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Propelled Towards a Bright Future
Alumni Feature: Crystal Leong Jingping
Discipline, resilience and perseverance are qualities that propelled alumna Crystal Leong Jingping through years of competitive swimming. Today, those same qualities have earned her the prestigious Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) from Murata Manufacturing Singapore, opening the door to a career in one of Singapore's key industries.
Crystal, who joined the Swimming Academy in Secondary 1 in 2017, completed her International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) before graduating in 2022. She is now in her final year at the National University of Singapore (NUS), pursuing a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, and is on track to graduate in July 2027.
Reflecting on the scholarship, Crystal described receiving the award as both an honour and a source of reassurance. "I feel really honoured and grateful to receive the scholarship. There's a strong sense of excitement about what's ahead, mixed with relief, since it gives me a lot more clarity and confidence about my career path after graduation. Knowing that I have the opportunity to grow with Murata allows me to focus on making the most of my final year at university," she said.
Discipline, resilience and perseverance are qualities that propelled alumna Crystal Leong Jingping through years of competitive swimming. Today, those same qualities have earned her the prestigious Singapore-Industry Scholarship (SgIS) from Murata Manufacturing Singapore, opening the door to a career in one of Singapore's key industries.
Crystal, who joined the Swimming Academy in Secondary 1 in 2017, completed her International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) before graduating in 2022. She is now in her final year at the National University of Singapore (NUS), pursuing a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering, and is on track to graduate in July 2027.
Reflecting on the scholarship, Crystal described receiving the award as both an honour and a source of reassurance. "I feel really honoured and grateful to receive the scholarship. There's a strong sense of excitement about what's ahead, mixed with relief, since it gives me a lot more clarity and confidence about my career path after graduation. Knowing that I have the opportunity to grow with Murata allows me to focus on making the most of my final year at university," she said.
Engineering the Future
The SgIS is a talent development initiative that aims to nurture promising Singaporean students by supporting their undergraduate studies while providing structured career pathways, industry exposure and professional development opportunities. Scholars receive financial support, internship opportunities and mentorship during their studies before embarking on careers with their sponsoring organisations after graduation.
As a Murata SgIS scholar, Crystal will need to maintain good academic standing throughout her university studies, complete a minimum five-week internship with the company, and serve a two-year bond after graduation.
For Crystal, the scholarship was attractive because it offered more than financial support.
"I wanted to contribute to Singapore's strategic sectors after graduation, and the SgIS offered a clear and supported pathway to do so. It also meant a level of job security for the first few years after graduating, which is a big draw at a time when the job market can feel uncertain," she shared.
Crystal has been assigned to the Industrial Engineering team within the Production Planning Division at Murata's Tuas Plant, where she will have the opportunity to apply concepts from her Industrial and Systems Engineering programme in a real-world manufacturing environment.
"This lines up well with my degree, and I'm looking forward to applying what I've learnt about process optimisation and operations while contributing to advanced electronics manufacturing. I also hope to continue developing my technical and problem-solving skills as an industrial engineer," she said. The scholarship also provides a valuable head start before graduation.
"Having clarity about my career path allows me to focus on finishing my studies without the added pressure of job-hunting. I'll also get to start my internship with Murata while still in university, which means I'll graduate with real industry experience already under my belt. Beyond the financial support, I'm looking forward to the mentorship, professional development opportunities and connections that the scholarship provides."
As a Murata SgIS scholar, Crystal will need to maintain good academic standing throughout her university studies, complete a minimum five-week internship with the company, and serve a two-year bond after graduation.
For Crystal, the scholarship was attractive because it offered more than financial support.
"I wanted to contribute to Singapore's strategic sectors after graduation, and the SgIS offered a clear and supported pathway to do so. It also meant a level of job security for the first few years after graduating, which is a big draw at a time when the job market can feel uncertain," she shared.
Crystal has been assigned to the Industrial Engineering team within the Production Planning Division at Murata's Tuas Plant, where she will have the opportunity to apply concepts from her Industrial and Systems Engineering programme in a real-world manufacturing environment.
"This lines up well with my degree, and I'm looking forward to applying what I've learnt about process optimisation and operations while contributing to advanced electronics manufacturing. I also hope to continue developing my technical and problem-solving skills as an industrial engineer," she said. The scholarship also provides a valuable head start before graduation.
"Having clarity about my career path allows me to focus on finishing my studies without the added pressure of job-hunting. I'll also get to start my internship with Murata while still in university, which means I'll graduate with real industry experience already under my belt. Beyond the financial support, I'm looking forward to the mentorship, professional development opportunities and connections that the scholarship provides."
Lessons Beyond the Pool
Although Crystal retired from competitive swimming after eight years in the sport, she continues to represent the NUS Varsity Swim Team at the Singapore University Games (SUniG) and Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Games.
Looking back, she credits her years at Sports School for preparing her for the demands of university and beyond.
"Swimming taught me discipline, resilience and perseverance, qualities that have carried over well into engineering. My time at Singapore Sports School gave me a strong foundation in balancing sporting commitments with academics, and those experiences continue to shape how I approach challenges today."
With the support of the Murata SgIS Scholarship, she is well-positioned to contribute to Singapore's electronics manufacturing sector while continuing to grow both professionally and personally.
Looking back, she credits her years at Sports School for preparing her for the demands of university and beyond.
"Swimming taught me discipline, resilience and perseverance, qualities that have carried over well into engineering. My time at Singapore Sports School gave me a strong foundation in balancing sporting commitments with academics, and those experiences continue to shape how I approach challenges today."
With the support of the Murata SgIS Scholarship, she is well-positioned to contribute to Singapore's electronics manufacturing sector while continuing to grow both professionally and personally.
- From Student-Athlete to Steward of the Next Generation
- Propelled Towards a Bright Future
