The Less Travelled Route To A Top University Degree

The greater proportion of polytechnic graduates in local universities is in line with the rising aspirations of diploma holders who want a university degree. 

ANG Xiao Jun, a Year 1 student from the inaugural Pharmaceutical Science cohort who read Biomedical Science at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, exemplifies what NUS’ President TAN Eng Chye shared in a media interview,  “Students are assessed on their aptitudes, interests and passion, besides academic achievements, as part of NUS’ holistic approach to admissions and different approaches to broaden talent recognition.”   

Xiao Jun discovered her interest in the research and development of medicine during her final year in polytechnic. She opted for the Department of Pharmacy’s new Pharmaceutical Science programme to pursue her dream of developing medicinal products to reduce cancer-related fatigue. 

She says, “The programme uses innovative pedagogical activities to optimise our learning by integrating hands-on group learning in the classroom with web-based online learning tools.”  She added, “I was encouraged to move beyond the comfort zone of traditional classroom-based learning. This continually stretches my horizons.”

While rigorous and challenging, Xiao Jun finds the Pharmaceutical Science course fulfilling. In addition to analytical thinking, problem identification and solving, and the acquisition of fresh perspectives, she has gained other useful skills.

She says, “By paying attention to detail in experiments, I learnt to understand the value of precision. I am also encouraged to become more resilient. This is very useful as reality does not always match theory and we should be comfortable making mistakes.”  

Xiao Jun aspires to become a clinical research scientist in the area of pharmaceutical and biotechnology. She says, “I believe that I will be able to contribute to improving the quality of human life with my passion for pharmaceutics.”

The landmark NUS Pharmaceutical Science degree programme trains students in a range of foundational sciences, including drug discovery and development, as well as understanding of the regulatory and commercial environment in the pharmaceutical industry. They will acquire knowledge in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Technology, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacogenetics.

Read another student’s reflections on the Pharmaceutical Science programme:
Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders