Message from the Director

I am very grateful to be part of the CN Yang Scholars Programme. CNYSP has given me the opportunity to work on various research projects that have enhanced my skills and expertise in my field of study, exposing me to knowledge and experiences that I would not acquire through a traditional undergraduate education. I have also benefited from the diverse and helpful community of peers and network of alumni that have supported me throughout my undergraduate journey, allowing me to forge friendships and mentorships with like-minded peers. Being a CN Yang scholar has also opened up many doors for me in terms of internships and jobs, as I have gained a competitive edge over others in terms of the in depth knowledge and expertise acquired through research. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone who is passionate about science and engineering and wants to make meaningful and impactful contributions to society.

CNYSP allowed me to explore my interests and discover my passion in ecological research. From the very first semester, we were taught basic research skills and given plenty of opportunities to conduct our own independent projects. No doubt these research stints have formed highlights of my undergraduate journey, shaping who I am today and what I plan to pursue in my career and further studies.

The CN Yang Scholars Programme has provided me with numerous opportunities to develop myself academically. The immense administrative and financial support that was given for my overseas final year project has encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone to explore my research interests. Additionally, the close-knit community of scholars in the CNYSP has made my academic journey at NTU an extremely fun and fulfilling one.

My time under the CN Yang Scholars Programme, while not always easy, has been a memorable one, and one that I will continue to look back fondly on. The programme has pushed me as an individual — providing me with a multitude of means to grow as a scientist and to explore the possibilities of the world of knowledge, beyond just my field of interest and beyond science — but it has also allowed me to forge strong friendships with wonderful, like-minded individuals. It has been a great privilege that some of the biggest lessons I've learnt were through the people I've met through the opportunities the programme has afforded me, and for that, I will always remain grateful.

I was glad to work in an exciting and vibrant research group led by Professor Jonathan Kelly from the University of Toronto. The Space and Terrestrial Autonomous Robotics Laboratory, or STARS, for short, focuses on research spanning robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence. I got to live the full PhD experience - journal reading, group meetings, bar nights, presentations - you name it. My research entitled "Semantic Mapping for Articulated Objects" was also interesting as it combined fields from computer vision and machine learning, allowing me to keep in touch with the state-of-the-art research. I found Canada to be a thriving place for research - often attracting many students internationally for undergraduate and graduate studies alike. It is definitely an experience to remember, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity for this overseas research experience.