Network

FusionWorld Fieldtrip (2009)

On 15 April, Network conducted a fieldtrip to FusionWorld at the Fusionopolis. FusionWorld is Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) gallery, which showcases award-winning inventions and cutting-edge technology incorporated into realistic applications.

On arrival, the modern façade greatly impressed, but the best was yet to come. We were warmly welcomed by the officers and our informative and friendly tour guide led us into the awe-inspiring interior of FusionWorld.
The tour itself, showcased A STAR’s more than 50 inventions, ranging from innovations in the field of materials science and engineering, data storage, microelectronics, manufacturing technology, high performance computing, and even information and communications. The one-and-a-half hour tour was a glimpse into life in our world 50 year from now. So many of the gizmos piqued our interest, but here are a couple of our favourites:

1. The motion detector TV: with this, remote controls and game consoles will be replaced by motion detector sensors, revolutionizing the gaming industry and enabling the creation of personalized & body engaging games.
2. Brain wave detector: this would be particularly applicable in the medical industry for identifying children with ADHD( Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder).
3. Car racing game utilising brain waves for control: it transforms human brain signals into electrical impulses, which are read by a computer to control the movement of the cars. The more concentrated one is, the faster the car will move. It is truly astounding that we can use our “mind power” to control things.

More inspiring than the inventions themselves is the concept of FusionWorld. There are many brilliant discoveries and research results, but only a few become well-known and truly utilized. This is because the network between research institutions and companies is not well linked. Many companies do not commercialize the research to create useful products, but with FusionWorld as an expressway between research institutions and companies, investors and prominent personnel can get in touch with the newest technology, with the prospect and potential of commercializing these innovations.

All in all, the trip to FusionWorld gave us true insight on what it means to “think-out-of –the-box”, both in terms of innovation and in advertising products!

- Zijin and Norman

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Settler’s Cafe Fieldtrip (2008)

The business study fieldtrip was organised during the March break. Members were in for a treat — The day started with games and bonding activities for members to get to know one another better. After which the club adjourned to the flea market at Chinatown, to observe how the retail stalls positioned themselves as well as how they market themselves. The day ended off with dinner at the Settlers’ Cafe; while the club couldn’t get to meet the founder of the cafe, the collection of 280 board games definitely kept them busy.

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Essential Brew Fieldtrip (2007)

- By Branden Seow, 07s73, Chairperson of Network (2007)

The fieldtrip to Essential Brew Tea Café and Restaurant on the 31st January was indeed an enriching and meaningful learning experience for members and teachers of Ne2twork. Upon arriving at the place, we were greeted by a HwaChong alumnus, Mr Evan Chung and we began an interactive discussion session with him. I had personally learnt a lot from him and these are the few salient points that I brought back with me after the session:

I. Entrepreneurship is not all about glitz and glamour.
Despite its apparent grandeur of his café, Mr Chung has again and again reiterated that entrepreneurship is not all about glitz and glamour but a lot of hard work has to put into it to get a venture going. In order to kick off his venture, Mr Chung and his team have put in long hours and put through lack of sleep. In fact, even now, though his café is faring rather well, he still laments the fact how he still has to put in time and effort to sustain and to improve his venture. So, if you think entrepreneurship is going to be easy and all that comes after initial success will be glory and fame, think about it again.

II. Do what you love and have a passion for.
Doing what you enjoy is a key to success. Doing what you love will not fail to motivate you to wanting to perform better and put in your best despite the circumstances. Due to their penchant for tea, Mr Chung and his team are able to continuously experiment and produce new recipes and achieve breakthroughs by integrating their unique creations with the dishes and always improving to provide something new and refreshing for their customers. If they do not enjoy what they are doing, there will be no drive and the venture cannot progress. Be it entrepreneurship or not, doing what you love is essential for success.

III. Have an end in mind.
One thing that really shocked us was when Mr Chung revealed to us that he is in fact only an A-level graduate without a degree. After serving NS, though the NUS faculty of architecture accepted him, he did not complete his studies as he wanted to fulfill his dream of doing something on his own and something that he could take ownership and feel proud of. In fact, Mr Chung also quoted Mr Sim Wong Hoo, CEO, Creative, that among the top 10 richest men in the world, only one has a university degree. Of course, he is not encouraging us not to pursue a degree or higher education but the point he is trying to strike at is one must have an end in mind and eventually, no matter what happens, one will find a way there.

IV. Get a team that can complement each other.
Mr Chung attributed the success of his venture to the fact that there is dynamism in the team. Everyone is able to complement each other with his area of expertise. Mr Chung emphasized this as another key factor to success in entrepreneurship. For example, Mr Chung is good at marketing and public relations, another partner of his is good at finance and accounting, the other is good at website creation and maintenance, different skills enhancing the intrinsic value of the other, promoting synergy that is vital for success in a venture. Though birds of the same feather flock together, this does not necessarily mean they will end up to where they want to at the end of the day.

V. Learn to enjoy the process as well, not only the results.
Mr Chung had also told us to learn to enjoy the process of whatever we do as well. Sometimes, if we are too focused on only getting the results and ending up not enjoying the process at all, it will turn out to be counterproductive as it is only when we are having fun that we will become creative and optimistic. When Mr Chung and his team were trying to come up with a unique recipe, they spent time experimenting things here and there and they were not really pressed into getting the desired result, but through the fun in experimenting, they began to create even more tastes.

VI. Aim to achieve balance in life.
Another thing that impressed upon us is Mr Chung’s way of striking a balance between his social life and work life. Mr Chung had exhorted us not to neglect our social life or personal health despite being engrossed with what we do because even if we did achieve what we want at the end of the day, we will feel empty and unfulfilled. When Mr Chung needs to commit to his work, he will switch off his home cell phone so that no one can disturb him while he is working. However, when he is out with his family, he will switch off his cell phone for work instead to fully enjoy the time without any interruptions from work. Family members wouldn’t like it if Mr Chung were to discuss work while out with them.

After the fruitful session, Mr Chung treated us to his new invention, ice cream shot cups, before wishing us success in whatever we do. It was indeed an enjoyable session for all of us.