Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, 2012
After college
After my stint in programming games while volunteering at a foundation focused on social entrepreneurship, I moved to Paris to take a master’s degree in computer science, specializing in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research. I then worked at the Visualization and Advanced Interfaces Group at Télécom ParisTech and spent the summer at the Bartlett School of Architecture in London. I published two short papers after that, one of which is a solo project born out of my desire to contribute to urban tech research.
At present
I work as a user experience designer at a French urban planning and real estate startup. One thing I love about working abroad is the diversity of people that I get to meet. I have associated with a bunch of smart and talented folks who are passionate about their work and inspire me to do better at my own craft. From meeting my design research hero at his lab in Lausanne, Switzerland and interacting with HCI experts at a conference in Silicon Valley, to attending lectures by artists and architects around Europe, there is no shortage of insightful discussions to keep my mental stamina going.
On UA&P
I was not the self-confident, garrulous guy coming out of high school. There were things I was good at, but my accomplishments were buried beneath my timidity. That’s why when my English class was initially choosing speakers for a debate session, my name did not come up at all. However, my team found out that my research on the topic was well-thought-out, so I was picked for rebuttal. I remember my English professor Dr. Teresita Carey giving me a warm hug at the end of our debate at Li Seng Giap Auditorium, telling me how proud she was. I knew at that point that staying at UA&P was the right choice.
I am grateful that I stood on that podium. I am more grateful to that professor who made me realize I could make a stand. Because sometimes, all it takes is for one person to believe in you. I graduated knowing I could stand my ground, unfazed by any challenges the world would whimsically throw at me.
Liberal education shaped me to be the person that I am today, and I have UA&P to thank for that. I wish for a stronger and more solid research coming out of the school. Keep on pushing students to their limits and trusting their potential. You would be surprised how genuine words of encouragement could turn them into that self-confident, well-cultured man they ought to be.#
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