Aniq Sufirizan Bin Fariq
EAE TIP
"Make sure to fully understand what your course is about. Continue to drive for success and be passionate in what you do and everything will be alright!"
Tomorrow’s Healthcare Game-changer
For Aniq, choosing to apply to Temasek Polytechnic through the EAE was not just a practical choice, it was a calling driven by his passion for science.
Aniq’s fascination with science began in secondary school, where he discovered a deep passion for the subject. By the time he reached Secondary 5 in 2022, he had set a clear goal: to enter polytechnic and pursue a science-related course. While browsing TP’s website, the Diploma in Medical Biotechnology caught his attention immediately.
“When I saw the opportunity to join Medical Biotechnology via EAE, I felt that this was my calling,” he shared. He was also influenced by his father, who advised him to stay passionate towards his goals.
To prepare, he took time to fully understand what the course was about, even creating a mind map on medical biotechnology to deepen his knowledge. When it came to the interview, he made sure to read up on the course modules and let his personality shine through.
His preparation worked: Aniq is currently thriving in the course of his dream. He is actively involved in the Medical Biotechnology Student Interest Group which allows him to expand his knowledge by interacting with other various diplomas. He was also selected to participate in the Temasek Foundation Specialist Community and Leadership Exchange program (TF SCALE) which is a two-week exchange program where he connected with ASEAN students and learned about their cultures. One of his most fulfilling moments so far is being part of TP’s Open House. “It was memorable as I was able to share what I’ve learnt about my course and help students understand how to excel in this field of study,” he said.
Supported by his curiosity and love of science, the Springfield Secondary School alumnus hopes to one day work in the healthcare sector where he can contribute to meaningful breakthroughs.
Why TP
“The School of Applied Science in TP was perfect for me to go to after my secondary school education, asI felt that Medical Biotechnology was my calling. I wanted to pursue science in my tertiary studies and dive into healthcare.”
Written by Victoria Cheah
Shyan Chong Xuan Xuan
EAE TIP
“Be true to yourself and let your passion speak for itself.”
Tomorrow’s Hospitality Star
Intrigued by the vibrant hospitality sector, Shyan applied for the Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management at Temasek Polytechnic through the EAE. However, what drew her to TP was not only the opportunity to intern at renowned companies such as Singapore Airlines, but also the school’s innovative approach to education – which she discovered through TP’s social media presence.
In her application, Shyan highlighted her experience in organising school events, demonstrating her planning and collaborative skills. Her part-time job also helped her build essential soft skills like resilience and communication. In addition, Shyan explored course modules and internship options to enhance her understanding of the diploma.
During her time at Temasek Polytechnic, Shyan learnt how to take responsibility for her assignments and made sure they were completed efficiently and on time. Leading projects allowed her to step out of her comfort zone and collaborate with diverse people, helping further develop her organisation skills, adaptability, and gain confidence.
One of her significant experiences was reaching out to clients for major projects, which she viewed as an opportunity to apply lessons from the classroom to real-world scenarios in the hospitality sector. This hands-on approach continued during her internship, and gave her valuable exposure to the hospitality industry which eventually paved the way to her current role as a cabin crew member.
Why TP
“I chose to apply for the Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management at Temasek Polytechnic because I've always been interested in the hospitality field, and the chance to intern in companies like Singapore Airlines really excited me.”
Written by Nurejazira Binte Salam and Intissar Amberyn Binte Mohamad Shahrom
Fella Fazlini Binte Herman Sianipar
EAE Tip
"Create a portfolio to showcase your skills even if you only have a few pieces of work. If it is something you really want to do, then don’t be afraid."
Tomorrow’s Creative Communicator
Prior to joining TP, Fella found joy in the design process when creating marketing content for her CCA. She learnt to appreciate the design of packaging and advertisements posters especially when she travelled. Thus, this cultivated Fella’s passion of using design as a powerful tool to communicate and connect with the masses.
With the influence of her friends who were studying in TP’s School of Design and through her own research, Fella knew that she wanted to explore the creative side of herself under proper guidance. Even though Fella had limited experience in the creative field, she created a portfolio that allowed her to embark on the bold academic transition of switching from her prior studies of early childhood education to pursue a Diploma in Communication Design via the EAE.
At TP, Fella acquired a wealth of meaningful and valuable skills that were both intrinsic and practical. This shaped her personal growth and professional readiness. “I have really good relationships with my lecturers and I feel like they made learning easier for us,” she shared, reflecting on how the strong and positive relationships she formed with her mentors and peers made the learning process enjoyable. This deepened her interests and purpose of studying Communication Design.
Fella’s tenure in TP has offered her many opportunities to garner real world experiences and industry knowledge. This led her to secure an internship position in Mediacorp as a graphic designer. Supporting digital content creation in collaboration with the production and strategy teams enabled Fella to apply her skills and knowledge in a real-world, hands-on setting.
Now under a part-time contract with Mediacorp following her internship, the ITE Central alumna aims to continue working in the creative field while pursuing a degree in communications. Ultimately, she hopes to use her work to connect with audiences and bring ideas to life.
Why TP
"Because the School of Design is a very well-recognised brand in the industry! I was also convinced by a friend who was already studying in the school."
Written by See Toh Wei Quan Rafael
Rocco Loh
EAE Tip
“Don’t overthink the process. It’s really not that deep, so just go for it! You don’t need to worry about curating a fancy portfolio, what matters is how you present yourself and show your genuine passion during the interview.”
Tomorrow’s Captain of the Skies
Bearing great aspirations in becoming a pilot for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Rocco applied for the Diploma in Aerospace Electronics via the EAE as a way to follow his dreams. Though the exercise was a mandatory requirement for all students in his secondary school, it became his launchpad into his aviation journey.
Interestingly, what captured Rocco’s eye to pick TP out of the many options was the Lufthansa Technical Training (LTT) programme. As this was an opportunity exclusive to TP, he attended the programme and soon realised that it fell in line with his aerospace interests perfectly. This ended up playing a vital role in his EAE choices.
In his experience of studying in the Diploma in Aerospace Electronics in TP, Rocco developed fundamental skill sets such as the ability to communicate with clarity and critical thinking. Such skills were not just fostered in classrooms, but through hands-on overseas exchange, project work and even his CCA, Aikido, where he is now preparing for his dan training. The journey he undertook to learn these skills provided him with valuable insights for his future endeavours in aviation, as well as challenged him to counter his struggles when faced with a tough situation. As an aspiring pilot, both of these skills are crucial when faced with times of emergencies and in adhering to safety measures to prevent endangering the lives of passengers.
Reminiscing one of his most fulfilling moments in TP, the Bukit Merah Secondary School alumnus mentioned how he delved into topics like aerodynamics, and used software to test how different aircraft shapes respond to air resistance. “It was exactly what I was expecting to learn when I joined this course,” he shared.
To Rocco, EAE gave him the opportunity to be one step closer to his dreams of becoming a pilot.
Why TP
“I chose TP mainly because of the Lufthansa Technical Training (LTT) programme I attended prior to entering poly. It was unique to TP and happened to perfectly align with my aerospace interests.”
Written by Miriam Victoria Wei Jia Qi and Ng Qian Yu
Lee Min Zhe Donald
EAE Tip
"Always understand and look through what is being taught in the course to see what best suits you, because course names don’t paint a full picture of the modules included."
Tomorrow’s Community Trailblazer
Growing up with few relatives in his age group, Donald often found himself engaging with those much older than he was. Naturally bubbly and sociable at heart, Donald was eager to spread his own infectious joy with the elderly in his neighbourhood, and soon found his calling in gerontology.
That is not to say his journey was without hardships. Donald was forced to pick a different route when he did not make the cut for his dream course. Still, he remained undaunted and, with the guidance of his ECG counsellor in ITE, applied successfully into TP’s Diploma in Gerontology through EAE.
Simply getting into the course he desired was far from enough; Donald’s strong passion for bonding with seniors kept him on his feet, and he continued to volunteer as a student. Amidst all his experiences, one belief Donald always held dear to his heart was to stay true to himself, “because if you're really passionate about something, there's nothing that would actually stop you and you should just keep going”.
This remained true even as he chose his CCAs. Donald is an active member in his course’s student interest group and appreciates the opportunities it has provided him with, both to bond with his coursemates, and to give back to the community. On top of that, it has also given him numerous chances to work on his leadership skills in a forgiving environment – something he had not been able to explore prior to enrolling in TP.
The ITE East alumnus has been able to widen his horizons through TP’s many avenues for non-academic pursuits. He takes every learning opportunity with stride, pushing forth with the mentality that “even if you get rejected and all, just know that there’s other opportunities for you and you’ll definitely find it one way or another”.
Why TP
“TP has many different opportunities for you to lead and grow, no matter which course you are in.”
Written by Chng Si Qi Shermaine and Deborah Anastasia Lim
B M Harshitha
EAE Tip
"If you truly know what you want, don't hesitate to apply for EAE. Yes, it may feel intimidating, but growth always lies outside your comfort zone."
Tomorrow’s Cybersecurity Defender
Harshitha, a student from the Diploma in Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics at TP, discovered her passion for IT after taking a cybersecurity course in secondary school. The course opened her eyes to the growing threats of scams, data breaches, and cyberattacks, which sparked a desire for her to be part of the solution.
“It’s not just about tech,” she says. “It’s about protecting people.”
Motivated by this newfound purpose, Harshitha applied to TP through the EAE. After attending a school talk about EAE, she felt confident that this pathway would align with her interests and give her a head start in the field she was passionate about. Though initially intimidated by the idea of interviews and writing her application, she found the process smoother than expected, and surprisingly quite enjoyable, thanks to the warm and supportive lecturers who made her feel at ease.
Since joining TP, Harshitha has embraced both academic life and student life to the fullest. In Year 1, she joined the Ultimate Frisbee team, where she trained regularly and formed friendships with peers across different schools. Her journey continued with leadership roles in the Informatics & IT Studies Club, where she served as Assistant Welfare Officer in Year 2 and Quartermaster in Year 3.
These experiences helped her build confidence, communication skills, and a strong sense of responsibility, all while creating lasting memories with friends. Her hard work did not go unnoticed - she was awarded the CCA Merit Award in Leadership and was part of the team that clinched the School Club of the Year Award in 2024.
Academically, the Peicai Secondary School alumna has grown more independent and resilient. And when things get tough, she always knows she can rely on her lecturers and classmates for support. “Even the hardest projects feel manageable when you’re not facing them alone,” she shares.
Why TP
“I liked Temasek Polytechnic's spirit— the campus is always vibrant and students are lively and cheerful.”
Written by Clarissa Tan Hexin
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