“I want to be a doctor, and I want to save countless lives when I grow up.” This statement resonated with Goh Wei Sheng when he was growing up. The teenager then was fascinated by how healthcare professionals treat diseases and help improve the lives of the less fortunate.
This sparked the precocious Riverside Secondary School alumnus’ interest in science related subjects. With his excellent G.C.E. ‘O’ Level results, he had many options opened to him.
However, Wei Sheng selected Singapore Polytechnic (SP)’s Diploma in Biomedical Science (DBS) course as his first choice during the Joint Admissions Exercise. SP’s reputation for nurturing successful alumni for the healthcare sector was the key reason that led to his choice.
During his time in SP, Wei Sheng’s passion in wanting to improve the lives of others was further stoked. Following his grandmother’s passing after a stroke, and witnessing his brother’s dramatic recovery from a traumatic brain injury, Wei Sheng gained first-hand experience on the dedication of healthcare professionals who had treated them and was further motivated to pursue his dream.
Recognising the importance of empathy and servant leadership, the SP scholar and SP Model Student Award recipient organised and participated in blood donation drives through his co-curricular Activity club, the SP Red Cross Youth Chapter. Wei Sheng further developed his character through the SP Outstanding Talent (SPOT) programme where he went on an overseas community service programme to build flush toilets for rural villagers in Shangri-La, China.
During his stint as the President of DBS Student Council, the big-hearted individual also sourced for voluntary opportunities to encourage more of his peers to contribute to the community. His holistic achievements earned him the National Youth Achievement Award (Gold) in 2015 which he proudly received from President Tony Tan.
As an A*STAR Science Award recipient, Wei Sheng had the opportunity to go on a three-month internship with A*STAR’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. There, he was exposed to a scientific research environment and had a chance to experiment with the latest technologies in treating oncology and infectious diseases. In recognition of his dedication to this research project, he was listed as a co-author for an internationally peer-reviewed research paper. Besides A*STAR, Wei Sheng also worked as a phlebotomist intern for three weeks at Woodlands Polyclinic. These experiences further fuelled his interest to serve in the healthcare sector.
Wei Sheng is now one step closer to his dream after receiving the offer to study medicine at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine.