By Yong Tsuey Ling

As young as 14, Tan Ting Sin was already paying his way through school. From fees to textbooks to daily expenses, Ting Sin took care of them himself. He has a fierce streak of independence and a strong sense of responsibility. "I decided then that I was old enough and shouldn't be asking my mum for money," he declared.

Now, all grown up at 20, Ting Sin is graduating from ITE with a Nitec in Chemical Process Technology (Pharmaceuticals). Needless to say, he supported himself, too, through his two-year ITE education. Still as fiercely independent, he switched to a better-paying part-time job and found other source of funding. He applied for and won the Community Development Council & Citizens' Consultative Committee-ITE scholarship.

Was it just work yet no play for Ting Sin? Not quite. While studying at ITE, he got a chance to fly to Thailand for the first time. There for a three-month real-work stint at Honeywell Singapore Pte Ltd, he found time in between work to shop at Chatuchak Weekend Market and snorkel at Koh Chang, Thailand's second largest island after Phuket. "I'm very grateful to ITE for the Thailand experience. The fun factor aside, I learnt that I'm a dab hand at technical drawings. I can even see myself pursuing a career in this line," said he. He was thankful to Mdm Choo Poh Ling, who recommended him for the work stint, as part of ITE's Global Education Programme. Mdm Choo is Acting Section Head of Chemical Process Technology from ITE College West.

Ting Sin hadn't expected to excel at ITE, least of all finding a choice career. The former 'O' level student was after all not a star performer during his days at Kranji Secondary School. Nonetheless, at ITE, Ting Sin aced his studies, excelled in his CCAs (Co-Curricular Activities) and displayed commendable leadership qualities. For his all-round achievement, he is awarded the Sng Yew Chong Gold Medal.