Director's Message

Prof Chong Director's Message
For nearly two decades, the CN Yang Scholars Programme has been an incubator for top science and engineering talent at Nanyang Technological University. With its cross-disciplinary curriculum and tightly-knit student community, it provides one of the most unique educational experiences at NTU, and indeed worldwide.

At the CN Yang Scholars Programme's launch in 2006, NTU had just begun its transformation from a narrowly focused engineering school to a full-fledged research university. The university's leadership, led by then-President Professor Su Guaning, conceived of a programme to attract a new kind of NTU undergraduate: one deeply curious about all aspects of science, passionate about exploring the frontiers of research, and eager to work alongside similarly-minded peers.

Today, this vision has materialised into a vibrant programme that admits over 50 scholars a year, selected from a much larger pool of applicants. Our scholars come from many diverse backgrounds, but one common thread unites them: scientific curiosity. It is this curiosity that guides and motivates them through the programme's challenging multidisciplinary curriculum, which covers Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Earth Sciences, as well as customised courses in writing and ethics.
But even if the material is difficult, each CN Yang scholar does not face these difficulties alone. One of the most striking features of the programme is its exceptionally vibrant community. The experience of taking courses with scholars from different disciplines, working together on complex projects, and often staying at the same residence halls, forges strong social bonds that long outlast our scholars' time at NTU. Furthermore, the programme's support for overseas visits and projects gives our scholars unique opportunities to build academic and social networks in other countries.

Alumni of the CN Yang Scholars Programme have gone on to work at leading companies, from startups to global tech giants. Many have also proceeded to advanced studies at top universities worldwide. Our students are graduating into a world facing many challenges, from the energy transition to the disruptions of artificial intelligence; but I am confident that the values embedded in the CN Yang Scholars Pprogramme---curiosity, scientific rigour, teamwork, and an international outlook---remain key to tackling these problems, and that the privileges and opportunities given to CN Yang scholars at NTU will thereby translate into lasting contributions for society.

Professor Chong Yidong
Director, CN Yang Scholars Programme

What Our Scholars Say

PYE SONE KYAW - LEE KUAN YEW GOLD MEDAL How Wei Bin

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.

Pye Sone Kyaw, Computer Sciences (Intake AY19/20)

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.

Alexis Goh, Environmental Earth Systems Science (Intake 18/19)

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.

How Wei Bin, Chemistry and Biological Chemistry (Intake 18/19)

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.

Nur Amalina Lai Shan Shan, Physics and Applied Physics (Intake 18/19)

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.

Luar Shui Song, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (Intake 16/17)