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MISS Carrie Chua, 20, has never really been a top student.
But that changed when she began pursuing economics from the University of London (UOL) at SIM Global Education (GE).
The second-year SIM GE student is passionate about the subject and is motivated to make the most of her studies.
She said: 'I like thinking about economics. I like understanding what my lecturers are saying, and I like answering the questions.'
As such, Miss Chua had not only graduated with a Diploma in Economics with distinction, she is currently also among the top in her University of London Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Economics and Finance programme.
Her 94 per cent score for the 'Introduction to Economics' module this year, placed her ahead of all UOL students in the world.
She even scored 100 marks for one Mathematics module.
The former Anderson Secondary and Catholic Junior College student said: 'Before, I didn't really study much. I wasn't really motivated.'
Still, she found a 'strange affinity' to economics for which she scored a B grade in her A levels.
And she was determined to pursue the subject at university.
So, she joined SIM, where she pursued a diploma that will advance her into the university programme's second year.
While her parents are paying her course fees, she is giving tuition to primary and secondary school children, to earn her own allowance.
Life-changing experience
'Coming to SIM is life-changing.
'I can foresee my whole life revolving around economics from now on.'
The straight-talking girl said: 'To make it worthwhile, I told myself that I'm not going to waste this opportunity.
'So I'm going all out in my studies.'
One of Miss Chua's lecturers is Mr Seet Min Kok, who has taught at SIM for over 10 years.
A former government scholar and an Oxford graduate, he joined SIM after about 10 years in the civil service.
He said he felt an 'inner calling' to teach and help students grow and develop.
'Seeing that I've added value to the development and growth of the students is what gives me the greatest satisfaction,' he added.
Mr Seet said that most of the SIM-UOL lecturers come with industry experience, for example, they have worked in consultancy firms, banks and the civil service.
On top of the lectures, students in the UOL programme get an extra shot in the arm before the final exams in May when the UK academics will fly in to conduct revision workshops so that students are able to reinforce key concepts and focus on their weaker areas.
Mr Seet noted that in recent years, the number of graduates who have attained First Class honours has increased.
According to SIM, there were 66 such graduates this year, up from 51 the previous year.
Both these figures are the highest in the world, compared with other international institutions providing UOL programmes.
In the 22 years that SIM has run UOL programmes, it has produced a total of 254 First Class honours graduates.
One of whom is Mr Terence Ong, 25, who graduated from his banking and finance degree programme this year. He was also taught by Mr Seet, whom he describes as dedicated and helpful.
Now working in the global reference data department of international investment bank Barclays Capital Services, he said: 'The syllabus of the programme was very relevant.
'Our lecturers constantly update us, using the current financial landscape, to help us understand our notes better.
'Now, in the working environment, that has helped me to relate to my work easier.'
Mr Ong, who was a leader in his school's dragonboat team and a member of the national team, said: 'SIM was the No 1 choice for me as I wanted not only to gain an internationally-recognised Bachelor's degree, but at the same time, also to have a holistic undergraduate experience.
'The vibrancy of SIM's campus, coupled with the numerous activities I was involved in, made my three-year tenure at SIM a very enjoyable one.'
INTERESTED?
University of London programme briefings:
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009
Time: 6.30 - 8.00pm
Venue: SIM HQ, LT2.11
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009
Time: 9.30 - 11am
Venue: SIM HQ LT3.23
Register at this website: www1.sim.edu.sg/lse_briefing.html
For enquiries, call: 6248 9746
This article was first published in The New Paper on Nov 13, 2008.
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