Alumni who studied one of NTU’s top-ranked subjects share career advice to young professionals

By Vivien Yap

In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject released in March, NTU achieved the highest number of ranked subjects among universities in Singapore. Disciplines including Materials Science, Library and Information Studies, Communications and Media Studies, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, and Data Science & AI were ranked among the global top five.

We spoke with alumni from these top-performing fields to gain insights into their professional journeys — and the career advice they wish they'd known earlier. 

President of Garena Online, Terry Zhao (CCDS/2006)

Photo credit: Sea Limited

Terry Zhao, computer engineering graduate and now president of Garena Online, a subsidiary of Sea Limited, has spent 16 years in the gaming and tech industry, leading the company’s shift from PC games to a mobile-first powerhouse. The computer science graduate attributes his NTU education for honing his problem-solving skills and agility.

Terry said: “I’d tell my younger self to be proud of becoming an engineer. At that time, engineering didn't seem to be the most 'glamorous' or promising path. However, the discipline has taught me to break down complex problems, understand how systems work and create a product from scratch. Even as the tech landscape continues to evolve, I use my ‘engineering mindset’, a blend of logic and intuition to make sound decisions and sense when something needs a different approach.”

He remembered many years ago when a game patch update caused a handful of product users to be unable to access the game due to graphics card incompatibility. Instead of waiting for a technical fix, which could take weeks, Terry’s team bought new graphics cards and delivered them to affected users in a week. “It may not have been the most conventional or ‘efficient’ solution, but we believed it was the best way we could stand by our players at that moment.” 

Chief Nurse of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Dr Hoi Shu Yin (WKWSCI/2008)

Photo credit: Dr Hoi Shu Yin

Dr Hoi Shu Yin is a dedicated nurse and a lifelong learner who completed her Master’s in Knowledge Management at NTU. One of her proudest achievements was the development of Tan Tock Seng Hospital’s Smart Ward model, where innovation supported by automation, robotics and AI, advances patient care delivery.

In her reflection on what had been invaluable career advice given to her, the 2023 President’s Award for Nurses recipient said: “As a leader, one needs to be prepared for the day when someone in your team causes a big blunder. The leader would inevitably have to carry the weight. However, it’s not about blame but about owning the responsibility that comes with leadership. Understanding this has helped me realise that not every setback is a personal failure. It’s part of the leadership journey. What matters is how we guide our teams through challenges, hold steady under pressure, and build collective resilience to keep moving forward together.”

For young healthcare professionals starting, Dr Hoi would like them to trust the process and not rush the journey. “Every experience — especially the difficult ones — will shape the nurse and leader you grow into. It’s not about knowing everything from the start, but about showing up each day with compassion, humility, and a willingness to grow.”

Co-founder of Big Tiny, Dave Ng (MSE/2007)

Photo credit: Big Tiny

The materials science graduate turned entrepreneur is proud to have started a company that pioneers the integration of the "tiny house" movement with eco-tourism to offer minimalist accommodations close to nature. 

Big Tiny is a growing Singaporean eco-tourism company that rents out specially designed “tiny houses” made of wood, steel and glass to travellers. One set of homes on wheels can measure as compact as 139-square-foot yet still house a bed and a bathroom.

Since launching in Australia in 2018, Big Tiny has expanded to Singapore, Japan, and the UK.

As the company’s primary designer-builder, Dave Ng taps his materials science expertise to select optimal building materials that meet the unique functional requirements of tiny houses on wheels. These include withstanding the forces and vibrations experienced during towing, and addressing sustainability by ensuring energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Dave said: “If I could speak to my younger self, I would say: stay the course but keep your mind open. Be willing to explore, to learn, and to trust the journey. My path hasn’t always been predictable — I was running my family business which specialised in recycling precious metals from industrial waste, before I started my own venture. The journey has been incredibly rewarding because I approached it with curiosity, resilience, and conviction.”

Chief Editor of CNA Digital, Loh Chee Kong (WKWSCI/2005)

Photo credit: Ooi Boon Keong/TODAY

Loh Chee Kong started in the newsroom in 2005 after graduating from NTU’s Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information. Over a 20-year career in journalism, he has risen from reporter to chief editor and overseen major newsroom transformations including the merger of TODAY and CNA Digital.

In recognition of his outstanding work, he was awarded Mediacorp’s Young Journalist of the Year in 2008. In 2010, NTU presented him with the Nanyang Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

The newsroom chief credits his professional success to the support of colleagues and mentors. “I'm extremely proud of what our newsroom puts out day in, day out, flying the CNA flag high on the regional stage and hopefully, in time to come, the world's as well,” said Chee Kong.

On building a lasting career in journalism, Chee Kong advises aspiring journalists to dig deep and find their personal driving forces, or their raison d'etre.

And to his younger self, he says: “You are going to be in this job much longer than you think, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!”

Co-founder and CEO of Roceso Technologies, Jane Wang (MAE/2009)

Jane Wang had her first taste of entrepreneurship at 20 when she ran an e-commerce business selling female apparel.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechatronics engineering from NTU, Jane co-founded Singapore’s first soft robotics company, Roceso Technologies, in 2016, which developed a fabric glove that helps patients with neurological disorders and nerve injuries with rehabilitation. 

Today, the wearable tech product is available in more than 30 countries, with 50 countries approving it for medical use. 

Speaking about her unconventional career path, Jane tells her younger self, “It is fine to explore totally different career paths and industries before setting a career direction. Regardless of whether you are enjoying your work right now, try to learn as much as possible and build friendships and connections along the way. All experiences are beneficial to future development.”

Co-Founder and CEO of Aevice Health, Adrian Ang (EEE/2014)

Adrian Ang, an alumnus of NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), co-founded Aevice Health, with his NTU mentor, Associate Professor Ser Wee. The medtech startup focuses on developing wearable stethoscopes for patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

The company successfully raised US$7 million in seed funding in 2024, boosting its expansion and innovation in the healthcare sector. 

Looking back on the seven-year entrepreneurship journey, Adrian would like his younger self to know that progress is not always linear. 

“Take the time to learn as much as possible - sign up for courses while you can, build relationships and learn through real-world experiences. Building a medtech startup is a marathon,not a sprint. One would need passion and conviction to go far and work with like-minded people who share the same vision to go big,” said Adrian.