Imagine battling the debilitating effects of Lichen Planus and severe atopic dermatitis while pursuing a demanding diploma.
To manage these inflammatory conditions, Parashu Raam Subramaian, 20, had to rely on potent immunosuppressants like Cyclosporine, which left him chronically fatigued and physically weak.
Yet, against all odds, he recently graduated from Republic Polytechnic with a Diploma in Biotechnology (Merit), in the top 10 per cent of his cohort.
The journey was far from easy. During his first two years, the toll of his medication often made daily tasks feel like an uphill battle.
The weight of his physical health was compounded by grief when he lost his grandfather to Parkinson’s disease during his second year.
“My grades started taking a hit, adding to the misery I was already facing,” Mr Parashu recalled. “However, my friends and family were my biggest pillars of support.”
His parents encouraged him to prioritise learning and health over GPA, a move that ironically helped him excel. His mother, Ramaparvathy Subramanian, 49, watched his journey with pride.
“I am glad to see all his hard work, long days, and endless efforts come to fruition,” she said.
Beyond the lab, Mr Parashu’s heart remained with the community. Inspired by his grandparents’ struggles with chronic illness, he served as a Care Support Volunteer at Jurong West Nursing Home, assisting elderly residents with daily needs.
Now, following in the footsteps of his mother, who conducted a Master’s research in Biochemistry, he aims to pursue a degree in Life Sciences and eventually a PhD.
Mr Parashu isn’t the only graduate who had to balance academic excellence with personal challenges.
For 21-year-old Kymberly Uthaya Kumar, the path to her Diploma in Engineering Design with Business was marked by a quiet, exhausting resilience.
While her peers were focused solely on their grades, Ms Kymberly was living a double life.
During her Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) year, her father was diagnosed with leukaemia and pneumonia.
By day, she was the vibrant student her classmates knew; by evening, she was a devoted daughter, travelling to the hospital to care for her father while her mother worked.
The burden was often visible. Ms Kymberly recalls the anxiety of carrying large bags of her father’s personal hygiene supplies to school, fearing judgment from her peers.
Instead, she was met with overwhelming empathy. “Is it heavy? Do you need help?” her friends would frequently ask and offer help. When her father passed away in 2023, that same circle of friends became her emotional anchor.
Determined to honour her father’s memory, Ms Kymberly channelled her grief into her studies. Her focus earned her multiple module prizes and a scholarship.
Having navigated the complexities of the healthcare system and personal loss, Ms Kymberly is now pivoting her focus from engineering to the bigger picture.
She aims to pursue a degree in Political Science, with a long-term goal of entering policymaking to advocate for those in need.
