1. Name of student: Mr See Chin Keong
Programme of study: Newcastle University Mechanical Design & Manufacturing Engineering (NU MDME)
Matric Number: SIT12AND040K
In your opinion, advise us on how you rate this students’ academic and all-round capability. Also, you
may wish to advise us of any unique challenges that he or she has had to overcome to excel in his/her
first year of studies. Please highlight any other outstanding accomplishment that would make this
student worthy of being an SIT Scholar. You may use the space below or add an extra page if the space is
not enough.
Chin Keong is a talented, unassuming and kindly student. In my opinion, he is an extraordinary student, based on his
excellent performance in his studies and sound leadership both in academic and university co-curricular activities. Not
only is the MDME programme proud of his achievements but more importantly, it also testify to the strength of the
programme in attracting students of exceptional qualities and helping students to achieve their goals. In recognition of
his scholastic achievements and leadership, I strongly recommend Chin Keong for the scholarship award. I believed
Chin Keong is inspirational to his peers; given his past and present records I believe Chin Keong will continue to do well
and inspire others to do well too.
Academic
Chin Keong’s academic achievement is extraordinary. He has excelled in his studies during the first year of the NU
MDME programme. I am proud to say that he has topped his class with an overall average of 74.7 for all his subjects
which falls comfortably within the first-class honours band by Newcastle University standard.
His interest, passion and depth of understanding in mechanical engineering is reflected, notably, in the subjects that
he has done extremely well, namely Thermal System Engineering, Numerical and Analytical Methods A, Principles of
Dynamics and Control. These are traditionally very challenging subjects.
Having known him for a year, I have learnt that his motivation to do well has been consistent with his past
performance at his previous institution (Nanyang Polytechnic, GPA 3.84 with 10 distinctions).
Leadership
In addition to his excellent performance in his study, he has also displayed sound academic leadership. As his lecturer,
I have noticed that in the engineering projects that emphasized teamwork, Chin Keong was instrumental in leading his
team to identify and implement practical and creative solutions to engineering problems, backed by sound
engineering principles. I am happy to point out that his team has been inspirational to the others; I note that this has
an important consequence in raising the class standard.
Most importantly,his academic leadership extends to leading his fellow classmates in scholastic discussions with
lecturers. Consequently, this has benefitted the class in terms of establishing a better understanding of the subjects
and also in exploring new boundaries in the subjects.
Co-curricular activity
His leadership quality also extends to professional engineering activities and university co-curricular activities, where
he has displayed professionalism and passion to serve his fellow students. Chin Keong is a member (student) of the
Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE, UK) since Oct 2012. I shall like to highlight that, during the first year of
study in 2012, he was actively involved in campaigning to run for office to manage the student committee of the
MDME programme. The outcome was that he was elected by his classmates to the post of Vice-President. Thereafter,

2. he has been industrious in working, together with the committee members, to set up, strategise and manage the
Newcastle University IMechE student chapter in Singapore. Over the past one year, he and his committee members at
the student chapter have done well for the student members by organising professional engineering activities, e.g.
industrial visits (Halin Marine) and competitions (Speak Out for Engineering 2013, SOFE, an activity that provides a
platform for student members to present new engineering ideas to industrial professionals), to raise professional
awareness and to build a foundation for the members to become future mechanical engineers through active
partnership with industrial professionals. Chin Keong and his team have been complimented for showing good
leadership in organising these activities, especially the challenges of planning and communication with student
members and industrial partners. Most importantly-in my interactions with Chin Keong-I have observed that effective
management of the members’ interest and the expectations of industrial professionals underlie his leadership style.
In the area of sports, currently Chin Keong is the secretary of SIT Basketball Team. Apart from striving to be good in
basketball, as a pioneering member of the Team, he has to manage the challenges of setting up a recruitment process
for recruiting new members and setting up/organizing meetings and events. As a basketball player Chin Keong is
privileged to be appointed to the point guard position (or otherwise known as on-court general). He enjoys the
responsibility of managing team play, e.g. directing his mates to attacking and defending strategic positions and
upholding the quality of the game. As basketball is a very dynamic game, Chin Keong tells me that he faces numerous
challenges for doing well, notably the ability to stay calm and focussed during the game and providing strategic
encouragement and motivation to his mates.
Chin Keong knows when to step back from leadership roles. He also actively volunteers for other SIT activities at a
non-leadership level. For the record, I shall list his involvement in the past SIT activities as follows:
1. Standard Chartered Marathon
2. Singapore Maritime Week
3. SIT Student Orientation Camp (he was a facilitator for 20 freshies)
4. SIT Welcome Ceremony
Obviously there is a lot to gain from volunteering at these activities and I have noticed that his experiences in the SIT
orientation camp, e.g.
 providing timely information,
 working and leading discussions with team mates from different disciplines with varying interests and
expectations,
 bonding wtih new students,
 safety,
 activities that foster team spirit for the freshies,
and SIT Welcome Ceremony Student Helper have motivated him to initiate and organise an orientation camp for the
MDME freshies (AY2013-2014 batch), which is scheduled for the 20-21 Sep. Obviously, this present new challenges
because it would be first such event to be held at Newcastle University in Singapore. I would like to invite the
scholarship interviewers to stay tuned for further news about this important event for the MDME programme.
Chin Keong has highlighted to me his past co-curricular activities at High school and polytechnic. For the record,
especially to reflect professional commitments over a wide spectrum of interests, I shall list them down as follows:
 Vice President, School Prefect Team (High School)
 Vice President, Audio Visual Society
 Class President, School Charity Campaign (helped raised funds for the school, amounting to ~ SGD 4000)
 Basketball team player (Nanyang Polytechnic)
 Represented Nanyang Polytechnic (Sumo Robot Team) in Singapore Robotic Game 2012 (won 2 Gold Medals)

3. Written By: __Dr Kheng Lim Goh________________ Date: _08 Sep 2013____________
Designation: _Director of Operations/NU-MDME___ Signature: ___ ________