Dr Hong-Heng Goh's work across science and technology fields meant he had to keep up with recent developments. Since studying the PG Cert in Computational Chemistry and Modelling he's put both the subject knowledge and the lecturers' pedagogical techniques to good use. Name Hong-Heng Goh Degree Postgraduate Certificate in Computational Chemistry and Modelling (Online Learning) Year of Graduation 2016 Your time at the University Image Working in and across different science and technology fields, first as a researcher and subsequently as a patent examiner, it has always been a personal imperative to continually keep myself updated with recent developments, as well as to address any knowledge or training gaps I may have. While searching for a suitable part-time course, I came across the University's survey on a proposed online-distance-learning programme in Computational Chemistry and Modelling, and indicated my interest. I was delighted when the programme was launched and quickly got myself registered for the course. Despite being in the inaugural cohort, I found the online delivery of learning materials and assessments seamless. The programme was very well executed, due in large part to the efforts Dr Carole Morrison and Dr David Rogers had put in behind the scenes. Scheduling of tutorial sessions, where students and lecturers meet via video-conferencing, was hardly ever affected by differences in geographical locations and timezones. Remote access to the computing cluster for practicals was also uneventful and straightforward. I thoroughly enjoyed the course for its challenging mix of disciplines and topics, as well as how it manages to cover such broad areas with sufficient depth and rigour. Apart from acquiring skills in the subject-matter at hand, I also managed to pick up various pedagogical techniques adopted by the different lecturers and tutors. The latter skill, serendipitously, turned out to be something that had a more direct and positive impact in my subsequent career move. Although I enrolled as a distance-learning student and had not expected to visit the campus, I had the good fortune of attending two conferences, one held at Pollock Halls and one held at Joseph Black Building, in 2014 (Advancing the Chemistry of the f-elements; and, Anglo-German Inorganic Chemistry Conference). On my most recent visit to the campus in 2016, while on holiday with my family, I managed to meet up with both David and Carole over breakfast in the common room (Crum Brown Beevers Museum) where we enjoyed a hearty chat for a couple of hours. It has been two years since, and I definitely look forward to dropping by again. Apart from acquiring skills in the subject-matter at hand, I also managed to pick up various pedagogical techniques adopted by the different lecturers and tutors. The latter skill, serendipitously, turned out to be something that had a more direct and positive impact in my subsequent career move. Dr Hong-Heng Goh Your experiences since leaving the University I took up the Computational Chemistry and Modelling course part-time as it allowed me to update myself across several diverse Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) topics simultaneously while I was working as a full-time patent examiner. The rigour of the course enabled me to handle a much wider portfolio of patent applications, in particular, those involving a confluence of disparate technologies spanning biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, and computing. Regrettably, several organisational restructuring thereafter culminated in a misalignment of values and purpose, which found me moving on to doing independent consultation work. As an eclectic consultant-facilitator, I advise corporations, small-medium enterprises (SMEs), startups, and individuals who are looking at patenting their inventions, managing their patent portfolios, strategising on the protection of their intangible assets, or merely seeking general help with any issues related to intellectual property. I have since also taken up adjunct lectureships at both public and private institutions, where I get to enjoy pushing the boundaries of our knowledge with inquisitive young minds. As mentioned previously, the pedagogical skills acquired serendipitously from the Computational Chemistry and Modelling course turned out to be most helpful when I talk to people of different age groups and educational backgrounds as I conduct lectures, trainings, and when on speaking engagements. Alumni Wisdom Circumstances in life change unpredictably but I have found the proverb to "cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days" to always ring true and prove a wise counsel. May it be an encouragement for us to always do our best in whatever our hands find to do, as we shall obtain recompense for our diligence in due season. Related Links School of Chemistry Online Learning This article was published on 2024-10-28
