Transcending disciplines to create value
Adrian Tan
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Adrian Tan is the inaugural recipient of the Quantedge - Lee Kuan Yew Masters Scholarship. Not letting his financial circumstances and past academic results define him, Adrian worked hard towards his dream of pursuing a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Social Anthropology at Cambridge. Combining his interests in data analytics, UX design and anthropology, Adrian looks forward to studying how socio-cultural backgrounds affect communication and the usage of digital technology, to create impactful, user-friendly applications. |
Tell us more about yourself and your unique combination of interests in Data Analytics, UX Design and Anthropology.I am naturally curious about the world and have varied interests. This has led me to pursue an interdisciplinary approach to my academic and professional endeavours, exploring different fields along the way.
"I am naturally curious about the world and have varied interests. This has led me to pursue an interdisciplinary approach to my academic and professional endeavours, exploring different fields along the way."
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Why did you choose to study Social Anthropology at Cambridge? Anthropology is relevant to many aspects of our lives today - including politics, global affairs and personal finance. My interest in Anthropology began during my undergraduate days at the National University of Singapore (NUS), where I took several Anthropology electives at the postgraduate level. This sparked my desire to pursue a Master of Science in Urban Science, Policy and Planning at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to explore how planning can have a concrete impact on people’s lives and their relationships with the planners.
My first fieldwork experience in Amarapura, Myanmar in 2016.
I strongly believe that studying Social Anthropology will benefit my growth as a UX Designer. From my experience, I have learnt that creating designs that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing can be challenging. To achieve this, it is essential to understand how people respond to different design options and how to meet their specific needs. By taking Anthropology courses, I hope to gain perspectives and research skills that will enable me to create more sophisticated and functional digital products - that not only look good but also meets user needs and add value-add to society. |
What are your plans post-graduation?
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How has your experience at Cambridge been so far and what do you look forward to doing outside of the classroom?
Being in Cambridge is amazing! I enjoy the abundance of green spaces available for recreation and take delight in spending my afternoons trekking through forests or cycling around town. Hopefully, with COVID-19 under control in the UK, face-to-face classes can resume. I am looking forward to more in-person classroom discussions, which are important for graduate studies. Outside of school, I plan to socialize by taking language classes, volunteer at soup kitchens, and travelling with friends. |
You have a keen interest in languages, especially in Arabic and French. How did you pick them up?I love learning new languages as it allows me to understand things from different perspectives.
My interest in Arabic started during my Junior College days when I was studying the Arab-Israeli war from the Zionist perspective and wanted to learn more about how the Palestinians perceived the conflict. I picked up Arabic at Al-Markaz Singapore during my National Service and it led me to explore new places. A memorable trip to Cairo in 2016 allowed me to immerse myself in the language and culture, and even led me to meet friendly locals who introduced me to their families (and even tried to matchmake me!)
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What does being the inaugural Quantedge - Lee Kuan Yew Masters scholar mean to you and what advice would you give to others from similar backgrounds?As the first-ever recipient of the Quantedge – Lee Kuan Yew Masters Scholarship, I feel honoured, especially given my financially disadvantaged background. Studying in the UK and experiencing life in a different country has been a dream of mine, but I never had the financial resources to do so. As a student from the Normal Academic stream in secondary school, I never thought I would qualify for admission into Cambridge, let alone admission with a scholarship!
"It is important to keep an open mind and make the most of what you have. After all, who knows what the future holds?”
I decided to apply to Cambridge for postgraduate studies for their reputation for rigorous research training, which I have been experiencing first-hand since starting a few weeks ago. The professors here are incredibly engaging and challenge us to think broadly and deeply. I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams and strive for a better future. As someone from a financially disadvantaged background, I hope to inspire other students to believe in their dreams. It is important to keep an open mind and make the most of what you have. After all, who knows what the future holds? |
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity.