Shaping the future with NTU’s Renaissance Engineering Programme

by Kenny Chee / Photos by Clement Neo, Nath Sudswong and UC Berkeley

 

When Nath Sudswong enrolled into Nanyang Technological University, Singapore’s (NTU Singapore) Renaissance Engineering Programme, he did not expect how much of an impact the broad-based and interdisciplinary programme would have on his life.

The top NTU signature programme, which has partnered University of California, Berkeley and Imperial College London for over a decade, not only prepared him for a career but also prepared him to navigate complexity, embrace change and lead with purpose.

Nath Sudswong studied for a year at University of California, Berkeley under Nanyang Technological University, Singapore’s Renaissance Engineering Programme. He now works at investment bank Goldman Sachs in Sydney.

“Beyond academics, the programme’s focus on leadership, communication and teamwork taught me how to translate technical ideas into practical business outcomes”, says Nath, who now works at investment bank Goldman Sachs as an Executive Director for Operations in Sydney.

“These skills form the foundation of how I manage teams today at the bank, such as leveraging data to automate workflows, drive system improvements, and balance the rigour of finance with empathy, collaboration and clear communication,” added Nath, who studied for a year at UC Berkeley under NTU's Renaissance Engineering Programme.

Launched in 2011, the Renaissance Engineering Programme aims to nurture future-ready engineering leaders, bridging engineering, business and the humanities.

Renaissance Engineering Programme students at University of California, Berkeley, a long-standing partner university of the programme for over 10 years

Global outlook

Global exposure is a core tenet of the programme at NTU, which is ranked No. 2 in Engineering among universities worldwide in 2025 by US News and World Report. Under the programme, students spend a year abroad studying at UC Berkeley or Imperial.

In fact, this guaranteed one-year exchange with either of these top-tier universities was what tipped the scales for Nath to sign up.

“That global exposure – both academic and cultural – was something I deeply valued, and the programme’s structured approach to integrating it into the curriculum made it the clear choice for me,” he explains.

Nath (first row, left) at the International House in UC Berkeley where he studied for a year under NTU’s Renaissance Engineering Programme

Both UC Berkeley and Imperial have an enduring partnership with the Renaissance Engineering Programme.

UC Berkeley has tied up with the programme since it began in 2011, while Imperial has been a partner since 2012. This is a testament to the programme’s quality and standing in grooming students with a strong technical foundation, an entrepreneurial spirit and a heart to serve society.

Clement Neo, an alumnus of the programme who spent a year at Imperial, says his experience there was life changing: “Being in the vibrant city of London, I had the opportunity to meet so many inspiring people who were eager to make a difference in the world. They were not afraid to try new things, and their drive and passion were truly contagious.”

Clement Neo (fourth from left) in Brighton in the United Kingdom with his batchmates during his one-year exchange at Imperial. He says his time at Imperial was life changing. 

“The challenging courses at Imperial also gave me a great foundation for conducting research, equipping me with the knowledge and skills to tackle complex problems in my field,” says Clement, who is now a Research Engineer at Singapore’s Digital Trust Centre.

He adds that living in London opened doors for him to the research community, which allowed him to connect with individuals working on cutting-edge projects.

Renaissance Engineering Programme students also get to do a professional attachment in the United States, the United Kingdom, elsewhere in Europe or in Singapore. For instance, students have interned at e-commerce giant Amazon’s office in Seattle, financial technologies firm Robinhood’s New York City office, engineering company Rolls-Royce’s Derby office, and engineering and technology firm Bosch’s office in Reutlingen.

Clement Neo at the 2025 International Conference on Learning presenting research work he did

Connecting with people and concepts

In Singapore, the programme’s students also experience a vibrant campus life. They enjoy guaranteed hall stays in NTU’s North Hill, an integrated teaching and residential facility that encourages mutual learning and collaborative work.

Nath recalls that the dedicated hall and shared student spaces fostered teamwork and creativity, while the programme office’s openness to feedback and support for initiatives built genuine camaraderie.

“These experiences taught me the importance of finding common goals and connecting with people – skills that have naturally carried over into how I build professional and personal relationships today,” he says.

The quality and dedication of the professors also stood out for Nath. He says that many of the professors are leading experts who adapted their courses to the programme’s accelerated and interdisciplinary nature. 

Nath at Crater Lake in Oregon when he was studying at UC Berkeley for a year

Looking back, Nath says that the Renaissance Engineering Programme “has been a major contributor not only to my professional success but also to how I approach challenges in life”.

“Moving to Sydney was a conscious decision that reflects one of the most valuable lessons I gained from the programme – the courage to take calculated risks and pursue my passions, even when it means stepping off the well-trodden path and out of my comfort zone,” he says.

Find out more about the Renaissance Engineering Programme here.