Student Stories

Who played the biggest role in shaping your interest in engineering, and how did they influence you? 

 At first, no one specifically influenced me to pursue engineering — I just went with the flow, although I always had the support of the people around me. But more recently, my uncle, who’s like a father figure to me, has played a big role in shaping my interest. He’s an engineer too and hearing him talk about his work and experiences really made engineering feel more exciting and meaningful to me. I even hope that one day, I’ll get the chance to work on a car with him — that would be sick! 

Growing up, what sparked your curiosity about dismantling things and understanding machinery? 

When I was a kid, I was always curious about what goes inside my toys — especially those pull-back cars that could run on their own after you wound them up. I started dismantling my cars just to see how they worked, and soon enough, I was taking apart my other toys too. To my guardians, it probably just looked like I was breaking them for no reason, but in reality, I was trying to understand how they worked. I would even mix and match parts, trying to “Frankenstein” them into something new or replicate something I had seen. 

How did moving to Singapore shape your journey towards pursuing an engineering education? 

Before coming to Singapore, I honestly had no clear direction. Everything about my future felt overwhelming. But after settling here, I started seeing what life could look like. The efficient train and bus systems, the technology everywhere—it made me think, “This is something I want to be part of.” I also got really into F1 and started building Gundam model kits, and that’s when it hit me—I belong in this world of design, mechanics, and innovation. 

How did you first come across PSB Academy, and what made you choose it for your engineering diploma? 

Being an international student, it was tough for my mum and me to figure out the local education system—it was complicated and expensive. So, in my first year here, I was homeschool-ed to finish high school. That’s when I met friends who were in similar situations, and one of them introduced me to PSB Academy. When my mum and I discovered the fast and practical pathways PSB Academy offered, especially in engineering, we knew it was the right choice for me.

Were there any lecturers or memorable hands-on experience that particularly stood out or made a difference in your learning journey? 

Definitely! The most memorable part of my learning journey was during the final term of my Diploma. We were taught to design parts using SolidWorks and created our own inventions with Arduino. The projects were challenging but fun, and our lecturer, Mr. Hanafi, made the lessons even more engaging. 

One moment that stood out was when my group raced against time to submit a project while working on another. We stayed until the campus was about to close and managed to submit just minutes before the deadline. It was nerve-wracking, but seeing our hard work pay off with a good score made it all worth it. 

How do you feel your diploma has prepared you for your upcoming degree at Coventry University and your future career? 

I think my diploma gave me a solid starting point. Of course, I know there’s still a lot of room for me to grow but through all the times I failed and the times I succeeded, I’ve learnt a lot. I feel more confident and comfortable now heading into my degree, knowing I’ve built a strong foundation. 

What are your career aspirations after completing your degree, and how do you hope to use your engineering skills? 

There are so many exciting paths to explore, but I’m sticking with my original dream—to work in aeronautics. I like working with my hands, and the idea of being involved with aircraft feels like working on a giant toy. It just seems like something I’d enjoy doing every day. I also discovered that I really enjoy working with CAD, so I believe I could take on a flexible role in the industry, combining both design and hands-on work. 

What advice would you give to prospective students considering an engineering diploma at PSB Academy? 

Stay enthusiastic and be present. The more you immerse yourself in your work, the more you’ll learn. Be logical and approach challenges with curiosity instead of fear. Don’t focus on the struggle— imagine the moment you figure everything out, that feeling of success when everything finally clicks into place is worth it. 

Do you have any other stories or experiences you’d like to share with us?

Here’s a funny one—when I was younger, I didn’t have many toys, so I’d use clothing clips (or “sipit”) to build my own. I made cars, guns, robots—you name it and sometimes attached them to my actual toys to create new ones with my imagination. My grandma eventually caught on because she needed those clips for laundry, so she bought me a cheap set of building blocks to keep me occupied. That was a turning point. She kept buying me more, and soon I was building better cars, robots, and even creating my own mechanisms. One of my proudest builds was a manual vending machine I designed completely from scratch!