WITH four As in the A levels, Miss Chen Zhen Zhen could have walked into most university courses.

But, surprising all who knew her, she chose to study for a diploma in occupational therapy at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) instead.

GRADUATING NEXT WEEK: Miss Chen, 22, chose to pursue a diploma in occupational therapy at Nanyang Polytechnic even when all her friends were applying to university. -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

'All my friends were applying to universities and they thought it strange that I wanted to go to a polytechnic,' said Miss Chen, 22.

'But when I explained how much I wanted to do the course, they understood.'

Miss Chen, who will graduate from NYP together with around 5,140 students next week, garnered 19 distinctions in her course.

This has earned her the Tay Eng Soon medal - given to one exceptional Health Sciences student every year - which will be presented at the polytechnic's graduation ceremony on Tuesday.

Miss Chen - a former student of the then Hwa Chong Junior College and Nanyang Girls' High - had her first brush with occupational therapy when she was in Secondary 3.

During a school holiday job attachment programme, she spent four weeks under the mentorship of an occupational therapist from Mount Alvernia Hospital.

A home visit to help a 60-year-old stroke victim left a lasting impression.

'As a housewife and mother, she had problems doing day-to-day chores - simple things that we take for granted, like being able to carry food with two hands,' said Miss Chen whose parents are in the printing line.

'I knew then that it would be a fulfilling job and I wanted to take it up.'

At the moment, NYP is the only school in Singapore offering an occupational therapy course with international accreditation.

It is one of four courses at the poly which require students to be A-level graduates. The others are physiotherapy, diagnostic radiography and radiation therapy.

Occupational therapy is a rehabilitation process which helps people with disabilities overcome obstacles they face in daily life, including at work and leisure.

Miss Chen, who was vice-president of NYP's School of Health Sciences club, will head to the University of Sydney next Saturday to complete a one-year course which will allow her to graduate with a degree.

Her time at polytechnic and university is being sponsored by the National Healthcare Group, where she will serve a four-year bond when she returns from Australia.

'Knowing the local context, culture and language is very important as an occupational therapist, so I'm glad I chose to do a diploma in Singapore first,' she said.