Movies often depict computer scientists as tech geniuses who are creative and possess formidable problem-solving skills. From visionary innovators featured in “The Social Network” to heroes who save the world in “Ready Player One”, computer wizards can wield a significant influence.
Armed with their strong technical proficiency, two NUS School of Computing graduates – Hannah Chia and Ng Jun Kang – are all set to make a positive impact. From empowering and supporting women in computing to helping the community, Hannah and Jun Kang are determined to play a part in creating a more inclusive society.
Hannah Chia: Empowering women in tech
Coding has always been a natural fit for Hannah, who loves to solve problems – an inclination that stemmed from her parents’ influence. When she first entered the Computer Science programme at NUS during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was one of only a handful of female students in her classes, fuelling her determination to advocate for fellow women in tech.
A stint under the NUS Overseas Colleges programme, where she interned in an majority-female team at an AI-driven healthcare company, made her believe she could change that outlook. “Being surrounded by girls who were thriving in computing, who could solve coding problems and discuss bugs, who shared similar interests as me, was an invigorating experience,” she said.
Inspired, Hannah sought to foster this supportive culture and sense of camaraderie among fellow female students at NUS Computing. She got together with a few of her female course mates and they spent months organising focus group interviews with other female computing students to understand their needs and challenges.
In August 2022, Women in Tech@NUS Computing (WiT) was launched, a student interest group dedicated to connecting, empowering and building a community of women in tech. From a modest group of seven members, WiT blossomed to 42 members by early 2024, and it is still growing.
Find out more : NUS SG
