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This article highlights the inspiring journeys of three graduates who reached PhD level despite non-traditional academic beginnings, demonstrating perseverance, curiosity, and the value of mentorship. One alumnus, Dr Ernest Tan, started his studies in Communications Technology at SP, developing a strong interest in networking and computing. This foundation led him to NTU’s College of Computing and Data Science, where he turned his undergraduate research on brain-signal prediction for facial recognition into publications and later completed a PhD in wireless communications while collaborating with industry partners like Airbus. Another alumnus, Dr Nigel Tan, attended SP, where he discovered a passion for teaching and materials science. Motivated by supportive professors, he progressed to NTU’s School of Materials Science & Engineering, completing a PhD in biomaterials and adhesives for potential surgical applications. He now works as a research engineer and educator at RP, mentoring young engineers. The third graduate, Bobby Lee, progressed from ITE to SP’s Biotechnology Diploma, where an internship sparked his interest in microbiology. At NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, mentorship enabled him to expand his undergraduate research into a PhD project on bacteriophages, aiming to combat antimicrobial resistance.

[NTU]