In this series, Science@NTU gets to know the 2022 CoS valedictorians. They give a quick overview of their time in CoS, and also offer a few words of advice on staying positive during these uncertain times. First up. we have Ho Zhi Qing from the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences.
Credit: M. Fadly
How did you end up studying Chemistry?
Chemistry plays a role in everyone’s lives and touches almost every aspect of our existence in some way. I was inspired by its profound impacts on our health, environment, agriculture, and its pivotal role in the transition to green energy. I love deep diving into the root cause of challenges we face, and chemistry offered me the chance to reimagine changes.
What did you enjoy most during your four years in SPMS?
It was a fun experience joining the orientation camp that involved exchange students from different countries. I enjoyed bringing them around Singapore to discover new places which sparked the conversation about unique cultures from different countries. I felt so satisfied seeing their smiling faces when we tried a variety of delicious local foods.
Which experiences(s) had the greatest impact on you?
My experiences participating in innovation challenges and attending conferences to meet business leaders from different industries sparked the question of why innovation in Science and Technology alone is not enough to impact society significantly. For instance, despite several decades of innovations, climate change is a longstanding issue. This motivates me to aspire to join the global players to shape the world and seize all the opportunities.
What’s your next step after graduation?
I’m glad that I found myself dedicated to food innovation to nourish our health and the planet, and mitigate climate change’s threat. I’m working with WhatIF Foods, a company changing how convenient foods are made. We use crops grown with regenerative practices to make nutritious foods full of natural nutrients preserved from the ingredients. We design our supply chains and work closely with farming communities to ensure food security.
Any words of advice to student who intend to study Science?
Studying sciences could be more fun when we explore the applications of the theories we learned in class. I believe it’s crucial to research further on the current innovations and think critically about why existing solutions are not creating immediate and
significant impacts on our challenges. Furthermore, there are diverse opportunities in NTU and various industrial partnerships that offer students opportunities to participate in projects that are much needed by the industry. You won’t be alone along this learning journey because our friendly PhD students and professors will support you. Have fun!
What advice do you have for your peers who are graduating this year, during these uncertain times?
Some of us might feel what we have learned from these four years is not directly related to our current/future careers and that their time in university was wasted. However, what we gained from NTU is not just knowledge related to our degree, but also soft skills – adapting to change, communication with our teammates and effective time management. All these are valuable learning experiences to discover our strengths and weakness and prepare us for the future. We should be proud to say that we overcame this challenge because we didn’t give up. We did it! Whichever path you choose to take, be it in rocket science, or to become the next Mr Singapore, do what excites you and work towards your purpose!
Provide a quote that inspires you.
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson