From Normal (Tech) to an honours degree, techie realises dream after 20 years

He went from Normal Tech student to NUS grad after finding course that fulfils IT dream

Nicholas Ooi was in the EM3 stream for academically weaker pupils and a Normal (Technical) student. But he later went on to ITE and Ngee Ann Polytechnic, before graduating with an honours degree in computing from the National University of Singapore.
Mr Nicholas Ooi (seated) and NUS mates (from left) Janelle Lee, Han Lynn and Joshua Foong started social enterprise Bantu, which uses technology to manage volunteers in the social service sector. Mr Nicholas Ooi, who earned an honours degree in compu
Mr Nicholas Ooi, who earned an honours degree in computing from NUS, with his parents, Mr Ooi Kean Cheong and Ms Anna Sim, at the university's graduation ceremony last Friday. ST PHOTO: ZHANG XUAN
Mr Nicholas Ooi (seated) and NUS mates (from left) Janelle Lee, Han Lynn and Joshua Foong started social enterprise Bantu, which uses technology to manage volunteers in the social service sector. Mr Nicholas Ooi, who earned an honours degree in compu
Mr Nicholas Ooi (seated) and NUS mates (from left) Janelle Lee, Han Lynn and Joshua Foong started social enterprise Bantu, which uses technology to manage volunteers in the social service sector. PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID
Fabian Koh
Updated
Jul 16, 2018, 12:11 PM
Published
Jul 16, 2018, 05:00 AM
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Driven by a dream that started at the age of eight, Mr Nicholas Ooi embarked on a long journey through Singapore's education system.

He passed through EM3 in primary school, Normal (Technical) in secondary school and then the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), before entering a polytechnic.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 16, 2018, with the headline From Normal (Tech) to an honours degree, techie realises dream after 20 years . Subscribe

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