Back where she belongs
University life was everything Hai Qi had hoped for, until her father's stroke placed financial strain on her family. A bursary helped her reclaim the campus experience she thought she had lost, eventually leading her to become President of Hall 13.
Text: Yee Wei Zhen
For Hai Qi, university life began just as she had imagined.
An Economics student with a second major in Public Policy and Global Affairs, she quickly immersed herself in campus life, serving as Hall 13’s Sports Secretary and winning gold medals in taekwondo at national competitions. As the first in her family to attend university, she was excited for the journey ahead.
Just months into her first year, her father suffered a stroke. Unable to continue working as a mechanical technician, he could no longer provide for the family. With medical bills and rehabilitation costs mounting, Hai Qi’s family faced growing financial uncertainty.
Determined to ease the burden at home, Hai Qi took on tutoring assignments, participated in NTU's Work-Study Scheme and helped manage her father's insurance matters alongside her studies.
The financial pressures soon forced Hai Qi to make a difficult decision. To reduce expenses, she gave up her hall residency. Although she no longer lived on campus, she remained committed to Hall 13, often staying late after classes so she could continue serving as Sports Secretary.
Receiving the Worldwide Hotels – Choo Chong Ngen Bursary marked a turning point. Beyond easing her family's financial burden, it enabled her to fully embrace university life once again.
Reflecting on the support she received, Hai Qi says: “A complete stranger had opened a new door for me, and that decision changed my life.”
Today, Hai Qi is President of Hall 13, leading a 16-member Executive Committee and overseeing more than 15 student-led events each year. She also represents her hall in university-level dialogues while continuing to pursue her ambition of representing Singapore in taekwondo.
Looking ahead, Hai Qi hopes to build a career in Singapore's public sector, particularly in policy writing. She also hopes to one day pay forward the kindness she received by creating opportunities for others.
“I know what it feels like to need support at exactly the right moment. One day, I hope to be that source of support for someone else.”
Learn more about NTU’s bursaries here.
