NP News

Future Doctors in the Making

Nine graduates from our Schools of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology and Health Sciences are one step closer to realising their dream of becoming doctors. In 2025, they were accepted into medical school at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), a milestone that speaks not just to their academic strengths, but to the passion and purpose that have guided them from the start of their polytechnic journey.

Coming from our Diplomas in Biomedical Science, Pharmaceutical Science, and Nursing, these students have built a strong foundation in healthcare, shaped by hands-on learning, clinical exposure, and a deep desire to care for others. They are Khoo Zhen Hua, Peh Kai Yuan, Nigel Ong, Jowenlie Winardy, Lucas Chun, Shivagiri Nathan Jayan, Alicia Jen Shi En, Tan Ru Yin Natasha and Daniel Lalonde.

We caught up with two of them to hear more about their journey and what’s driving them as they take this next big step.

Shivagiri Nathan Jayan
Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Class of 2023)

Third Time’s the Charm for this Aspiring Doctor

For Shivagiri Nathan Jayan, the path to medical school took time but it was guided by purpose. Accepted into the National Technological University’s (NTU) Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine after two earlier rejections, his story is one of quiet determination, unshakable passion, and the power of support.

His interest in healthcare began with a deeply personal experience, watching his grandmother live with Alzheimer’s. “It was my first encounter with the fragility of health,” he reflects. That moment sparked a curiosity about the human body and a desire to understand how to help. Choosing Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science was his first step.

The course was more than a stepping-stone. It marked a turning point in his journey. Through modules that explored both the scientific and human sides of healthcare, Shivagiri began to appreciate the vital role of pharmacology in patient care. “It showed me how science connects with people,” he shares. An internship further reinforced this, as he witnessed how medication could directly improve lives, helping crystallise his calling to medicine.

Outside of the lab, Shivagiri found purpose in service. As Vice President of the Red Cross Youth Chapter, he led first-aid workshops for domestic helpers, empowering these often-overlooked caregivers with vital life-saving skills.

After graduating in 2023, Shivagiri eagerly applied to medical school twice and faced two rejections. “It was tough,” he admits. “But my lecturers never gave up on me.” With encouragement from his mentors, he took time to reflect, refine his application, and persevere. His third attempt brought success, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Looking ahead, Shivagiri carries with him not just the knowledge and experiences gained at NP, but a deep sense of purpose shaped by the journey so far. “The friends who journeyed with me, the lecturers who believed in me, and the many opportunities I was given have laid the foundation,” he says.

Currently in medical school, Shivagiri is driven not just to learn, but to serve. With resilience shaped by setbacks, he's ready to take the next step and make a meaningful impact as a future doctor.

Natasha (Front row, 1^st from left – with her course mates)

Tan Ru Yin Natasha
Diploma in Nursing (Class of 2025)

Finding a Purpose in Nursing and a Future in Medicine

For Natasha Tan, the decision to pursue medicine was shaped by lived experiences and a growing understanding of what it truly means to care. Her time at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where she pursued a Diploma in Nursing, not only affirmed that calling but also gave her the hands-on experiences and mentorship to follow it with clarity and conviction.

“NP gave me the space to explore my interests meaningfully,” she says. From clinical placements to community outreach, she was drawn to roles that blended skill with service. These early exposures to both patients and healthcare professionals brought the realities of the field into focus. “Every little experience helped. From clinical postings to projects, each one pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t expected.”

Natasha credits much of that growth to the guidance of her lecturers and clinical instructors. Their honest feedback, steady encouragement, and belief in her potential were pivotal throughout her journey. “Their mentorship shaped my soft skills, sharpened my thinking, and gave me the confidence to grow, not just as a student, but as a future healthcare professional,” she reflects.

Eager to broaden her learning, Natasha also immersed herself in meaningful opportunities to gain in-demand skills. Through NP’s Personalised Learning Pathway, she pursued minors in Social Leadership and Global Readiness. These experiences opened doors for her to take on leadership roles in Youth Expedition Projects (YEP) and participate in the Overseas Merit Fellowship (OMF), where she learned the value of sustainability and community-based approaches in driving meaningful, long-term impact in healthcare. “These learning experiences have expanded my worldview, showing me the different approaches to healthcare and education overseas, and this has strengthened my desire to serve across diverse populations.”

As she continues her next chapter at National University of Singapore (NUS) Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Natasha says her biggest takeaway from NP has been the people. “The lecturers, mentors, and classmates who supported me – they’ve shaped my journey and reminded me of my ‘why’ every step of the way.”