I joined HELP University in January 2019 for the Bachelor in Information Technology programme. After two years, I transferred to the University of Queensland (UQ) with a UQ scholarship to complete my degree. I will graduate at the end of 2021.

I had no prior knowledge or interest in IT until I met HELP IT lecturer Mr Steven Yong Yik Loong. His clear explanation of IT and its future potential convinced me to explore this new field. Besides, HELP University’s transfer programme with the University of Queensland would give me the opportunity to experience living and studying overseas. The 30% UEC study award provided by HELP to IT students also convinced me to start my journey to explore IT.

Life at HELP was fantastic. I made many new friends, including international students from South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Syria, and learned communication and problem-solving skills. The classes were not large and we interacted easily with each other and with our lecturers. My classmates were kind and cheerful; learning was fun and the atmosphere was always cheerful and relaxed. The lecturers were friendly and patient with our jokes and our questions which they willingly answered even during their off-hours.

As a result, I gained self-confidence and performed well with a high CGPA of 3.66 to qualify for a University of Queensland scholarship to complete my final year there.

At UQ, the strong foundation I obtained at HELP enabled me to excel in some papers, particularly in Web Information Systems where I attained a High Distinction and received an award from the Faculty in recognition of my “outstanding contribution to learning enhancement”.

The most memorable moments at HELP for me are the sense of achievement on completing assignments and the quality of teaching of the lecturers, especially when I achieved high grades in my subjects. I felt great satisfaction that my efforts had been recognised and that I had mastered the subject.

All these achievements were possible through the guidance, support and professionalism of the lecturers for whom I still retain very fond memories.

I remember Mr Koon Kim Peh as the first lecturer I encountered in my first class: a humorous and gentle lecturer who was a friend to us; Dr Dewi Oktaviani was a strict lecturer but her professionalism made the lectures clear and detailed; Dr Tan Choon Ling, young-at-heart but a serious lecturer who showed great patience with our questions; Ms Naline Shan Shanmugam who valued and respected our work and gave opinions objectively for improvement; Mr Steven Yong Yik Loong, chatty like a friend who would give us life advice based upon his personal stories and who deserves my thanks for introducing me to IT; Ms Seetha Letchumi always made sure we understood her subject in detail and used real-life examples to make the subject easy to understand; Dr Abdul Qayoom who would always answer our questions patiently even after classes or during his off-times; Mr Kok Chye Hock, a nice lecturer who treats students like they are his friends; and Ms Ng Shu Min, full of enthusiasm and humor who delivered lectures in a way that made me feel I was exploring knowledge on a fun trip. I never saw her without smiles in every lecture and her energy infected me to become energetic too.

All these lecturers contributed to making me passionate and motivated to do well at HELP and subsequently at UQ. The solid groundwork provided by them is invaluable.

Studying at UQ has expanded my mental and intellectual capabilities and enriched my social and cultural experiences.

I feel confident that when I graduate at the end of this year, I will be well-prepared to take up challenging job opportunities in the industry.