At the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), education goes beyond acquiring knowledge; it’s a transformative experience that prepares students to be work-ready, adaptive, and community-minded. Embracing the ‘3H’s education philosophy—‘Head’ for professional competency, ‘Heart’ for social awareness, and ‘Habit’ for lifelong learning—SUSS nurtures students to significanty impact their communities and beyond. This aligns with the university’s ethos of ‘Dream, Dare, Do,’ inspiring students to dream big, dare greatly, and do what it takes to leave an indelible mark on learners, industry, and community.

Scholar Yap Wan Ting exemplifies this transformative experience. Currently a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics with a Minor in Information Technology, her journey has seen her making a difference within the communities that she serves.

Wan Ting’s interest in business analytics began during her polytechnic days as a student in Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Banking and Finance programme, where she discovered her passion for data analytics. “I was intrigued by how business analytics allows you to make complex information understandable through visualisations and various tools,” she explained. Her interest was cemented after attending multiple Fintech Festivals during her polytechnic days, where she gained exposure to various technological solutions in the finance industry and won first place in the SUSS Analytics and Visualization Challenge in 2019.

Choosing SUSS for her degree studies was a natural decision for Wan Ting, who appreciated that the SUSS programme integrates business practices with data-driven insights. “SUSS’s holistic approach encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone,” she said.

Bridging Communities and Cultures

Wan Ting’s proactive community engagement earned her the SUSS Social Impact Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to high-performing students who demonstrate work experience in social sciences and/or have outstanding records of involvement in projects that promote community work, societal well-being, youth work, or other social sciences sectors.

The financial support of the scholarship was crucial in relieving her financial burdens and enabling her to participate in overseas engagements, which are part of the SUSS curriculum. “With the scholarship, I could fully engage in learning and community activities without worrying about financial constraints,” she noted.

Wan Ting has been able to delve into many enriching experiences at university. One notable programme is the SUSS Restart programme, where she counselled students struggling academically. She also participated in the Experiential Team Building programme as a student leader, which included cultivating teamwork, self-discovery, and community values to freshmen. It also involved visiting a social enterprise that hires ex-drug offenders, allowing them to reintegrate into society using the skills they gained. “From working with these ex-offenders and listening to their stories, I realised we should not be so quick to pass judgement and be open-minded towards them. This will help them better assimilate into society,” she shared.

At SUSS, Wan Ting is actively involved in co-curricular activities, serving as the Chairperson of the Cross-Cultural Immersion Interest Group. One of her highlights was hosting a vibrant networking session for over 40 Guizhou University students, fostering cultural exchange and learning. “It left a lasting impression on me as we helped bridge cultural gaps with the students,” she recounted.

Wan Ting is set to expand her knowledge and skills further in this area. “I’ll be heading to Amsterdam as part of an overseas engagement programme to study conflict resolution. I believe what I learn will help me apply my knowledge and skills in my future work and interactions,” she mused.

From Academic Insights to real-World Application

Currently, Wan Ting applies her academic skills in real-time business scenarios through her Work-Study Programme with Strides Digital Pte Ltd, a business arm of SMRT Corporation. The Work-Study Programme is aimed at providing a holistic and immersive learning experience that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to prepare students for their future careers. Wan Ting believes that the one-year programme will provide her with deeper insights and a comprehensive experience compared to attachment programmes of a shorter duration.

As a Data Scientist Intern at Strides Digital, her tasks include understanding optimisation algorithms in Python, clustering client tasks, and integrating proposed solutions in real-time operations. She has also built dashboards that assist the upper management in reviewing inventory management and the company’s financial situation, facilitating real-time decision-making.

During her studies, she honed her data visualisation skills using Tableau and Power BI, and applied her knowledge to real-world applications, which has significantly benefitted her in her current job. “The skills I’ve developed in business analytics at SUSS are directly applicable and critically supportive in my current job,” she stated confidently.

As she juggles her varied responsibilities, Wan Ting diligently takes time to prepare for lessons by reading study materials and gathering questions beforehand. She appreciates the flexibility SUSS affords, with both online and in-person options to accommodate different learning preferences.

“I am thankful that SUSS provides this unique blend of academic rigour and practical flexibility, allowing us to tailor our education to our aspirations,” she noted.

Charting a Purposeful Course

Looking ahead, Wan Ting hopes to continue helping others and making an impact through her community involvement as a student leader. She expressed her hope to inspire others to challenge themselves, grow as individuals, and discover their potential.

Additionally, she aspires to contribute to society as a data scientist. She said, “I desire to leverage data science and machine learning to create a positive social impact. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead to harness the power of data-driven insights, utilising the knowledge I gained at SUSS to make a real difference in our community and beyond!”

For those aspiring to join SUSS, Wan Ting offers these words of encouragement: “SUSS’s holistic approach ensures students acquire the skills they need to do what they love with the flexibility to experiment and learn in a way that complements their learning styles. This allows you to learn and experiment before entering the working world.”