By Shafeek Ahamed
Certificate in Infocomm Technology | Diploma in Infocomm Technology | Bachelor of Science with Honours in Ethical Hacking and Cybersecurity
My dream has always been to pursue higher education in a renowned institution and upskill myself in today’s fast-paced economy to keep abreast of the competition.
As such, choosing the right school to further my studies was important. After my research, I knew PSB Academy was a school that provides more than just studies; it has a diverse group of student bodies where I can take part and experience campus life.
Below are some of the reasons how PSB Academy has provided me with an all-rounded education.
Quality Education
As one of Singapore’s leading private education institutions, PSB Academy offers courses from Australia, UK and even USA universities. The universities that PSB Academy partners with are global universities with various accolades and achievements.
I chose Coventry University mainly because the university offered a cyber security degree, which aligned with my interest. I believe the degree broadens my career opportunities in the UK and Singapore, where rigorous regulations are placed to protect personal and confidential data.
Smooth Progression Pathway
The school offered a smooth progression pathway from certificate to degree. The different academic level curriculums are specifically designed for different stages of learning.
When I enrolled into PSB Academy at the certificate level, I was a newbie and had no prior knowledge of programming or used any cyber security tools. The IT certificate and diploma courses built a strong foundation. After my diploma, I gained module exemptions to enter Coventry University’s Cybersecurity degree. Equipped with advanced knowledge and skillsets, the degree allowed me to explore different cyber security tools such as Wireshark, Kali Linux, Autopsy, Systools Digital Forensics and many more. The courses have since then improved my programming skills to an intermediate level in python and Java.
Access to Various Learning Tools
While a lot of learning can be done in class, self-learning is also equally important. There are plenty of resources available online, but some of the platforms require a fee to gain full access.
One of the perks we had was that Coventry University provided access to LinkedIn Learning, where we could learn from industry experts. We also had access to students perks such as Github Student Developer Pack, offering us access to the best developer tools in one platform.
Professional Development Opportunities
I was given the opportunity to participate in a “Safe Ad Blocker” internship project at A*STAR. After a series of interviews with the PSB Academy’s School of Engineering and Technology lecturers and A*STAR’s scientist, I worked on the project from January 2021 to June 2021. The project aims to detect malicious ads on the internet to prevent scams.
It was very challenging initially as I was new to that kind of research, but with the guidance from the PSB Academy lecturers and scientists at A*STAR, I challenged myself to go above and beyond my capability. The project has given me a deeper understanding of the Machine Learning aspect in the cyber security sector. Working with other peers from PSB Academy was inspiring as they are also learning to become the expert in the topic. It kept me going to achieve the target within the given deadline. While it was a challenging project, but the learning journey had been fruitful.
Leadership Development
As a student, I have participated in various school and club activities that have helped develop my leadership quality.
Prior to 2020, PSB Academy did not have a Google Developer Student Clubs (GDSC). Hence, I applied with Google, to be a lead and later on worked with Student Affairs & Industry Engagement to form PSB Academy’s Google Developer Student Club (GDSC). Today, the club has 130 official members registered.
The student club exposes PSB Academy’s students to the local and international developer communities at Google and other universities that have GDSC’s presence. We participated and pitched our ideas for the annual Solution Challenge by Google aimed towards achieving the UN 17 Sustainable Development goals.
Working on this student club expanded my professional network around the world. Recently, I have participated in the Google I/O Extended alongside 40+ GDSC presidents from Southeast Asia, US, UK, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Belgium. It was organised in three languages (English, Arabic and Turkish). I was also the speaker for the English team, touching on the topic of Google Material Design. Other memorable events included Ideathon 2021, the first hackathon organised by students for students at PSB Academy and the New Horizons that just concluded at the end of July.
Even after graduating, I plan to continue serving the student clubs by providing advice or volunteering for events and other activities.
Disclaimer: All views and statements expressed are solely personal opinions and do not represent those of PSB Academy or other people and organisations.
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