Meet our HTX Scholar: Joshua Tan

Find out more about our latest batch of scholars and why they’re eager to contribute to the safety and security of the nation

Joshua with a fish he caught in Japan. (Photo: Joshua Tan)

Six individuals on 16 Aug 2024 received their HTX scholarships during the Singapore Police Force Scholarship and MHA Scholarships Ceremony. Among them was Joshua Tan who is currently in his fourth year as a Physics major with a minor in Computer Science at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Let’s get to know him better!

Hi Joshua, why did you choose HTX?

HTX is a people focused and mission-oriented organisation which embraces science and technology to tackle complex modern-day problems. This is a perfect match for my personal goals and aspirations of continually learning, experimenting and adopting ever improving science and technologies into practical contexts to tackle modern society’s many challenges.

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in physics?

To me, technology itself stems from the innovative applications of science, where our understanding of science allows for a basis for even more sophisticated technology to be developed. This is why I chose to pursue a degree in physics; I hope to better understand the fundamentals upon which technology has been developed, and to be able to conceptualise and tackle complex problems, which are commonplace in physics, to better my ideas and innovations for the application of technology.

Where does your passion for science and technology come from?

I’m passionate about finding creative ways to apply science and technology to solve problems and make a positive social impact.

Can you share an example of how you used science and technology to solve a problem?

During my Final Year Project at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I worked on a mobile hand rehabilitation device for stroke patients. By using a device to collect electromyography signals (electric signals generated by the activation of muscles) and using a machine learning model to recognise and actuate a lightweight custom glove that we built, rehabilitation could potentially be achieved anytime, and anywhere. It was my very first encounter with the vast and great unexplored potential that even our current technology is capable of. This is why I am motivated to continue exploring this space and to bring the great benefits of the proper and innovative use of technology for the betterment of society.

That’s incredible! Can you share another example?

In 2022 I volunteered as a software developer with the charity Global Village of Hope (GVH). To enable GVH to tally and act upon incoming online donations which were previously verified manually, I coded a Finite State Machine which was deployed in GVH’s website and other backend resources as an online automated receipt system. This helped GVH improve its autonomy and enabled its plans for increased operations and coverage in developing societies.

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