With the HDB Undergraduate Scholarship, Tan Wei Kang pursued his Master of Engineering in Computer Science at Cornell Tech, USA. He is now a software engineer in HDB’s Information Services Group where he develops and scales applications and systems to help Singaporeans access their dream homes. Follow Wei Kang’s journey as he reflects on serving with purpose.
HDB’S Role in Singapore’s Smart Future Transformation
The Public Service is taking the lead in Singapore’s transformation into a Smart Nation, with a focus on developing and enhancing digital services for a seamless citizen experience. The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is actively contributing to this nationwide initiative by offering over 200 accessible e-services to citizens and integrating smart technologies into the development of smart towns. These technologies include the use of computer simulations for town planning and the incorporation of integrated sensors within homes.
Streamlining Renovation Permit and BTO Application Processes
As a software engineer in HDB, I am part of the Application Engineering team responsible for developing applications and systems for both internal and external uses. I have had the privilege of working on the Renovation System that enables Licensed Electrical Workers to apply for permits to carry out electrical works. I was also involved in enhancing the HDB Flat Portal to facilitate potential homebuyers’ applications for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats.
Classroom Lessons
Developing and designing a system effectively demands technical expertise and adept problem-solving skills. We often have to evaluate the merits and trade-offs of various options. In this regard, the knowledge acquired during my schooling has proven immensely valuable. Despite the evolving technology landscape, computing and software engineering fundamentals remain unchanged. For instance, the networking knowledge I gained in school enables me to design appropriately sized virtual networks, and my university’s web security module taught me to be more cognisant of security vulnerabilities in the applications I develop.
Professional Development with HDB Scholarship and Cornell Tech
With the HDB Undergraduate Scholarship, I pursued my Master of Engineering in Computer Science at Cornell Tech, USA. The Computer Science programme placed a heavy emphasis on building real-world applications within multi-disciplinary teams and prioritising end users. Besides providing the opportunity to hone and apply my undergraduate knowledge in practical settings, the programme also enhanced my soft skills for collaborative work at HDB. The programme instilled in me the mindset that, as developers, we should always be mindful of the purpose and target users of our applications.
The Reality of Development
That said, the reality at work is unsurprisingly more complex than in school. The applications and systems developed are much larger in scale and intended to be used by people with real needs, leaving no room for mistakes. The requirements are manifold and more stringent; the systems must be highly secure, scalable, flexible, and resilient. As such, it calls for well-tested systems to ensure all requirements are met. I remember the time when my team discovered that the Renovation System could not handle the desired number of concurrent transactions only during the system’s performance testing, towards the end of the development phase. With the collective efforts of the team, we identified that the root cause was due to how we interfaced with the database to generate sequential transaction numbers. By simply redesigning this aspect, we were able to fix the system.
Serving with Purpose
I greatly enjoy the engineering aspect of my work, navigating different problems and contexts to build a well-designed system. More importantly, public service lies at the core of my job. Our citizens use the applications we develop for key services such as flat application and season parking renewal, making our work real and impactful. Our skills can make citizens’ lives easier, allowing them to access our services from the comfort of their own home and on-the-go. I am grateful for the opportunity given by HDB and its scholarship. Come join me in HDB if you would like to make a difference to the lives of fellow Singaporeans while pursuing your passion for computing!
TAN WEI KANG
HDB Undergraduate Scholarship
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science), University College London
Master of Engineering (Computer Science), Cornell Tech
Now: Executive Software Engineer (Information Services Group), Housing & Development Board (HDB)