NUS Computing graduates are “coding” for a better world

NUS Computing graduates are "coding" for a better world

Movies often depict computer scientists as tech geniuses who are creative and possess formidable problem-solving skills. From visionary innovators featured in "The Social Network" to heroes who save the world in "Ready Player One", computer wizards can wield a significant influence.

Armed with their strong technical proficiency, two NUS School of Computinggraduates - Hannah Chia and Ng Jun Kang - are all set to make a positive impact. From empowering and supporting women in computing to helping the community, Hannah and Jun Kang are determined to play a part in creating a more inclusive society.

Hannah Chia: Empowering women in tech

Coding has always been a natural fit for Hannah, who loves to solve problems - an inclination that stemmed from her parents' influence. When she first entered the Computer Science programme at NUS during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was one of only a handful of female students in her classes, fuelling her determination to advocate for fellow women in tech.

A stint under the NUS Overseas Collegesprogramme, where she interned in an majority-female team at an AI-driven healthcare company, made her believe she could change that outlook. "Being surrounded by girls who were thriving in computing, who could solve coding problems and discuss bugs, who shared similar interests as me, was an invigorating experience," she said.

Inspired, Hannah sought to foster this supportive culture and sense of camaraderie among fellow female students at NUS Computing. She got together with a few of her female course mates and they spent months organising focus group interviews with other female computing students to understand their needs and challenges.

In August 2022, Women in Tech@NUS Computing(WiT) was launched, a student interest group dedicated to connecting, empowering and building a community of women in tech. From a modest group of seven members, WiT blossomed to 42 members by early 2024, and it is still growing.

Over the years, WiT has organised forums where industry professionals share insights on navigating a male-dominated tech industry. They also facilitated small group discussions, called Lean in Circles, to create small, close-knit support groups for female NUS Computing students to share their goals and thoughts, and discuss the challenges women in tech face.

As Co-President of WiT, she also started WinTech Wonderland, an initiative held over the December school break where participants embarked on a diverse range of projects, including partnerships with volunteer organisations like Project Lilacs, Growth Collective SG, and the Multiple Sclerosis Society Singapore, as well as self-initiated projects aimed at exploration and growth. It was an avenue for budding software engineers to hone the skills taught at NUS Computing and build their confidence by applying them to real-world scenarios. Their pilot programme in 2023 saw 54 women come together to form 14 teams.

Aside from championing women, Hannah also participated in the School's Computing for Voluntary Welfare Organisations initiative during her first summer break. She helped to computerise time-consuming administrative tasks, so the volunteers could focus more on helping their beneficiaries.

When asked how she balanced school and her slew of extra-curricular activities, Hannah credited her close friends, the incredible WiT committee, and professors. "I'm very thankful for my professors' support. They strongly believed in my vision for WiT even when I had doubts about it. Their encouragement and faith in me pushed me to achieve my goals," Hannah said.

On 15 July 2024, Hannah will be graduating with a Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours (Highest Distinction). She will also receive the NUSS Medal for Outstanding Achievement (2024) during her degree conferment ceremony, in recognition of her remarkable accomplishments.

As Hannah embarks on a new chapter as a Systems Analyst at a statutory board, she aspires to foster a stronger, more cohesive community among NUS Computing alumni, especially for fellow women graduates. "I hope that when people who attend WiT events see women from various fields pursuing and achieving their dreams, they'll also be inspired to dream a little bit bigger."

Ng Jun Kang: An inspiring journey marked by resilience and grit

People who know Jun Kang have been inspired by his remarkable resilience and grit. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to a brain injury at birth, he has to grapple with daily challenges, especially when carrying out tasks that require fine motor skills like walking and writing. However, this did not deter him from graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Diploma in Electronic and Computer Engineering course with a near-perfect Grade Point Average of 3.9, earning him a spot in NUS Computing.

Starting university during the COVID-19 pandemic posed additional hurdles for Jun Kang - for instance, it was more difficult for him to make friends as classes were held online. Fortunately, Jun Kang managed to form a close-knit group of friends and was supported by dedicated professors.

Jun Kang shared, "On top of my family's steadfast support, my mentors and close friends at NUS Computing have been an invaluable source of guidance and support." He believes in keeping a positive mindset, as well as breaking down problems into manageable parts and tackling them one at a time.

While his decision to study computing was initially a practical consideration - he could work at a desk with only a computer, which suited his needs - Jun Kang later realised that he could use the skills acquired to contribute to society. "I aspire to apply my skills and contribute to impactful projects, particularly those that leverage technology to solve real-world problems and help communities, including people with disabilities," he said.

Jun Kang will be graduating with a Bachelor of Computing in Computer Science with Honours (Distinction) on 15 July 2024. He is currently working as a software engineer at Google, one of the world's largest tech companies, and he is also pursuing an online Master's programme in Computer Science offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology.

This story is part of NUS News' coverage of Commencement 2024, which celebrates the achievements of our graduates from the Class of 2024. For more on Commencement, read our stories and graduate profiles, check out the official Commencement website, or look up and tag #NUS2024 on our social media channels!