Two graduates from NTU share how their decisions to further their studies after polytechnic education gave them a foothold in their pursuit of success.

Engineered for growth
Fresh out of university, Vernon Shen, the affable 26-year-old Mechanical Engineering graduate from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is the epitome of what we envision our graduates to be—confident and savvy. Currently an engineer at Sembawang Shipyard, Vernon is serving his bond under the Association of Singapore Marine Industries (ASMI) scholarship he received during his final year of studies.

His journey to his current success started out from his days as a mechanical engineering student at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. As he succinctly puts it, “I love solving problems, and engineering trains your mind to think logically and systematically. I chose mechanical engineering because I was intrigued by its wide applications and relevance to our everyday lives. Reading Mechanical Engineering in university was a natural progression for me.” His choice of university was clear from the beginning. “NTU was my first choice because of its renowned reputation in engineering education, and I like its practical and hands-on approach to teaching.”

As an undergraduate at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), Vernon was tireless in his pursuit of academic excellence and was a familiar face in numerous student and school activities. This former president of the MAE’s Leadership Development Programme (LDP) helmed the club through numerous school activities and also contributed to the welfare of fellow MAE students by offering peer tutoring.

When asked about the best part of his NTU experience, he reminisces, “Definitely the people, friends and professors who were always there to give support. LDP gave me invaluable experience in leading a team of fellow course mates to achieve our club’s objectives. You come out of it feeling like you are ready to take on any challenges that come by. Honestly, it is a confidence booster and going through all the enrichment seminars in LDP certainly prepares you mentally for life after graduation. Most importantly, my time in NTU was very enjoyable! My friends and I would crack our brains to solve challenging tutorial questions together, and then celebrate our ‘victories’ when we finally solved those problems! The process itself is a very fun and unforgettable experience and it gave us a great sense of achievement.”

Armed with a good honours degree, it seems that Vernon has everything going for him. However it is his sheer grit and determination that will stand him in good stead in the long term. He has some words of encouragement to his juniors and fellow polytechnic graduates. “Cast away all negative myths that you may have and seize every opportunity given to you,” he says. “Give it your 101%, for the rewards make it all worthwhile. After all, if my fellow poly classmates and I can make it, so can you.”

His electrifying success
As for Jason Tan, the quest for academic discovery and excellence did not stop after receiving a Diploma in Electronics, Computer and Communication Engineering (DECC) with Certificate of Merit from the Singapore Polytechnic in 1997. The 33-year-old went on to NTU, where he obtained a first class honours degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering in 2001, completed a PhD in 2005, and bagged several scholarships along the way.

For one and a half years, Jason worked in IBM’s microelectronics department in New York on the initial development phase of the 45nm CMOS technology. Now a Principal Engineer at the Technology Development Department of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Limited, he is responsible for technology transfer and development of the advanced 45nm CMOS technology.

Jason holds two US patents and has more than 20 US patents waiting for filing. He has authored and co-authored more than 30 journals and conference papers, and currently serves as a reviewer for several international journal papers. His current research interests include semiconductor device physics, reliability physics, strain transistor technologies and novel devices.

Like Vernon, Jason is grateful for the education received at NTU. “I felt very fortunate to be able to study in NTU. Its Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme had equipped me with strong practical and theoretical fundamentals for my PhD journey and career. It also strengthened my self-confidence in the face of challenges, which helped me excel in every aspect of my life,” he says.

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