Singapore couple Benny Ang and Valerie Lim are carving their careers out of food.
The 28-year-olds spent the early part of their married life both studying a Bachelor of Food Technology at The University of Queensland.
They met 11 years ago as students at Singapore’s technical and trade college, Singapore Polytechnic, where they also studied the chemical processes behind food technology.
“Although we were classmates, we didn’t really pay much attention to each other until the both of us coincidentally signed up for the same Japanese language course,” Mrs Ang-Lim said.
“That was when we started talking and dating.”
Three years of study earned them enough credits to gain a UQ degree in one-and-a-half years.
Two weeks after graduating and returning to Singapore, Mr Ang had a job in his field.
He works as the technical sales executive for food ingredients company National Starch Food Innovation, handling sales in Singapore and South Malaysia.
The American-based company sells starch-based ingredients globally to improve the quality of foods, drinks, healthcare and pharmaceutical products.
“Food is something that you can get in touch directly with,” Mr Ang said.
“You see consumers buying your products from the supermarket shelves unlike business where you may not get to see the end product.”
Mrs Ang-Lim is continuing her work at Yuying Secondary school in north eastern Singapore, teaching nutrition and science.
She said they loved studying at UQ and their highlight was their weekly visit to UQ Gatton for practicals.
“I loved the space, the way the teachers taught and all the practical sessions we had,” she said.
“We were really able to enjoy nature - like pack a lunch box and sit on the grass.
“Try doing that here [in Singapore] and everyone will look at you.”
They said they both chose to study at UQ because they knew the School of Land and Food Sciences was highly regarded, UQ was a state university and Australia was cheaper and closer than the US or Europe.
Both said they’d consider doing a PhD at UQ in the future.
UQ based in Brisbane, Australia, is Queensland`s oldest and largest university which consistently ranks as one of Australia`s most outstanding research and teaching and learning universities.
Media: Mr Ang ((+65 98175563, xiaomuo77@gmail.com) or Miguel Holland at UQ Communications (+61 7 3365 2619, m.holland@uq.edu.au)
