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Changing Lives
Around The World
During my high school years, I always wondered how I was able to put my education skills to good use for the society and for the economy. When F1 in Schools came to Malaysia for the very first time, it provided the platform necessary for students to explore and apply the things they learn into reality. It is through F1 in Schools that gave me a clear vision for me to choose my path to be a Mechanical Engineer, and I was only 16 at the time. I’ve practiced my CAD skills ever since and this made a strong impression which enabled me to land on my first job as a Product Designer for Ford Motor Company in Australia and now in Tesla Inc. in the United States
The biggest impact that F1 in School had on my life is the lesson of the ability to adapt. The greatest of success from teamwork comes from complex coordination between each team members and their ability to adapt between different roles. This is important as it allows us to fail early, and learn fast so that we can iterate on our work quicker to reach our ultimate goal. For our fastest car in the world, we didn’t have one designer designed it; Each of us contributed to the design and that was what made it great.
Up until 15 years old, I was still in a blur of what my future career would be like. Engineering was always one of the choices, but it was never a firm one. That was until I entered F1 In Schools back in 2008. Becoming a national champion and then represented Malaysia at the London World Finals in 2009. That changed everything. My participation in the competition as a design engineer not only taught me the technical (design, manufacturing, etc.) aspects of engineering, but provided me a glimpse of its wholesomeness in shaping me as a person. Throughout my experience in F1 In Schools, I learned the value of communication, collaboration, teamwork, as well as research and development, all of which are essential skills of the trade in real life, regardless of the job field.
In particular, I was fascinated by rapid prototyping (RP) during my involvement in F1 In Schools, commonly used for visualisation and testing of car parts before confirming a final design for the competiton. From there, I learned the umbrella technology of additive manufacturing (AM), or popularly known as 3D printing, in which RP is only one of its many applications.
So much so, this has cemented my desire and fueled my passion to pursue engineering. In university, I was heavily involved with various AM projects, which eventually led to my enrolment in a PhD program focusing on AM of metals and alloys in 2016. Fast forward four years later, I am now a PhD holder specialising in AM/3D printing, and I owe everything to that fateful year in 2008. Truly a life changing experience!
F1 in Schools was a pivotal experience that allowed me to navigate the realms of art and technology simultaneously, igniting a passion that paved the way for my academic and entrepreneurial ventures. These experiences did not just test my skills in design and aerodynamics but also opened a gateway to self-discovery. F1 in Schools was more than a competition; it was a platform where I could experiment, innovate, and ultimately, find my calling. It laid the foundation for my pursuit of a Creative Multimedia course, which further honed my ability to merge creativity with technology. Today, as the founder of Filamen, an Arts and Technology company, I continue to explore this synergy, creating experiences that resonate at the intersection of these two worlds.
Beyond the technical skills, F1 in Schools equipped me with invaluable soft skills. It built my confidence and polished my presentation abilities, which are indispensable in my role today. Whether I'm running my company or presenting innovative ideas to clients, the lessons learned during those formative years continue to guide my path. The F1 in Schools journey was a catalyst for change, steering me towards a future where art and technology coexist, enabling me to leave a unique imprint in both fields.
About Formula 1 In
In Schools
F1 In Schools is an engineering and design action learning project for students, implemented in high schools around the world. With more than 20 countries participating from Europe, North and South America, Africa, the Middle East and Australia, this international competition contains practical implication for all students involved.
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