Page 58 - Scholarship Guide Feb 2019

56 LIM ZHONGYAN

Building Research @ Woodlands) and Living Labora-
tories (e.g. Punggol and Yuhua). Upon successful test-
ing and positive feedback from stakeholders, these
solutions are then finally rolled out for wide-scale im-
plementation in HDB estates across the island. The
satisfaction that one can feel then is akin to seeing
your art piece being featured in an exhibition gallery,
albeit on a very large scale! The knowledge that my
work can impact the lives of so many residents makes
the hard work all the more worthwhile.
In Singapore’s effort to build a Smart Nation,
HDB leads in the creation of a Smart Urban Habitat,
leveraging smart technologies to create a more live-
able, sustainable, and safe living environment for HDB
residents. Since becoming a part of this journey, my
work has evolved to include harnessing the power
of data and state-of-the-art technologies, such as 3D
Geographic Information Systems and Urban Analyt-
ics, to identify special patterns and trends of the ur-
ban environment. Armed with these insights, we are
able to further improve the way we plan and develop
our estates.
“In front of you are three light switches. Only one turns However, things are not always simple or smooth-
on the light downstairs. From where you stand, you sailing. There will be challenges, and when it seems
cannot see the light and it makes no sound. You must easier to just give up and move on, this famous quote
determine which switch operates the light, but you would come to my mind:
can only go downstairs to check the light once. How ‘Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The
do you figure out which switch activates the light?” most certain way to succeed is always to try just one
Since I was young, I have been intrigued by puz- more time.’ – Thomas Edison
zles and brainteasers like this. I was also very interest- The never-say-die attitude must live strongly in
ed in how the things around me worked. However, the an engineer doing R&D. One needs to be creative and
use of the Internet was not as ubiquitous back then, have the determination to forge on to see a seeded
and one could not just google the answer (which idea grow and be successfully implemented. It is thus
you probably might have done when thinking of the crucial to be resilient, to be adaptable, and to be open
question above). There were nights when I refused to and receptive to ideas.
sleep until my curiosity was satisfied. It also helps that I had support and advice from
Considering my inclination to think outside of various mentors (including many unofficial ones!)
the box to solve problems, coupled with the fact that I since I started work in HDB. The warmth and support
like to tinker with things, it is perhaps no wonder that that I continue to receive from colleagues also makes
I decided to pursue Engineering in university. I picked HDB feel like my second home. Like they say – team-
Mechanical Engineering as it was the broadest field work makes the dream work!
of Engineering, and I believed that it would give me Choosing to take up the HDB scholarship has
the widest exposure and equip me with useful skills opened up new possibilities for me. If you are consid-
and knowledge for my future career. ering a scholarship like I was, here’s what I propose
I also made the decision to apply for the HDB – first, determine what you are interested in and what
Undergraduate Scholarship. You may ask, why HDB? you are looking for in a career. Then, consider who
The reason is simple. The intricacies of HDB’s work you want to help and the kind of impact you wish to
intrigued me. Travelling around Singapore, I would make. If you conclude that you are up to the challenge
see public housing in almost every part of the island. of contributing to Singapore’s public housing lega-
Given the scale of work that HDB does, the organisa- cy, and look forward to gaining enriching experiences
tion’s impact goes beyond the hard infrastructure to that come with the job, the HDB scholarship is for you.
touch the lives of our residents. Trust me, I am an HDB engineer.
Lim Zhongyan Fast forward a few years, I am currently working
HDB Undergraduate at HDB’s Building & Research Institute, which was set
Scholarship
up in September 2009 to spearhead Research & De-
Age: 32 velopment (R&D) efforts in building and environmen-
tal sustainability. Despite building more than 1 million “The never-say-die attitude
Attained: flats and housing an entire nation, HDB does not rest
Mechanical Engineering, on its laurels. We are always looking at what we can must live strongly in an
National University do better to build new generation housing and smart,
of Singapore Engineer doing R&D. One
sustainable towns. I share this belief that we are only
Now: limited by what we can imagine. And that is what ex- needs to be creative and
Senior Engineer, cites me and drives me at work!
Building & Research As an R&D engineer with HDB, I look at the range have the determination
Institute, Housing and of challenges faced by the organisation, and under-
Development Board to forge on to see a
take R&D efforts to implement innovative urban solu-
From: tions to create a more eco-friendly and higher quality seeded idea grow and be
Anglo-Chinese living environment. These urban solutions are first
Junior College carefully tested in our Master Laboratory (Centre of successfully implemented.”