For Year 4 Biomedical Engineering student Reyna Sofyan, a recent field trip was more than just an overseas project; it was a transformative experience that redefined her understanding of inclusive engineering.
The trip was a joint initiative between Biomedical Engineering for Good (bGood) and YPAC Jakarta, a foundation supporting individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) - a neurological condition that affects movement and posture and varies widely from person to person. Through bGood, Biomedical Engineering students apply their technical training to address real-world challenges alongside community partners.
Together with fellow Biomedical Engineering undergraduates Zi Yi, You Min and Joe Yee, and guided by bGood staff Jonathon Leong and Fatin Sharafana, and Associate Professor James Kah, the team conducted hands-on workshops on 3D modelling, slicing and 3D printing. These sessions equipped YPAC staff, therapists and prosthetics teams with practical skills to develop assistive devices locally, where access to such resources can be limited.
One of Reyna’s biggest takeaways came during a campus tour, when she met children with CP and saw firsthand how the condition manifests differently in each person. “It made me realise how privileged I am, not just to be healthy, but to have access to an all-rounded education,” she shared. In a context where disability aids are scarce, YPAC viewed the students not only as trainers but also as advocates for inclusion.
Reyna also took on the role of interpreter, translating technical engineering concepts into Bahasa Indonesia while adapting the workshop pace to suit participants new to 3D modelling. When time ran short, student facilitators stepped in, slicing models on their own laptops to ensure the learning experience continued smoothly.
Beyond technical skills, the trip reaffirmed Reyna’s growing interest in education and community engagement. Having previously taken on teaching roles and serving as President of PBMUKS (NUS Malay Language Society), she found deep fulfilment in using engineering knowledge to empower others. “Teaching engineering skills to a community in need gave me so much satisfaction. It’s something I hope to continue doing in the future.”
Assoc Prof Kah added, “The opportunity for our students to pass the toys they had earlier modified to make them more accessible to children with cerebral palsy in YPAC Jakarta had also brought warmth to the staff and children there. It has given our students the meaning and fulfilment that the engineering skills they learnt have indeed made a positive impact on the children there.”
