Different Paths, Shared Purpose

Every scroll handed out this July carries more than a name. It carries the story behind it, and the quiet effort it took to get there.

This year, over a thousand graduates from the College of Computing and Data Science (CCDS) step forward, including about 750 undergraduates, 250 Master’s graduates, and 90 PhD graduates. Some came straight from school. Others returned to learning after years in the workforce. They studied full-time, part-time, while caregiving, working, or even parenting. No two journeys were alike; and that is exactly what makes this graduating class remarkable.

CCDS graduates come from diverse programmes in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence, including double degrees that combine computing with Business, Economics, or Accountancy. Across all these tracks, one thing holds true: each graduate leaves not only with technical skills, but with the determination to use them meaningfully.

Some graduates, like Venus Ang, found strength through academic setbacks, learning to rise again and move forward. Others, like Ng Yong Jie, built platforms to help future students succeed, leading student teams, shaping tools, and opening doors for others. For many, success came quietly; in balancing part-time studies with full-time work, in helping a peer through a tough module, or in persevering through illness or burnout.

The Class of 2025 includes seven CCDS award recipients, recognised not just for academic excellence but for leadership, community contributions, and resilience. Among them is Tze Kean, whose journey reflects a thoughtful balance of depth and humility.

Some stories reflect deeper connections. Roydon Au’s final-year project was supervised by the same professor who once mentored his father; a reminder that while tools change, the heart of education stays rooted in relationships and shared knowledge across generations.

We also celebrate the unscripted journey of Dr Jessica Loh, who brought fluid dynamics and faith together in surprising ways. We honour Dr Jiang Yuming, whose research blends AI creativity with tangible, open-source impact. And we spotlight Stanley Heng, whose work in advancing cybersecurity stands as a vital contribution to systems that serve the public good.

This year also marks a turning point in the world of technology. Artificial intelligence is transforming how we live, work, and learn; but as our guest speaker Dr Leslie Teo and valedictorian Ng Tze Kean reminded us, the future of AI is ultimately a human one. “AI is just code. We are the heart,” said Tze Kean. Dr Teo echoed that message: we are not here to compete with machines; we are here to guide them, build trust, and imagine what comes next.

As this class moves on to careers in industry, research, start-ups, or public service, they carry more than scrolls. They bring the friendships, values, and shared purpose that shaped their time at CCDS; and a quiet resolve to make their mark with integrity, creativity, and care.

Read more of their stories – just a slice of the vibrant, values-driven community that makes CCDS more than a school of computing. It’s a place where every path matters.

Are you a newly minted CCDS alum?
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