Valedictorian diaries: Class of 2025

July 10, 2025
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Congratulations to our valedictorians!

Your relentless pursuit of knowledge has earned you top honours! As you close this chapter and step into the future, may your passion for discovery continue to inspire you. Today, we celebrate not just your academic excellence but also the impact you will  go on to make in the world of science and beyond.

Catch our stories celebrating the hard-won success of our valedictorians!

Mao Kaiwen
Major in Data Science and Analytics
Minors in Computer Science, Economics and Quantitative Finance

Applying technical skills to address real-world challenges that have meaningful economic and societal impact – this endeavour is what drives Data Science and Analytics valedictorian Mao Kaiwen.

His academic pursuits were marked not only by gaining technical experiences in solving practical issues; more importantly, he enjoyed the insightful interactions with his peers that revealed many fresh perspectives and techniques - their passion and creativity were a true reminder of why he loves data science.

It is not surprising then, that Maowen cites his group projects as the “most memorable experiences” in his undergraduate journey. These included creating workshops for the NUS Statistics and Data Science Society, including one for the annual NUS Datathon (2025). He also worked on a team research project on modelling financial markets’ reactions to crises.

He says, “Data science is a field where curiosity and collaboration turn numbers and formulas into meaningful stories.” Nowhere is this more evident than in his Honours Project, where he developed and implemented novel methodologies to simulate and investigate the outbreaks of infectious diseases. This was subsequently applied to analyse the early epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan.

Taking up various commitments and courses from different disciplines is certainly a daunting challenge, sometimes at the cost of leisure time and socials. His advice? “Don’t be discouraged if things don’t click right away. Keep exploring with an open mind - it might take a bit of trial and error but when you finally discover what resonates with you, it’s incredibly rewarding.”

His own academic journey closely reflects this philosophy. Taking up Minors in Economics and Quantitative Finance uncovered his interest in these domains, enabling him to engage with complex problems at a deeper level.

Kaiwen will be pursuing a master’s degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom.

Kwok Jing Lin
Major in Food Science and Technology

Food Science and Technology (FST) valedictorian Kwok Jing Lin has always believed in finding genuine satisfaction and purpose, no matter what she does. Her major deepened her understanding of food safety and security - subjects which resonate closely with her beliefs.

She says, “Given that Singapore imports more than 90% of our food from over 180 countries and regions, food safety and security are national concerns we cannot run away from. My studies allowed me to explore these concerns in depth.”

Jing Lin discovered her passion for food microbiology and safety during her Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme in Science (UROPS) project, where she investigated food pathogens, spoilage and microbial quality.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. “There were times I doubted if I was doing enough, especially while juggling my research project, academic commitments and leadership roles. But I found comfort in taking things one step at a time and staying grounded in my purpose,” she says.

Her subsequent internship with the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) gave her insights into the diverse functions across the agency - from conducting laboratory testing and research at the National Centre for Food Science, to hands-on farm inspections at the Regional Office and contributing to seed germination studies and literature reviews at Urban Food Solutions. “This experience broadened my understanding of how SFA works across different fronts to fulfil its mission of ensuring safe food for all.”

In her final year, she interned at Food Industry Asia, where she analysed global food policy and regulatory developments to support the organisation’s efforts in shaping science-based policies across the region.

Beyond academics, Jing Lin received the NUS Student Life Award - Leadership (Distinction) in 2022 for her leadership in spearheading the NUS FoodTech Challenge to its first-ever international expansion as Project Director.

Jing Lin will be pursuing a Master of Public Health at Imperial College London, United Kingdom, and will thereafter join the SFA under the Singapore Sustainability Scholarship.

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