Shermaine is one of over 200 outstanding students awarded the prestigious CSIT-Nanyang Scholarship - a collaboration between the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT) and Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) to nurture future cybersecurity specialists for careers in national security.

Shermaine shares how the scholarship has enriched her NYP journey with valuable learning and industry exposure.

What did you hope to achieve with the CSIT-Nanyang Scholarship when you first entered NYP?

I wanted to explore and gain hands-on experience at CSIT, learn new skills, and connect with like-minded individuals. I was also particularly curious about the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within a defense-focused organisation like CSIT, and exploring the potential synergies across diverse industries.

How have you benefitted from the CSIT-Nanyang Scholarship?

It gave me the rare opportunity to intern at CSIT and increased my chances of receiving the CSIT Undergraduate Scholarship. It also exposed me to different areas of tech and showed me how various roles can work together. I learned a lot through all these experiences.

What was the most valuable lesson or experience you gained from your CSIT internship?

One of the biggest takeaways for me was learning how to connect what I studied in school to real-world work. The internship gave me insight into CSIT’s working culture and allowed me to try many new things.

It was different from studying, but with the support and guidance I received, I was able to adapt quickly. Plus, my industry mentors were very encouraging and helpful — they explained concepts clearly, gave useful feedback, and supported my growth throughout the internship.

Share one piece of advice you’d give to prospective students who want to follow a similar path.

Take your time to explore and make the most out of your poly journey. Build a strong foundation, be open to learning beyond the classroom, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. All of that will really help when you transition to university. Believe in yourself even if the path feels different from others, it’s still valid and can bring you far.