Graduation 2025

Driven by an intellectual curiosity to understand the multifaceted roles and responsibilities of a medical doctor, and to discern the specialisation that resonated most strongly with his aspirations, Donavan reached out to over 300 doctors across various public healthcare institutions for job-shadowing opportunities.

His efforts resulted in a comprehensive seven-week period of job shadowing at various public healthcare institutions, during which he gained firsthand exposure to the complex work of medical doctors in the dynamic environments of hospital wards and operating theatres, as well as the patient-focused settings of outpatient clinics. The experience spanned a spectrum of specialties, including general medicine, neurosurgery, medical and surgical oncology, paediatric anaesthesia, palliative medicine, and post-acute and continuing care, among others.

The patient care that he observed at the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) left a lasting impression on Donavan. Witnessing the delivery of a cancer diagnosis, he was particularly struck by the doctor’s compassion, offering vital support and comfort during a moment of profound vulnerability. It was this encounter that made Donavan truly comprehend the dual nature of a doctor's calling – not merely as a source of medical knowledge, but also as a beacon of reassurance and a pillar of support for patients navigating challenging health journeys. This profound realisation further reinforced his passion and dedication to pursuing a career in medicine.

His time at the NCCS also illustrated the limitations of existing medical treatments. Encountering a patient around his age with an incurable form of cancer, Donavan was struck with a frustrating sense of helplessness. This experience fuelled a resolute determination within him to never feel so powerless again. Through these experiences, Donavan discovered his aspiration to become a clinician-scientist – someone who is both a doctor and a medical researcher. This path will allow him to fulfil his commitment to patient care in the clinic while contributing to discoveries in the laboratory that would shape the future of medicine.

Eager to contribute meaningfully to cancer research, Donavan undertook his final-year project and internship at the Department of Pharmacology at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. He researched the efficacy of a novel in-house drug designed to strengthen the body’s immune response against cancer cells. The study targeted an aggressive breast cancer subtype to overcome key therapeutic challenges hindering effective patient care. Upon completing his project, he pursued his own research internship outside of SP’s curriculum at the Cancer Discovery Hub of the NCCS. He is currently investigating innovative therapies for patients with blood cancer and identifying biomarkers that can predict drug sensitivity.

Beyond the rigours of his academic endeavours, Donavan remains deeply committed to community service. Notably, as a Grassroots Leader under the People’s Association, Donavan actively supports an initiative aimed at helping caregivers and persons with disabilities within his community. He also underwent training in basic support care, equipping him with the skills to assist nurses in providing daily care to those at NTUC Health (Jurong West Nursing Home). Additionally, he visited elderly individuals living alone in one-room rental flats in Bukit Merah. As a Health Peer at the Regional Health System Office (RHSO) within the National University Health System (NUHS), he was paired up with an elderly lady to help mitigate her risk of diabetes through enhancing her health literacy and providing practical guidance on healthy lifestyle modifications.

Ten years from now, Donavan sees himself specialising in oncology and working at the forefront of cancer treatment and research. He has applied to the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. 

At SP, Justin thrived in a nurturing environment that transformed his passion into expertise. His relentless curiosity, coupled with the opportunities presented to him by his lecturers, enabled him to engage deeply with technology and excel academically. This earned him the prestigious Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT) Diploma Scholarship for three consecutive years. His consistent academic excellence placed him on the SP Director's Honour Roll year after year.

SP was brought to the global stage through his remarkable achievements in national and international competitions. These included securing Silver at the 18^th International Standards Olympiad, where his team developed performance criteria for facial recognition systems, and Bronze at the Cisco Asia-Pacific, Japan, China (APJC) NetAcad Riders Competition. A standout achievement was leading his team at the 2024 SICK Solution Hackathon in Germany, where they competed against postgraduate talents from top global universities.

On his own accord, Justin pursued industry-recognised certifications for professional growth. Through his internships at CSIT, PayPal, and GovTech Singapore, he was exposed to diverse technological domains, including product management and cloud engineering. His time with CSIT strengthened his technical confidence and capabilities, shaping his ambition to contribute to Singapore's digital landscape.

Through his participation in local and international leadership programmes, Justin’s understanding of governance, policy development, and the broader societal impact of technology was deepened. For instance, he represented SP at the Ministry of Education (MOE) Pre-University Seminar, where he engaged in insightful discussions about current affairs and national policies with students from various pre-university institutions. This helped shape his perspective and further reinforced his passion for nation-building and community engagement.

He dedicates his time to weekly Meet-the-People Sessions, where he drafts formal appeals to address residents' concerns, gaining firsthand experience in public service and governance. His commitment to community service extends to humanitarian work with the Singapore Red Cross and Youth Corps Singapore, where he contributed to logistics, first aid, and migrant worker engagement initiatives. Justin also actively participated in environmental initiatives, such as the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering’s (EEE) Hydroponics Harvest project, where he helped to extract and pack hydroponically grown vegetables.

Combining his technical expertise with a strong desire to contribute meaningfully to nation-building, Justin committed to Singapore’s Smart Nation initiatives through his role as a Smart Nation Ambassador, where he actively promotes digital literacy. Additionally, as a MaritimeSG Youth Ambassador, he shares insights with senior maritime leaders on innovative technology applications that support the sector's digitalisation and decarbonisation goals. 

Reflecting on his journey, Justin acknowledges that academic excellence was not always his forte. Finding a field he enjoyed at SP ignited his motivation to excel. Coupled with his adaptability to SP's innovative learning methods, like flipped learning, he was able to achieve his full potential.

Looking ahead, Justin aims to further his studies in technology and subsequently contribute to Singapore’s Smart Nation vision of creating a more connected, sustainable, and digitally empowered society where everyone benefits from digital innovation.

Her journey at Singapore Polytechnic (SP)’s Diploma in Engineering with Business (DEB) has been defined by academic excellence and a heart for service. A recipient of the A*STAR Science Award (Polytechnic), the Director’s Honour Roll, and the Edusave Certificate of Academic Achievement, Riley has consistently excelled in both engineering and business. Beyond her achievements, however, she believes in using her knowledge and skills to uplift others.

Service has been a cornerstone of Riley’s life. During her time at SP, she took on multiple volunteering roles, including serving as a befriender to patients at National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Dialysis Centres and elderly residents at the Potong Pasir Community Centre. She also became a Youth Guidance Associate with The Astronaut’s Collective, mentoring and guiding youths – especially those from challenging backgrounds – by helping them explore career pathways through mentorship programmes and career exposure events. She firmly believes that community service should know no bounds, encompassing everyone in need of support.

Her passion for community work led her to journey beyond Singapore when she embarked on a two-week Youth Expedition Project to Laos with SP’s EDGE team. There, she taught English to students from Primary 1 to Secondary 5 and even rolled up her sleeves for some construction work for the school, including bricklaying and wall-building. This experience reinforced her passion for service, illustrating that regardless of location or circumstance, she found fulfilment in making a difference.

At A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME), Riley further deepened her commitment to engineering through a six-month internship. There, she focused on mechanical characterisation and failure analysis of materials used in the semiconductor industry. She came to understand the bigger picture of research and development, recognising that the true value of engineering breakthroughs transcends mere recognition or efficiency gains, but is fundamentally about improving lives and driving long-term innovation for the betterment of society.

Looking ahead, Riley envisions herself working in Singapore’s public sector. She sees engineering as a means to create meaningful and lasting change, whether through smart infrastructure, sustainable urban development, or technological advancements that enhance the fabric of daily life. Her belief in servant leadership has shaped her ambition to contribute to the nation’s progress, ensuring that her work benefits not just individuals but entire communities.

With a future focused on engineering for social good, Riley is determined to bridge technology and purpose, creating solutions that serve the people and nation she deeply cares about. Riley aims to pursue engineering at university.

Just two weeks prior to the 2022 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE), Sriram had a moment of self-reflection that led him to a bold decision. Against the collective advice of his confidantes, he chose to pursue the polytechnic route. Looking back, Sriram, who had always dreamed of being an entrepreneur, has no regrets.

Despite not being familiar with the intricacies of coding, Sriram was captivated by the remarkable capabilities of technologies like Siri and intricate recommendation algorithms. These advancements convinced him that with Singapore Polytechnic (SP)’s Diploma in Applied AI & Analytics, he could create his own productivity-enhancing innovations. Having always been inspired by tech titans like Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg, he feels empowered to make a similar legacy in society. 

Motivated to put the skills he gained during his studies to good use, Sriram assembled a team and developed a startup called “Ho Seh Bo?”, a full-fledged application designed to empower staff and volunteers from Active Ageing Centres (AACs). The tool facilitates more personalised house visits for socially isolated seniors while seamlessly digitising visitation records. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence (AI), the application enhances engagement both during and after visits, providing actionable insights for timely interventions in critical situations. Ensuring that these seniors receive the attentive and tailored support they deserve in this digital age, the application also streamlines the AACs’ operations and eases their workload. Notably, "Ho Seh Bo?” has been adopted by two AACs in their day-to-day operations.

Under the MINDEF Total Defence Sandbox initiative, the innovative go-getter also developed “Oculis”, a mobile application designed to significantly enhance the lives of people who are visually impaired. The app offers a suite of essential features, enabling these individuals to navigate more easily, receive real-time updates on bus arrivals and traffic light conditions, and readily identify popular retail outlets, corporate logos, and important signages. The innovation clinched first place at YouthXHack 2024, an annual hackathon designed to harness the creativity of Singaporean youths and challenge them to solve real-world problems. 

Seeking opportunities to strengthen his understanding of AI in real-world use cases, Sriram applied for a year-long internship at Cynapse Pte. Ltd. As an AI Software Engineering intern, he worked on developing computer vision models and optimising AI pipelines, ultimately contributing to a more streamlined and efficient workflow for the company. The vibrant startup ecosystem enabled him to thrive and gain invaluable insights into how real startups operate, innovate, and scale—insights that would be helpful for his entrepreneurial aspirations. 

As an only child, Sriram aims to make his parents proud by becoming the first degree holder in the family. He plans to pursue a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics at the National University of Singapore (NUS). 

From her days at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls School, Alicia entered SP with a clear goal: to use design for meaningful impact. Her journey in the DMAD programme, with a focus on Design for Communication and Experience (DCX), served as the perfect springboard for realising her aspirations. Alicia excelled academically, consistently earning a place on the Director’s Honour Roll for two consecutive years (AY22/23 and AY23/24) and securing the Gold Award at the SP Batey Challenge (2024/2025) and the Batey Hackathon Challenge (2023/2024). Her design skills were further recognised with the "Excellence in Craft Award" at the Media, Arts & Design (MAD) Grad Experience 2025.

However, Alicia’s achievements go beyond academic accolades. Witnessing her own grandparents' struggles with technology inspired her to found Digi-Up!, a social enterprise that uses gamified learning to equip seniors with essential digital skills. The SIMI Scam, a key initiative of Digi-Up!, directly addresses digital literacy and aims to protect seniors from online scams.

Through collaborations with organisations like the National Youth Council (NYC), the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (raiSE), and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), Alicia is scaling her impact, ensuring that more seniors can confidently and safely navigate the digital world.   

Alicia's entrepreneurial success has been recognised with numerous awards and grants since Digi-Up!'s launch in April 2024, including the Silver Prize at the 2024 National Entrepreneurship Youth Award and over S$111,000 in equity-free funding. Since the launch of the SIMI Scam in June last year, her workshops and roadshows, conducted with organisations such as the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), NTUC Health, and the Caregiving Welfare Association, have reached over 180 seniors.   

Digi-Up!'s tagline, "Leave No Elderly Behind," encapsulates Alicia's commitment to building an inclusive society. Her work has already garnered media attention in The Straits Times and Lianhe Zaobao.   

Alicia’s ability to empathise with users, identify opportunities, drive innovation, and execute her vision makes her a role model for aspiring student entrepreneurs. She honed her pitching and networking skills through competitions and events, such as the SP Batey Hackathon and the Youth Action Challenge. 

Beyond her entrepreneurial drive, Alicia actively contributed to the SP community. She held leadership roles in the MAD Club and DCX Club, fostering a strong sense of community among her peers. Her commitment to service extends beyond SP, with her involvement in community service initiatives such as photographing seniors in a nursing home for funeral portraits and delivering meals to homebound individuals through “Meals on Wheels.”   

Alicia's design skills were further developed through an internship at Changi Airport Group, where she gained valuable experience in user-centred and service design. She also applied her talents to a final year project for Mandai Wildlife Reserve, creating a digital game to promote animal conservation.   

Adding to her diverse achievements, Alicia received the People’s Choice Award at the 2023 "DO YOU SEE ME?" Impact Stories Film Competition for "TITA," a short film she directed and co-wrote. The film, a heartfelt tribute to her helper, Aunty Stephanie, resonated with many who shared similar experiences.   

A significant highlight of Alicia's SP experience was representing the polytechnic at Babson College's Babson Build Programme in Boston, USA. This programme equipped her with crucial entrepreneurship skills in leadership and sustainable business practices, which have been instrumental in developing her impactful business. The trip also provided invaluable opportunities for global learning and exposure to diverse perspectives, including visits to prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT.   

Looking ahead, Alicia plans to take a gap year to further develop Digi-Up! before pursuing further studies in User Experience (UX) Design or Product Design in the UK. Her ambition remains focused on using design to empower underserved communities. While currently focused on seniors, Alicia is also passionate about supporting the reintegration of ex-offenders into society by helping them navigate the complexities of modern technology.   

Alicia Hong En Ting's story is a powerful example of the SP spirit: a blend of innovation, skill, and a deep commitment to community. Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and SP's dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals who not only excel academically, but also lead with purpose and make meaningful contributions to society.   

When he entered SP through the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP), he found himself helping peers who struggled with the steep learning curve. As he explained concepts using different methods to suit different individuals, he discovered an unexpected joy that further shaped his teaching aspirations. The deciding factor for him to pursue teaching was when he volunteered to mentor children at New Town Primary School through the SP Mentoring Club. Receiving a paper hat inscribed with the words "My Favourite Mentor" from a previously disengaged child reinforced his belief that effective teaching lies not just in content delivery but also in how knowledge is conveyed.

Outside of SP, Abdullah gained valuable insights working with diverse communities through the National Young Leaders Fellowship (NYLF). These interactions deepened his empathy and solidified his belief that educators must possess a nuanced understanding of the varied challenges faced by students and tailor their methods accordingly. This experience reinforced his commitment to becoming an educator who could make a meaningful difference in students' lives.

During his internship at the A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), he was tasked with tackling the challenge of defect detection in additive manufacturing. His determination led him to master unfamiliar software and principles, significantly contributing to the research and earning him the role of first author on the resulting paper – his proudest achievement in SP. For him, the process of exploring unknown territories and contributing to future innovations through research is fulfilling and drives his endeavours. This motivated him to pursue research in addition to his teaching. 

Looking ahead, Abdullah aims to pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering, driven by a vision to revolutionise sustainable manufacturing through research whilst nurturing the next generation of engineers as a professor.

As Abdullah looks back on his SP journey, his father's words—"just try, no matter where you go"—remain central to his success. This philosophy helped him strike a balance between academic excellence and community service. When confronted with obstacles, he found comfort in rock music and valuable life lessons embedded in children's movies.

While watching the HGTV show Fixer Upper, Charissa discovered the profound impact of interior design at the tender age of seven. Seeing run-down spaces transformed into aesthetic and functional homes sparked her curiosity about how interiors shape lives. That moment of realisation ignited her passion, leading her to pursue Singapore Polytechnic (SP)’s Diploma in Interior Design (DID) after graduating from Evergreen Secondary School. The course’s structured curriculum, exposure to diverse projects, and the opportunity to explore different facets of interior design cemented her decision.

From the very beginning, Charissa immersed herself fully in the world of design. Her dedication and talent were recognised through numerous accolades, including the AY22/23 and AY23/24 Director’s Honour Roll, the AY23/24 School of Architecture & the Built Environment (ABE) Prize, the Singapore Interior Design Awards 2024 – Youth Excellence Award, and the 2024 Design Excellence Award – Spatial Design Awards (SPADE) Best in Retail Design (Highly Commended).

Beyond her academic achievements, Charissa sought to push her boundaries in leadership and event planning. Unlike her secondary school years, where she rarely sought out opportunities, SP became her playground for growth. She took on key leadership roles, serving as the Event Lead for ABE Movie Night, Overall-in-Charge for ABE Bonding Camp, Programme Head for ABE’s Freshmen Orientation Camp, Chairman for the Diploma in Interior Design Day 2024, and leading the ABE End of Year Show, among many others. As part of the event organising teams, she found fulfilment in bringing people together, watching friendships form, and fostering a sense of community – an experience she now values deeply.

Outside of SP, Charissa expanded her design journey by joining the Society of Interior Designers Singapore (SIDS) Student Chapter, a prestigious platform that connects aspiring designers with industry professionals. She took on a role within the publicity committee, where she contributed to event coverage, managed social media updates, and collaborated with the marketing team on an accreditation campaign to help designers gain professional certification. Being part of SIDS allowed her to witness the industry's dynamic landscape firsthand, gain valuable exposure to various design events, and deepen her understanding of the professional world she aspires to impact.

Charissa ventured into experiential design through her internship, where she worked on projects that extended beyond traditional interiors, such as museum planning and furniture exhibitions. She now envisions herself in this field, where design transcends walls to create immersive experiences. She aspires to become an Experiential Designer, shaping exhibitions, museums, and pop-up installations that inspire and engage. While interior design remains at the core of her expertise, she hopes to expand her impact by integrating architectural elements into her work.

For Charissa, design is more than aesthetics – it is about community, function, and the human experience. She dreams of a future where she can give back, whether through design societies or community initiatives. In ten years, she envisions herself leading impactful projects that bring joy, purpose, and meaning to people’s lives.

The dining table at home may still bear the marks of her early days as a designer, but it is no longer just a surface for creation – it is a symbol of the foundation she has built and the future she has ahead of her. 

The Methodist Girls’ School alumna chose SP for its established programmes in business education and emphasis on industry exposure, following the path of her father, who is also a proud SP alumnus. As someone who learns by doing, the polytechnic path suited Jennisa as there was a balance of classroom lessons and hands-on learning, which ensured that she could apply her knowledge and enrich her learning experience.

Being able to make a difference is something which ranks high on Jennisa’s list. One notable example would be coming up with solutions to increase membership at her CCA, the Catholic Students’ Society. The club was troubled by its low level of active members. Seeing an opportunity to tackle the problem, she introduced a slew of initiatives as the club’s vice-president by organising outreach programmes and bonding events to boost the esprit de corps and sense of belonging. This resulted in a two-fold jump in the number of active members since she joined the club’s leadership team.

She also organised a heritage tour to the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, the oldest Roman Catholic church in Singapore. This initiative brought together students from diverse backgrounds and served as a platform to promote interfaith harmony and inclusion. This experience was especially meaningful to her, as it created a space for dialogue, understanding, and unity among youth of different faiths.

Jennisa is also passionate about working with youths and actively serves at the Office for Young People (OYP), where she works with fellow polytechnic students and provides guidance and support as they navigate their personal growth. Giving back to the community in this way holds a special place in her heart, as it allows her to build authentic relationships and continuously grow as a person.

Outside of school, she was also actively involved with community work, teaching seniors important digital skills with her sister at the community centre near their home. The idea came about when she was interacting with her grandparents, who were living on their own and needed help navigating the digital space and using their mobile devices. Recognising that there might be other seniors facing similar difficulties, the sisters organised weekly sessions for three months teaching seniors basic mobile functions, including watching videos and accessing their medical appointments. The sessions were well received, and the attendees were more confident embracing technology in their daily lives. 

During her internship as a general HR intern, Jennisa was rotated among the various HR functions, which broadened her perspective on the importance of employee engagement. She saw how the organisation focused on the primary HR functions but did not pay much attention to the often-overlooked area of employee engagement. Taking the opportunity to make a difference, she came up with simple initiatives such as creating an appreciation video for the employees and getting the managers to write appreciation letters to their staff. This small but impactful gesture took many employees by surprise, and they were really touched by it, with many singing praises for her efforts.

With her heart and mind set on using her skills and knowledge to foster happy and inclusive workplaces, the Chua Chor Teck Gold Medallist has plans to continue her studies in business administration with a specialisation in human resources.

Beginning his tertiary education at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Eden demonstrated remarkable dedication to his studies in Information Technology. His outstanding performance led him to Singapore Polytechnic (SP)’s Diploma in Information Technology, proving that alternative pathways can lead to promising opportunities.

A pivotal point in Eden's SP journey was the introduction to the creative possibilities of game development by an inspiring lecturer. This encounter shifted his focus from traditional software engineering to the dynamic world of developing games for different platforms. The ability to create immersive experiences through code and creativity showed him that life's unexpected detours can often lead to the most profoundly rewarding destinations.

While academic excellence remained his primary focus, Eden found balance through his involvement in SP's Bowling Club. Rather than viewing the time-intensive training sessions as a burden, he found them to be rewarding. This perspective transformed a potential source of significant stress into a welcome outlet for both relaxation and personal achievement. To further strengthen and enhance his soft skills, he took on the role of class chairperson, where he honed his communication, leadership, and teamwork skills. This balance ensured that he did not overtax himself while allowing him to contribute in his capacity and focus on his studies.

Although his journey may not have been the most straightforward, Eden is glad to have encountered many pleasant surprises along the way. His biggest takeaway from SP would be the enduring friendships forged and the exceptional teammates he worked with for group projects. Furthermore, he deeply values his lecturers, who were instrumental in shaping his experience and contributing to his academic success. He remains appreciative of their passion for technology and patience in fostering understanding amongst him and his peers, empowering them to apply complex concepts independently.

Beyond SP, Eden aspires to pursue Computer Science at the university and hone his technical skills to develop creative solutions aimed at tackling business problems. He also hopes to make technology more accessible to those who need it and mentor young technologists in the future. 

What may have started as a leap of faith has resulted in a newfound passion for the Tay Eng Soon Medallist. “The experience has taught me that success isn’t about where you start, but how you adapt and grow”, Eden shared.