TP's comeback graduate!

Who would have thought in 1995, that a small Portsdown Road building that doubled as a campus for the pioneer cohort of the Applied Food Science & Nutrition (AFSN) students, would inspire one of them to achieve accolades in studies and research?

AFSN graduate, now lecturer at Temasek Applied Science School, Dr Lee Huang Chun Calvin, fondly recalls those days when students had to travel to National University of Singapore to use the labs for chemistry practicals and to TP’s Stirling Road campus for computer classes.

“The students are so lucky now. Not only do they have all necessary facilities within the same building, the facilities they use are so much more sophisticated!” he exclaimed.

In addition to his appreciation of his TP lecturers who offered academic advice and friendship while he was a student, the main reason why Dr Lee decided to return to the School to teach is his interest in food product development and the opportunity to embark on consultancy projects.

He credits his experience at TP for his success today. “The academic work at TP challenged me to exercise analytical skills and critical thinking so much that it gave me the confidence to further my studies. And yes, the awards that came along with the great time I had were a great assurance to me that I had finally discovered my career niche,” he said.

The string of awards this modest lecturer bagged is indeed impressive. After TP, where he clinched a Gold Medal and book prizes, he made the most of his Golden Jubilee Scholarship and was awarded First Class Honours by the University of New South Wales where he proceeded to clinch its International Postgraduate Award. He has also successfully co-written a journal and two full papers published in the international journal Food Chemistry.

So, what’s next? “Now, I want to enjoy my work at Temasek Applied Science School. I really appreciate the interaction I have with students and all the opportunities I get to learn while helping others to grow.”