James Lim En Hui was a computer whiz from young. His fascination with computers and how they worked started when he was aged 7. To him, the computer was a miracle in a box that could perform so many wonders with just functions and programmes.
Driven by his passion for computing, he became a self-directed learner who went on to pick up programming skills through reading and watching programming on-line.
Wanting to pursue his passion and be assured that he could study what he was interested in after his “O” levels, he applied for the Diploma in Computer Engineering (DCPE) course through the Early Admissions Exercise. DCPE was to
him the best choice as it offered him both the hardware and software aspects of computing. The course was all that he had hoped for in terms of learning new knowledge and skills about computing. Apart from what he could learnt
from the DCPE course, James also acquired the Amazon Web Services Solutions Architect Associate industry certification. In fact, to his credit, he was the polytechnic’s first and youngest student to achieve that certification. James
also allowed himself to be stretched and challenged through projects, activities designed by lecturers and hackathons and competitions. In the 15 hackathons that he participated, he and his team members developed unique solutions and technologies
to address some of the issues faced by the world.
A Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT) Scholar, James interned for 3 months at the Centre where he performed research and development work related to cybersecurity and information technology. He also interned for 5 months as a Software
Engineer at Grab where he made significant contributions to the commercial side of Grab Super-App which became part of the company’s IP. The company supervisor wrote this of him - “I’m glad to say he matches the high standard
for a Software Engineer in Grab.” James was even offered a full time position of software engineer at Grab.
The Lee Kuan Yew Award winner and CISCO Gold Medal prize recipient is not contented with merely pursuing a computer engineering or science degree course at a local or foreign university after leaving the polytechnic. Among several things he has in
mind, is working on his startup, “SudoFoundery LLP,” which aims to develop and commercialise some of the solutions he has thought of over the years.
James’ personal statement is shaped by the quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. – “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry.
He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” Hence, he believed that the only way for anything he does to impact his world, is if
he did his job so well that it shapes the products he produces, and it becomes an indispensable part of everyday life. Indeed, James has already started this journey towards excellence.