Alumni Testimonials

Arpit

My time at SPMS shaped not just my career, but my perspective on what it means to contribute meaningfully to science and technology. The combination of cutting-edge facilities, exceptional faculty mentorship, and a collaborative environment at SPMS helped me grow into a confident researcher.

Today, I find myself drawing upon the skills and experiences I gained at SPMS, as I work at UCLA in advancing quantum science and technology. While stimulating discussions which fueled great ideas were my favorite, my time working with SPMS Graduate Student Club was precious which carved my organizational abilities and leadership. SPMS offers an ecosystem which helps students thrive in whatever path they choose. 

 

Looking back, it is clear that my decision to study at NTU, and in SPMS in particular, was the right one; it gave me full control over my own personal university experience. There is a wide variety of courses offered in NTU, which further reinforces the versatility of a Math degree by offering plenty of options to build a truly interdisciplinary education upon a strong foundation in Mathematics. The skills my classmates and I picked up from studying the core Math modules during my first two years in SPMS not only held up well when it came to the more challenging, advanced Math modules (Stochastic Processes) but surprisingly also transferred well to developing interests and competencies in other areas. Some of these skills include logical reasoning, abstract thinking, creative problem-solving, and probabilistic understanding. In between discussing proofs and mathematical concepts, we would share about what we learned in the other classes we were attending: my friends dived into Philosophy, Finance, Music, etc. I tackled Computing.
Gabriel
I also received a lot of support from the Math course coordinator in tailoring my education. Instead of suggesting that I stick to the standard graduation plan or that I pick more convenient modules, she would guide me in putting a workable class schedule together, based on the modules I was excited about. This often involved requests to overload modules that I found interesting but were not within the graduation plan (Latin), or waivers to allow for studying of modules which clash in my schedule but can be pursued with extra effort outside of class time (Algorithms for the Real World). Because of the flexibility offered, I did not have to miss out on any aspect of my "dream" education, and that is something I still remain grateful for.

My professors helped me realise that learning was different from studying. Before university, I would be studying and doing past years papers to get good grades on my A levels exams. However, at SPMS, there was flexibility in how the professors would conduct their teachings, and several would also host fun sessions outside of class where we would discuss interesting mathematical research papers like if it is better to run or walk in the rain, or how many people you should date before you get married.

These sessions made mathematics feel alive and changed something which I once viewed as an academic subject into a way of thinking. It taught me how to approach problems with curiosity rather than just a goal to find the "right" answer.

My time at SPMS shaped my passion for research. The faculty mentorship and early exposure to cutting-edge research techniques were invaluable. These experiences have prepared me for the rigors during my PhD at MIT and postdoc at Stanford.
 
At SPMS, I learned to question assumptions and explore new fields. This journey ultimately brought me to an exciting role at Meta, where I now delve into the fascinating intersection of physics, brain-computer interfaces, and augmented reality, leveraging the skills and innovative spirit fostered at SPMS.