Among all the graduates of Department of English Language and Literature, Cheok Chuan Sin stands out as a distinguished figure. Not only did he complete his undergraduate studies with Distinction as an Outstanding Graduate, but he also served as President of the English Department Student Union during his time on campus and independently developed a card-based teaching methodology. 

Today, he has journeyed across continents to pursue a Master's degree in Educational Technology at the Graduate School of Education, Peking University (PKU). In this in-depth interview, he shares with the audience the academic pathway that has carried him from Sepang to Beijing.

The Open World of XMUM

At the start of the conversation, Cheok Chuan Sin expressed sincere gratitude for the free environment and chances to explore that XMUM provides. He mentioned that he thrived when given ample space to nurture ideas and turn creativity into action, and that XMUM's faculty, departments, and fellow students together form an exceptionally strong support network. 

A vivid example he recalled was a post-pandemic campus start-up venture, when he and four classmates launched a campus breakfast shop, and Dr. Ivy Song Jiayang, Head of the Department, became their very first customer. Such direct encouragement from the professor remains a warm memory to this day. Although the business closed after four months due to conflicting class schedules among team members, the experience enabled him to embrace new challenges.

When discussing the origins of his educational aspirations, Cheok Chuan Sin noted that his research interest has long centred on game-based learning. He aspires to integrate gaming elements and mechanics into diverse learning environments, making learning a pervasive experience. 

While working on his undergraduate final-year project, with the support of his supervisor Dr. Mohammad, he developed an English vocabulary card game and conducted field trials in a local primary school. For him, pursuing postgraduate studies at Peking University made it possible to go to a higher-level platform to explore how to refine and enhance such educational products for the wider public.

His leadership experience in the Student Union also laid a solid foundation in soft skills for his postgraduate life. As former President, he gained deep insights into effective communication and collaboration through team management. He emphasized that leadership is never about rigid commands, but about perceiving subtle nuances in interpersonal communication, using appropriate tone and strategies to ensure colleagues complete tasks efficiently while feeling respected. This experience not only made him more outgoing but also cultivated his confidence in expressing ideas articulately.

PKU and the Tech Skill Tree

Now at Peking University, Cheok Chuan Sin is continuingly lighting up his skill tree. Shifting from an art background to educational technology means learning programming, coding, and cutting-edge applications. The transition is challenging, but he loves the sense of accomplishment from project-based learning. Currently, he is leading a WeChat mini-programme development project that uses pattern recognition to scan PKU's historic buildings, instantly displaying background information and gamified quizzes, which is a perfect fusion of technology, education, and play.

Looking ahead, Cheok Chuan Sin wants to become a practitioner who creates tangible products. He takes great satisfaction in seeing systems or products he designs used by people in real-life settings, and firmly believes that a well-designed educational product can extend its impact far beyond a single classroom, benefiting an entire region or even the nation.

Towards the end of the interview, Cheok Chuan Sin offered valuable advice to juniors aspiring to attend top universities:

- Deeply explore your research interest. Your undergraduate final-year project is often the most powerful entry in your application portfolio.

- Match with supervisors carefully.

- Maintaining a CGPA above 3.5 is the minimum threshold for top-tier institutions.

- Cultivate presentation soft power. In the age of AI, writing can be automated, but the ability to confidently capture an audience's attention, to express ideas vividly, is the true core competitiveness.

Game Over? No! Just a Save Point.

Summing up his time at XMUM, Cheok Chuan Sin chooses three words: freedom, comfort, and encouragement. For him, the university was a second home, a place where he could even rest on the sofa in Dr. Song's office after long discussions. He wishes every English Department student the courage to follow their heart and pursue endeavors that benefit themselves, others, and society at large. 

After all, the best games are the ones that keep giving back long after the credits roll.