002 2013 JUNE

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR

ALUMNI PORTAL AND

UPDATE YOUR

PARTICULARS HERE!

STAYING ROOTED, MOVING FORWARD

Questions or comments? Please email us at alumni@tp.edu.sg or call (65)6780-5353. Copyright Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore. All rights reserved.

eNews TP ALUMNI

“Cries of London” Serenades Hearts

“ ”

Remain true to yourself

and always be upright

and positive.

The movie is a first co-production film between Singapore and Cambodia and it documents the story of a film-maker that delves deep into the dark scenes of Cambodia to expose illegal prostitution rings plaguing the country. But despite this momentous landmark in his career, Alvin’s time in TP proves to be very special for him. Alvin shared that his 3 years in Temasek Design School were memorable and he made a lot of friends. The nature of his course also provided him with the autonomy and platform to enhance his creative endeavors. However, he felt that he could have been more prepared if he was given relevant business knowledge—such as legal structures, fundraising, financing models, management, advertising and promotions – crucial for film producers to propel a project forward, especially if the goal is to penetrate the global market. Thus, he encourages budding

entrepreneurs to read business related books or find a good mentor to understudy and learn from. Certainly the serious portfolio as CEO of a company does not hinder Alvin from reminiscing futher of his fondest memories studying in TP. He recalled the tough times he and his teammates had to rush project submissions; the random hang outs in malls after schools; the late nights spent together in school and the ―chasing game‖ with security guards soon after. Interestingly when probed about what he misses most about TP, the self-professed foodie declared, ―Design School’s Chicken Chop!‖. Looks like the TP Design School’s Western food stall has a die-hard fan!

Exclusive Push Cart Rentals for Budding Entrepreneurs

Click here to “LIKE” us on

Facebook! Know the answer? Send it to us!

Submit your answers in a list with your full name and admin / NRIC / Mobile Phone number

before Sunday, 16th June 2013 at alumni@tp.edu.sg now!

C r o s s w o r d P u z z l e C o n t e s t

When did you join TP and what made you stay on? I joined TP on 1 October 1994—it’s like a century and more now. What has made me stay on are the students and the fact that I have had opportunities to do many things that the school and TP has given me. I believe I can do more. Teaching is a life commitment and so there is no wonder why one stays on in an education institution. What is great is that I have had the opportunity to meet and train students from all schools What does TP mean to you? Education in all its manifestations. There are several opportunities in TP but you need to want to do them and you cannot watch time in education. You reap the benefits of education only as a process. How has TP developed you as a person? TP gives me the avenues to try new things. I am grateful to the many schools and administration departments in TP that have asked me to do so many things such as graduation; Beyond ―O’ Level Talk; PolyForum; YM Forums; Pace-Setters Training etc. What is your most memorable moment in TP? Seeing my students graduate, winning the Teaching Excellence Award and developing a Cross Disciplinary subject for National Education (NE) Can you tell us more about what you do? I write to add colour to staff life in my Monday morning messages to staff and students; I

teach communications; I deal with discipline in the school of Business; I chair the NE Committee; I help with the Pre-U seminar and PolyForum; I do the graduation for School of Business and I help with Corporate Communications Department (CCD) with their events; I teach overseas with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Programme and I am available to do so much more! What makes graduates of TP unique from other Institute of Higher Learning (IHL)?

I think TP graduates have a sense of belonging to TP and they are positive.

What would you like to say to the alumni you have taught in the past?

The world is volatile. Everything is in a flux. Be global in mind-set.

Do more than you can. Work not for today but tomorrow.

Think how you can make even the most routine job different

so that you add value to your presence in the organisation.

There is never a dull day for this lady who has brought so much laughter and joy to education. Communications Senior Lecturer, Mrs Mary Thomas, shares with us her fond memories in Temasek Polytechnic.

“

”

The capability to break the ice and network with the right decision makers will bring you to the next level. And humility is equally important as networking. Be genuinely nice to people, be respectful, be less calculative, and opportunities will land in your hands

In support of the increasing numbers of budding entrepreneurs within our Alumni community, the division is introducing the Alumni Priority Push Cart Rental Scheme. This cart rental service which is afforded mainly to student entrepreneurs in TP is now made available for Alumni entrepreneurs who are seeking to test the receptivity of their products amongst the youths. The scheme has been designed to meet the needs of Alumni entrepreneurs which is particularly longer rental duration (students are allowed to rent for only 3 days) for them to do product introduction and market research. For $20 a day, TP graduates must rent the cart for a minimum of 2 consecutive weeks to a maximum of 4 consecutive weeks and are leased based on each calendar month.

Alvin Soe Paints Town Red With New Film

Mary Brings Merry to Education

Alvin Soe, TP Design alumnus, was the film

producer of a local film named Red Numbers. The

film, produced under the banner of Supernova

Media in which Alvin is the founder and CEO,

gathered a lot of fanfare because it featured many

well-loved Channel 8 celebrities such as Edmund

Chen and Hong Huifang and making his film debut

is the renowned Fengshui master Hui Shifu.

Although the movie centers on the theme of

gambling, Alvin urges audiences to understand

the underlying message of the film which is about

hope, family and love particularly cherishing your

love ones.

Alvin explains that the story of Red Numbers was

originally conceived by the film’s director, Dominic

Ow who is someone that Alvin looks up to. He

shares that Dominic, a former Lieutenant Colonel,

gave up his high salary job to pursue his passion

for filmmaking which Alvin found admirable.

Other than Dominic, Alvin is grateful to his mentor

Mr Chan Gin Kai who taught him the ropes of

starting a business in the media industry. Mr Chan

provided the push that Alvin needed and imparted

knowledge from his decade of experience as a

seasoned businessman and veteran in the media

circle.

When asked about the qualities contributing to the

success of a film producer, Alvin cites the

traditional saying, ―It’s not what you have, but

who you know‖ which he believes is essential to

succeed in the competitive media business.

The graduate in Diploma in Moving Images (MOI),

is currently overseeing a new film project entitled,

―3.50‖ which stars local celebrity, Eunice Olsen.

The audience was treated to an exciting repertoire of music pieces ranging from musical classics such as Les Miserables to popular culture pieces particularly in tribute to the Late Diva, Ms Whitney Houston. One of the objectives of this initiative was to motivate current band members to stay equally active with the band after they graduate from TP and be true to the Team Temasek spirit. The concert also aimed to inspire other members of the TP Alumni Community to embark on similar events.

The TP Alumni Band staged its second concert – ―Cries of London‖ on 27 April 2013 at Auditorium 1. The ticketed concert was attended by a total of 295 audience members which included TP staff, alumni and students. Many in the audience were also friends and family of the band members. Each ticket was sold at $10 each.

Among the performers involved in the 1 hour and 45 minute-concert were 53 alumni – an increase of 20 as compared to the previous year . The members of the current TP Band were also involved and performed two items. In the spirit of collaboration between arts groups, the Alumni Band invited a tenor vocalist from TP Chorale, who was featured in one of the pieces, London Bridge.

These carts are situated permanently at the entrance of Business school, near the library which boasts high student traffic particularly during lunch breaks. For more information of about the rules and regulations of this scheme, please download the softcopy form from our Alumni Portal or alternatively direct your queries to cartrental@tp.edu.sg !

ACROSS

1. Location of push carts

3. Name of CCA of the male

Tenor who performed with

the Alumni Band

5. Mary Thomas urges

graduates to have this

mindset

6. City that was the central

theme of the Alumni Band

Concert

7. Songs of this late Diva was

performed in the Alumni

Band Concert

9. Colour of the movie Alvin

produced

DOWN

2. Mary won this Teaching

Award

4. The month Mary Thomas

first entered TP

8. Price Per Day for Alumni

Push Cart Rental