Six individuals on 16 Aug 2024 received their HTX scholarships during the Singapore Police Force Scholarship and MHA Scholarships Ceremony. Among them was Joshua Lim, who is in his fourth year of studies at Imperial College London, United Kingdom studying Physics with Theoretical Physics. Let’s get to know him better!
Why did you choose HTX?
I am interested in the work done by HTX and strongly believe in its philosophy of using technology as a force multiplier for the Home Team. Although its work in innovating new technologies might not be visible to the public, HTX plays an integral role in improving the functionality of the Home Team and, by extension, improving the lives of Singaporeans.
Has your overseas stint shaped your aspirations?
Having lived abroad for three years during my undergraduate studies, I have become aware of how fortunate Singaporeans are to live in a safe and clean environment, a feat only made possible by the cooperation of the numerous government agencies who work tirelessly. I hope to play a part in the continued innovation and development that is necessary for Singapore to maintain its reputation as one of the safest and cleanest cities on the planet. I believe that I will be able to achieve this goal by working in HTX and contributing to efforts to enhance Home Team operations.
Where did your passion for science and technology stem from?
Being born at the cusp of the 21st century – a period marked by an unprecedented surge in global technology and connectivity due to the advent of the internet – I have gained a firsthand appreciation for how research and innovation can work together to engender positive changes to our way of life. Observing the rapid evolution of technology has inspired me to pursue a career in research, push the frontiers of science and evolve our technologies for the advancement of society.
What areas of scientific and technological research are you most interested in?
Quantum computing has the potential to tackle complex probabilistic simulations and problems such as drug discovery, decryption and machine learning much more efficiently than classical computing. Fusion reactors attempt to simulate the conditions on the sun and could potentially help solve the energy crisis by creating near-limitless amounts of energy from materials that can mostly be found in seawater. These are the two areas of research that I am currently most interested in. I hope to explore more of either one in the future.
What are some of the technological solutions you worked on during your internships?
Sure! During my 2019 internship with KPMG Singapore, I helped construct and train a machine learning algorithm for the processing of financial documents. In 2021, during my internship at Sunseap Group, I utilised computer-aided design (CAD) software to model photovoltaic (PV) systems for potential solar installation sites. I also performed an analysis of the solar energy production for each project to determine its commercial viability.
Last year, I undertook a data science project with the Imperial College Careers Service. The project analysed user data to determine engagement with widening participation groups, comparing user trends with student population data. I used Python and Excel methods to automate the parsing and cleaning of the data of about 30,000 students. The Careers Service used the results to guide their resource allocation for the upcoming academic year.