Skip to content
Back to home

Forge · KCT Tech Park

A semester without exams

I’m spending my fifth semester as an Innovation Engineer in ProtoSem — a 20-week full-semester immersion run by Forge at KCT Tech Park. Instead of attending lectures and sitting examinations, I’m working full-time in an industry environment on innovation, product engineering and rapid prototyping.

ProtoSem exists to close the gap between engineering education and industry. Companies, startups and organisations bring real problems to Forge; those get broken down into projects or product modules and handed to student teams. Under industry mentors we research, design, prototype, test and iterate, following actual product development practice.

Role
Innovation Engineer
Host
Forge
Venue
KCT Tech Park
Length
20 weeks

Focus areas

  • Embedded systems & microcontrollers
  • IoT sensors & edge computing
  • Industrial automation & robotics
  • Artificial intelligence & machine learning
  • 3D printing & rapid prototyping
  • Electronics design & assembly
  • Product design & development
  • Design thinking & startup fundamentals

Week by week

Week 00 is orientation, then twenty programme weeks. Updated as the semester runs — weeks still to come are listed so the shape of the programme is visible from the start.

02/21

Logged

  1. 00

    Orientation & self discovery

    Logged

    Week 0 was the beginning of my ProtoSem journey. The sessions focused on introducing the programme, helping us understand ourselves better, and preparing us for the next 20 weeks through interactive activities and professional development.

    1. Day 1

      Mind challenge session

      We took part in mind-challenging games and activities that tested logical thinking, creativity, communication and teamwork. The session was engaging and created real excitement for the learning journey ahead.

    2. Day 2

      ProtoSem orientation

      The mentors introduced the ProtoSem programme, explained its objectives and outlined the activities planned across the next 20 weeks. It gave me a clear picture of what to expect and how the programme develops both technical and professional skills.

    3. Day 3

      16Personalities assessment

      We completed the 16Personalities (MBTI) assessment to understand our traits, strengths and working style. It sharpened my self-awareness — how I respond to different situations and how I collaborate with others.

    4. Day 4

      Character reflection

      We each picked an anime character that best represented our personality. A creative exercise, but it pushed real self-reflection about the qualities and values I relate to most.

    5. Day 5

      LinkedIn branding

      We learned how to build a professional LinkedIn profile — headline, summary and overall presentation — and why networking and a consistent professional presence matter.

    Week 0 helped me understand the purpose of ProtoSem while improving my self-awareness and professional mindset. The activities pushed me to think concretely about my strengths, my personality and where I want my career to go.

    Key learnings

    • Improved logical thinking and teamwork.
    • Understood the objectives of the ProtoSem programme.
    • Learned about my personality and working style.
    • Developed a professional LinkedIn profile.
    • Built confidence for the learning journey ahead.
  2. 01

    Workplace ethics & personal portfolio

    Logged

    Week 1 focused on workplace discipline, organisation and professional development. We learned why an efficient workspace matters and began building our personal portfolios.

    1. Days 1–3

      5S workplace management

      We learned and implemented the 5S methodology — Sort (remove what isn’t needed), Set in Order (organise what is), Shine (keep it clean), Standardise (follow consistent procedures) and Sustain (keep the habit). We applied it as a team to our own workspace, which made it measurably cleaner and easier to work in.

    2. Day 4

      Personal portfolio development

      We started building a personal portfolio to present skills, projects, achievements, certifications and the learning journey properly. It’s the site you’re reading — and it keeps growing as I finish more work.

    Week 1 taught me that workplace discipline and organisation are not overhead — they are what make sustained work possible. Building the portfolio also made the case for documenting work as you go rather than reconstructing it later.

    Key learnings

    • Learned the practical implementation of the 5S methodology.
    • Understood workplace ethics and professional responsibility.
    • Improved teamwork through collaborative activities.
    • Created a personal portfolio to showcase my skills and achievements.
    • Recognised the importance of continuously updating my professional profile.
  3. 02

    Coming soon

    In progress
  4. 03

    Coming soon

    Pending
  5. 04

    Coming soon

    Pending
  6. 05

    Coming soon

    Pending
  7. 06

    Coming soon

    Pending
  8. 07

    Coming soon

    Pending
  9. 08

    Coming soon

    Pending
  10. 09

    Coming soon

    Pending
  11. 10

    Coming soon

    Pending
  12. 11

    Coming soon

    Pending
  13. 12

    Coming soon

    Pending
  14. 13

    Coming soon

    Pending
  15. 14

    Coming soon

    Pending
  16. 15

    Coming soon

    Pending
  17. 16

    Coming soon

    Pending
  18. 17

    Coming soon

    Pending
  19. 18

    Coming soon

    Pending
  20. 19

    Coming soon

    Pending
  21. 20

    Coming soon

    Pending