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Three teachers set off for their overseas work attachment organized by Teachers Network, Ministry of Education (MOE), and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Enterprise. One of them, Mr Tham Chor Kee from Serangoon Garden South School, shares his experiences.
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| Chor Kee is all geared up for the start of the Venture Showcase 2006. |
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It started with a trade mission. The National University of Singapore Venture Support (NVS) led a contingent of a dozen Singapore-based technology companies to be showcased in Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, California. This event, jointly sponsored by Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and Institute of Engineers (IES), introduced some of the most exciting and innovative technology companies emerging from Singapore. Planned business matching sessions for the participating companies to meet their “wish list” of industry partners and investors were also included.
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| Chor Kee (extreme
left) worked as a team with the NUS Venture Support Staff and two teacher
colleagues at the Venture Showcase. |
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Qualities of an Entrepreneur
Three teachers from MOE: Ms Wee Siew Bee, Ms Tay Siu Hua and myself were selected to join the trade mission. During the trip, I spoke to the founders of participating companies and learnt that to become an entrepreneur, one should develop such qualities as proactiveness, initiative, self-reliance and optimism. The entrepreneur should be able to transform an isolated idea into a business enterprise. I learnt, too, that for those of us who were not born with entrepreneurial skills, these can be cultivated and developed. Hence, a good place to start is our schools which should impart or nurture such entrepreneurial qualities in students.
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| Chor Kee making his
presentation at the Venture Showcase. |
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I noticed that all of the entrepreneurs were very passionate about their ideas and products. They recognised that their ideas would account for the success or failure of the enterprise. An entrepreneur takes risks with his money, time and reputation, as his enterprise is not guaranteed to succeed. However, the courage and ability to take on these elements of uncertainty are exactly what puts an entrepreneur in a different category from those who are not. Entrepreneurs anticipate risks and take failures in their stride. But they also expect that the rewards, if reaped, will be great, and even compensate for any risks undertaken.
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| Chor Kee (back row,
3rd from right) had a fruitful time sharing with the entrepreneurs. |
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Learning Through Failure
These entrepreneurs were all very resilient in the face of failure. Even in times of failure, they would ask themselves what they might have done to ensure success. I had an interesting conversation with one of the product founders who also happened to be a professor. He highlighted how Singapore seemed to be a society that could not condone failure: people were not easily convinced that failure breeds success. I reflected on my own teaching and realised that I, too, have been guilty. Many times we treat failure as an end of sorts but do not view it as an opportunity that may lead to success. The reality is that the gap between success and failure is seldom very wide.
Students Speak Up
I also visited Stanford University and spoke to some of its undergrads. We talked about ‘employability’ and agreed that the concept of ‘job security’ has a diminishing significance in today’s workforce. Instead of being “guaranteed a career for life”, most employees have to work hard at ensuring they stay employable. Some take up courses specifically in their line of work, others diversify their personal interests that could include work-related activities. As teachers, preparing our students to face the challenges of the future world means we impart not only academic knowledge, but also the skills and attitudes to establish their ‘employability’
In conclusion, the trip to the Valley was an eye-opening experience for me. It was extremely enriching to speak to budding entrepreneurs and get an insight into their dreams. Their relentless passion and drive are indeed the qualities that we should inspire our students to possess as these can only stand them in good stead in future, when they themselves enter the workforce.
See Contact Issue 8 for Ms Tay Siu Hua (Monk’s Hill Secondary) and Ms Wee Siew Bee’s sharing (Tampines JC)
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