Empowering Tech Trendsetters at HTX

GRAPHIC: Tang Ying Hui. PHOTO: Amber Qua.

HTX Scholarships are awarded to top STEM talent who share the Home Team’s mission to keep Singapore safe and secure. The recipients will be able to pursue their passion in science and technology, hone their specialised skills, and join the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) to deliver cutting-edge technologies that empower the Home Team’s daily operations. 

Home Team News spoke to Jaren Chua, one of the six recipients of the HTX Scholarship in 2024.

Jaren enjoying club activities in school. PHOTO: Jaren Chua

Soldering a Path to Ambition 

Jaren had an air of quiet confidence as he shared more about his passions and his journey that got him where he is today. Growing up, he enjoyed building mechanical keyboards, researching how computers work and soldering electronic toolkits. He fondly remembers playing with the iPhone 3GS when it was introduced. “I was a little kid back then. I was really impressed by how my finger reacted to the touchscreen, or how the apps were programmed to do all sorts of functions in the phone,” he shared. That kicked off his interest in researching how phones and computers’ hardware and software worked. 

While in junior college, Jaren began building personal computers and keyboards. He would visit Sim Lim Square to purchase parts and assemble them from scratch. He obtained soldering kits as well to attach switches onto circuit boards when assembling keyboards.  

When asked if he ever thought of putting these skills to use as a side hustle, Jaren chuckled, “No, I did it out of passion. I didn’t really monetise this.” He admitted the process of building computers and keyboards was monotonous. But completing these personal projects brought him a sense of achievement and practical experience that helped him in his internship and National Service (NS).

As a child, Jaren had a keen interest in technology. PHOTO: Jaren Chua

Hands-on Learning in NS and Internship  

As an Air Force technician in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) during NS, Jaren tackled multiple aerospace engineering tasks regularly. The process felt familiar, just like when he was dabbling and learning about computers and electronics as a child. “It was like solving problems, trying to find my own solution for something I never faced before,” he explained. 

“I realised engineering is about finding the most optimal solution to a problem, because there might be new challenges to face every day,” he shared. He enjoyed the chase of pursuing solutions to complex problems, which was what inspired him to pursue further studies in computer engineering.  

Jaren took his internship at a local small-medium enterprise after NS. Eager to learn as much as he could, he shared with his boss that he wanted to dabble in hardware and software. He worked on the prototyping of Internet of Things products and was exposed to Artificial Intelligence (AI). He not only gained invaluable experiences, but also certifications for software like Microsoft Azure and Business Intelligence. 

He excitedly noted how people can work efficiently by using AI. By asking a simple, plain text question, a person can find out the relationship between two variables and show it using a graph, with no programming or code needed.

Jaren standing in front of an AH-64D Apache Longbow. PHOTO: Jaren Chua

Aligning Passion with Purpose at HTX 

How did Jaren decide on the HTX Scholarship? “I was on a portal for finding scholarships. That's where I found it. I also started receiving social media advertisements about HTX and that really made me want to find out more,” he explained. 

Jaren noted that other agencies were focused on theoretical research, while he preferred a more active hands-on approach. He added, “I want to work on real applications, like robotics or sensor surveillance, and use software to improve homeland security operations in the Home Team.”  

“I realised I really took Singapore’s safety for granted. I want to give back while pursuing my own passion,” he reflected. After deep consideration, he decided that HTX would be the best choice aligned to his goals. 

Jaren is elated that he can realise his dream of studying at University of Illinois through the scholarship. “I want to expand my horizons not only academically but also experience new cultures and meet new people. I want to be independent and experience a new way of living,” he said.  

His family is supportive of Jaren’s dreams and passion. “My father has always been the sole breadwinner in the family. With this scholarship, I can take some financial burden off him,” Jaren stated.

Jaren (last row, second from right) at the Singapore Police Force Scholarship & Ministry of Home Affairs Scholarships Award Ceremony 2024. PHOTO: Singapore Police Force

Jaren (last row, second from right) at the Singapore Police Force Scholarship & Ministry of Home Affairs Scholarships Award Ceremony 2024. PHOTO: Singapore Police Force

Engineering a New Future in the Home Team 

As Jaren shared his hobbies and experience during his NS and internship, his thirst for knowledge, desire to constantly learn and take on challenges were apparent in his actions and aspirations for the future.

“I would like to use the knowledge I will be learning in university, like computer engineering, to work on new projects in HTX, which enhance Singapore’s safety and security,” he said. The technologies he is drawn to are sense-making, surveillance, robotics and unmanned systems, which deal with both hardware and software. Jaren cited HTX’s passport-less immigration clearance as a project he wants to contribute to. 

After discovering the power of AI, he has developed a keen interest in using this technology to improve Home Team operations. With HTX’s focus in deploying AI capabilities across the Home Team and cultivating an AI workforce in the agency, it is an opportune time for Jaren to be part of.  He shared, “Singapore often sets the precedent in developing new ways to combat various homeland security threats and I want to be part of the trendsetters leading the way in the technology behind them.”

The MHA Scholarships are awarded to outstanding individuals who are passionate about strengthening Singapore’s security and public safety. The MHA Civilian Scholarship offers six career tracks: a Generalist track and five Specialist tracks: Intelligence; Psychology; Commercial Affairs; Science and Technology (under HTX); and Internal Security. The MHA Uniformed Scholarship offers five career tracks: Singapore Police Force; Singapore Civil Defence Force; Immigration and Checkpoints Authority; Singapore Prison Service; and Central Narcotics Bureau.