Pre-University Seminar 2015 (PRE-U SEM)

I have waited patiently for a total of 3 months before I could write and post this entry because I was involved in Pre-University Seminar 2015 and just a few days back, I have successfully completed this residential event! Woohoo~ 

This year's Pre-University Seminar is jointly organised by the Ministry of Education and St Andrew's Junior College. The theme for this year's Seminar is 'Cherishing Our Past, Celebrating Our Present, Creating Our Future'. In conjunction with celebrating SG50, it aims to develop in students a deep sense of appreciation of our past, as well as to raise awareness on the contributions of Singaporeans from all walks of life. 

Preparation 
Pre-Seminar Workshop, 28 March 2015 @ St Andrew's Junior College

A total of 30 tertiary institutions came together, compromising of 15 Junior Colleges, 1 Millennia Institute, 9 IP Schools and 5 Polytechnics. This is a national event which involved a total of 550 student participants across each tertiary institution in Singapore. 

Groundwork (between April and May 2015)
After receiving the EPIC Guide booklet, we headed over to a classroom with Mr Derrick, our Teacher Facilitator(TF) and our 2 Student Liaison Officers(SLOs), and our team started our discussion. I was grouped into Team 30 and our specific domain given is Economic & International. In the classroom, we brainstormed and came up with many interview questions related closely to our domain for the Groundwork. 

22nd April 2015, 2:30PM @ SMU Admin Building 

To achieve the purpose of developing a deep sense of appreciation for and awareness of the contributions of Singaporeans from all walks of life in all the participating students, the various participating teams had to carry out some groundwork by interviewing significant people in various occupations to gather valuable insights that will enrich their learning during the actual Seminar. 

Groundwork Interview with an SMU student who has returned from exchange. One of the main purpose of the interview was to enquire about the response towards foreign business students studying in Singapore by the local Singaporean community, and to encourage a more positive response among the latter.

Team 30 was split into 2 teams. Another team had the privilege to interview Ms Bernadette Toh, Director, Office of Global Learning in Singapore Management University (SMU). After both interviews ended, we immediately gathered back at the mini cafeteria area, quickly summarized and exchanged the key findings and reflection. We also analyzed the data collected and identified the possible Operation V50 ideas.


I felt it was a great and authentic learning experience for me. It enabled me to understand and appreciate the work, values and challenges faced by a diverse spectrum of individuals and organisations on the ground. How often do I get such opportunities? I really count myself lucky and it was definitely an enriching and memorable experience. 

We met up again in SJI after school to finalize our Operation V50 idea, and also to craft out the first draft of Operation V50 Proposal. 



Pre-U Seminar (DAY ONE: Registration & Checking-In) 
Tuesday, 2 June 2015

I woke up at 6:50 AM, I quickly washed up and got ready. Keric fetched me and we had a filling breakfast together before taking the MRT down to Kent Ridge MRT Station. Upon alighting, I met Mr Derrick & Wei Shan, we then walked to Prince George's Park Residence (PGP). 

I was designated to sleep at BLK 16, level 5 and Room D. 

 Let me introduce you to TRANSPONDER! ~ 

It is the only access 'card' you're using for the whole stayover in the seminar. It gives you access to the lifts for your block, access to the cluster glass door and lastly, to your own unit.

 It is really simple to use. Just need to press the dark blue button on the center of the transponder while position it approximately 2cm to 5cm away from the lift access control panel or digital locking system in your unit. However, it gets a little frustrating if it is not detected then we have to be patiently wait and press it repeatedly. 

 This corridor is so creepy at night because the lights are not working. Thank God I wasn't staying along this corridor. Mine was the one after the right turn. 

 My room for the past 3 nights. 

 Relatively spacious for one but it is a little run-down and it has a smell. 

 I really like my window view though. Every morning I would wake up at around 6:06AM and I could see the lights from the harbour. After washing up, the sun rises and a new view is seen. How spectacular~ 

 Our dearest SLO, Chemane specially bought for us bandanas so we could use it as a team-item! YEAH~ 

Opening Ceremony @ UCC 

 Opening Ceremony held at UCC Auditorium 

 Team 30's welfie with Minister Lawrence Wong

Participants from Republic Polytechnic (RP)

 After tea reception, we headed back to PGP. 

 We had dinner at PGP Hall and then we decided to take a shower before a round of night discussion and team bonding time.  

Pre-U Seminar (DAY TWO: Panel Discussion) 
Wednesday, 3 June 2015

After breakfast at 7AM, we traveled to NUS Science faculty lecture theater (LT) for Panel Discussion. We were separated into our 5 domains and for my team, we went to LT29 for Economic and International. We were encouraged to actively engage the Panelists during Q&A. 

 Ms Lim Hwee Hua,
Director of Tembusu Partners and Board Member of UOB

 Mr Goh Tong Pak, 

President of Chairman's Office - Special Projects at Breaktalk Group Ltd

 Mr Roderick Chia, 

Venture Capitalist and Founder of rodVenture

 Mr Dylan Hu,
Director of Poli Medical Company Pte Ltd

Team Discussion & Preparation for V50

 Making props for Operation V50

 I had sufficient 'Me-Time' after the Preparation for Operation V50 with my team so I headed back to my room, tidied my things and arranged the things inside the goodie bag for a picture! 

Pre-U Seminar (DAY Three: Panel Discussion) 
Thurday, 4 June 2015

We walked from PGP to Kent Ridge MRT station in our teams led by SLOs and TFs. We traveled to our designated location for Operation V50 via MRT. 

Each of us received a Pre-U Seminar Ez-link card!

 SUCCESS! 

 We travel back to PGP via MRT for lunch and also attended Day 3 Debrief and received instructions on the preparation of Exhibitions @ Closing Ceremony. 

Waiting for our bus to come and head to Multi-Purpose Sports Hall (MPSH)

Pre-U Seminar (DAY FOUR: Checking-out & Closing Ceremony @ MPSH) 
Friday, 5 June 2015

I have been waiting excitedly for last day as it seemed closer to the end of the seminar and a completion of an unique journey. Not forgetting, heading home for the weekends! All participants checked out of their rooms and brought down their luggage, all ready to head to MPSH for the preparation of the exhibition booths and closing ceremony. 

Prize presentation and dismissal~ 

Conclusion
It was an EPIC journey indeed as my team is made up of a combination of several other schools and it was a good learning experience to work with different people. The Team Discussion sessions and Panel Discussion Forum  helped me to see things from a different perspective.

For Operation V50, I was able to initiate and advocate a cause based on the needs identified during Groundwork with my team and I was challenged through Operation V50 to reflect on the perspectives shared by the members of the public. Through it, I was inspired to reflect on my role in fulfilling my vision for Singapore. I found the exhibit booths and presentations attractive and engaging. It was great to learn from others and I had gained many refreshing perspectives.

Lastly, I am really thankful to my TF and SLOs for being so supportive and they have greatly helped me in my learning process.

To sum it all up, I learnt that I should be bold to try out new events and be bold in my learning. Learning can be anywhere and also anytime. It all depends on my heart and my attitude to learn.