
Top Grads

Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal and Lien Ying Chow Gold Medal
Teoh Yi Wen
Diploma in Business Studies
School of Business & Accountancy
Other awards:
Lee Wee Nam Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
Dickson Group Prize
Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal and Lien Ying Chow Gold Medal
A Champion for Entrepreneurship
From selling handmade crafts on Instagram in primary school, taking part in fundraising bazaars in secondary school, to leading entrepreneurial initiatives in polytechnic, Business Studies graduate Teoh Yi Wen has shown her enterprising spirit every
step of the way.
Her desire to pursue the entrepreneurial pathway grew stronger after attending the Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) Entrepreneurship First Steps programme when she was in secondary school. The online course offered by
NP’s Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Office, The Sandbox (TSB), gave Yi Wen a sneak peek into the distinct entrepreneurship culture in the institution. Applying to NP through the Early Admissions Exercise was hence the natural step
to take.
Despite earning multiple awards and scholarships, this straight-A student describes her polytechnic journey as "passion-fuelled” rather than grind-driven. She rarely felt overwhelmed while juggling many commitments, thanks
to supportive lecturers, advisors, and peers.
“I believe in taking things day by day, and being present in the process,” she reflects. Her secret? Making intentional choices, such as joining co-curricular activities that are
aligned with her goals.
It was no surprise then when Yi Wen took up the role of President of TSB Advocates, a group that promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through student activities. Under her leadership, the group organised a series of fireside chats,
hands-on workshops, and learning journeys to companies like LinkedIn and Mastercard. TSB Advocates clinched the Most Outstanding Club Award in 2023, a testament to the impact of their initiatives.
She also served as Marketing Director
for TEDxYouth@NP, a student-initiated event featuring talks by local entrepreneurs and artistes, as well as live performances. Held in January 2024, the event was a success with a turnout of more than 300 students.
Beyond campus, Yi Wen
extended her drive to uplift others through “Hey, You Got Mail”, a ground-up initiative that aims to alleviate social isolation among seniors through handwritten notes and care packs. The experience of being its Locale Head deepened her
sense of empathy and strengthened her resolve to build more inclusive communities.
The entrepreneur in her mooted the idea of an enviro-tech start-up during her Global Entrepreneurial Internship Programme experience at Holicay, a Vietnam-based travel company. “As people in developing countries become more affluent,
waste generation becomes a greater challenge. I believe there are opportunities to better harness technology for more efficient ways of collecting and recycling waste,” she explains.
When asked what advice she would offer students
with an entrepreneurial bent, Yi Wen shares, “Be part of a community. At NP, there is a very established entrepreneurial ecosystem that you can tap for resources and support. And don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
While being an entrepreneur is still on the cards, Yi Wen’s immediate plan is to further her studies. She is grateful to have received two university offers thus far, including a scholarship, and hopes to pursue a degree in Business
Artificial Intelligence Systems.

Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Jerome Ching Yue Heng
Diploma in Biomedical Science
School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology
Other Awards:
Luft Env Technologies Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
BioMedix Prize
Minor in Global Readiness
Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Impacting Lives through Public Policy
“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived – this is to have succeeded.” The words of Ralph Waldo Emerson embody the mantra that Biomedical Science (BMS) graduate Jerome Ching lives by.
Success and fulfilment have never been just about achieving academic excellence or personal accolades. Whether mentoring peers or volunteering in his local constituency, Jerome is driven by a deep conviction to make a difference in the
lives of others, a value his parents instilled in him from a young age.
“When I get to know people from different walks of life, hearing their stories and understanding their needs give me the opportunity to step into their world,” he shares. “I believe this human connection can spark something
positive.”
In secondary school, grateful that they had caring teachers and supportive peers who helped them ace Chemistry, Jerome and his friend started an initiative to curate study materials to support their juniors. They created a website and
used a Telegram bot to make it easy for students to access the learning resources. Called The Helpful Alchemist, the project reflected Jerome’s desire to offer others a hand when they are in need.
“Real success is helping others write their own success stories,” he says emphatically.
This same heart for uplifting others shines through in his grassroots work. Volunteering as a case writer at Meet-The-People sessions at Boon Lay and with the Boon Lay Food Care Programme – which supports over 200 low-income households
– Jerome was exposed to the different needs of low-income families.
“One encounter that left a lasting impression was when I met an elderly resident who was really worried about his medical bills. Thankfully, there are healthcare subsidies that he could tap,” he recounts, adding that these
experiences opened his eyes to the issue of healthcare accessibility.
Jerome is thankful to his lecturers for the rigorous BMS curriculum that has expanded his biomedical sciences knowledge. Other opportunities like Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) signature talent development programme, The Christieara
Programme, and the prestigious Overseas Merit Fellowship ignited his interest in current affairs and global issues.
“NP has shaped my academic and personal growth,” he reflects. “This is where I found my calling.”
Inspired by how Singapore navigated the Covid-19 pandemic and aspiring to prepare the country for future health challenges, Jerome is clear on his ambition: To join the public service as a healthcare policy officer.
“I hope to play a part in the shaping of strategies to address the needs of Singapore’s ageing population, strengthen epidemic preparedness, and advance biomedical innovation,” he says, revealing once again his heart
for people.
Jerome has received several offers from local and overseas universities, and he intends to pursue a degree in biomedical sciences in the United Kingdom.

Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Arash Nur Iman Bin Mohd Ali Shaifuddin
Diploma in Information Technology
School of InfoComm Technology
Other Awards:
IMDA Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
AWS Prize
Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Empowering Lives with Technology
For Information Technology (IT) graduate Arash Nur Iman, technology is an old friend who continually brings new perspectives. He fondly recounts tinkering with his father’s Windows Vista laptop as a child. “I was intrigued
by how the technology worked, and explored the menus in depth,” he shares, adding with a playful chuckle, “It was bad for my dad though, because he didn’t know how to revert the settings I changed.”
Arash followed his early curiosities, first by joining his primary school’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) club, then by exploring ICT-related classes at the School of Science and Technology. Upon graduating from
secondary school, he felt ready to go all in on this niche.
“Polytechnic was the natural choice for me, because I really like learning by doing,” Arash recalls, adding that he chose NP’s IT course to expand on his long-standing
interest in programming. He achieved excellent grades, maintaining a perfect Grade Point Average score across six semesters and placing on the Director’s List for four consecutive semesters.
Through a hackathon with Open Government Products – an experimental development team building technology that benefits the public – as part of his Year 2 curriculum, Arash was inspired to think about harnessing technology for
the greater good. The experience pushed him beyond technical aspects like coding to consider how technological solutions can reach a wider audience.
Arash’s passion in connecting people with technology motivated him to take up leadership roles in three IT Special Interest Groups. He served as President of the programming club Overflow, Technology Lead of NullSec, and Chair of
Technology for ORION, all of which run events related to cybersecurity and IT skills. Across these roles, Arash organised hackathons and workshops that brought technology to youths.
He names ORION X Decrypted – a flagship event in
2023 that introduced secondary school students unfamiliar with technology to basic ICT skills, data science concepts, and cybersecurity — as being particularly memorable. For him, the most fulfilling part of the experience was witnessing the
participants express interest in further exploring ICT.
“I saw how the events we offered helped participants gain confidence in using technology,” Arash says.
Arash credits NP’s critical core modules for weaving a people-oriented perspective into his approach to technology. Although exploring ethical questions – who the technology benefits, and whether it should be used in certain
ways – is daunting for him, he is determined to push through. “The humanities feel very distant from my comfort zone of technology,” he confesses, “but I want to explore how they intersect. Technology cannot exist in a vacuum.”
To apply his skills in different environments, Arash recently completed a data analytics internship with the National Metrology Centre under A*STAR. He plans to pursue further studies in Computer Science abroad.

Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Vania Lum Hui’En
Diploma in Nursing
School of Health Sciences
Other Awards:
SingHealth Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
National University Hospital Prize
Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Bringing Holistic Healthcare to the Fore
“Hospitals fascinate me,” Vania Lum shares with awe, reflecting on how she let her curiosity guide her to studying Nursing (NSG) at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP). “From doctors to nurses and the support staff, everyone is
busy with their own duties – yet everything runs like clockwork even without much communication between them.”
Through clinical practice opportunities offered by the NSG course and organising a host of community outreach activities
as Vice President of the Health Sciences Society, Vania gained deeper insight into the complexities of the healthcare system. It also dawned on her that nurses play a pivotal role within it.
“As human beings, we’re very focused on solving problems head-on, saying ‘Here’s the issue, let’s fix it.’ But sometimes, it’s not that straightforward,” Vania observes perceptively. “There
are many processes involving connecting the dots between different pieces of information. By understanding deeper concerns from patients, nurses act as a bridge, linking patients to the right personnel to address gaps in their care.”
Specifically, Vania relates how patients’ hesitance towards prolonging their hospital stay might stem from reasons beyond health concerns. She recalls talking a patient through his financial worries, and helping him seek further
support to transfer to a different hospital covered by his insurance provider.
To broaden her horizons, Vania also sought out cross-cultural learning through the various opportunities that NP offered. “The Overseas Merit Fellowship
to Brisbane, Australia was an eye-opener for me. Being immersed in a new environment gave me new perspectives on how healthcare challenges can vary from country to country,” she shares. “For bigger countries, the geographical distances
that patients must traverse means that accessibility to medical facilities is a huge issue to tackle.”
Another significant learning moment came on a Youth Expedition Programme trip to Davao, Philippines. Under her teacher’s guidance, she looked beyond a medical lens to probe the socio-economic root causes of health issues. Through
this exercise, Vania realised that education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty perpetuated by teenage pregnancies in the community.
“We need to truly understand whether the intervention is creating lasting change,” Vania
emphasises. Instead of looking for solutions that tackle the immediate issue, she advocates taking an integrated, long-term approach towards healthcare provision. “This approach is definitely more arduous, but the outcomes address the root cause
more effectively.”
This critical, expansive view of healthcare is something that Vania intends to bring to her further studies in Nursing at the National University of Singapore. Her goal? “I’d like to help build a healthcare system that meets
real needs in a more holistic way.”

Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Tan Swee En
Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science
School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology
Other awards:
Luft Env Technologies Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
Minor in Data Analytics and AI
Lee Kuan Yew Award and Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
A Heart for Patient Care
Two months into junior college as a humanities student, Swee En started having second thoughts. Then came the day when she was lying on the dental chair for her tooth work. The sight of her dentist in scrubs brought to mind her childhood
dream of becoming a doctor.
With her mind made up, Swee En enrolled in Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), choosing the Pharmaceutical Science (PHARM) course to learn about medical drugs. With her keen interest, she excelled academically. Apart
from receiving the NP Scholarship, her all-round excellence also earned her the Dr. Ong Chit Chung Education Award.
Looking back at her NP journey, she readily acknowledges her lecturers’ support in opening doors for her to learn
beyond the classroom. She cites her stint as a student assistant at the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) as an example.
“I was involved in the SGH’s Green Medicine Eduverse project where I helped to ideate and produce a docuseries
to promote sustainable pharmaceutical practices among healthcare professionals,” she elaborates. “The experience exposed me to the field of sustainable medicine and broadened my perspectives about healthcare and medicine.”
The project was presented at the 30th Congress of the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations Conference in 2024, and will be shared at the 19th Annual International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED 2025) in Spain.
Another meaningful learning opportunity was her internship at the Singapore National Eye Centre, where Swee En thought she would hone her skills as a pharmacist. In hindsight, she realised she took away much more from the experience.
“Because the patients are managing ongoing health issues, they can sometimes get frustrated,” she recounts. “I learned not to take their feelings personally, and to focus instead on assuring them that I care for them, and
their concerns are being heard.”
While volunteering for HealthStart, Youth Corps Singapore’s health coaching programme for elderly persons with chronic illnesses, she discovered again the importance of connecting with patients
on a deeper level.
“No patient enjoys medical treatment. But when they know that you empathise with the challenges they face and genuinely want to be there for them, they appreciate it,” says Swee En, who feels deeply for her patients and aspires
to be a palliative care doctor.
“Being an end-of-life doctor entails more than prescribing treatment plans to make sure the patient is not in pain,” Swee En notes with clarity and conviction. “It’s also about giving
reassurance to those who live on after their loved ones pass away. It’s much more social than medical, and I hope to make a difference to them.”

Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal
Nikhkil Rai
Diploma in Design
School of Design & Environment
Other Awards:
Keppel Land Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
DCA Architects Prize Keppel Land Prize
Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal
Becoming an Architect of Connections
Growing up, Nikhkil Rai’s dream was to follow in the footsteps of his uncle to pursue a career as an aircraft pilot in the RSAF. But being diagnosed with Brugada syndrome, a rare genetic heart condition, when he was 17 years old
changed everything.
Unable to engage in intense physical activity, the future Nikhkil envisioned went up in smoke. “Despite the diagnosis, I felt determined to live my life to the fullest,” he asserts.
As he was
pursuing a NITEC in Architectural Technology at ITE College Central at that time, he turned to his interest in architecture instead. “Architecture became my creative outlet. It was a world to be explored and I lapped it up,” he shares.
Emerging second place in a design challenge during his ITE days further boosted Nikhkil’s confidence to enroll in Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) Diploma in Design course, which offers a specialisation in architecture.
The aspiring architect relates a key insight that he developed through volunteering at grassroots activities at the Geylang West Community Club, where his grandfather is a committed volunteer. “Some elderly would avoid areas accessible only
by stairs. Some of my grandfather’s friends also shared that noisy and crowded public spaces caused stress,” he says.
These observations have helped him to connect the dots. “Architecture is not just about buildings and structures,” Nikhkil remarks, “Good architectural design is centred on human needs and experiences. It can connect
people by bringing them together, instilling in them a rootedness to the community.”
Guided by this philosophy, Nikhkil’s final-year project revolved around placemaking and supporting public well-being. Titled Catalyst, the
project reimagined how community spaces in a library could be used by different user groups to spark conversations and connections.
Looking back, the self-declared introvert admits that he stepped out of his comfort zone at the encouragement
of his lecturer. He rose to the challenge by joining the School of Design & Environment’s student outreach team, DElegates, and was elected as its President the following year. Keen to serve the NP student community, he even joined the NP
Student Council in the same year.
“I realised that leadership is about the willingness to connect with others and to serve them. I enjoyed being a part of DElegates and the Student Council, where I could use my skills to make a difference,” Nikhkil reflects.
He also credits NP for the opportunities to take part in overseas competitions and conferences – including the Introducing and Demonstrating Earthquake Engineering Research in Schools (IDEERS) in Taiwan and World Tsunami Awareness
Day 2024 in Japan – which broadened his perspectives and enlarged his personal network.
Although he has been offered a full-time role as a graphic designer for TEDx Singapore, Nikhkil remains steadfast in his love for architecture. He is looking forward to pursuing a degree in architecture before a career as a Building Information
Modelling (BIM) Modeller.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Evan Chew
Diploma in Biomedical Engineering
School of Engineering
Other Awards:
Biomedical Engineering Society (Singapore) Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
ZOLL Medical Prize
Minor in Data Analytics and AI
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Making A MedTech Impact
“I find it interesting that, despite its complexity, the human body can be diagnosed, monitored and treated by machines,” Evan Chew enthuses on his long-standing fascination with Biomedical
Engineering.
Certain of his interest, Evan joined Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s (NP) Biomedical Engineering (BME) course through the Early Admissions Exercise, which allowed him to secure a place before his O-Levels.
Evan’s enthusiasm for the subject and hard work paid off academically, earning him the NP Scholarship and the A*STAR Science Award. Beyond theoretical knowledge, he sought out hands-on learning experiences to hone his skills.
As a service engineer intern with Dornier MedTech, a global medical device company known for pioneering technologies in urology, he troubleshooted and serviced Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy machines across many hospitals in Singapore.
This equipment is used to break down kidney or ureteral stones so that they can pass through the body.
“Although the machine was new to me, through persistence and practice, I became more confident in handling it independently,” Evan shares.
Keen to explore other roles within the biomedical field, Evan took up the challenge of conducting research during a separate internship with A*STAR’s Infectious Diseases Lab. Although the internship came with a steep learning curve,
he forged ahead with resilience, staying open to learning new theories and applying what he had previously learnt to the new area.
Evan names the inaugural Singapore Young Leaders Programme in 2023 and the Overseas Merit Fellowship Programme in 2024 as crucial opportunities that enriched his knowledge on societal concerns like poverty. Participation in these prestigious
programmes also introduced him to the importance of designing policies for social and economic sustainability.
The immersive learning experiences – which included a sobering scenario-based game where he had to take the perspective
of the breadwinner of a low-income family – inspired a sense of urgency in him to address social inequities in his future work.
In reference to how crucial medical devices are to his grandparents’ daily health, Evan says, “In Singapore, many of us are privileged to own medical devices that aid us in monitoring our health. But people in other countries
don’t have the same access or can’t afford them.”
It is his hope that, through innovation, businesses can develop technologies that make medical care more accessible to all. “I hope that access to good healthcare
can one day be universal,” he shares.
To contribute to this endeavour, Evan plans to incorporate business perspectives into his further studies. He is considering pursuing Renaissance Engineering at Nanyang Technological University or taking up a double major in Biomedical
Engineering and Business Administration at the National University of Singapore.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Tang An Tong
Diploma in Chinese Media & Communication
School of Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies
Other Awards:
IMDA Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
Smiling Media Prize
WAWA Pictures Prize
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
A Desire to Create Meaningful Change
“If you don’t have a dream, how are you any different from a salted fish?”
Growing up with Hong Kong and Taiwanese films, Chinese Media & Communication (CMC) graduate Tang An Tong was inspired to seek out her purpose in life by a simple yet profound line from Stephen Chow’s film, Shaolin Soccer.
While serving as Head of Publicity of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Boys’ Brigade Primers, An Tong’s sense of purpose was ignited by a poignant encounter during Share-a-Gift, an annual food donation drive that gifts food hampers
to households in need.
“It was my first time seeing families struggle to make ends meet. Learning that the elderly folks were eating expired food really affected me,” An Tong recounts, noting how the encounter challenged her perceptions of Singapore
as a prosperous society. “They were really grateful and happy when we distributed food hampers to them.”
This experience deepened An Tong’s belief that small actions can create meaningful change. Struck by how gender inequality can permeate different levels, she stepped up to raise awareness of biases inherent in Singapore society through
her final-year project, WeVolution. Through surveys, online interviews, and a public engagement campaign that opened up honest conversations, An Tong and her team launched a series of exhibitions that showcased the untold stories of gender bias.
WeVolution drew over 500 attendees and 30,000 social media views. Beyond equipping her with the range of competencies and production skills needed to execute the project, An Tong credits the CMC course for inculcating in her an awareness of
the role of media in campaigning for a cause.
Still, navigating such a complex and sensitive topic came with challenges. From securing funding to addressing hidden biases in the research process, An Tong had to adapt constantly, expanding the project’s scope to include biases
against men, and choosing a roving exhibition format to reduce venue costs.
What keeps her going when things get hard? “Whenever I face challenges, they actually motivate me to keep going,” this tenacious young lady shares. “If something is stressing me out, instead of avoiding it, I focus on
solving it.”
Desiring to make a difference, An Tong has plans to launch Buffer-fly, a social enterprise that empowers persons with disabilities through employment opportunities and advocacy.
Capitalising on her strengths in the Chinese
language and communication, An Tong plans to pursue a double major in Business Administration and Chinese Studies at the National University of Singapore. She looks forward to embarking on a career that will allow her to lead cross-regional collaborations
between China and Southeast Asian countries, using her skills to impact communities beyond our shores.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Goh Jin En Jeremy
Diploma in Engineering Science
School of Engineering
Other awards:
IMDA Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
SECOM (Singapore) Prize
Minor in User Experience Design
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Turning Ideas into Impact
From building LEGO models as a child to solving tricky math problems, Jeremy Goh has always been fascinated by how things work. His interest in mathematics and science deepened in secondary school, when he began to see how these subjects
could be applied to real-world challenges.
Drawn to the critical thinking and analytical rigour of engineering, Jeremy chose to pursue a Diploma in Engineering Science at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP). The course’s strong theoretical foundation, paired with hands-on projects,
was exactly what he was looking for.
“I’ve always enjoyed seeing how classroom concepts come to life,” Jeremy reveals. “For example, when it comes to designing robotic applications or using LIDAR sensors to map
environments, it’s interesting how math and science concepts can be used to build technology that makes an impact.”
Jeremy’s belief in engineering as a tool for practical problem-solving shaped much of his learning journey at NP. He worked on various projects aimed at improving everyday experiences – including a smart rubbish bin that alerts
cleaners when it is almost full, and an IoT-powered heating and cooling system that regulates temperature for hydroponic plants based on environmental conditions.
“Both projects showed me how what we learn in class can lead to real,
tangible improvements,” he says.
For his final-year project, Jeremy stepped out of his comfort zone to develop a computer vision model for NP’s autonomous campus shuttle service. With little prior experience in machine learning,
he trained the system to recognise hazards like construction zones, traffic lights, and other vehicles – learning everything from scratch.
“It was tough, but also one of the most rewarding experiences. It taught me how to think
critically and adapt,” he adds.
To broaden his perspective and design more user-focused products, Jeremy pursued a Minor in User Experience Design alongside his engineering modules. He wanted to complement his technical knowledge with design thinking and a people-first
mindset.
“It’s important for engineers to design with the user in mind,” he says emphatically. “This process – understanding user needs, defining the problem, brainstorming, prototyping, and testing –
helps create more effective solutions.”
Jeremy has since applied this mindset during his internship at DSO National Laboratories, where he was part of the robotics team developing computer vision systems for unmanned ground vehicles. The stint has given him valuable hands-on
experience in both machine learning and computer vision.
Outside of the classroom, Jeremy is equally passionate about giving back. He has been actively involved in initiatives that support the elderly, such as volunteering at United Medicare Centre and St Luke’s Eldercare Centre, as well
as delivering meals through Meals-on-Wheels.
Looking ahead, Jeremy hopes to pursue a degree in Computer Engineering at a local university, with the goal of creating technology that serves industry and the community.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Trista Tan Xuan Yun
Diploma in Hotel & Leisure Facilities Management
School of Design & Environment
Other Awards:
Mapletree Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
Singapore International Facility Management Association Prize
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
An Advocate for Sustainability and Inclusivity
Trista Tan began her learning journey at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) with an open mind. “At the age of 17, I was still quite lost about what to do in the future,” she recalls honestly. Seeking a broad-based diploma with exposure
to varied sectors, she enrolled in NP’s Hotel & Leisure Facilities Management (HLFM) course through the Polytechnic Foundation Programme.
Her choice turned out to be a blessing. The course gave Trista the opportunity to explore multiple paths, including front-facing functions of the hospitality industry and back-end operations of managing a building.
“Through
my classes, I became interested in infrastructure and building design,” she shares. “With its strong focus on sustainability, HLFM helped me realise how important it is to design with environmental impact in mind.”
The President of the School of Design & Environment’s Green Group Co-Curricular Activity Club also spearheaded meaningful activities that promoted sustainable habits among youths. From Thrift and Thrive – a clothes swap
market – to the River Cleanup Kayaking event, Trista used these popular activities to drive greater awareness about sustainability challenges like textile waste and marine litter.
Beyond environmental sustainability, Trista also
developed an interest in diversity and inclusion (D&I), thanks to her internship at Robert Bosch (SEA). At this German multinational engineering and technology company, she was given the opportunity to plan D&I events for its ethnically diverse
staff community outside of her regular job scope of supporting in building design projects.
"The D&I exposure was invaluable. I gained new perspectives from people of different backgrounds. Through this experience, I learnt to see
issues from a wider angle,” she reflects. “Specifically, I saw how diversity can enhance creativity and innovation in a company, resulting in better products and services.”
Exploring different paths has made Trista more certain of what she wants to pursue. She has set her sights on reading Infrastructure and Project Management at the National University of Singapore.
But Trista is not afraid to make space for blue-sky dreams too: “If I could do anything, I’d run a cafe that caters to users with differing needs. It will have tables with adjustable heights and lighting with varying levels
of brightness I believe these thoughtful gestures make the world a more inclusive place.”

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Chua Peng Yu, Vievienne
Diploma in Mass Communication
School of Film & Media Studies
Other Awards:
MediaCorp Gold Medal & Prize
Diploma with Merit
Mediacorp Prize
mm2 Prize
Minor in Entrepreneurship
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Outstanding Achievement Award
Stepping into the Spotlight
As the first in her family to break away from the traditional junior college route her parents knew so well, Vievienne Chua has never shied away from following her passions, even when it means stepping
into the unfamiliar.
The Mass Communication graduate’s decision to pursue a diploma in Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) was met with some uncertainty, especially as her parents were new to the polytechnic system. Nonetheless, driven by her early curiosity about
the media industry, Vivienne applied through the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) and secured a spot before her O-Levels, a decision that proved pivotal.
“Looking back, I’m grateful for the EAE opportunity. With my O-Level score, I’m not sure I could have entered this popular course through the Joint Admissions Exercise. It gave me a shot to pursue my interest in media,
and this has shaped my entire journey,” she reflects.
Vievienne hasn’t always been the confident communicator she is today. Growing up, she was introverted, often hesitant to speak up or try new things. The turning point came in Secondary 2, when a teacher encouraged her to join the
student council after recognising her leadership potential. That small nudge led to a series of defining experiences, from organising camps to hosting school events, which slowly built her confidence and revealed a growing passion for engaging with
people.
This transformation continued in NP, where she thrived in both academic and co-curricular activities. As Vice-President of the NP Ambassadors, a highly regarded student body that represents the polytechnic in external outreach, she led
in organising large-scale events like the annual Open House.
“Apart from honing my project management skills, these opportunities gave me the chance to build strong friendships and meet inspiring mentors,” she enthuses.
At the School of Film & Media Studies, the hands-on learning that Vievienne experienced deepened her passion for a career in the communication field. From directing in-studio productions to brainstorming marketing campaign strategies
for organisations like Converse and the National Kidney Foundation, she saw how every assignment broadened her skill set.
More recently, she completed an internship at Mediacorp’s CLASS 95, where she supported on-ground activations and secured sponsors for giveaways. One of her proudest moments was organising the station’s first-ever Halloween
Party. “It was my first time executing a full-scale event for listeners and it taught me so much about the pace and precision of industry work,” she shares.
With her exceptional performance, it was no surprise when she was
offered a contract position at Mediacorp after her internship. Eager to gain more professional experience, Vievienne is now working as a Programme Assistant at CLASS 95.
Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a degree in social sciences with a second major in communications. Having blossomed from a shy student into someone who confidently steps into the spotlight, Vievienne aims to carve a career in media
strategy and digital marketing.