five continents to render medical assistance to the underprivileged in future.

wishes to honour:

Ms Lum Jiawen, Claryce(formerly from) Anglo-Chinese Junior College

During my time in JC, I always struggled with General Paper (GP). Knowing that many of us were struggling, Ms. Claryce Lum put in a lot of effort to help us. She gave up a lot of her free time, even her rest days and public holidays to arrange for additional lessons to help us. Looking at her passion in helping her students, I was inspired and have always been reminding myself to constantly help others in any possible way I can. When I shared my dream with her that I would like to pursue Medicine, she encouraged me and even helped me with my application to the Duke-NUS graduate Medicine programme.

Asst Prof Guan Xue LiLee Kong Chian School of Medicine

For my Final Year Project (FYP), I chose to do it under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Guan Xue Li. Prior to my FYP, I also undertook a half-year attachment in her lab. In her lab, I learnt a lot of things, not only in terms of research, but also many other aspects that I can apply to my daily life. I am really inspired by her passion in helping the community by delving into the field of infectious diseases. Each time after discussing the project with her, I would be motivated to take up Infectious Disease as a specialty after I complete my graduate studies at Duke-NUS medical school. Asst. Prof. Guan Xue Li has also always been supportive of my post-graduate education application, and has personally spent some of her time to coach and prepare me for the admission process.


Ng Li LingBachelor of Arts in Psychology

Li Ling received the National Youth Achievement Gold Award and Singapore Press Holdings Foundation Lim Kim San Memorial Scholarship in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Her interest in applied psychology has led to internships at the Singapore Prison Service and Police Force. She has held key positions in various university groups, such as the publicity committee of the Hall 11 Overseas Community Involvement Project, ‘Project MAI’, which involved building biogas systems and teaching children in Vietnam. She has also served as the Academic Events Director of the NTU Psychology Society, as a group leader of the Psychology Freshman Orientation Programme, and on the first executive committee of the Home Team Eagles Club, which allowed her to apply psychology to law enforcement, safety, and security. Additionally, at NTU, she acquired an interest in nature and biodiversity, joining Earthlink NTU as a nature guide, and the NTU Wildlife Watch Bird Collision Patrol Team to collect data regarding bird-building collisions. In light of these interests, she will join the Ministry of Home Affairs upon graduation and hopes to continue her involvement in activities related to environmental sustainability.

wishes to honour:

Mr Han Songguang(formerly from) Temasek Junior College

Mr Han was my Physical Geography teacher in J1 and was one of my supervisors during my stint as a Project Officer in TJC. Despite his calm demeanour, I found him to be truly passionate in what he was teaching, and I, too, like many of his students, came to love Geography. Having not done as well in my A levels, I was greatly disheartened. However, Mr Han was quick to encourage me that grades do not define who I am and I can always do better in the future. He motivated me to strive harder for my goals and inspired me to take on a minor in Environmental Sustainability. Not only is Mr Han dedicated to his craft, he is one who truly cares for his students and enjoys interacting with, as well as getting to know more about them as individuals outside of the classroom context.

Adj Asst Prof Majeed KhaderSchool of Social Sciences

Dr Majeed was my lecturer for the Forensic Psychology course I took in Year 3 and my main FYP supervisor. Outside of NTU, he was an adviser for my internship at the Police Psychological Services Division. To me, not only is Dr Majeed a teacher and a mentor, he is someone I look up to and greatly respect. Not only does he have years of experience in the field, he does not hesitate to share these valuable experiences with his students and even motivates them to think critically and practically by asking thought-provoking questions to train their minds. His keen passion for Forensic Psychology also sparked off an interest in me to take on internships and projects related to the field, and has inspired me to continually expand my knowledge in the area. I am truly grateful and greatly appreciate his patient guidance both personally and in my academics.


Seah Xin Yun Bachelor of Science in Chemistry & Biological Chemistry

Besides being an outstanding chemistry student over the last four years, Xin Yun also showed her warm heart, compassion and thoughtfulness by being part of MINDS to help intellectually disabled people. During her studies for her second major in Food Science and Technology (FST), Xin Yun proved herself to be always engaged and keen to contribute to the programme. She personally designed the FST programme T-shirts that her peers were happy to wear for different activities. Xin Yun is a model student who always showed the utmost commitment to learn, both during lectures and research projects. Her ready smile and thoughtful attitude in everything she is involved in made her highly appreciated by both faculty and her peers. Xin Yun aspiration is to conduct research in the field of Food Science and Technology.

wishes to honour:

Mrs Geraldine Ng(formerly from) National Junior College

During lessons, Mrs Ng was always willing to listen to our questions and guide us whenever we were unable to keep up with lectures. She also offered students not doing well in class guidance outside of scheduled lessons, to help them better understand various concepts that were tough to grasp. She encouraged other students to learn from those who did well in assignments and create meaningful discussions amongst ourselves. She also welcomed in-depth questions on concepts taught, inspiring us to be inquisitive thinkers when presented with newfound knowledge. Mrs Ng’s passion for Chemistry shone through in her lessons, and encouraged me to develop my interests in Chemistry and take up a H3 module in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. She instilled in me the need to constantly strive for improvement and not be conceited, despite having gotten good grades for my subjects.

Dr Alessandra BonanniSchool of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

During my summer research experience, Dr Bonanni guided me patiently despite my being a Year 1 student with little theoretical grounding in the project. When we discussed the results, she would also share with me the underlying reasons behind certain decisions and asked me for my opinions on the project. She is an approachable lecturer and strives to improve on her lessons for her students by providing mid-semester feedback on her lectures. She helps us better relate to various topics taught by telling us about the real-world applications and examples of the topics she is teaching. In examinations, she comes up with creative questions that challenge the knowledge of students and pushes them to think about the concepts they have learned. During laboratory sessions, she also helps students relate what we learned in class to what we are doing in the laboratory.


Seow Yi HengBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

Yi Heng believes in the importance of medical research for the advancement of patient care, and has been active in the field of clinical research. As part of his research, he enjoyed the opportunity to learn under distinguished clinicians and researchers. He has published in several international journals and also presented his work at international and regional medical conferences. Yi Heng also spearheaded several community service projects, including the successful NTU Bone Marrow Donation Drive and Palliative Care Befrienders Project. Despite his heavy involvement in research and community activities, Yi Heng was consistently placed on the Distinction/Merit list throughout his undergraduate medical studies. Yi Heng believes in giving back through teaching, and took it upon himself to organise numerous tutorial sessions for his juniors during his time as a House Representative. He has recently started clinical practice as a junior doctor at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and is keen to pursue a career combining quality patient care with teaching and medical research.

wishes to honour:

Mr Justin HengHwa Chong Institution

As my biology teacher in JC, Mr Heng triggered my interest in research and science. He encouraged me to pick up a research project, igniting my drive for research. Noticing my aptitude for Biology, he invited me to join the school’s Biology Olympiad team. These opportunities gradually pointed me towards a career in biology and medicine. He served as my life coach when I graduated. My path into medical school was laden with obstacles but Mr Heng never gave up on me. He guided me back on track when I strayed, supported my decisions with testimonials and helped sourced for internships. Later, he invited me to share my experiences with his students, inspiring me to become a mentor myself. Today, he is my role model. As a happy father of four, Mr Heng showed the possibility and importance of having a blissful home-life while building a successful career. His enviable story inspires me to follow in his footsteps.

Adj Assoc Prof Lee Yee MunLee Kong Chian School of Medicine

Prof Lee is one of LKC’s most dedicated educators. Deeply passionate about teaching, he is always willing to share the wealth of experience he has accumulated. With a keen mind, he would dissect my thought processes and guide me toward making the correct medical judgement. As one of Singapore’s foremost surgeons in minimally invasive procedures, it has been a privilege to witness his surgeries. Despite his busy schedule, he always encouraged me to enter the theatre and assist whenever possible. These opportunities have sparked my interest in a career in surgery. As a mentor, Prof Lee never turned me down. When I needed help for my research project, he unreservedly rose to the challenge and served as a specialist advisor, providing resources and valuable suggestions. His help was pivotal in the project’s success. He also encouraged my decision to pursue surgery and has been guiding me along this fulfilling journey in the medical profession.


Tan Hwee Boon SimoneBachelor of Arts in Psychology

Simone is passionate about translating research to address real-world social and family issues in Singapore. In the Undergraduate Research Experience on Campus Programme, she studied environments that facilitate children’s acquisition of language. Her Final Year Project on working mothers’ challenges and strategies in maintaining family dinner received the Social and Family Research Fund from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, for its relevance in promoting understanding about the work and family trends in Singapore. Keen to make an impact to the community, Simone served in the Singapore Kindergarten Impact Project, Early Childhood Development Agency, and KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Despite her commitments in research and industrial work, Simone has excelled in her academic studies and extra-curricular activities. She was awarded the Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship and Dean’s List in AY2017/18, and was the best subcommittee member of the Humanities and Social Science Welfare Club in AY2015/16. Simone wants to pursue a career in special needs education and is starting as an Autism Therapist at Pathlight School.

wishes to honour:

Mrs Jismyl LamTemasek Junior College

In my Junior College years, I was a beneficiary of the Financial Aid Scheme. Hoping to reduce my family’s burden on the monthly fees that I had to pay to purchase lecture notes, Mrs Lam took it upon herself to deposit a lump sum of funds with my class representative to pay for my notes. She also requested my class representative not to let me know about this, fearing that knowledge of her financial help would give me additional stress. It was only much later that I found out and thanked her. She warmly reminded me not to be distressed about my finances but to focus on my studies. In addition, Mrs Lam continued to provide me with emotional support, encouragement and other academic support. She is a strict yet nurturing teacher who highly values her students’ efforts and always motivates us to do our very best.

Asst Prof Cho Eun AeSchool of Social Sciences

Prof Cho is a highly caring teacher who would frequently explore my interests with me. She gave me a lot of freedom and learning space to decide on the topic of my interest and the way I wanted to carry out my study. She guided and provided me with constructive feedback to help me improve. At the same time, she provided me with many opportunities to try new avenues, such as applying to MSF’s undergraduate research grant when my study was not going too well, due to the lack of funds to provide compensation to my participants. Prof Cho is very approachable and helpful to all her students. Besides providing us with academic support, she also linked me up with other students under her mentorship so that we can learn and help each other in our research endeavours.


Thomas Lee Ming ZhiBachelor of Arts in Chinese

Thomas was awarded the ASEAN Undergraduate Scholarship to read Chinese in the School of Humanities (SoH), and thereafter received numerous prestigious awards in recognition of his academic excellence. He was a yearly Dean’s List awardee and a recipient of the Confucian Endowment Scholarship. He represented SoH at the Taiwan New Service Talent Training Programme and won a 2nd Prize in Overall Performance. Also, he held a key leadership position in the Buddhist Society and was committee member in several other societies, such as Earthlink, Heritage Club and the American Society of Mechanical Engineering. He was also the President of his alma mater’s (Chung Ling High School) student association in Singapore, with a heart to serve the alumni studying in Singaporean universities. Thomas believes in contributing back to NTU and volunteered as student ambassador at admission events, outreach programmes and the university’s annual Open House. Thomas aspires to become a Chinese language teacher, promoting Chinese language learning in Singapore.

wishes to honour:

Mr Lim Bok Seng(formerly from) Methodist Boys’ School, Penang

Mr Lim is a dedicated teacher who has inspired me through his passionate practice in education. He was a caring teacher who cared not just for his students’ academic performance, but also personal development. He spent his personal time beyond in-class lessons to coach and instruct us on our General Studies dissertation/ project work. When I faced difficulties in my public examination and was upset and discouraged, he was kind enough to call me up for counselling, despite his busy schedule as Deputy Principal. When I was unsure about my future, he offered me encouragement and guidance to pursue my true passion in Chinese Studies in Singapore. When I was seeking a part-time job as a relief teacher after my high school graduation, he also recommended me to the respective school’s principal. He is akin to a father, and he always mentioned that he treated all his students equally just as his children. Till today, he is still in contact with me, although he has retired from his work. ‘Treat your students as your own children’ is the value he imparted to me which I will uphold for years to come in my teaching career. It is fair to say that he has inspired me to be a good educator.

Assoc Prof I Lo-fenSchool of Humanities

Assoc Prof I Lo-fen is a professor who cares for her students. She does not just teach, but also inspires. During her lessons, she taught us things beyond the curriculum, with an emphasis on the application of knowledge in real life situations. She is determined to prove to us the feasibility of connecting academia with industry. In 2017, I was chosen by Prof I to attend a corporate service training programme in Taiwan with her, where essential knowledge regarding industry and career preparation was learnt. I am now prepared to develop my future career with the right mindset and attitude thanks to her guidance.


Wan Li SoonBachelor of Engineering (Civil)

Li Soon was awarded the ASEAN Scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. As a competent open water lifeguard, Li Soon was part of NTU’s competitive lifesaving team and won multiple medals from the National Lifesaving Championship that comprises open and still water events. He was a chief programmer for an Overseas Community Involvement Programme, during which he went to Laos and worked on the completion of a water distribution system in a village. Back in the university, Li Soon was placed on the Dean’s List and awarded the Academic Excellence Award by the School of CEE. He initiated and gathered a team of students to participate in a structural design competition organised by IStructE Malaysia. After completing his undergraduate programme, Li Soon will pursue his Doctor of Philosophy in NTU while working for Kajima Research Institute Singapore as a Research engineer. He aspires to apply civil engineering knowledge into technology that can benefit the society and environment.

wishes to honour:

Mr Haji Zahanordin Amat Lori(formerly from) Sek Men Keb Datok Lokman, Kuala Lumpur

Teacher Zahan, as students commonly called him Cikgu Zahan, was the discipline teacher and form 6 teacher for the subject of General Studies of SMK Datok Lokman. He always cared and worried for the students and their well-being throughout the students’ time in school. Furthermore, he taught us and was committed to his duty wholeheartedly every day even when he fell sick. He was one of the teachers who I would approach whenever I had personal worries. When my family and I were facing some crisis, Cikgu Zahan listened to me sincerely and ensured that I was all right to carry on. He gave me advice and supported me all along my pre-university programme. Seeing his enthusiasm in teaching and helping students succeed, I have vowed to work hard, and will not waste his and every teachers’ effort at inspiring and encouraging me in my journey.

Assoc Prof Lim Siow Yong School of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Prof. Lim Siow Yong was my professor for the Fluid Mechanics module during my first year in NTU. His sense of humour and passion in teaching moved me during the class. Prof. Lim would teach the same subject as if it were his first class as a teacher. As a notably humble teacher, he welcomes students anytime for consultation which could range from class matters to doubts in career choices. The Professor would provide his sincere opinion and guidance together with his own experience carefully, without overly influencing our decisions. Prof. Lim is truly talented in guiding students to consider matters from various perspectives. His advice has helped me to look at the bigger picture, and likewise, the smaller details.


Wang JingbinBachelor of Engineering (Aerospace Engineering)

Wang Jingbin was awarded the NTU Science and Engineering Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Aerospace Engineering at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NTU. He represented the school in various international competitions such as the RoboMasters Competition, the Design Build Fly (DBF) and the RoboCup Rescue League. Moreover, he held key leadership positions in the NTU Aerospace Society for three years. Jingbin believes in contributing back to MAE and has volunteered as a student ambassador at admission events, Tea Sessions, and Open House. In addition, during his presidency in the Aerospace Society, he organised the AeroFest event which attracted hundreds of participants. The event served to publicise the Aerospace Engineering course at NTU during which Jingbin conducted various workshops related to unmanned aerial vehicles to different age groups. Despite his co-curricular contributions, Jingbin has maintained a good academic record. He has successfully completed two URECA programmes about autonomous systems in the second and third year of his study at NTU. Wang Jingbin will pursue his Master of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge.

wishes to honour:

Mr Ong Kim LinSt. Andrew’s Junior College

Mr. Ong taught me Chemistry and was the form teacher of the class. He was a responsible and friendly teacher who prepared all teaching materials meticulously. He had a great gift in inspiring students to develop a strong personality, such as confidence, perseverance and resilience. I was going through a hard time during my first year in Junior College. As a foreign student, I had a heavy accent and was afraid of public speaking. Oral presentation for Project Work was a very challenging task for me. Mr. Ong was extremely patient and encouraging. He helped me to build confidence and to improve my presentation skills by practising over and over again. Beyond the classroom, a 2.4 km run was compulsory for every Physical Education (PE) lesson and was definitely not easy. However, Mr. Ong accompanied us for each run. He kept encouraging us to push ourselves and break through our limits.

Assoc Prof Tai KangSchool of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Prof. Tai was my Final Year Project (FYP) supervisor. He constantly sought my fullest potential and encouraged me to pursue my true interests. He helped me to improve my analytical thinking and problem-solving techniques. I could discuss not only academic topics related to my FYP with him, but also my career path, further studies, and other personal experiences. He was always willing to share his opinions and advice with me. While I was deciding which project to choose as my FYP last year, he arranged many discussions with me to help me find my interest and suitability for the project. Along my FYP journey I have faced many problems. He patiently guided me through all these challenges. I still remember the time when I was struggling with a mathematical formula in his office, and he spent nearly three hours to derive it and explain it to me.


Yee Yew Fai EdwardDouble Degree in Bachelor of Accountancy and Bachelor of

Business

Edward Yee is graduating with a Double Degree in Accountancy and Business on a Nanyang Scholarship. He has played leadership roles in various non-profit organisations, founded a profitable start-up, and is running his current venture, Givfunds. Inspired by his visits to over 200 social enterprises globally, Edward co-founded Givfunds to help social enterprises in South Asia gain access to capital and create a greater impact. Amongst other honours, Edward is a Kairos Society Global Fellow, a Global Youth Ambassador for Education at Their World, and the Valedictorian for his year. He will be pursuing a double masters’ degree at the University of Oxford as the first Singaporean Rhodes Scholar in 14 years. In his free time, Edward enjoys sticking his nose in a book and collecting stories from around the world. He has stood on Bangladeshi train tops, hacked in Silicon Valley, and travelled 16 days in an Indian sleeper train. Edward is truly a well-balanced, high-achieving, exemplary student who displays great passion, energy, conviction and commitment to give back to society and to leave the world a slightly better place.

wishes to honour:

Mr Tan Keng Cheong(formerly from) National Junior College

Mr Tan was the Head of Department for Leadership and Student Development while I was in National Junior College. He was also my form teacher, economics teacher, and the council teacher I was attached to throughout my last two years in the school. During those years, he played a crucial role mentoring me and inspired me to be the best version of myself. While he has since gone on to MOE HQ as a Communications and Engagement Officer and is studying for a Master of Education, the lessons he taught me are ones that I remember to this day.

Assoc Prof Rohit BhatnagarNanyang Business School

I first had the good fortune to meet Prof Rohit in my first year of university when he taught me Business Operations. As it was my first semester in university, I fondly recall the interesting examples he brought up during class and how it grew my interest in businesses regionally. One example I remember is Aravind Eye Care, where he shared about the inspirational story behind the eye hospital and how they managed to treat over 30 million poor patients for free. This sharing inspired my trip to India 1.5 years later to visit the exact same hospital where I saw first-hand the amazing operations and work they did, revolutionising healthcare in the developing world. More recently, he provided significant help with my application for the Rhodes Scholarship, both in acting as a referee and in giving advice when there were few avenues for me to turn to for help.


honorary doctorate - | ntu · doctorate 1 1 honorary doctorate. professor sir keith o’nions is...

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