Jaace
MEng Chemical Engineering
My learning experience at Imperial has been fantastic ... it’s made me more open to new ideas and thinking outside the box
Keen to build a career in a STEM field, Jaace from Malaysia was inspired to study Chemical Engineering at Imperial because of the course's focus on building technical and professional skills, its high-quality facilities and opportunities to engage with industry.
Jaace tells us more about her course and shares her experiences of moving to London and finding her community at Imperial.
Keen to build a career in a STEM field, Jaace from Malaysia was inspired to study Chemical Engineering at Imperial because of the course's focus on building technical and professional skills, its high-quality facilities and opportunities to engage with industry.
What inspired you to apply to Imperial?
When I was thinking about the university I wanted to apply to, my main point of consideration was the quality of the education – including both the academic content and teaching staff. Because I want to build my career in a STEM-related field, I was also looking for a course that was structured to meet the demands of the technical field I want to work in and offered relevant affiliations and accreditations.
Imperial is a world-class institution, equipped with high-quality facilities and world-leading academics – especially for chemical engineering. The university also opens a lot of opportunities for undergraduate students to engage closely with industry, particularly in fields related to boosting sustainability and achieving net zero carbon goals.
What’s more, because Imperial is a London university, it also means I can have a different living experience and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city!
Imperial opens a lot of opportunities for undergraduate students to engage closely with industry
How did you find your community at Imperial?
I knew that Imperial was the right place for me after the first few weeks. Coming from overseas and moving away from home, adapting to a brand-new living environment wasn’t easy. But after attending Welcome Week and spending some time in my department, I found that the hospitality and friendliness of the staff helped ease any anxieties I had a lot.
Since then, I’ve been able to appreciate all that Imperial has to offer – the community here is accepting and embraces the diversity of cultural viewpoints and backgrounds. This has made my experience of adapting to university life and living independently much smoother and filled with more warmth.
I was lucky in some ways when I joined Imperial. Quite a few friends from back home in Malaysia were going to study in the UK and London, including at Imperial, so I already knew a few people. But I’ve made a lot of new friends along the way too.
The community emphasises inclusivity, where everyone’s identity and ideas are treated equally
Living in Imperial halls in my first year helped me to meet a lot of new friends from across the UK and around the world. My halls also organised lots of events, like weekend brunches and theatre trips, that helped me connect with new people. And of course, I’ve also got to know people from my course, who I share similar interests and schedules with.
If I was to describe the Imperial community in one word, it would be ‘accepting’. The community emphasises inclusivity a lot, where everyone’s identity and ideas are treated equally.
The Malaysian student population at Imperial is quite big, so I can always find a home away from home, but at the same time, I’m still astonished by the diversity of backgrounds and nationalities at Imperial. This experience of interacting and exchanging ideas with people from different cultures and backgrounds has opened my eyes and definitely been unforgettable.
What’s your course like at Imperial?
I study MEng Chemical Engineering. It’s a course that people often confuse with chemistry. Chemistry is integrated into the course, but we’re more focused on its application in the real world – for instance in drug production or the energy industry.
Chemical Engineering mainly involves the various aspects of design in a certain process, like the design of pipelines, control systems or separation systems – so it’s pretty intensive when it comes to maths and physics.
We work on developing the skills needed in industry and our future careers
The course also emphasises sustainability and environmental goals in different industries and sectors. If you’re interested in making a new drug more accessible or learning about how to make waste into new energy sources, this could be the perfect course for you!
As part of my course, we also work on developing the skills needed in industry and for our future careers, including effective communication. There are a lot of group projects as part of the course to help build those communication and teamwork skills.
I’ve worked as part of teams ranging from two to twelve people, which has helped me learn about and apply different approaches to keeping everyone on the same page and meeting our targets. It hasn’t always been easy, but through practice, the outcome is getting better each time!
If you’re interested in making a new drug more accessible or learning about how to make waste into new energy sources, Chemical Engineering could be the perfect course for you!
The best thing about the course is the people. Before starting, I was really concerned about whether I could engage completely due to potential language barriers or cultural differences. However, my peers on the course have all supported me along the way – both academically and outside the classroom. I’ve received lots of support from the staff too, who have helped me to think about why I’ve chosen Chemical Engineering and motivate me whenever I’ve found something challenging.
Learn more about MEng Chemical Engineering at Imperial
Find entry requirements, information about careers outcomes, teaching and modules on our Study website.
What about learning beyond your course?
I-Explore is an additional for credit module that all undergraduate students take alongside their course and through it, I’ve studied Korean and taken part in the Change Makers Independent Project. The Change Makers project allowed me to discover societal issues outside the field I’m studying and encouraged me to think differently.
My project looked at how we can enhance human communication by creating an immersive play experience. I’ve really enjoyed this part of my studies as it lets me do something that is less academically intensive than my course, while also discovering a new passion and potentially develop something that could have a positive impact on our society.
I’ve also taken part in Imperial’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP). My UROP was in the Carbon Capture Pilot Plant in the Department of Chemical Engineering, where my main objective was to analyse the efficiency of the plant and develop a better controller system for the plant.
UROP was a great experience – I'd recommend it to anyone exploring potential future pathways
I learned a lot about the technical aspects of the plant and how to manage the multiple, interconnected parts involved in its processes and – perhaps more importantly – how practical applications can deviate from the theories and ideals in real life. It was a great experience and one I’d definitely recommend to anyone exploring potential career pathways, such as research or working in industry.
Jaace with a friend in the Carbon Capture Pilot Plant
Jaace with a friend in the Carbon Capture Pilot Plant
What about learning beyond your course?
I-Explore is an additional for credit module that all undergraduate students take alongside their course and through it, I’ve studied Korean and taken part in the Change Makers Independent Project. The Change Makers project allowed me to discover societal issues outside the field I’m studying and encouraged me to think differently.
My project looked at how we can enhance human communication by creating an immersive play experience. I’ve really enjoyed this part of my studies as it lets me do something that is less academically intensive than my course, while also discovering a new passion and potentially develop something that could have a positive impact on our society.
I’ve also taken part in Imperial’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP). My UROP was in the Carbon Capture Pilot Plant in the Department of Chemical Engineering, where my main objective was to analyse the efficiency of the plant and develop a better controller system for the plant.
UROP was a great experience – I'd recommend it to anyone exploring potential future pathways
I learned a lot about the technical aspects of the plant and how to manage the multiple, interconnected parts involved in its processes and – perhaps more importantly – how practical applications can deviate from the theories and ideals in real life. It was a great experience and one I’d definitely recommend to anyone exploring potential career pathways, such as research or working in industry.
Are you part of any clubs or societies?
Yes! In my first year, I was part of the Malaysian Society and performed dances and Dikir Barat as part of the cultural night performance, MNight. It was an amazing experience and I created lifelong memories and friends. I’ve also performed as a drummer in the Lion Dance Society and I’ve just discovered a passion for crochet thanks to the Crochet Club!
Performing at the Malaysian Society's cultural event, MNight
Performing at the Malaysian Society's cultural event, MNight
Through the Imperial Prototyping and Hacking Society, I’ve joined events at Imperial’s Advanced Hackspace to learn hands-on, practical skills like 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering and wood-cutting. The opportunity to learn these skills from professionals in the workshop is something I haven’t encountered before – and as the events are often free, I can go with friends (and have the chance to meet new people too!).
With members of the Malaysian Society
With members of the Malaysian Society
In a workshop in the Advanced Hackspace at Imperial's White City Campus
In a workshop in the Advanced Hackspace at Imperial's White City Campus
Are you part of any clubs or societies?
Yes! In my first year, I was part of the Malaysian Society and performed dances and Dikir Barat as part of the cultural night performance, MNight. It was an amazing experience and I created lifelong memories and friends. I’ve also performed as a drummer in the Lion Dance Society and I’ve just discovered a passion for crochet thanks to the Crochet Club!
Performing at the Malaysian Society's cultural event, MNight
Performing at the Malaysian Society's cultural event, MNight
Through the Imperial Prototyping and Hacking Society, I’ve joined events at Imperial’s Advanced Hackspace to learn hands-on, practical skills like 3D printing, laser cutting, soldering and wood-cutting. The opportunity to learn these skills from professionals in the workshop is something I haven’t encountered before – and as the events are often free, I can go with friends (and have the chance to meet new people too!).
With members of the Malaysian Society
With members of the Malaysian Society
What’s your favourite thing about living in London?
I come from a small and developing town in Malaysia, so coming to London has been a complete eye-opening experience. It’s a vibrant, well-connected city where things are easily accessible.
Even though the living pace in London is much faster than I’m used to, this makes London much livelier and more beautiful. I appreciate the green spaces near Imperial’s South Kensington Campus a lot, as they give me room to breathe and relieve my stress. London is also a city that embraces diversity and I felt welcomed as part of the community!
With friends on the Embankment in front of the London Eye
With friends on the Embankment in front of the London Eye
My favourite things about the city are the museums and theatres. I’m an avid art lover and London provides me with the platform to appreciate art better. I particularly like the Wallace Collection in central London, which has a wonderful art collection alongside pieces like ancient armour.
London is a city that embraces diversity and I felt welcomed as part of the community
Before coming to London, I’d never watched a musical either. When I first heard the music in Les Misérables, it instantly exposed me to a brand-new understanding of music. And since then, I am always astonished by the wonderful skills of the actors, the staging and the beautiful music.
The Southbank Centre in central London hosts lots of free arts events and performances
The Southbank Centre in central London hosts lots of free arts events and performances
I live near Queensway, quite close to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park which are perfect as an escape when I need a quick walk! The high street in Queensway is packed with fantastic food ranging from Middle Eastern to Asian cuisines at affordable prices. It is also easily accessible to multiple Tube lines, including the Central line and the Circle and District Line, which can take you to almost anywhere in London.
What about your career plans?
After graduating, I plan to return to home to Malaysia and work as a chemical engineer. I am more inclined in getting my hands dirty, rather than diving into the corporate environment right away.
I am also interested in helping Malaysia to achieve net zero carbon goals and other sustainability-related initiative by using the knowledge that I have learned during my time at Imperial.
To help me, I’ve used the resumé guidance available from Imperial’s Careers Service to get my CV into a good shape. The Career Service have also helped me to review my resumé and shared constructive feedback on how improve my CV.
At the second hand bookshop on the Southbank
At the second hand bookshop on the Southbank
What’s your favourite thing about living in London?
I come from a small and developing town in Malaysia, so coming to London has been a complete eye-opening experience. It’s a vibrant, well-connected city where things are easily accessible.
Even though the living pace in London is much faster than I’m used to, this makes London much livelier and more beautiful. I appreciate the green spaces near Imperial’s South Kensington Campus a lot, as they give me room to breathe and relieve my stress. London is also a city that embraces diversity and I felt welcomed as part of the community!
With friends on the Embankment in front of the London Eye
With friends on the Embankment in front of the London Eye
My favourite things about the city are the museums and theatres. I’m an avid art lover and London provides me with the platform to appreciate art better. I particularly like the Wallace Collection in central London, which has a wonderful art collection alongside pieces like ancient armour.
London is a city that embraces diversity and I felt welcomed as part of the community
Before coming to London, I’d never watched a musical either. When I first heard the music in Les Misérables, it instantly exposed me to a brand-new understanding of music. And since then, I am always astonished by the wonderful skills of the actors, the staging and the beautiful music.
The Southbank Centre in central London hosts lots of free arts events and performances
The Southbank Centre in central London hosts lots of free arts events and performances
I live near Queensway, quite close to Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park which are perfect as an escape when I need a quick walk! The high street in Queensway is packed with fantastic food ranging from Middle Eastern to Asian cuisines at affordable prices. It is also easily accessible to multiple Tube lines, including the Central line and the Circle and District Line, which can take you to almost anywhere in London.
What about your career plans?
After graduating, I plan to return to home to Malaysia and work as a chemical engineer. I am more inclined in getting my hands dirty, rather than diving into the corporate environment right away.
I am also interested in helping Malaysia to achieve net zero carbon goals and other sustainability-related initiative by using the knowledge that I have learned during my time at Imperial.
To help me, I’ve used the resumé guidance available from Imperial’s Careers Service to get my CV into a good shape. The Career Service have also helped me to review my resumé and shared constructive feedback on how improve my CV.
Explore London on our virtual tour
Visit famous London landmarks close to Imperial, including the London Eye, Borough Market and Oxford Circus on our interactive virtual tour.
And finally, what do you enjoy most about studying at Imperial?
Getting to study and experience life at Imperial is one of the best decisions that I have made so far – I can be myself truly here!
Studying at Imperial has made me more open to new ideas and thinking outside the box
My learning experience at Imperial has been fantastic. The teaching staff are very friendly and knowledgeable in their field, while their willingness to share have allowed me to learn much more outside the lecture hall. I’ve also picked up a few new hobbies during my time here, including mahjong and crochet, but I’ve also rediscovered my passion for reading.
Studying at Imperial has made me more open to new ideas and thinking outside the box. At Imperial, there is never only one right or wrong solution to a particular problem, and there is no strict requirement to follow a pre-defined or traditional route in problem-solving.
I think this is essential in allowing me to come up with new ideas by critical thinking. Often, we learn from mistakes and the risks that we take can lead us to great heights. Imperial has not only given me the launch pad to take up the risks but also provides the guidance to unfold more potential solutions to real life problems.
Jaace’s top tips for applying to Imperial
If you’re passionate about physics and maths, Chemical Engineering could be a good fit
Chemical engineering, for me, is the best fit for my interests and aligned with my ideal career pathways. Chemical Engineering focuses on engineering concepts, so for example, chemists might discover a new drug in the lab, but chemical engineers are the people who design the system needed to upscale its production for public consumption. This can involve a lot of maths and physics, so if this is something you enjoy, this could be the subject for you.
It’s academically challenging, but there is a lot of support to help you
Imperial is definitely an academically challenging institution, but it has a lot to offer. You should expect that you’ll need to work hard, which can sometimes be challenging, but at these times, don’t doubt yourself. You have come a long way to be here, so seek out support if you need to. Think about your strengths and weaknesses and defining achievable goals can really help. You’ve got this!
Getting to study and experience life at Imperial is one of the best decisions that I have made so far – I can be myself truly here!
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