HE scored a perfect Grade Point Average of 4.0 in his final year of ITE.

For his achievement, Siah Yong Qiang won the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal, given to outstanding ITE graduates, during the graduation ceremony yesterday.

But Yong Qiang, 19, is now aspiring to even greater heights - literally.

He gave his graduation a miss so that he could take part in the 2008 Championships for Control Line Model Aircraft, which takes place today in Landres, France.

Yong Qiang, who studied precision engineering in ITE West College, left for the championships last week.

He had taken part in the same competition twice previously in the US and in Spain, but he didn't win anything.

He is now in his first year at the Singapore Polytechnic, pursuing a diploma in mechanical engineering.

But his first love is flying. He can manoeuvre a flying model aeroplane attached to a handle by wires to form shapes such as triangles and hourglasses 18m to 21m up in the air.

'I have been interested in flying and planes since I was very young. When I went to secondary school, I joined the Youth Flying Club as a CCA (Co-Curricular Activity),' he said.

While in the club, his attitude impressed an instructor, who took him under his wing and trained him in aerobatics.

The club organises selection rounds and competitions to decide who would represent Singapore in international flying competitions.

To prepare for the competition, Yong Qiang said he practised every weekend and as often as possible after school at the Singapore Youth Flying Club at West Camp Road.

Initially, his mother was worried that his hobby would affect his studies.

Madam Yeo Chwee Kee, 50, a housewife, said in Mandarin: 'But soon we realised that it made him a more serious and mature person.

'We are glad he is able to juggle both his studies and his hobby so well. We are behind him all the way.'

Yong Qiang explained: 'During class in ITE, I would pay close attention to the lectures and try to complete my work within school hours so I can practise after school.

'Polytechnic life is busier, but I try to prioritise and be flexible with my timing.'

AEROBATICS

Yong Qiang said that his training in ITE also helped him hone his skill in aerobatics.

He said: 'It deepened my knowledge and interest in the area. I never knew how different parts of the plane work.

'Now I understand the process and materials and can modify and improve on my existing model aeroplane.'

He was also involved in a project to create an improved prototype of a glider aeromodel.

He went to Germany last year with two other students to present their glider model's design and production process.

It was part of an overseas student exchange programme. For his future plans, Yong Qiang has his heart set on aviation.

'I want to eventually go to university and later train to be a pilot,' he said.

As for the Tay Eng Soon award, he said: 'When I heard I was shortlisted for the award, I was happy but also hopeful.

'When I was told I was getting it, I was happy to have another certificate to help me go further.'

By Shila Naidu, newsroom intern

This article was first published in The New Paper on July 30, 2008.