More than the Northern Lights

Year 3 Data Science and Economics student Zhang Jun Lu has just started a Climate Analytics and Technology Club to provide NUS students greater exposure to climate technology and tools. She has her experience at the NUS Overseas Colleges (NOC) Programme in Norway to thank for equipping her with the requisite knowledge and skills to do so.

She says, “Norway is very advanced in the realm of sustainability. This can be seen from day-to-day trash segmentation for recycling, can recycling and the startup ecosystem which is very much focused on sustainability.”

In Oslo, Jun Lu interned at Spoor, a software company using Artificial Intelligence for biodiversity monitoring. There, she learned to adapt to different roles, as she gained exposure to diverse functions including operations, product analytics, web development and even human resources. Her contributions included creating visualisations for biodiversity tracks around wind farms and conducting market research to understand the wind industry and relevant environmental compliances. She also helped in the launch of Spoor’s new website.

She says, “I gained valuable knowledge of the structure and nimbleness of startups as well as the value of trial and error, and iterations, for budding enterprises.”

Jun Lu got to experience staying in a Norwegian summer house with one of her Norwegian friends, which she describes as “an unforgettable cultural experience”. She also participated in Oslo Innovation Week and different events such as Oktoberfest, climbing events as well as Football Celebration at Alesund, one of Norway’s municipalities.

She adds, “We had very interesting professors and experts teach us along the way, some of whom are investors and startup entrepreneurs. It was inspiring to learn from them and get advice from them on our projects.”

Next, Jun Lu plans to set up an enterprise on ocean health to help the maritime industry. She is also currently helping to set up a venture capital fund in Europe that focuses on renewables and data economy.

She says, “My friends at NOC were fun individuals who were not scared of thinking outside the box. With them, it was always an adventure or a safe space where we explored different ideas and dreams.” This mindset has, in turn, rubbed off on Jun Lu, spurring her to venture down less well-trodden paths.