SUSS‘ Global Excellence Scholarship has pushed Khoo Wei Jun to further his studies in social work as never before. A summer in Spain has nurtured great cultural sensitivity, while SUSS’ unique curriculum design broadened his skills in investigation and writing. With SUSS, he has forged a study path that best suits his dream of becoming a beacon of safety to vulnerable children, supporting them through difficult times.
The SUSS Difference
At SUSS, you are empowered to give back to society your own way.
In 2023, SUSS launched a new curriculum emphasising student autonomy to nurture lifelong learners, dedicated to their own professional growth. A modular approach with free electives allows students to pursue relevant interests outside their core studies, while the compulsory work attachment has led to industry accolades and increased job security.
Wei Jun, majoring in Social Work at the S R Nathan School of Human Development, primes himself for a career as a Child Protection Officer, focusing on helping vulnerable individuals find safety and security. The Global Excellence Scholarship has granted him financial independence and a bond-free future from which to best take his next steps.
A Launchpad To Your Success
I chose the Global Excellence Scholarship programme because it is a bond-free scholarship that values both academic and non-academic achievements. This scholarship enhances my résumé by showcasing my commitment to excellence and my ability to overcome challenges.
Beyond covering my full tuition fees, it provides a living allowance and a travel grant, significantly reducing my financial burden. This has allowed me to redirect my focus from working part-time jobs to excelling academically and contributing meaningfully to social causes.
Protect the Vulnerable
I aspire to become a Child Protection Officer with the Ministry of Social and Family Development. I firmly believe that childhood is a critical period in a person’s development, and that every child ought to be provided with the utmost standards of safety and care.
My aspiration to be a Child Protection Officer stems from a desire to provide safety to vulnerable individuals, especially children who may find themselves harmed by the very people they trusted as their caregivers, and aim to break the intergenerational cycle of harm.
Global Exposure, Local Impact
The scholarship has provided far more than financial support. It has opened doors to opportunities I never thought possible, such as participating in a summer exchange programme in Madrid.
Working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds highlighted the significance of the influence cultural norms and values have on perspectives, communication styles and behaviours. This understanding is crucial in child protection work, as families from different cultural contexts may have differing views on parenting and disciplining techniques.
This experience taught me invaluable lessons about adaptability, time management, cultural diversity, and the interconnectedness of global communities.
Achieving With SUSS
SUSS scholars are encouraged to set and achieve meaningful goals annually, whether through academic initiatives or community contributions. This motivated me and other like-minded scholars to launch SUSS’ Academic Well-being Support Group for our peers, a project I initially thought beyond my capabilities which has since become a fulfilling journey.
Also, even as I major in social work, I am able to opt for criminology as a minor to further enhance my knowledge and understand the nuances of crime and criminal behaviours. In my upcoming semester, I am also taking on an academic writing module to further hone my writing skills, as well as an experiential learning programme that allows me to travel and learn about the accessibility of healthcare for the marginalised communities in Thailand. The option to learn beyond social work scope expands my knowledge and experience, which I hope to synthesise and apply in my future employment.
You Make Your Future
I often revisit a poem by William Ernest Henley whenever I feel discouraged or helpless. His most famous poem “Invictus” reads “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” This poem always reminds me that I am in control of my journey, regardless of challenges that I face. This belief has driven me to take ownership of my growth.
KHOO WEI JUN
Global Excellence Scholarship
Bachelor of Social Work, S R Nathan School of Human Development, SUSS