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Heikel Badrulini

Alumni Class of 2025
School of Engineering and Technology

What made you decide to reskill and pursue IT?

Before enrolling in the Diploma in InfoComm Technology (E-Learning), my highest qualification was a Diploma in Music and Audio Technology from Singapore Polytechnic. Prior to that, I had obtained a Higher Nitec Certificate in Information Technology during my ITE days, which was where my interest in technology first began.

After graduating, I worked in the healthcare industry, which was unrelated to IT. While the role provided me with financial stability and flexibility to support my studies, I realised that I did not see myself remaining in the same industry long-term.

Given the growing demand for IT across all sectors, and the importance of continuous upskilling in Singapore, I decided to pursue the diploma. IT has always been the field I genuinely wanted to return to and build a career in.

How did you discover 91心頭利 Academy, and why was an online IT diploma the right choice for you?

I was looking for schools that offered flexible study options for working adults, and that was how I came across 91心頭利 Academy.

At the time, I needed a programme that would allow me to continue working while studying. Choosing an e-learning diploma meant I could manage my job and other responsibilities without having to put everything else on hold. It gave me the flexibility to study around my schedule, which made this online IT diploma the right fit for me.

What was the biggest challenge you faced as an e-learning student, and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge I faced as an e-learning student was staying focused and disciplined. Because lessons were online and self-paced, it was easy to get distracted or put things off, especially after a long day.

To overcome this, I had to keep reminding myself why I started the diploma in the first place. I made a conscious effort to prepare myself mentally, set aside time to focus on my lessons, and stay committed even when I felt tired. That helped me stay on track and keep going.

How do you feel now that you’ve completed the diploma?

I was nervous at first about whether I would be able to finish the course on time and find the time to do it properly. But now that I’ve graduated, I feel like I was worrying for nothing.

This experience showed me that if you really want something badly, you will do anything in your power to make it happen. It boosted my confidence by proving that determination can overcome challenges, and it changed my outlook on learning by making me see effort as the key to success.

How has the diploma supported your next step?

I hoped the diploma would give me a stepping stone and a better foundation before stepping into the real world, and it did. The Introduction to Programming module was especially helpful, and it now comes in handy for my degree.

I’m currently pursuing a Computing Science degree from Coventry University, and once I’m in the final lap, I’ll be looking for a new job opportunity.

Even at my current workplace, I’ve become the unofficial “IT Personnel”, because people often come to me for help with hardware issues.

What is one myth about e-learning that people should stop believing?

One common myth is that e-learning students do not receive the same quality of learning as students in physical classes. In my experience, this is not true. E-learning does require more self-discipline and personal responsibility, but it also gives you the flexibility to pause, revisit and resume lessons whenever you need to, which is something you may not always be able to do in a physical lecture.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about upskilling?

Do not wait for the perfect time to start, because it may never come. If upskilling is something you want, taking that first step matters. A year from now, you could either have gained a new skill or still be thinking about it, so you might as well start now.