Aspiring scientist from SP also has empathy for the less fortunate

This article was contributed by Singapore Polytechnic.

Graduate: Lim Jing Ying

Awards: Chua Chor Teck Gold Medal, Lubrizol Southeast Asia Gold Medal

She ‘nose’ her future

Growing up, Lim Jing Ying was always curious about the content of skin care products. She was most fascinated by body wash gels.

She realised that Glycerin, Sodium Laureth Sulfate and even Sodium Chloride (table salt), were common chemical ingredients found in various body wash gels and beauty products. Yet the marketing strategies for each product differed greatly.

It was no surprise that Singapore Polytechnic (SP)’s Diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic Science (DPCS) appealed to the curious teenager.

After her G.C.E ‘N’ Levels Examinations in which she scored six points, the Hougang Secondary alumna enrolled into SP through the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) and started her journey in the world of perfumery and cosmetic science.

The DPCS course gave Jing Ying a platform to understand the industry better. During her 10-month internship in the Applied Research Department of Symrise Singapore, Jing Ying did research on fragrance encapsulation technology and even conducted test evaluations for an overseas client. The internship deepened and nurtured her passion for cosmetics science.

Jing Ying did not only develop a good nose for testing fragrances – she also developed empathy for the less fortunate.

She took part in a two-week Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP) in Li Jiang, China, where she helped to build a stadium and interacted with local children with special needs. During the trip, the SP Scholar tapped on her leadership skills to ensure a successful outcome for the OCIP.

Locally, she also visited the St John’s Home for the Elders once a week to engage residents. In recognition of her academic results and community service efforts, Jing Ying was awarded the Model Student Award recently.

Coming from a humble family background, Jing Ying also worked part-time as a piano teacher. She has been giving piano lessons weekly since the first year of her DPCS course and has taught about 30 students ranging from four to 12 years old. The money she earns as a piano teacher has allowed her to support herself and ease her family’s financial burden.

Jing Ying has been accepted by Nanyang Technological University to read Chemistry and Biological Chemistry.

She is on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a formulation scientist, a role that will allow her to create personal or home care products that can make a difference to the lives of people.

Jing Ying also envisions herself creating low-cost household products for developing countries with hygiene issues.

Read more about Singapore Polytechnic's top graduates here.