Mrs Chua-Lim Yen Ching is an exemplary teacher and educator, with more than 25 years of teaching and educational administration experience. She started her teaching career at Dunman Secondary School in 1981 where she taught Chemistry and Biology and was appointed Head of the Science Department in 1986.

 

Subsequently she took on the position of Vice-Principal in the autonomous Tanjong Katong Girls’ School in 1991, and after a short four years, she was appointed principal of Zhonghua Secondary School. Here, her calling as an outstanding administrator rose to the fore as she first prepared, then led the school to its autonomous status in 1996.

 

In 1998, she was the Deputy Director, Sciences Branch, Curriculum Planning and Development Division, at the Ministry of Education. Here she led the review and development of the curriculum from the Primary to the Pre-University levels in several subjects — Mathematics, Science, Technical Education, Computer Education, Physical Education, Commerce Education and Home Economics. After five years with CPDD, she was posted to be Principal of Shuqun Secondary School where she found much satisfaction implementing the policies she had a hand in crafting.

 

In 2006, she was involved in the conceptualization of the trail-blazing Northlight Secondary School, after which she took up the challenge to be its founding principal when the school took in its first batch of students for the enhanced vocational education programme in January 2007. Under her pioneering leadership, Northlight School today is credited as the leading school for students with difficulties handling
the academic mainstream curriculum in the country.

 

Over and above her accomplishments, Mrs Chua is also a strong champion and supporter of the National Olympiad teams, and a Vice-President of the Singapore Girl Guides movement.

 

Mrs Chua received the Sng Yew Chong Medal for the Diploma in Education Programme in 1981 and the Ruth Wong Medal for the Diploma in Education Administration Programme in 1993. She was also awarded the Public Administration Bronze Medal and Public Administration Silver Medal in 2000 and 2007 respectively in recognition of her service to education.

 

Mrs Chua credits her successes to her professors in NUS, frequently recalling and being encouraged by their advice “we need to follow our hearts and be a blessing to those around us”.

 

 

In recognition of her accomplishments and contributions, the Faculty of Science honours Mrs Chua Yen Ching with the 2009 Outstanding Science Alumni Award.