Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) undergrad Jerrell Foo describes his time at NTU as shaped by academic discovery, student leadership and lasting friendships, culminating in a deeper appreciation of civil engineering’s role in shaping Singapore’s built environment.
When I first entered NTU to study Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), I thought it was mostly about construction and visible buildings. Very quickly I realised it was much more.
As I studied, I began to appreciate the field in a deeper way. Civil engineering is incredibly noble. The sights and sounds of Singapore, including its distinctive skyline, the expansive rail and road networks, and the drainage systems, are all there thanks to civil engineering.
Every single inch of land in Singapore matters, both above ground and below ground. Building here isn’t easy. Civil engineers must navigate so many constraints, and that takes skill and responsibility.
The discipline itself is so broad. It requires deep structural, geotechnical, water, and transportation knowledge, and now even AI plays a role. NTU has given me the opportunity to learn these elements from some of the best engineers in the industry, and that exposure has opened my eyes.
Foo and his peers at a Civil and Environmental Engineering outreach event.
Beyond the classroom, my four years at NTU have been marked by leadership opportunities that challenged and stretched me. This includes when I served as the CEE Club logistics director and later as president.
During my term, we introduced several new initiatives, including racial harmony events and the formation of the Academic Affairs Committee. We also strengthened partnerships with the Maritime Business Society and the Graduate Students’ Club.
Most importantly, my years at NTU have brought me meaningful friendships like the classmates in my hiking group.
Over the past few summer and winter breaks, we’ve had the opportunity to complete most of Singapore’s hiking trails. One of our most memorable hikes, however, took place when we travelled to Mount Bromo, one of Indonesia’s active volcanoes.
At 11pm, my friends and I trudged to the car with our backpacks and jackets, hoping to leave early enough to catch the sunrise over the volcano from a nearby summit. Instead, we were met with heavy cloud cover, and on the ascent, we were battered by intense rain and wind.
Foo and his friends taking a photo before setting off by jeep to Mount Bromo.
The experience was unforgettable for not only its challenges but also the perspective that comes from stepping out of a highly engineered environment and into a raw, natural one. As a civil engineering student, you’re constantly surrounded by built systems. Being in a place that wasn’t engineered by humans reminded me how powerful nature is and caused me to reflect on the contrast between the two settings.
After graduation I’ll be starting my career at the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). The government agency regulates Singapore’s built environment, including structural plans and safety standards.
I’m looking forward to playing a part in shaping how Singapore builds, and ensuring what we build is safe, resilient and sustainable.
This story also appeared in the 2026 NTU Engineering Annual Magazine.
