I am Mun Yau, and my journey has never been a straightforward path. Being the eldest in my family meant figuring things out for myself, learning through trial and error what opportunities I could seize. Each opportunity was my way of positioning my best self forward, of telling the world that I was ready to earn a place at the table.

The ECM Libra Scholarship: A Leap into Opportunity

My first big break came with the ECM Libra Foundation Scholarship, which awarded me a place at Epsom College in Malaysia for my A-Levels. The full scholarship covered all school and boarding fees. At first, I applied simply because I thought, “Why not?”; it was my very first attempt at writing a scholarship essay and presenting myself in such a way. To my surprise, I was selected.

Epsom was an eye-opener. It was a boarding school where I found myself surrounded by peers from vastly more privileged backgrounds. Yet, once we put on the same uniform, lived in the same dorms, and shared the same struggles of exam season, I realised that wealth did not define character. I built strong friendships there: friendships that remain close to me to this day. The academic journey I had at Epsom became a stepping stone toward achievements I deeply value. I attained 5A*s in my A-Levels, scoring the Highest in the World for Chemistry and the Highest in Malaysia for Physics.

Reaching for the Skies: My Aerospace Obsession

Beyond academics, I’ve always had a fascination with rockets and planes. That passion guided me to launch an Aerospace CCA, where my initial dream was to design and fly planes. Although our grand ambitions outpaced our resources and timelines, the experience taught me the importance of building and learning together. The CCA still lives on, continued by my teacher, an aerospace graduate who believed in the vision.

This passion also shaped my Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). My project, titled “Failure Modes of Rocket Launches and Ways to Mitigate Them,” was a deep dive into aerospace engineering. I analysed launch records, identifying common causes of failures, most prominently propulsion issues. The work was data-heavy but exhilarating, and it cemented my love for exploring problems at both theoretical and practical levels.

My curiosity didn’t stop there. Through the Higher Education Malaysia Association (HEYA), I joined the program department of their flagship event. I coordinated with speakers, planned content, and worked in a team to create impactful experiences for participants. HEYA showed me that education and inspiration extend far beyond the classroom; it’s also about creating spaces where ideas can be shared and futures can be imagined.

Engineering, Computer Science, and Finding My Place

Pragmatic choices have marked my academic path. Initially, I enrolled in Mechanical Engineering at Monash University Malaysia, supported by the Gamuda Scholarship. The Gamuda Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship that covers tuition fees, living allowances, accommodation fees, book purchasing, laptop allowance, and airfare (for students studying overseas). At the time, it was a safe bet: broad, flexible, and aligned with my interest in problem-solving.

But my heart was always set on Singapore. I had wanted to study there since primary school, but timing and application requirements meant I had to wait. Eventually, through persistence, I earned a place at Singapore Management University (SMU), under the ASEAN Scholarship. The transition from Engineering to Computer Science was guided by the principle that I wanted to solve problems, whether through machines or algorithms. The ASEAN Scholarship, while competitive and rigorous, provided me with more than financial support. The scholarship covers the full tuition fee and living allowances, and is renewed annually based on my academic performance. It validated years of persistence, opened doors to world-class opportunities, and placed me in an environment where I could grow beyond academics.

Adapting, Growing, and Redefining Success

Moving to Singapore was not without its challenges. I was away from my immediate family, and though I stayed with relatives, loneliness was inevitable. Still, I reminded myself of my boarding school days: if I could adapt then, I could adapt now. Making friends, I learned, is often as simple as walking up to someone, saying hello, and asking them about themselves. At the end of the day, we are all human, and there’s a natural delight people take in talking about their own lives.

Through these transitions, I have come to redefine what success means to me. It is no longer measured solely in grades, accolades, or scholarships, but in something deeper and more enduring. Success, to me, lies in repaying those who have supported me, whether financially or emotionally, and in achieving financial stability where I can stand on my own. It is about cultivating resilience, the kind that holds on to both strength and happiness, even in the face of losing everything. It is found in building meaningful friendships and nurturing connections with family and community, and ultimately in inspiring the next generation, showing them that no matter their circumstances, they too can strive to become the best version of themselves.

Looking Ahead: A Future Built My Way

After graduation, I see myself working in Singapore, fulfilling the three-year bond of the ASEAN Scholarship. But beyond that, I aim to take risks. I hope to find a role in a startup where I can learn relentlessly, contribute meaningfully, and even help build something from scratch. The first ten years of a career, to me, are about growth. Money, while it is important, is a byproduct; skills and resilience are the foundation.

And through it all, I want my story to echo one thing: that I lived life my way. Whether rich or poor, in triumph or failure, I have chosen paths aligned with my values, and I stayed true to the drive that has guided me since the very beginning.