Consistency, Curiosity, and Growth

Roy Chng (Diploma in Infocomm and Media Engineering, Class of 2026) shares how his passion for programming, commitment to excellence in WorldSkills competitions, and drive to teach others shaped his journey as an all-rounder, earning him the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Mathematics and Science.

I discovered programming not through textbooks, but through curiosity. In secondary school, computer applications lessons sparked my interest, and that curiosity quickly turned into commitment. I went on to pursue the Higher Nitec in IT Applications Development at ITE, where I pushed myself to build strong technical foundations.

That effort paid off when I managed to enrol directly into the second year of NYP’s Diploma in Infocomm and Media Engineering – an opportunity for high achievers that reaffirmed I was on the right path.

My journey truly accelerated through WorldSkills. I first competed in the Mobile App Development trade for WorldSkills Singapore 2023 while at ITE, and the experience challenged me to raise my standards. At NYP, I continued competing, earning a Silver medal at WorldSkills Singapore 2025 in the Web Technologies trade, alongside the chance to represent Singapore at WorldSkills ASEAN. As part of my preparation, I trained alongside competitors in Korea before heading to the Philippines for the regional competition. Performing at that level demanded discipline, focus, and resilience under pressure, and receiving a Medallion of Excellence was a meaningful affirmation of that journey.

Beyond competitions, I believe that growth extends beyond personal achievement. I started a YouTube channel in 2023 to make programming concepts more accessible. What began as a small initiative grew into a community of nearly 13,000 subscribers, with more than one million views. I also serve as a peer tutor at the School of Engineering, supporting juniors in programming modules. Teaching others has strengthened my own understanding and reinforced the value of giving back.

To stay balanced, I turn to music. As Vice-President of NYP’s Guitar Club, I helped organise and perform at school events such as Open House, the National Day Concert, and the Guitar Club’s annual concert – Echoes of the Deep. These experiences reminded me that creativity and teamwork are just as important as rigour and discipline.

Throughout my time at NYP, I maintained a GPA of 4.0 and was placed on the Director’s List for all semesters, while balancing CCAs and WorldSkills commitments.

Looking ahead, I plan to pursue a degree at the National University of Singapore or National Technological University. For me, being an all-rounder is not about doing everything, it is about staying consistent, remaining curious, and making the most of every opportunity to grow.