Sweet Surprise for Graduation

Receiving The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal (for the Most Outstanding Graduating Student) is spurring Chong Jun Hao on to chase his dreams

“Overwhelmed” was the word Mr Chong Jun Hao used to describe how he felt when he received news that he had won The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal (for the Most Outstanding Graduating Student). For the Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services) graduate, it was “the perfect way to graduate, having worked so hard for the past three years”.

Jun Hao, who excelled in his studies, has also made an impact outside the classroom: He was elected President of the Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering Student Management Committee, and appointed an SIT Student Ambassador and representing Singapore at the National Youth Council ASEAN-India Student Exchange Programme in 2018. 

Despite graduating during a pandemic, Jun Hao remains optimistic about his future.  He is currently working as a Mechanical Engineer, even as he pursues a part-time Master’s degree at SIT. “I always like to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital adoption and being a millennial, I am more familiar with the technology and able to position myself to help my company shift into the digital age,” he said. “After I graduate from my Master’s degree programme, I hope to start a business in the construction industry.”

Made possible by The Ngee Ann Kongsi in 2017, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal (for the Most Outstanding Graduating Student) at SIT is awarded to the graduating student who has not only achieved outstanding academic results, but also demonstrated leadership qualities and made significant contributions beyond academic studies to SIT or the community. 

In addition to the Gold Medal, the Kongsi has also made possible at SIT The Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship to nurture academically gifted students throughout their entire course of study, as well as The Ngee Ann Kongsi Emergency Relief Fund, which has been established to support students facing unexpected financial hardship due to COVID-19.  

“We are very happy to be supporting student excellence at SIT, through The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal as well as The Ngee Ann Kongsi Scholarship. In both the Gold Medal and the Scholarship, we hope to nurture budding young leaders who are not just academically talented, but who are also passionate about serving the community – as The Ngee Ann Kongsi has always believed in building on what the predecessors have achieved to bring forth more contributions to the society,” said Mr Richard Lee, Vice President of The Ngee Ann Kongsi and Chairman of its Donation & Charity Sub-Committee.