One of Us

Vivian Vickneswaran

— Part-time Engineer, M3 Engineering and Integration Services

In His Words

SC: What advice can you offer others needing support on their education journey?

Vivian: “Take every opportunity to reach out for help (so that you can) stay focused and motivated. We only live once; why not do your best to give yourself and your loved ones a better future?”

Vivian Vickneswaran s/o Renganathan used to struggle to juggle part-time work as an engineer with his full-time undergraduate studies. Winning a SCCCF-SINDA Scholarship—which he almost did not apply for because his grades were “good but not great”—has given him space to breathe and to dream.

Vivian Vickneswaran S/O Renganathan knows how challenging it is to find the right balance when both job and studies demand a high level of focus. His strategy, he says, is to plan his schedules early in the semester, then “mentally and physically, your body adapts as you push on”.

A degree, he is certain, will open many doors in the future. The Civil Engineering student at the Nanyang Technological University feels that youth often underestimate the importance of a degree programme when they first embark on one. Vivian, however, likens it to a “snowball effect to success”, and getting good grades motivates him to work even harder.

At a SIET bursary interview, Vivian was introduced to the (Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce Foundation) SCCCF-SINDA Scholarship. Initially sceptical, he explained his reluctance to apply for it came from accepting that his grades were not the best. Convinced as he was that it would be tough to compete in terms of grades when his energy and time were split between school and work, Vivian was nevertheless persuaded to try. The scholarship was eventually granted, and for several nights, the incredulous student could not even sleep for joy.

The award has turned out to be more than a financial help. Through it, Vivian has not only found that elusive workstudy-life balance, but also emotional and mental support.

These days, the youth is able to spend more time with his family, especially his parents, who suffer from several medical conditions. When pandemic restrictions affected his work, he was able to concentrate on his studies instead of worrying about the shortfall in income. Not least, it allowed him time to pursue a minor in Entrepreneurship, a first step towards fulfilling a childhood dream.

“I’m not sure how far away I am right now,” he says, “but I know I will get there. When I do, I will do my part to help others on their journey as well.

“The journey is far more important than the grades. I am so glad that SINDA feels the same way.”