Student Testimonials

Postgraduate Testimonials - Nicholas Hoy Zheng Xuan

Bridging Academia and Industry: Navigating the Path from Postgraduate Studies to a Career in Clean Energy

Background and Career Path

1. Could you please introduce yourself - your name and age?

I'm Nicholas Hoy Zheng Xuan, aged 26.

2. What course did you pursue in your postgraduate studies?

Masters in New Energy Science and Engineering.

3. What is your current job role, and what does it involve?

I'm working as a researcher in Energy Studies Institute, an independent research institute within the National University of Singapore. My research focuses on performing technology scans and analysing key decarbonisation strategies to support Singapore's clean energy transition.

4. What initially motivated you to enter this industry, and how did you get started?

I was passionate about making a positive impact on the environment, so I pursued my master's degree, where I conducted relevant research focusing on climate solutions.

5. How do you view the future of your industry - any trends or developments you think are important?

I believe I am still too early in my career to advise on this, but generally, the importance of environmental sustainability is getting more acknowledged around the world, so demand for relevant work will definitely grow.

Impact of Postgraduate Studies

1. How has your postgraduate education benefited your work or changed your perspective in your field?

Since both my education and work are research-oriented, skills I picked up during my postgraduate education, such as research writing and data analysis, allow for a smooth transition, and I was able to adapt to my work fairly easily.

2. In what ways has the postgraduate experience influenced or even reshaped your career goals?

When I did my engineering internship at a semiconductor company during my bachelor's degree, I knew for sure that I was not cut out for an engineer role. I decided to pursue my postgraduate studies to give myself more options to branch out into. My postgraduate experience gave me a taste of a research career, and I'm happy to say that I quite enjoy what I'm doing so far.

3. Have you worked before pursuing your postgraduate studies? If yes, how does your postgraduate studies impacted you after going back to industry?

No, I pursued my postgraduate studies directly after my bachelor's degree.

Career Goals & Aspirations

1. What are your career goals after completing your postgraduate studies?

For now, I aim to continue working in the field of environmental sustainability in hopes of making a positive mark on the world.

2. Has this experience altered your long-term career aspirations or ambitions?

I might not have considered being a researcher had I not done my postgraduate studies, so yes.

Job Market & Opportunities

1. How prepared are you for the current job market, given your skills and experience?

Research is a lifelong learning experience, so it won't matter how skillful you are now if you don't keep up. As long as one stays humble and open to learning, then you are already a step ahead.

2. What factors are most important to you when applying for a job, such as salary, work-life balance, career growth, or location?

To me, it is passion. Many have the perspective of "work is work", which, while I do understand and agree to a certain extent, I am fortunate to have found something that I am genuinely passionate about, which makes work feel fulfilling.

3. Have you thought about working abroad, or do you have a preference for staying in your home country?

Well, I am already not in my home country, and I am always open to exploring opportunities in other countries.

Challenges & Concerns

1. What are your biggest concerns about entering the workforce after graduation?

It was intimidating learning about the worsening conditions of the job market, things like employers not hiring fresh graduates, pay not keeping up with living standards, or even postgraduate degree holders being overqualified.

2. Have you faced any challenges or obstacles in applying for jobs or making the shift from academia to industry?

I began preparing for job application submissions 4 months before my graduation. Over the span of 6 months, I submitted over a hundred job applications across the world (including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, India, China, Europe, and the US) and only netted 4 interviews and 2 offers. It was a huge hit on my confidence, but I decided to focus on what I could learn from the process. I refined my application materials, honed my interview skills, and sought feedback wherever possible.

Advice for Future Graduates

1. Do you have any advice for postgraduate students who want to make a meaningful impact in this field?

I'm relatively early in my career, but I would encourage staying proactive and embracing the learning process. Explore opportunities beyond your comfort zone and don't be afraid to ask stupid questions. We wouldn’t know if the choice we are making is a correct one, but a wrong answer is not a meaningless one. Every setback teaches you something valuable, so keep pushing forward.

- Interviewed and prepared by PGSC 2024/2025

In 2021, Ai Ling finished his undergraduate studies in Chemical Engineering at XMUM before pursuing a master's degree at the University of Manchester, UK. After that, he continued to work as a PhD student in Chemical Engineering there, researching proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

During the interview, Ai Ling credited his four years at XMUM for shaping his understanding of research and the engineering mindset, laying a solid foundation for his career in chemical engineering.

Ai Ling described himself as a "born chemical engineer". After receiving his Gaokao results, he chose XMUM's Chemical Engineering programme as his top preference, due to the strong reputation of XMU's chemical engineering research and the its promising career prospects:

"I was particularly interested in the problem-solving aspect of engineering," Ai Ling recalled, "Thus, chemical engineering stood out as a broad and practical field. I wanted to learn a skill, so I chose it in the end."

For the younger Ai Ling, chemical engineering was difficult but charming, and what attracted him most were the teamwork-based projects:

"Many of our assignments required teamwork. The problems were often open-ended, so we had to figure out solutions or designs on our own. Back then, I didn't know much, but whenever my ‘crude methods' solved a problem, I felt incredibly accomplished."

Among his teamwork experiences, the Capstone Project during his final year left the deepest impression on him.

Ai Ling's team worked on a plant design project to extract 1,3-propanediol from biodiesel using biological fermentation. Since the fermentation products contained various impurities, the team designed downstream purification processes to produce high-purity outputs. From optimizing fermentation conditions to selecting purification techniques, the project involved evaluating and improving various design plans to complete the plant layout.

"Throughout this process, I applied almost every engineering skill and software I had learned over four years. The project gave me an open platform to test my ideas," Ai Ling said. "When challenges arose, I discussed them with teammates and industry mentors - thinking like a future chemical engineer. As our plan became clearer, I felt a growing sense of achievement and confidence in our design."

Despite now being deeply involved in research, Ai Ling began his academic research journey relatively late, during his final-year graduation project. Being particularly interested in electrochemistry, he chose to assess the lifecycle of an electrochemical process, supervised by Dr. Ong Wee Jun, a researcher with extensive experience in the field.

"Dr. Ong is an ideal mentor in research," Ai Ling said of his experience. He provided me with guidance and inspiration, helping me understand the essence of research. For instance, he used the structure of a paper to teach us how to build logical frameworks and support arguments with data and literature. Through this, I gradually learned the logic and methods essential in research."

Reading papers, summarizing findings, one-on-one discussions with his mentor, and engaging with senior lab members eventually led to Ai Ling achieving a GPA of 4.0 for his graduation project. His research findings were also published as review articles and research papers in Environmental Chemistry Letters and ChemSusChem as first author, both of which are SCI-indexed journals.

Reflecting on his Final Year Project, Ai Ling expressed deep gratitude towards Dr. Ong Wee Jun: "Dr. Ong introduced me to scientific thinking. When I started my PhD in the UK, I had to design my own projects and experiments, and I realized how crucial the research mindset I learned from him is, especially in structuring projects, conducting experiments, and identifying areas for improvement. All of this has become invaluable in my research."

In his senior year, the pandemic led many of Ai Ling's friends to change fields or enter the workforce. However, his passion for chemical engineering remained the same. He was determined to pursue his chosen path:

"I wanted to delve deeply into one field and create unique knowledge in an innovative environment, pushing myself to my limits. Since I had already learnt chemical engineering for four years, I made up my mind to continue working on it."

In September 2021, Ai Ling began his master's degree in chemical engineering at the University of Manchester. The following year, he started his four-year PhD, specializing in hydrogen-powered low-temperature fuel cells.

Now in his third year of the PhD program, Ai Ling is working on developing new material solutions for low-temperature fuel cells to improve their performance and stability, driving the industrial and commercial adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles:

"Hydrogen fuel cells are seen as a key future technology. If they can replace lithium batteries, they could significantly reduce environmental issues. It's a practical technology with the potential for large-scale implementation and an entire industrial chain. I hope to help bring hydrogen fuel cells out of the lab and make them a real sustainable energy option."

Ai Ling admits that the biggest challenges of his PhD are identifying worthwhile research topics and translating ideas into experiments. He explains that results are always uncertain, making success unpredictable. "Research is a process of more disappointment than hope," he says. Success usually comes after many failures, with only a few breakthroughs.

Nevertheless, Ai Ling remains confident about the future. Each small improvement in his experiments, every step closer to his goal, fuels his determination to keep going. Even on tough days, a good meal and a restful night's sleep are enough to restore his focus, knowing that the next day will bring new progress.

During my internship, I acquired invaluable experience in heat exchanger design, refining process of crude palm oil and equipment inspection through site visits. These experiences deepened my understanding of engineering principles and provided practical insights into industrial operations. I worked with experienced professionals and honed my problem-solving and critical analysis skills. My internship not only broadened my technical expertise, but also provided me with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of engineering practice, which is essential to my future success.

Being able to study at Xiamen University Malaysia has been a pleasant surprise in my ordinary life. Leaving home to study in another country thousands of miles away was definitely a big challenge, but I am grateful for the growth that this university brought to me, both in terms of language and the ability to live independently. I am especially grateful to Dr. Gan for teaching me how to do academics, and for being my guiding light and showing me the way of my true heart's desire.

Now I have graduated for many years, but the influence that the university has brought to me still makes me move forward on a bright path. Hope the students in XMUM can have truly rewarding lives during their school years and also hope XMUM gets better and better!
 

As an international student from Indonesia, my academic journey at Xiamen University Malaysia has been incredibly fulfilling, thanks to the guidance and resources provided by the New Energy Science and Engineering department. Engaging in research projects, particularly in the area of generating clean energy from water droplet motion for nanoscale devices, has significantly deepened my understanding of renewable energy technology.

Working under Dr. Gan Wee Chen’s supervision, I have cultivated an innovative mindset and acquired essential skills necessary to strive in various sectors of the working industry. I am sincerely grateful for the tremendous support extended to me by Dr. Gan and my peers at the Smart Materials and Composites Laboratory throughout my undergraduate studies. Their support has not only enabled me to integrate seamlessly into the highly experienced XMUM research community but has also prepared me to make meaningful contributions to my home country through research.

As a new energy science and engineering student, my journey has been full of learning and growth. I have gained valuable skills through hands-on research, exploring diverse facets of renewable energy within various laboratories offered. This has been an incredibly rewarding experience, enriching me with expertise crucial for both academic and professional pursuits, with a special emphasis on green catalysis in biodiesel production. I extend heartfelt gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Lai Sin Yuan, for her invaluable mentorship, unwavering support, and expertise. I am also grateful to all the lecturers and friends who have helped me reach the successful completion of the research endeavor. This transformative journey has empowered me with increased competence and confidence, preparing me to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

My experience spanning four years at Xiamen University Malaysia pursuing my bachelor’s has been nothing short of transformative. Within its dynamic academic environment, alongside a committed faculty, my comprehension of New Energy Science and Engineering has evolved significantly. Engaging in practical projects not only honed my technical competencies but also fostered creativity and adeptness in problem-solving. 

Meanwhile, Xiamen University Malaysia stands as a significant influence on countless students, with its faculty not only dedicated to teaching but also to inspiring. Those who walk into the school each day exemplify the value of leadership, both inside and outside the classroom. Xiamen University Malaysia empowers every student to reach beyond their limits, fostering individual creativity and uniting them as a cohesive force to enact change. It is within Xiamen University Malaysia that numerous remarkable journeys begin.

With its nurturing atmosphere and abundance of resources, Xiamen University Malaysia emerges as the quintessential setting for most students’ ongoing academic endeavors.

I am profoundly grateful for the enriching journey I have undertaken while pursuing my master's studies at Xiamen University Malaysia, and I attribute much of this gratitude to my supervisor, Dr. Haw Choon Yian, and the supportive community.

This experience has been transformative, allowing me to immerse myself in the research community of renewable energy, with a particular focus on photothermal solar steam generation for water cleaning and desalination. Under Dr. Haw's mentorship, I have not only shaped my research trajectory but also honed my analytical skills, propelling me to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation.

I am genuinely appreciative of Dr. Haw's support, which has afforded me a remarkable level of freedom as a master's student in choosing my research direction. Additionally, I am deeply thankful for the vibrant and supportive community that fosters discussion and idea exchange, contributed by both professors and peers alike.
 

Embarking on a journey of research has been an enlightening and enriching experience. For that, I am thankful to have worked under the supervision of Dr. Gan and Dr Haw. Through their guidance and unwavering support, I have not only learned the research technical expertise but also invaluable lessons in perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. As I look back on this chapter of my academic journey, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunities and knowledge it has afforded me and will continue to push forward in research.