Six-day workshops and company visits for Bicultural Studies Programme scholars
In a bid to nurture a pool of Singaporean bilingual and bicultural youths, Business China assisted in organising a series of Bicultural Studies Local Immersion Programme for Dunman High School (DHS) and River Valley High School (RVHS) from 28 May to 5 June.
The six-day programme included lectures by experienced speakers as well as site visits to successful local companies, which served as extensions of the Bicultural Studies course in further incorporating real-life experiences to enhance the students’ knowledge on the rise of contemporary China and the roles of Singapore in the new world order.
The participating students were made up of 100 budding bilingual and bicultural Year 3 to Year 5 scholars from both DHS and RVHS’s Bicultural Studies Programme. The lectures revolved around the historical background of Singapore-China relations, China’s political and societal structuring and reforms, and development of new media in China.
In-depth understanding on China-related topics
Lecturers invited to conduct sharing included experienced foreign affairs trainer and veteran media practitioners. Mr Wang Hua Lei from sgwritings.com was one of the speakers. He elaborated how new media played a significant part in telling stories to the public on political issues in China. Chen Zhi Ting (Year 4, RVHS) commented that she had gained better understanding on the positive as well as negative connections between new media and politics. With this new information, she felt that actions should be taken against abusers of new media.
Another lecturer, Mr Wu Lei, Executive General Manager of Xinhuanet Singapore, shared his views on the increasing integration between traditional media and new media; as well as the difference between the two, and the increasing importance of the Omni media. Tan Li Jin (Year 4, DHS) said: “Mr Wu Lei answered my doubt towards traditional media and new media, and gave me a better understanding on what Omni media is about.”
A full-time trainer, Ms Emilyn Poh shared her valuable experience with captivating stories she recounted during the 12 years of her diplomatic career. Ms Poh gave an indept introduction on the diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, and shared practical tips from different perspectives on living in China and working with the locals there.
On 3 June, Ms Han Yong Hong, Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor from the China Desk and Business China Young Achiever Award 2011 recipient, was invited to speak on China’s political structure and system. Her comprehensive 90 minutes’ keynote presentation was well illustrated with pictures and flow charts, and aided the students’ understanding of a seemingly complex system.
Participants from both schools were impressed by the insights of the lecture. They also expressed great interest in participating in future events organised by Business China.
On-the-ground experience through company visits
On the first day, the students visited Hai Di Lao Hot Pot, a Chinese hot pot chain famous for providing excellent services. The management of Hai Di Lao shared the company’s service culture with the students and personal vignettes of going all out for their customers. Lim Ying Min (Year 3, RVHS) said that he was very impressed by Hai Di Lao’s thoughtful and almost pampering services, which included taking care of customers’ personal belongings whilst they dine. The dining experience was as close to being in China as it can get in Singapore, without the students travelling out of the country and it was an eye opener for students who experienced the authentic Chinese spicy hot pot for the first time.
As “the eponymous fashionable shoe brand from Singapore”, Charles and Keith is widely recognised as one of the most marketable fashion footwear brand in today’s international scene. During the visit, students were both enchanted and enthralled by the layout design and overall operation of the Charles and Keith’s Corporate Headquarters in Singapore. Mr Fong Shee Beng, Executive Director of Charles and Keith, personally led the group in touring the various departments.
One of Business China’s Directors, Mr Thomas Chua’s company, Teckwah Group, also hosted the Bicultural Studies students.. Ms Chua Ai Ling, Business Development Manager of the leading service provider of customised supply chain management services, shared her personal experience and culture shock of her first encounter with China years ago. Mdm Mai Ah Ngo, Executive Director of Teckwah, added the importance of being bilingual and bicultural when dealing with China and joined Miss Chua in giving a tour of the company to the students. As a people-oriented organisation, Teckwah’s corporate culture left a deep impression with the students. Foon Si Han (Year 4, RVHS) reflected that after the visit, she now looks at all the packaging she comes across differently.
She now knows that each little packaging comes with big considerations for, e.g. safety and hygiene issues beyond mere aesthetics.
Another top management who hosted the group was Executive Vice President of Meiban Group, Mr Gilberto Cabral. Meiban is currently one of the most established and one of the best moulding and mould manufacturers in Singapore. Bringing the students right down to the manufacturing floor, Mr Cabral also shared his business experience in China and patiently answered the students’ questions on the operation of Meiban.
The series of Bicultural Studies Local Immersion Programme were conceptualised with the aim to enhance students’ understanding of Chinese culture and contemporary China; appreciate the importance of the Chinese language and culture in the current global context; and be nurtured to become bilingual talents capable of adapting to both the Western and Chinese culture.