Can Science Provide the Answer to a Shortage of Organ Donors? This was the question students had to grapple with for the Pre-University Essay Competition 2007 organised by the Singapore Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (SSBMB).

Cheng Han Yin, then a final year student (Diploma of Biotechnology), earned himself a Certificate of  Distinction, the only Polytechnic student given that honour. His essay was one of the two best ones. The other Distinction award-winning student was from Meridien Junior College while the 3 Merit Certificate winners were from Raffles Junior College and Nanyang Junior College.

To meet the deadline for this competition and other pressing deadlines, Han Yin had to manage his time carefully but he enjoyed it all "especially researching on the recent developments in the life sciences which happens to be my passion!"

He attributes his win to TP which had provided him with the necessary course knowledge and equipped him with the skills to write scientific essays. ASc's lecturers and tutors were also there to guide and encourage him.

Han Yin's own guiding principle in his quest for scientific knowledge is: "not for money nor fame, but to improve lives and help the needy."