Seizing every opportunity

Louis Low

​Louis Low is a 2nd year undergraduate in the School of Information Systems at the Singapore Management University, majoring in Cybersecurity and Software Development. A Quantedge Foundation Scholar when he first joined SMU in 2018, Louis has gone on to excel in his studies and co-curricular activities and is currently a recipient of the Singapore Digital (SG:D) Scholarship (Undergraduate) from the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), which aims to groom aspiring infocomm media talent for a career in the industry.

Louis is an avid climber and recently joined and represented the SMU Softball Team as well. He hopes to be an Offensive Security Certified Professional in the next 5 years and contribute to Singapore’s Cybersecurity scene in the future.​

You have a diploma in Chemical Engineering from Singapore Polytechnic but decided to pursue a degree in Information Systems after your stint in army. ​

Many have asked me this question, “Why the switch?”

While I was good in Chemical Engineering in Poly, I decided that it was just not something I could see myself doing as a career. I wanted to find something that would drive me to learn more and progress further. Before I enlisted in National Service, I had already had an offer from another local university to pursue a degree in Engineering. However, I felt no peace with it and decided to explore other options.
In army, I had time to think, explore and plan what I really wanted to accomplish in the next season of my life and that was University. I began talking to others to find out about what they liked to do. Around mid-2018, the SingHealth data breach incident happened and while my army mates and I talked about it, I suddenly had a spark - many of us use applications on our devices and interact with many different IT systems daily, but I wondered if we really understood what was happening behind those screens. It was then that I realised that while we use IT, we do not really understand IT. So there began my interest in IT and I decided to apply to SMU School of Information Systems.
"I was introduced to the world of Cybersecurity and realised that there was so much that I did not know about Cybersecurity and hacking but yet it played such an important role in protecting people and their data. I knew then that this was something that I wanted to do as a challenge and also as a goal to protect others in the future."
​I made the decision to choose a Cybersecurity major after meeting a couple of friends at a session initiated by one of my coursemates in IS. I was introduced to the world of Cybersecurity and realised that there was so much that I did not know about Cybersecurity and hacking but yet it played such an important role in protecting people and their data. I knew then that this was something that I wanted to do as a challenge and also as a goal to protect others in the future.

​My decision for a second major in Software Development came after a summer programme that my church ran for university students where we could bring our skills to help the church! I was inspired by my programme leader and with his guidance, developed a platform with different IT tools that helped to improve efficiency in the operations of my church. Through the experience, I realised that delving into software development will give me the abilities to develop IT products that can help others even more!
​
Thanks to Quantedge Foundation, I was able to excel academically in my first year and am now a recipient of the IMDA Singapore Digital (SG:D) Scholarship (Undergraduate). With the IMDA SG:D Scholarship, I will have the financial freedom to pursue my desired professional certification earlier as well as the opportunity to network with aspiring scholars from different expertise and experts in the different IT fields. The global exposure and strong local network that comes with the scholarship will greatly benefit my perception of how IT can help progress not just the community around me, but also Singapore in the near future.

​You are an avid climber. Why the interest in climbing?  ​​

Climbing appeals to me as it tests your ability to persevere and to be resilient. Each climbing project involves more than just brute force. It is about how we perceive the problem and solve it as we climb. Because I am really just a beginner, I find myself staring at the ceiling every time I attempt a project. Each time that happens, it is pretty easy to tell myself to give up. However, with each try, I get closer and closer to the goal and eventually, the exhilaration from finishing each difficult project on the wall is amazing. 
“These lessons from climbing: the spirit of resilience, the spirit of perseverance, the ability to change your perspective on the problem were what helped me better manage many of the situations I found myself in.”
These lessons from climbing: the spirit of resilience, the spirit of perseverance, the ability to change your perspective on the problem were what helped me better manage many of the situations I found myself in. It trained me to have a mentality to hang on, to not quit easily when I faced a problem. Right now, I am planning to challenge myself further as I pursue a Level 2 Climb Certification which allows me to practice leadclimbing, a form of climbing where the rope is not anchored from above but attached to the climber and moves with him as he scales the high wall and secures the rope at interval points while ascending.
This year, I also joined softball because of the team spirit it embodies. There is no superstar in softball because every team member has to be good and aware of their roles in order for the team to win the game. Going for softball practice, I realised and understood why some of the role models in my life loved softball or baseball. It is the team chemistry and team mentality that one needs to win and succeed together as a team. This team mentality is something I will catch on and carry with me because, really, no one has ever accomplished something great alone. Behind the face of every great innovation has always been a team that supported and made it happen.
 “There is no superstar in softball because every team member has to be good and aware of their roles in order for the team to win the game... This team mentality is something I will catch on and carry with me because, really, no one has ever accomplished something great alone."
Picture
With my SMU Softball teammates at a Friendly Match against the Cardinals at Monfort Secondary School.

​Along with other Quantedge Foundation Scholars, you volunteered at Stamford Primary School over the past year to help financially disadvantaged students strengthen their communication and problem-solving skills. Tell us more about your experience.

The volunteering experience has been a journey of reflection for me. Even as I interacted with the students, I remembered how I used to be like one of them. I was constantly worried and ill-confident in my abilities to interact, to lead and to speak in front of a group. These students now have the opportunity to learn such skills through the Nurture Programme by the Central CDC. I am grateful for this opportunity to influence and impact students from similarly disadvantaged family backgrounds as me.
“… even though we do not come from the best backgrounds, we can still be successful and live a life of significance.”
Picture
Thank-you notes from my mentees from the Nurture programme at Stamford Primary School.
That said, it has not always been easy. Being relatable and a friend to them while earning their respect as a mentor is a delicate balance. Many of the children love hanging out with us because we are like friends to them but because of that, they sometimes become mischievous and cross the line. That is when we have to be firm in telling them why they should not do things that are not respectful to their mentors. I remember a saying: “Give respect and you will receive respect.” I think this really relates to the way I interact with the kids.

There were also times when the children would be mean to one another and end up quarrelling, with one or both parties crying. Such situations were not easy to defuse, but we talked to them to find out what happened and eventually helped them reconcile. This taught me patience and how to handle kid tantrums – a lesson I believe will be useful in the future as well.​
​I also remember another time when one of the boys was so nervous and cameraishy that when it was his turn for a show-and-tell, he didn’t dare to speak. However, I rehearsed with him multiple times and stood behind the camera to encourage him as he shared. I remember feeling like a proud parent when he finished his show-and-tell and affirmed him for it! 

As I volunteered, I saw how, little by little, I was influencing the children to love others and love learning. This is a personal value that I hope to pass on to them because even though we do not come from the best backgrounds, we can still be successful and live a life of significance. Beyond learning skills from the programme, I hope that they will become people who have a heart for others. And I know it is happening because I remember the thank-you notes that the students gave me as they ended their class, which reminded me to be grateful for the opportunity to instill in them this value.​​

​Who are your role models and why?

My role models would be my Senior Pastors in my church because they showed me what it means to be first a Christian before our work positions, our crafts in life. They showed me what it means to carry the right value system and principles when making decisions in life, to put God first. They inspired me to live life simply, with integrity and for others. They ingrained in me what it means to not just live for success but to seek significance.

​​What advice and tips do you have for a new QF scholar on how to navigate the first semester in SMU?​

The pressure and pleasure of university life can definitely be daunting. In university, we have the freedom to choose what we want to do with the best years of our lives, whether it is to work hard and be successful, or just chill, party and enjoy our freedom. For me, it was not an easy choice. I juggled school assignments, church commitments and CCA with part-time work so that I can take responsibility for and ownership of my own life and finances. It has not been easy, but being able to live my University life to the fullest brings me satisfaction.
“Even as you begin to explore your passion and dreams in SMU, do get to know more people. Ask and learn from them what makes them tick and what they have gone through in SMU. Let their hindsight be your insight because insight is more important than having foresight and hindsight.”
To the freshmen QF Scholars, my advice to you is to plan your time well. I strongly believe in the saying that “When you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” You have 4 years in SMU where you can explore what you truly want to do. Have an idea of what you want to accomplish in your journey in SMU and just do it. Even as you begin to explore your passion and dreams in SMU, do get to know more people. Ask and learn from them what makes them tick and what they have gone through in SMU. Let their hindsight be your insight because insight is more important than having foresight and hindsight. Plan out what you want to do, your daily routines. It helps to create a rhythm that will keep you afloat in the midst of the busyness. ​
“Don’t be afraid of failing and don’t let that fear stop you from succeeding at things that matter to you.”
​Another advice I would give is a quote from William Carey that I live by: “I am not afraid of failing. I am only afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.” In your journey here in SMU, it is almost guaranteed that you will face setbacks, conflicts and failures. As my professor once said, “Fail often, fail early”. I do not think there is anything wrong in failing. The time in SMU is the best time to learn and grow from the mistakes you make, whether academically or the way you interact with others. Don’t be afraid of failing and don’t let that fear stop you from succeeding at things that matter to you. Choose to make decisions by faith, and not out of fear. I believe that as you take that leap of faith, your journey in SMU will be extraordinary. ​
Return to Main