Shyam Mourouguessane (24S22)

Nurturing a Love for STEM

From a young age, play for Shyam Mourouguessane was never just about computer games. Instead, it often meant dismantling old laptops at home, carefully examining their parts and trying to understand how they worked. What began as childhood curiosity soon became the starting point of a much deeper journey. A student from Jurong Pioneer Junior College (JPJC), Shyam’s foray into Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) did not begin in a classroom, but at home, surrounded by the components of old laptops he had taken apart. As he examined their intricate structures, he found himself wondering how something so seemingly ordinary could become such a powerful device. That moment sparked a fascination with how computers function beneath the surface, leading him to explore computer architecture independently. What began as curiosity gradually developed into a lasting commitment.

“My interest in STEM first began when I tore down an old laptop when I was younger,” Shyam shared. “When I saw the different components that made the laptop, I was curious about how such a powerful device was made.” This early encounter planted the seeds of what would become a sustained passion for computing and engineering. Over time, his interest in STEM, particularly in the Sciences, became deeply rooted, fuelled by an enduring desire to understand how things worked.

This spirit of inquiry continued to shape Shyam’s academic journey. At JPJC, he consistently sought to extend his learning beyond the prescribed curriculum, embracing opportunities to deepen his interests while independently exploring advanced concepts with discipline and purpose. Computing gradually evolved from an interest into a focused pursuit — one he chose to study formally, first as an O-Level subject and later at the A-Level. Yet he was never content to stop at what was required. He enrolled in additional classes and explored advanced topics on his own, driven by a desire not merely to use technology but to understand it at a fundamental level.

“I strongly believe that I should always stay up to date about new advancements in my field of interest in order to stay relevant to what is needed today,” he said.

While computing remained central to his pursuits, Physics soon transformed the way he approached learning altogether.

“When I took up H2 Physics, I was able to learn more in depth by understanding the derivations of formulas,” Shyam explained. Unlike his earlier experience at the O-Level, where learning often felt procedural, junior college Physics allowed him to develop deeper intuition and conceptual understanding. “Having an intuition for physics in JC made me really enjoy learning physics,” he added. Inspired by this shift, he began exploring topics beyond the syllabus to strengthen his conceptual foundations.

At JPJC, Shyam found an environment that encouraged such intellectual exploration. In the classroom, he frequently engaged his teachers with questions that went beyond the syllabus, often probing the reasoning behind formulas and principles to gain a deeper grasp of underlying concepts.

One particularly significant opportunity was the Sentinel Programme, a two-year cybersecurity initiative where Shyam gained hands-on experience in network systems and ethical hacking, including building a network intrusion detection system. The experience sharpened his analytical thinking and reinforced his growing interest in engineering and computing. He also represented the college in numerous competitions, including robotics and Physics competitions, and excelled at the national level, notably in the National Olympiad in Informatics in 2024 and 2025. Demonstrating remarkable initiative, he independently mastered C++ beyond the school curriculum. These experiences broadened his perspective, exposing him to fields such as civil engineering, architecture, and chemical engineering, and helping him understand what it means to “think like an engineer.”

Among his many experiences, one stood out as particularly transformative — his participation in the Nanyang Technological University Physics Challenge 2024. Although the competition tested topics within the H2 Physics syllabus, the real challenge lay in the preparation.

“I had to study almost the entire A-Level Physics syllabus in July of J1,” Shyam recalled. Balancing this intense preparation alongside increasing junior college demands was difficult, but the experience proved to be a turning point.

“This competition taught me how to be a self-directed learner and how to manage my time,” he said. It also revealed the value of pre-reading. “Since I had briefly gone through the entire syllabus, when the topics were taught in class later, I could grasp the concepts more quickly.” For Shyam, the competition became one of his most memorable junior college experiences — not because of the result, but because of the growth it fostered.

Beyond academic achievements, Shyam describes his junior college years as a period of holistic growth — academically, personally, and socially. A key influence was JPJC’s emphasis on becoming “1% better every day”, inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear. The philosophy shaped his approach to self-improvement and resilience.

“During my two years in JPJC, I started to practise small changes and aimed to take up challenges that helped me overcome weaknesses and become better every day,” he reflected.

Determined to grow beyond his comfort zone, Shyam also embraced leadership opportunities. As Vice-President of the Infocomm Club, he mentored juniors and helped cultivate a vibrant learning culture. He later led his team to emerge as overall champions at the 2024 National Robotics Competition, demonstrating his ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical solutions. He also served as Assistant Class Manager, where he further developed his leadership approach. “Being in leadership positions allowed me to learn from different leadership styles,” he reflected, sharing that he adapted effective traits into his own leadership philosophy.

In recognition of his outstanding potential and commitment to engineering and technology, Shyam was awarded the highly coveted Engineering and Technology Programme Scholarship by the Ministry of Education — a testament to both his academic calibre and future promise.

Throughout his journey, Shyam relied on habits inspired by Atomic Habits, particularly during the demanding period leading up to the A-Levels. By applying techniques such as habit stacking and the four-step habit framework, he maintained discipline and consistency in his routines.

He also expressed deep gratitude to those who supported him along the way — including his form teacher Mr Tan Soon Hong, Mr Pang Kang Ming and Ms Foo Fang Fang from the Engineering and Technology Programme, his subject tutors, and his teachers and mentors in his CCA and leadership roles, all of whom guided and encouraged his growth as both a student and a leader.

Despite his many accomplishments, Shyam remains remarkably grounded. Thoughtful and articulate, he approaches learning and leadership with humility, maturity, and a strong sense of purpose, making him not only an exceptional student but also a role model to his peers.

Looking ahead, Shyam hopes to pursue Computer Engineering or Computer Science, with plans to take a second major in Physics. He aspires to work on programming and engineering projects, contribute to open-source initiatives, and collaborate with others to solve real-world problems. He believes this interdisciplinary path will deepen his expertise in computing while strengthening his understanding of Physics — knowledge he sees as highly relevant to fields such as robotics and engineering. More importantly, he hopes to use this foundation to develop innovative ideas with meaningful real-world impact.

“Open-source projects are made by the community, for the community,” he shared, noting his desire to give back to a field that has shaped his journey. “These projects teach you what it’s like to work on something real,” he said, “and they give you the confidence to manage more complex challenges and solutions for the real world.”

Shyam’s story reflects the JPJC spirit of Infinite Growth, Infinite Possibilities — demonstrating how curiosity, discipline, and a willingness to step beyond comfort zones can shape not only academic success but also for curiosity and interest to take root, deepen and blossom into a lifelong passion.