SUCCESS STORIES OF SOME OF OUR
GRADUATES……..
MS TEO XIN YI
WORLD SUPPLY RESEARCH
INSTITUTE (WSRI) TOP GRADUATE for
Bachelor of Business
Administration (specialising in Purchasing &
Logistics Management) - 32nd intake
awarded by Southern Cross University (SCU)
“Good afternoon, Rector of Ceremony, Guest-of-Honour, Distinguished Guests, Fellow Graduates, Ladies & Gentlemen.
We have gathered here to celebrate our graduation
and congratulations to all the graduates who are here today. I am very honoured
to have been invited by SIPMM to share my learning experiences with everyone.
I remember when I first graduated with my Diploma, I had absolutely no clue as to what I wanted to do.
There was the idea to continue my studies but there were so many different
degree courses out there and I did not want to jump into any degree that was
not going to be of my interest and not be of any help in my future career. So I
went ahead to get a job and eventually landed myself as a buyer in a manufacturing
sector.
For the five years there, I realised
I was getting way too comfortable for my own good. Have you ever thought of not
wanting to move out of your comfort zone? You are so comfortable with your job,
the lifestyle and environment you are in that anything new or that will disrupt
this zone will cause you to turn back and run away? I nearly did because I did
not want additional burden but I came to realise that
with the increasing competitiveness in our economy, it has become a necessity
for one to be continuously upgraded in order to have a competitive edge in the
workforce. Took a leap of faith, I enrolled with SIPMM and here I am, grateful
that I did not turn my back. This BBA course offered by Southern Cross
University was the perfect fit to what I am interested in and which I can
relate to. Thanks to Southern Cross
University and SIPMM for offering such a great, value-added degree.
I quote Napoleon Hill who said that “Great achievement is usually born of great
sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness”. Studying a part-time degree
course is never easy. I believe all the
graduates here would wholeheartedly agree with me. Most of us here have work
and family commitments and the sacrifices made to take up this course cannot be
described by words alone.
Juggling assignments and examinations together
with work can take a toll on us. In addition, some of you are parents with
children demanding attention and time. We had to make sacrifices. Sacrifices
such as time taken away from spending with our family and loved ones. The
cancelled dates, postponed holidays and sacrifices like lack of sleep. I bet many of you still remember going to
work and being so drained out from energy after a night of rushing an
assignment. Sacrifices like not being
able to do the things you used to do and love to do. Of course, how can we
leave out the huge sacrifice of parting with our year-end bonuses to pay for
the course fee? That was quite a big sacrifice and the list goes on. But don't
you all agree with me that it's all worth it? We earned our degree and made our
loved ones proud today.
Let us not forget the sacrifices that our
lecturers and tutors had made. They too had sacrificed their time to give us
lessons and share their experiences. Thanks to Professor Lau, Mr Kay and Mr Siew
for your interesting and engaging lessons. Many times you would give examples
of real case scenarios into what we are reading and this really allowed us to
relate to the books and not just plain reading and memorising
what we had to learn. Thanks to Mr Fu, Mr Chua and Mr Chan, you all had
one of the most challenging classes and you mould us to perfect our work and
strive for better grades. I still remember there was one lesson when Mr Chua actually brought his Ukulele and played it in front
of class to emphasise to us the fact that “practice
makes perfect”. If he could perfect his Ukulele playing skills, why can’t we
perfect our writing skills? I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation
to all the lecturers who had taught us, thank you so much.
To my classmates, you are a wonderful bunch. All
of you come from different backgrounds. It makes learning so much more
interesting when you are hearing different perspectives from different people.
From sharing notes to sharing reading materials to answering doubts, we stood
by one and encouraged another for 20 months. Thank you so much.
I would also like to thank my parents. If not for
their belief of the importance of an education, I probably wouldn't even be
here. Dad and Mum, you are always there supporting me, making sure I could
concentrate on my studies. It's the little actions like fetching me back home
from classes to heating up my meal when I reach home, that I told myself I have
to go all out and show you what I can achieve. I hope I have done you proud.
Lastly, thank you
everyone for your time and good luck to all graduates. I wish everyone success
in your future life path.”
SOUTHERN
LETTER OF COMMENDATION
for
Bachelor of Business
Administration
(with
specialisation in Purchasing & Logistics
Management)
- 25th intake
- MS STELLA LEOW SIEW
YEN
“Good afternoon, Rector of
Ceremony, Guest-of-Honour, Distinguished Guests,
Fellow Graduates, Family members, Ladies &
Gentlemen.
Firstly,
I would like to congratulate each and every one of our graduates and award
recipients who are here with us, this afternoon. Secondly, I would like to take
this opportunity to express my gratitude to all the lecturers and tutors, who
have been patient and enthusiastic in imparting their vast knowledge and
experience in the Logistics Management and Purchasing Industries to me and my
classmates.
I am
very honoured to be invited by SIPMM, to share my
woes and joys, in this course, with all of you. I could remember that in 2006,
when my company Pioneer Electronics AsiaCentre
encouraged me to send in my application for this BBA course, I was very
reluctant to do so, as I have many considerations and constraints then as I am
a mother of 3 boys who were then 4 and 2 years old. During that period, I had
also been assigned to be in-charge of a section comprising 7 purchasing staff.
However, knowing most of my colleagues in Pioneer have enrolled in this course
and have successfully completed the programme, some
even with outstanding results, I know that I have no choice, but to bite the
bullet and to go through this.
On a
serious note, to borrow a quote from Aristotle, a Greek writer and philosopher,
"The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet". I did
experience bitterness when I started on this course. Imagine, I had to
balance between my work, family and studies for almost 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. It practically leaves me
with no time and energy to do my personal stuff. However, the fruit which bore
after these 20 months of “blood and sweat”, long nights of poring through books
and web-sites, and putting up of assignments and examinations, was sweet and
refreshing.
I have never regretted enrolling into this BBA course as it gave me great
insight into the fundamentals of logistics management and purchasing. During
the interaction with my lecturers and classmates, I have learnt both the
theoretical and practical aspects of the subjects which are real, and what I
face everyday in my work. I am also grateful to my lecturers namely Mr Fu, Mr Kay, Mr Chua and classmates especially Evelyn and Cynthia, for
the many hours of discussions, interactions, sharing of notes and arguments
too. You have all made my participation
in the lessons and discussions more interesting and meaningful.
I feel
that continuous education is not only about attaining a degree certificate.
This programme not only enhanced my knowledge in this
trade, but it also gives me the confidence to tackle issues related to
logistics and purchasing. This BBA programme also
serves as a good platform, for me to know and network with other fellow
colleagues in the industry. I will definitely treasure the times that we spent
together and the friendship that we built over these 20 months. Rest assured, I will
definitely keep in close contact with you guys.
I would
also like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the
management and staff of Pioneer Electronics AsiaCentre,
for their encouragement, understanding and support, in allowing me to go on
leaves and time-offs, during my studies.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my parents and my husband, for
their understanding and support throughout my course. There were many days when
we have to cancel or shorten our family outings, to rush home so as to meet the
course deadlines. You were great and
understanding to manage and take care of my 3 boys, which is in fact my duty as
a mother. Without your support and encouragement, I would not be able to meet
the many challenges in this course.
Dear
fellow graduates, I know you will agree with the things that I have just
mentioned and in appreciation of our family and friends who have given us their
support and love during our course of studies, I would like to invite all the
graduates to give a round of applause, to express our gratitude to our family
members and friends. We will now give three cheers together as a sign of
thanks. When I say Hip-hip, can you please shout out Hoo-ray.
Finally,
I wish all of you every success in your future endeavors. Thank you and have a nice day.”
MR WONG NGEE MIN
Graduate of SIPMM Certificate in Logistics Management (2005), SIPMM
Diploma in Logistics Management (2007) and
Current Student of SCU/SIPMM Bachelor of Business Administration
(with specialisation in Purchasing & Logistics
Management)
\
“2003
was a big change in my career when my company underwent major restructuring
exercise. I was offered to join the
Stores Department as their Supervisor but prior to that, I was working as the
Composite Design Technician in the Engineering Department.
Without
any formal education in stores management, my involvement in the daily
activities has become my on-the-job training.
After a discussion with my Head of Department, SIPMM was shortlisted
among the many training providers. I was
then enrolled for the Certificate in Logistics Management (CLM) course which
has provided me the fundamental principles and skills in running the stores and
other-related activities. But the road
of acquiring new knowledge has never stopped there, as my roles and
responsibilities had demanded a deeper understanding of the various functions
and newer ways of operation.
Soon
after completing CLM, my company enrolled me for the Diploma in Logistics
Management (DLM) course. This Diploma
had helped me to see beyond stores functions and it had also broadened my view
of the entire supply chain. By knowing
the importance of both the up- and down-stream customers, I am able to view
things in different perspectives and this motivated me in wanting to establish
and foster further good working relationship.
Armed with the knowledge and skills acquired in other subjects from this
Diploma, I must say that I became more confident when dealing with cross
department functions personnel.
During
the DLM course, I encountered several setbacks as my elder brother, who was the
closest to me, was diagnosed with cancer.
He was in and out of the hospital many times and, sadly, he left us one
year later. My studies, assignments,
lessons, etc… were affected. Luckily,
with the support and understanding from the SIPMM staff as well as my Course
Lecturers, I managed to complete my Diploma in time and achieved good
grades. Without them, I might have to
defer my course and perhaps not being able to do well.
I am
glad that my company and I have chosen the right training institute. Given the
industry-relevant course curricula and quality training that I have acquired
from SIPMM and its highly experienced teaching staff, I am now undertaking their Degree programme!”
(Footnote : Mr
Wong Ngee Min has received his BBA Degree awarded by
SCU on 6 November 2010.)
SIPMM TOP GRADUATE for
Advanced Diploma in
Purchasing & Materials Management (ADPMM)
- 29th intake
- MS CHRISTINA HO
“I would like to take this
opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the Awards Selection Committee
of SIPMM for selecting me as the Top Graduand for
Advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Materials Management, Year 2007.
I
graduated 15 years ago with the Bachelor of Economics (Accounting). Having a
basic undergraduate degree then, allowed me to flap my wings and expand my
horizon into the labor force, as an Accountant and Financial Analyst. I was
employed by GLC and MNC in property management, investment banking and
transportation industries. Over the years, with increasing responsibilities, it
was time to update and upgrade myself.
When
I was searching for a “next step” into my career, I found Supply Chain to be
extremely satisfying as I was in the heartbeat of the Company, being a central
contact point, providing services to internal and external customers.
Simplifying processes in Supply Chain and implementing ERP were my primary and
core functions then. I knew that I needed to substantiate my newly found daily
bread with a strong and solid foundation.
I attended
a 3-day seminar at SIPMM as an appetizer into Supply Chain and truly found the
course interesting and worthwhile. After some research among the Institutes
providing courses in this area, I selected SIPMM based on its professionalism
and teaching methods that the lecturers use. More importantly, I was looking
for a “hands-on” course, not a purely academic course that I would not apply to
my daily duties and responsibilities. This balanced my tasks as a Manager in
Procurement and Supply Chain Department within the Company and my attachment to
Supply Chain grew favorably as the months went by.
The
ADPMM truly benefited and complemented my role in Procurement as the topics and
assignments covered are currents facts and challenges faced in the changing world
of Supply Chain. Wide reading is required to further enhance the mastery of
Procurement and Logistics topics. The solid foundation and fundamental
principles provided by the lecturers in each subject matter allowed me to
further expand my horizons beyond the inward thinking that Supply Chain only
belongs to cost centre of a Company. I was able to turn around the department
to a revenue centre and bring Procurement into the next level of core
cross-functional department within the Company.
It
has been a rewarding journey to once again be a mature-aged entry student.
Moving on 15 years later, I am now a mother of two young boys, a wife to a
supportive husband and an employee to a US MNC. Juggling the hours to studies
wore off thin as assignments needed to be handed in and examinations were round
the corner. There are many more hats to wear as I grow older. Nevertheless,
time management and self-discipline are the vital essence to a good balance.
With the assistance and support of the lecturers and administrative staff of
SIPMM, this challenging passage was worth every bit of its journey for me, as a
student, still young at heart. Thank you.”
WORLD SUPPLY RESEARCH
INSTITUTE (WSRI) TOP GRADUATE for Bachelor of Business
Administration (specialising in Purchasing &
Logistics Management) - 22nd intake awarded by Southern Cross University (SCU) - MS CHUA YAN KIM
“Four years ago, I graduated from Singapore Polytechnic,
with a Diploma in Business Administration, specialising in Tourism. Back then,
due to the outbreak of SARS, it was quite difficult for me to find a job in the
tourism industry. As a result, I accepted a job as a buyer in an electronics
company. And this marks a significant change in my career path. Being the
youngest and the most inexperienced staff in my department, I told myself that
it is necessary for me to work extra hard to gain a foothold in the company.
So, I started to learn the basic purchasing techniques from my superiors
through OJT or On-the-Job-Training. I was beginning to enjoy my work very much
and my desire to acquire more knowledge had spurred me to embark on this course
– Bachelor of Business Administration (specialising in Purchasing &
Logistics Management) offered by SIPMM and awarded by SCU.
When I took up this
course, my main objective was to gain as much knowledge and skills from the
course as possible, to help me in my job as a buyer. Of course, the degree will
also come in handy for my career advancement in the future. But my quest for
knowledge acquisition was far different from the days when I was a polytechnic
student. My emphasis then was to pass my examinations with the highest possible
grades……….but as an adult student, I need to “re-learn” and apply the acquired
knowledge that I learned from SIPMM, to my job.
One of the challenges I
faced in the pursuit of this degree, is the need to develop effective time
management. Trust me, to juggle work, study and life effectively is not easy.
It involves a lot of discipline, commitment and sacrifices on our part. The
people around us, such as our family members, colleagues and classmates also
play important roles to help us pull through this period.
Looking
back, I really appreciate the change in the depth of my understanding. After
attaining this BBA degree, I am beginning to do much better than I ever expect. I have learned a tremendous amount of knowledge from the course
lecturers at SCU and SIPMM, and see myself growing and becoming a very skilful
buyer. Now, I work with so much more confidence than before. The earning of
this degree has unlocked many new doors which I have never known that existed.
Not only my career has advanced, my whole realm of thoughts has deepened. Now I
look at work issues more profoundly and I am able to contribute my thoughts to
my work team from a different perspective. In short, the way that I look at the
world has changed… as well as the way I see myself. Of course, these would not
have happened without this BBA degree and more importantly, the course
lecturers and SIPMM. There is no doubt
that the supply chain industry is full of challenges and I must say SIPMM has
equipped me well in response to today’s challenges and opportunities.”
For more information on SIPMM professional courses, please contact the
SIPMM Course Management Office
on (65) 6273-4172 or
email to info@sipmm.org.sg