Real Stories, Real Growth - Honouring Our Students
This July, more than a thousand CCDS graduates step forward, carrying with them not just skills, but stories of determination, discovery, and growth. From academic resilience and career pivots to community leadership and research breakthroughs, these journeys showcase the diversity, depth, and spirit of the CCDS community; a collective of innovators, problem-solvers, and changemakers ready to shape the world.”
Read their stories: From Jessica Loh’s unscripted PhD path to Stanley Heng’s cybersecurity contributions and more.
Just graduated? Tell us your story; your experience could inspire the next wave of students.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Not Afraid to Fall, Ready to Rise
Class of 2025 Valedictorian Ng Tze Kean reflects on a journey defined not by perfection, but by curiosity, quiet confidence, and a mindset ready to embrace challenge. From bursary support to building AI tools and mentoring peers, his story is one of purpose, resilience, and growth.
A Legacy Built to Last
Ng Yong Jie graduates with a double degree and a legacy of student-led innovation. From engineering projects to reimagining peer support at the CCDS Innovation Lab, he brought the same quiet discipline to community building as he did to code. His leadership wasn’t loud, but it was lasting.
Holding On, Moving Ahead
When the world shifted beneath her feet, Venus Ang nearly gave up. Two academic terminations, missed semesters, and mounting doubt almost derailed her journey; but she chose to try again. With steady support and sheer persistence, she found her way back. Today, she graduates not just with a degree, but with the quiet triumph of knowing she stayed the course.
A Legacy of Learning Across Two Generations
When Roydon Au selected A/P Goh Wooi Boon as his final-year project supervisor, he was following in meaningful footsteps – his father, Sam Au, had done the same nearly 30 years earlier. What began as shared lectures became life lessons passed from teacher to student, and from father to son. Their story is a rare, intergenerational tribute to mentorship, shared values, and the kind of education that leaves a legacy far beyond the classroom.
OUR AWARD WINNERS
Doing Things Well, Living with Purpose
Medal recipient Anand Chaanan Singh shares how clarity, purpose, and quiet resilience shaped his NTU journey; and why he’s choosing meaning over ambition as he steps into the future.
Jiang Lei’s Gold Medal Mindset
Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medallist Jiang Lei reflects on the lessons behind her success, from staying curious to showing up with composure, and how dual-discipline thinking shaped her journey.
Conviction Without Compromise: Dhanish’s Gold Standard
Bullied as a child, Dhanish found quiet strength in consistency, resilience, and self-belief – a journey that led to the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and a life of conviction.
From NTU to ICCV: Gong Zerui’s Journey
From research breakthroughs to robotics mentoring, ITMA Gold Medalist Gong Zerui reflects on how NTU shaped his mindset, and why he believes embodied intelligence is the future.
Growth, Grit, and the Power of Community
TCS Gold Medalist Tan Yan Chi reflects on a journey shaped by self-doubt, shared growth, and supportive friendships; a quiet reminder that success is often a collective, not solo, pursuit.
From Beginner to Medalist: Isaac’s Steady Climb
Isaac Hong entered NTU with no coding background and graduated with two Gold Med-als. Guided by faith and purpose, he found meaning in data science and service through national defence.
CELEBRATING OUR POSTGRADUATES
From Skills Gap to MSAI Class Champion
Tymothy Lim Jie enrolled in NTU’s MSAI programme to strengthen his technical skills. He leaves with new expertise, lasting friendships, and a passion for applying AI in meaning-ful ways
Nguyen Giang Son: From Curiosity to NLP Research
Vietnamese scholar Nguyen Giang Son transitioned from finance to data science and now AI. His focus: building NLP tools for Vietnamese and contributing to national development through science and technology.
Stanley Heng, MSc Cyber Security Champion, shares his journey of returning to NTU, tackling cryptography, and paying it forward through public service and mentoring the next generation.
Bioinformatics Meets Data Science: Joanna’s NTU Story
Joanna Chua pursued NTU’s MSc in Data Science to bridge knowledge gaps in her bioin-formatics role. Through persistence, support, and purpose, she gained skills that shape her career today.
Jiang Yuming: From Generative Models to Robotics
PhD graduate Jiang Yuming blends AI creativity with tangible impact. His work spans open-source innovation, embodied AI, and a deep commitment to building useful, grounded systems for everyday life.
Jessica Loh: Faith, Fluid Dynamics, and Finding Purpose
PhD graduate Jessica Loh’s path spanned AI research, refugee outreach, and game design. Her story is one of quiet resilience, shifting passions, and learning to welcome the unex-pected.