We are proud that Kagen Lim (pictured, top) from the Department of Psychology has been conferred the coveted 2020 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Prize (OURP), based on his recent honours thesis research that investigated the use of learning by teaching in enhancing a higher-order educational outcome. Details are embargoed until the research has obtained as a peer-reviewed article. Kagen’s work was mentored by Assoc Prof Stephen Lim and Dr. Sarah Wong of the Cognition and Education Laboratory@NUS.
Kagen shared his reflections:
This project was a humbling process of continual self-critique. However, I learnt to be intrinsically motivated by the potential real-world implications of my research. Having dabbled in research, the difficulty of generating research questions is a struggle I identify with. My findings provide some insight to alleviate this problem—first teach it, then research it. I also learnt about myself. I find it unsatisfying for me to have derived these findings without seeking to make an impact with my research. I strive to continue learning from this project, hopefully through producing a publication to communicate the findings.”
Kagen added, “It has been my great honour to have learnt from a brilliant researcher and educator like Dr. Sarah Wong. Her advice was essential in charting our research direction. I treasure her mentorship very much. And to Assoc Prof Stephen Lim—my research supervisor, life-transforming educator, intellectual role model, and life mentor all wrapped in one. I will always keep my aspirations and dreams alive in the face of any adversity or challenge, just as he has modelled and taught me.”
Dr. Sarah Wong (pictured, middle) and Assoc Prof Stephen Lim (pictured, bottom) remarked, “Kagen was diligent and respectful. He enthusiastically embraced and triumphed over the hard challenges of research without a single complaint. He was also a proactive, thoughtful lab manager, enabling research in the lab to run smoothly. We all love Kagen—his departure to graduate school at Columbia University is our loss.”
We wholly congratulate Kagen Lim and the CogEduLab@NUS!
