The ultimate Cambridge experience for Sunway A-Level student

Ng Zhu Shen, a former Sunway A-Level student has successfully transferred to the University of Cambridge to pursue a degree in Engineering. Having returned after a year for a short break, Zhu Shen relates his experience studying in this prestigious university, “Cambridge is the best university in the world and the highlight would be its strong academic environment. We have lectures, practical and coursework to focus on and are each assigned to a tutor to help us in our studies.” He enthusiastically shared an example of one of his lecturers who threw a boomerang in the middle of a class while explaining its underlying theories and mechanism.

Ng Zhu Shen at the University of Cambridge.

Zhu Shen received many offers including to the United States to pursue his studies. “I had long imagined that I would pursue my tertiary education in the United States, a place much suited for my personality. However, everything changed when my Cambridge acceptance letter arrived, coupled with a full scholarship from Royal Dutch Shell. Having known Cambridge to be a highly academic-focused institution, it filled me with great apprehension when I was actually offered a place to study there. Zhu Shen took it as a personal challenge with the notion that if he could strive under the most rigorous academic environment, the sky would be his limit. “The initial weeks upon my arrival in Cambridge, I would check my student ID periodically, soaking in the euphoria that it was no mistake that I have made it,” he quipped.

Returning to Cambridge in October, Zhu Shen said the same challenges will persist. “I am now more equipped with the essential knowledge to excel despite the academic rigor in Cambridge. The first year has taught me the value of unparalleled focus, productivity and understanding the crux of my learning materials,” he shared, adding that maturity, learning and striving are all an obligatory package to being where he is today.

The former Sunway student attributed his strong foundation to his Further Mathematics lecturer, Mr Yong Yau. “I was given the platform to explore and tap into my academic potential. It is not only the faculty that makes Sunway College special but the small student numbers also builds a supportive community. This sense of collaboration creates an environment that promotes academic advancement that makes this programme unique in comparison to other colleges.

Zhu Shen intends to specialise in Mechanical Engineering.