Find out where your journey with CDE will take you
Hear from our students, faculty and alums!
Rica Teo
Infrastructure and Project
Management Student
"My deep passion for the built environment has led me to pursue my current undergraduate programme at the College of Design and Engineering. I had always admired the infrastructural landscape and wanted to advance my interest by being directly involved in shaping the future of Singapore’s built environment. I was determined to pursue a programme that would equip me with various skill sets and knowledge from different aspects of the built environment to enable me to become more versatile and equipped with T-shaped skills when I enter the workforce. My current programme stood out to me as it is the only design and engineering programme in NUS with a strong emphasis on project management which integrates diverse disciplines comprising engineering, management, and law. Overall, my experience has been nothing short of amazing and I am extremely grateful for all the care and unwavering support I have received throughout my undergraduate journey."
Nicholas Shay
Infrastructure and Project
Management Student
"I chose to this degree as I felt that it's applicability is versatile and a necessity in any industry. This gave me a sense of security in knowing that I would not be trapped in a specific industry and that I have the ability to explore what I truly enjoy doing in the workforce. Also, being a part of CDE has provided me with a plethora of opportunities to experience numerous fields of study to further develop my person as a holistic student overall."
Chong Kia An
Class of 2022, Infrastructure and
Project Management
Executive Manager,
Procurement Policies Department,
Building and Construction Authority
"My undergraduate degree was interesting and engaging for me, as its multi-faceted nature allowed me to be exposed to a wide variety of knowledge areas, from law, quantity surveying, project management, facilities management, smart applications and to green buildings. I could explore my interests in the different subject areas and delve deeper into those areas that fascinated me. In my programme, I also developed soft skills on top of technical expertise that allowed me to excel in my work in terms of working effectively with multiple stakeholders and understanding the issues in the sector."
Zhuang Shengbin
Chemical Engineering Student
"CDE has offered me a rigorous curriculum in Chemical Engineering as well as a diverse scope of other relevant knowledge. The exposure to programming and other relevant knowledge has motivated me to learn beyond the classroom, and eventually sparked my interest to pursue a Minor in Data Engineering.
Kuah Wee Chong
Class of 2017, Chemical Engineering
Global Supply Planner, Infineum
"My Chemical Engineering education at NUS has provided me with a firm foundation for my career in the chemical industry. I was able to apply the deep technical knowledge to improve on various production processes in my previous roles in the chemical plant, allowing the plant to produce more at a lower cost. The analytical and collaborative skills developed through my engineering education also allowed me to transit smoothly to my current role as Global Supply Planner and enabled me to analyze the global supply footprint in a holistic manner and develop business solutions."
Jaryl Siaw Wen Han
Class of 2022, Chemical Engineering
Analyst, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
"Engineering isn't just a profession — it's a mindset! In addition to strengthening my numerical fluency, my educational background in Chemical Engineering reinforced my ability to think in systems, and adopt a data-driven approach in making complex decisions. While the NUS curriculum allowed me to develop deep expertise in my major, I also really enjoyed the classes where we were challenged to innovate novel solutions in multidisciplinary teams. At its heart, engineering is about problem-solving and teamwork, and these are transferable skills that will prepare us for an ever-changing world, regardless of the career path we choose."
Dr Cindy Lee Lai Yeng
Senior Lecturer,
Chemical Engineering
"Having taught Chemical Engineering for more than a decade, I have observed several shifts and development in the career pathways and opportunities for chemical engineers. Nevertheless, the core fundamental training in chemical engineering enables students to apply the skills of balance, analysis, design in both traditional and new technologies in emerging sectors. Computational thinking and sustainability are some concepts that I will always embed in my courses to help student appreciate the importance of continual learning of new development in these areas. Our Chemical Engineering MSc programme also aims to continually update with new curriculum, courses and learning technologies to provide our students the confidence and competence to address global issues and contribute to sustainable solutions through their training."
Daniel Lim Zi-Jie
Computer Engineering Student
"I chose to study Computer Engineering (CEG) at NUS because of the cross-disciplinary nature of the programmes. As someone who didn’t quite know what they wanted to do after university, I thought this would give me the flexibility to choose later on. Looking back now, it was a good choice, as I was able to explore different paths while studying, while also picking up relevant technical skills. In the end, what I have learnt in CEG has allowed me to pursue a career as a software engineer."
Conrad Wee
Computer Engineering Student
"CDE has been the most rewarding choice in my tertiary education. The College offers you unlimited opportunities and allows you to expand and grow in multiple disciplines at all stages of your journey. I was from Computer Engineering and on top of developing skills to code and build IoT devices, I grew in Student Life and joined Engineering Club and even went to NOC Stockholm. CDE and the staff continually push me and I learn the values of not being shag even when the going gets tough and instead being resilient."
Ng Cheng Yang, Titus
Computer Engineering
Innovation and Design Programme
Student
"My NUS experience as a computer engineering undergraduate has been nothing but wonderful. I've especially enjoyed learning about cutting-edge technologies and being able to apply them in project-based courses. The innovation and design second major has provided me with the opportunity and resources to explore design solutions to industry problems. In particular, being a leader within Team Bumblebee, a project group in NUS focused on multivehicle autonomous operations, has been highly memorable. These experiences have made me grow as both an engineer and a person, and will undoubtedly stay with me for the rest of my life."
Dr Rajesh Chandrasekhara Panicker
Senior Lecturer,
Computer Engineering
"I take pride in thoughtfully designing and regularly updating courses that are industry relevant, with interesting projects so that students get to explore state-of-the-art topics in digital systems, computer architecture, and IoT. That feeling of fulfillment when graduates who have started working return to tell me how much they enjoyed my courses, and how much it is helping them in their work, is unparalleled."
Cherilyn Surianto
Electrical Engineering Student
"As an Electrical Engineering undergraduate, I had the opportunity to intern at companies like A*STAR and Google, owing to my versatile engineering skills in both software and hardware. The engineering curriculum equipped me with interdisciplinary education, stretching my knowledge beyond technical skills. NUS also provides a vibrant student life; I took up the role of the Community Engagement Director in NUS Students’ Engineering Club, allowing me to fulfil my passion in volunteering."
Li Shi
Electrical Engineering Student
"Coming into NUS and joining CDE, I was able to expose myself to a lot of opportunities both academically and through extra-curricular activities. As a CDE and an Electrical Engineering student, I gained a diversified knowledge from the current academic curriculum, having a mix of technical and interdisciplinary skill sets. Having to matriculate into NUS in AY21/22 while virtual lectures and tutorials were still the primary methods, I retained the possibility to meet new friends by joining ECE Club and CSC, L-derly Befrienders. Being in EXCO positions, as an ECE Club President and Assistant Volunteer Management Head of L-derly Befrienders, I managed to broaden my leadership skills as well as being empathetic as I view and ideate things through the engineering industry."
Sandra Tan
Class of 2022, Electrical Engineering
Engineer, CSIT
"Studying Electrical Engineering at NUS allowed me to learn so much more than I thought, because of the diversity of courses available. The breadth of domain knowledge I gained, along with a willingness to pick up something new, has prepared me for a fast-changing technical career."
Lee Yng-Yng
Industrial Systems Engineering
and Management Student
"I have always been keen to gain knowledge and experience in developing efficient systems. Industrial & Systems Engineering has provided me with the best pathway to pursue my interests while keeping my career prospects open, owing to the versatile nature of the programme. The professors and staff of the ISEM department have also been nothing but nurturing and passionate in serving our cohort. They are always more than willing to go beyond their roles as educators to be involved in co-curricular events planned by our students. Besides, with the establishment of the College of Design & Engineering this year, all the programmes housed under this umbrella have all benefitted from the myriad of new courses that help shape our programmes to be more holistic. This full package is the ISE & CDE experience that I hope many more would come to learn about eventually!"
Joel Lo Ziang Ze
Industrial Systems Engineering
and Management Student
"When losing a long game of chess, you begin to wonder what it was all for. But if you win the losing game, you experience the greatest feeling ever. You'll be thankful for each and every pieces that your opponent place and you'll thankful for each and every move that made it happen. So we shouldn't let small defeats make us lose our momentum. Move forward. Because these are the cards we have been dealt with. Being in CDE, is certainly one of the brilliant moves I have made in this game of life. I am thankful for the opportunities that ISE department has given me and the myriad of brilliancies that came from the CDE curriculum certainly adds to the cards that we have been dealt with."
Dr Napat Rujeerapaiboon
Assistant Professor, Industrial Systems Engineering and Management
"I was trained to be a mathematician and a computer engineer, and that prepped me for a career in operations research. Understanding that life is constrained and uncertain, having a clear objective and optimizing one’s way towards it is naturally my principle. Working at CDE heightens my skills in several fronts and gives me a chance to interact with highly intellectual colleagues and passionate students in and off the classroom, especially at the NUS running track."
Lim Yau Dexter
Landscape Architecture Student
"Pursuing a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture has broadened my perspective toward the world we live in and to me, it is about being empowered to bring change and impacting the environment. I enjoy the thrill of having the ability to benefit the way people act and feel through my work and looking at different opportunities into embodying nature into our everyday lives. With my passion to bring change to the urban environment, I chose to pursue a minor in Urban Studies to further expand my knowledge."
Wong Ruen Qing
Alumni Landscape Architecture
Project Designer, RIOS
"I gained and grew from a global and regional experience whilst studying architecture and landscape architecture. I especially treasure the opportunities to learn by collaborating with students from partner universities through hands-on, on-site engagements to tackle wicked problems. For instance, a studio investigated ways to design for flood-prone urban landscapes together with students from Switzerland, Indonesia and Thailand. These engagements broadened my perspective and seeded the beginning of deep friendships."
Dr Lin Shengwei Ervine
Senior Lecturer,
Landscape Architecture
"Designers are often called upon to synthesize a proposal from a myriad of inputs from various directions, often from stakeholders from other disciplines outside of design itself. The fact that CDE students are allowed and encouraged to take programmes beyond the confines of their core discipline is meant specifically for them to understand these different voices. In fact, the best designers in my opinion are those which are able embrace interdisciplinary friction and convert it into something positive in their final design proposals."
Lim Ying Min, Alicia
Mechanical Engineering,
Innovation and Design Programme
Student
"I have always been intrigued by an aircraft's ability to fly and meet transportation needs. Taking a Mechanical Engineering degree with a Specialisation in Aeronautics at NUS has deepened my theoretical knowledge of the workings of an aircraft. Moreover, the many hands-on opportunities available at NUS, including year-long design projects under the Innovation and Design Programme as well as the chance to be part of NUS’ AIAA Design, Build and Fly International Competition Team, have enabled me to acquire practical mechanical skills in the aviation sector. Additionally, the wide network that NUS has has provided me with the rare opportunity to intern at Airbus and go on a student exchange at ISAE-SUPAERO."
Eugene Ee
Instructor,
Innovation and Design Programme
"From projects that are aligned with recent industry trends to launching a nano-satellite into space, CDE has given me many opportunities to innovate and work alongside like-minded colleagues and students on challenging engineering projects that solve real-world problems."