Being The Best Version of You

Being a Polytechnic graduate stood Fahmi in good stead when he first stepped into NUS College of Design and Engineering (CDE) four years ago. The Chemical Engineering major explains: “In Temasek Polytechnic, we learnt more specialised skills that were transferable to our university education. We were also exposed to a lot of group project work as well as work internships which honed our technical and project management skills, interpersonal soft skills, and conflict management ability.”  

This does not mean the transition will be a breeze, as he cautions that incoming students will be surrounded by like-minded peers who are also high achievers. However, the 24-year-old student has learnt the value of adopting a positive mindset, giving up on unhelpful comparisons with others, and envying others with different abilities and skillsets from his own. “At the end of the day, it’s not about competing with others, but striving to better yourself. Set your own bar of success and focus on being the very best version of you,” Fahmi encourages.

To fellow Polytechnic graduates who may be worried about adjusting successfully to university life, Fahmi has this to share: “Consider your endgame and work backwards from it. If you have the capability, why not further your studies to explore new possibilities and pathways?”

Having the Chops

Fahmi was a competitive martial arts athlete who represented silat and taekwondo clubs in Nationals, clinching Silver in 2016 and 2019 for these respective sports as a teenager. Thanks to his dad, he first took up silat at a young age in Primary One, before progressing to taekwondo in Polytechnic. “My dad wanted all his kids to go for self-defence classes — that was how we got our start in silat!” he reveals.

A self-confessed adrenaline junkie, Fahmi doesn’t stop at combative sports and has now taken up cycling, badminton and Muay Thai. What free time he has to spare, Fahmi also enjoys watching TEDTalks and political debates. “Growing up in a traditional household speaking Malay and Singlish, I am fascinated by how speakers tackle tough questions, present topics or their points of view.” 

Describing himself as easy-going yet pragmatic, Fahmi tries to maintain a keen self-awareness of his strengths, weaknesses and areas where the assistance of others will be beneficial. Citing his recent 2024 summer internship where he was tasked with an assignment outside his domain knowledge, he shares: “I was told to do electrical works and analysis, even though I was trained in Chemical Engineering. To make sure I got the best out of my internship experience, I decided to speak with the senior project manager, and resolved it as soon as possible. To me, I always believe in seeking the inputs of those most qualified, or who have the most experience.”  

Best Foot Forward

Ever generous, the NUS Merit Scholar has shared his experiences with prospective scholarship applicants nervous about their chances. “Just do your best at the interview. Relax and don’t be so hard on yourself; you have already made it to NUS,” he smiles. Even though Fahmi had different options when it came to scholarship offers, he felt a strong resonance with NUS. “A key factor for me was the high global ranking of NUS’ Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) programme. I also appreciated how the CDE curriculum offers both rigour and flexibility; this helps better prepare graduates for the industry and workplace,” he elaborates.

Growing up in an extended family of eight with his dad as the sole breadwinner, Fahmi was determined not to burden his family further. Musing thoughtfully about how the scholarship has most benefitted him, he shares: “The assistance in tuition fees and stipends alleviated my financial burden, which helps me to focus on my education. I was also able to connect with other scholars, forming lasting friendships on campus.”

Going That Extra Mile

A faculty staff member who was a strong positive influence on Fahmi was Professor Suraj who taught the demanding course CN3103: Module Mass Transfer and Separation Process. “He really went the extra mile for us, attending to our queries during the offline consultation and even over the weekend via emails. Right up to the morning before our test, Prof Suraj was still replying to our questions — talk about dedication! In addition, he is a great help in getting us to fully grasp the key course concepts,” shares Fahmi.   

Of the many modules he has taken, he cited course CN5191: Project Engineering that he took last semester as one of the most interesting. “The assignment required us to take on the role of a contractor and meet the design specifications of a chemical plant whilst fulfilling all its budget constraints and safety regulations. We had to think like a consultant, learning a gamut of skills like project life cycle, management tools, GANTT chart scheduling, and the tender process,” he reveals. 

The course, which was designed for postgraduates and working adults, gave Fahmi the unique opportunity to work with classmates who were experienced professionals. As one of the few undergraduates in the class, he found it both challenging and enjoyable, especially as it allowed him to learn more about the industry from a practical perspective.

Fast and Furious

Looking back on his past four years in NUS, Fahmi counts his Formula SAE (FSAE) competition bootcamp and Hanyang University Summer Programme in South Korea as among his most notable highlights.

In his first semester, Fahmi was shortlisted for and enrolled into the NUS FSAE 6-month bootcamp, where he received hands-on experience to understand and apply his knowledge in building an Electric Vehicle (EV) car from scratch – this ran the whole spectrum, from the sanding of bolts and nuts, to drilling of screws and designing of equipment via SolidWorks.

The final team eventually snagged a commendable placement at the Formula SAE 2023 EV Michigan competition, ranking 18th out of 69 teams internationally. “While my initial motivation to sign up was the allure of fast cars and Formula One racing, it was a truly rewarding bootcamp experience that went on to open doors for me,” he shares. 

Outside My Comfort Zone

During the following summer, he jumped at the opportunity to spend his university vacation in South Korea at Hanyang University, one of NUS’ partner universities for Summer Programmes. The short but exciting stint gave Fahmi the exposure of stepping outside his comfort zone — whether it be navigating language barriers, independent living, or seeking thrills in paragliding off a mountain.

“Besides taking relevant modules at Hanyang University such as ISS1041: Engineer and Society, I also took GEN9001: Introductory Korean (Level 1) to better immerse myself into a culture and society different from my own. The Summer Programme also allowed me to build lasting relationships with international students, as we continue to maintain contact via a Korean group chat and Instagram,” he reveals.

Living Life to the Fullest

After his participation in the Formula SAE competition, Fahmi plans to pursue a Master of Science in Safety, Health, and Environmental Technology (SHE) in the future. Providing a brief explanation of the course, he offers: “Think about a car and the risk of fuel tank explosion. Process safety is about preventing a system upset that leads to ignition of the fuel chamber, so that the car doesn’t explode and you’re able to drive it safely.”

Specialising in Process Engineering, Fahmi is about to embark on his Final Year Project. While keeping thoughts about the future in mind, Fahmi continues to ardently embrace living life to the fullest. “While I aim to be financially stable as soon as possible after graduation, I also hope to fulfil my travel lust and visit far-flung places like the Swiss Alps, Venice, and behold the Northern Lights!” he laughs.