Singapore Poly scholar with perfect GPA breaks stereotype about polytechnic education

This article was contributed by Singapore Polytechnic.

Yeo Zhan Xiong
Diploma in Banking & Finance

Awards: Toh Chin Chye Gold Medal, Singapore Exchange Gold Medal

Breaking Stereotypes

"There has always been a stereotype about polytechnic education and I never understood why," shared Yeo Zhan Xiong.

Since his secondary school days, the Anglo Chinese School (Independent) alumnus already had his eyes set on a polytechnic – he appreciated the hands-on learning approach and holistic development one could receive – and made it his goal to enter one.

And he did.

Despite scoring five points for his GCE-O Level, Zhan Xiong applied to SP’s Diploma in Banking & Finance (DBKF) after attending the SP Open House. He spoke with a lecturer and was thrilled to discover that the DBKF taught its students stocks and trading – two areas he always had an interest in.

After all, his passion for the finance industry started at a tender age of seven. The tween would often witness his mother do the accounts for the family’s mama shop and later, gas business, at home, and she would occasionally let him try his hand at it as well.

At SP, Zhan Xiong was given many opportunities to develop this passion further. Armed with the skills and knowledge he picked up from his lecturers, Zhan Xiong and his team participated in the PolyFintech 100 API Hackathon and emerged as the first runner-up for developing Fintech solutions for Prudential.

The zealous teen also took part in the Idea-Hack Competition with his team and came in first for coming up with a concept and marketing plan to transform SP into a cashless campus.

During his internship at DBS Bank, Zhan Xiong worked alongside the Regional Investment Products and Advisory team and helped deliver a system for the bank to improve its employee journey. He was also given the opportunity to test out systems, hold meetings with his project colleagues in Hong Kong, and even saw the first phase of the project come to life.

For his good work and effort, the SP scholar was on the Director’s Honour Roll for two consecutive years, and will also be graduating top of his cohort with a perfect grade point average.

Not only did Zhan Xiong do well academically, he also excelled in his co-curricular activity as the president of the bowling club, where he implemented procedures to ensure its activities were carried out in an orderly fashion. To him, assuming the leadership role was an opportunity to give back to the community that first gave him a sense of belonging.

The SP Model Student has already been offered an SMU Global Impact scholarship to pursue Business Management, a spot at NTU and NUS to read Business with a minor in strategic communications and business administration respectively.

Evidently, Zhan Xiong has definitely debunked any stereotype about a polytechnic education.

Read more about Singapore Polytechnic's top graduates here.

AsiaOne