The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) spearheads the development and transformation of Singapore’s built environment sector, aiming to enhance the nation’s living standards. With a comprehensive oversight of safety, quality, inclusivity, sustainability, and productivity, BCA works closely with stakeholders and partners to craft a sustainable, intelligent living space for Singaporeans.

Supported by the BCA Overseas Undergraduate Scholarship, Kimberly pursued a Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London. This academic journey has equipped her for fortifying our nation’s infrastructure at BCA.

We delve into Kimberly’s journey to learn more about her impactful career trajectory.

What sparked your passion for engineering?

One of the first few instances that stood out was when I got intrigued by the retractable click pen mechanism – it was simple. Still, I was fascinated by how the few components worked together seamlessly to perform the task. Subsequently, I always found myself noticing and analysing mechanisms such as train tracks, aeroplane wings, dynamo torches, and more. I was constantly in awe, thinking about how people invented these systems from basic components by applying their engineering knowledge. Naturally, I gravitated towards physics in Junior College and subsequently into engineering.

Interesting! What made you apply for a scholarship with BCA?

BCA was an excellent choice as buildings are everywhere, making the built environment applicable to anyone. The built environment has many different aspects, making it a good entry point for my career, where I could gain exposure and discover interests in many areas.

That makes sense. How has the scholarship been able to enrich your academic experience?

The scholarship gave me the opportunity to study overseas, which was invaluable as it exposed me to curriculums outside of Singapore and widened my perspective on all aspects of life. Besides gaining broader world views and experiencing various cultures outside of Singapore, there was also personal growth as I became more independent, street-smart, and adaptable from living alone abroad.

With the scholarship, there was assurance of a job after graduating. This allowed me to have the freedom to do things that interested me and have an eventful university life, instead of focusing on building up my portfolio to prepare for working life later. With the certainty of my career, it had also helped me to decide what specialisation modules to take in school to ensure I am learning what I would be applying at work later.

Kimberly He Yuqi

Tell us more about your time working with BCA.

My first posting after joining BCA was with the Investigation and Enforcement Department under the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) Group. The Group’s mission is to ensure the safety of fixed installations (lifts, escalators, and mechanised car parking systems) and amusement rides through efficient and progressive regulations for the industries.

Currently, I am with the Department of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly under the Construction Productivity and Quality Group. I am part of the Prefabricated Mechanical Electrical & Plumbing (PMEP) team. I work on the landscape analysis of the PMEP ecosystem and engage the industry to further encourage PMEP through various platforms.

What is something about your job that has surprised you?

I was surprised by how multifaceted this job can be. As a regulatory body that oversees all aspects of a building and its life cycle, each decision must go through many considerations. We need to be firm and clear about the outcome we want, but at the same time, ensure feasibility based on industry capability and engage with the industry to assess their receptiveness and concerns. It is eye-opening to see how one decision can have so many consequences down the line and how we need to strike a balance between the various stakeholders and scenarios.

What do you hope to achieve through your career?

I want to make a positive impact on the built environment and provide a neutral but rational standpoint to drive changes with structured reasoning, feasibility, and landscape studies as well as industry understanding/engagement. I want to ensure that all the industry stakeholders can adequately accept and adopt the changes made.

That’s commendable. What are the possibilities for people who want to work with BCA?

There are many possibilities given the various fields of work available in BCA, such as specialist or managerial progression, regulatory and safety work, environmental sustainability, technological adoptions, future innovations, or even manpower matters and more. It is a good place for people who wish to explore different work streams and gain more perspectives on the built environment while having a fulfilling career that would impact society.