(adapted part of my informal 'speech') Way back in the year 2007, I graduated from my course, Quality Management & Engineering in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. I was waiting anxiously for my results from NTU & NUS applications. Right then, I applied for my desired course, Industrial Management in NUS (1st choice for NUS). My 2nd choice for NTU Mechanical Engineering (which is 1st choice for NTU). The results are out… I was not offered Industrial Management instead Business Administration. And I know this course is rather hard to get in as the poly students would know need at least a gpa of at least 3.6/4.0 to get in. NTU gave me my 1st choice, Mechanical Engineering. This course would only need a gpa 3.2/4.0 to get in.
So, I went for the MAE Welcome talk and get to know about LDP. After talking to Prof Chui about LDP, I decided to give up Business in NUS in which all my friends objected my decision. They scolded me why give up such a good course for a lousy course! And NUS is way better than NTU… Then, I didn’t regret the choice I made.
On the few week of school in NTU, I was sick and my close friends went to NTU MSE/EEE, NUS or SMU courses. I had my poly coursemates with me but our timetable turned out to be different. I couldn’t catch fully what the lecturers taught as I was from a non-mechanical background in which worsen my illness. I think I’ve mild depression where I cried every night.
Ahhh! Then, I received an email from MAE office for the invitation to join LDP and attended the LDP Introductory Talk. Back then, I think my benefactor is Susan. She was kind enough to give me her hp no. during Orientation Day. I got to know from her the information about LDP and schoolwork via sms. With her support and my friends’ support, I decided to fight against stress and persist on. I applied and got into LDP after the interview. And that’s how I am there for the Orientation!
After recess week, I did have the thought of giving up my university education. Guess what? Project L.O.V.E 2007 to Neijiang China gave me the strength to continue as NTU is not always about studying; I could enrich myself with other activities. Yuli who was the Asst. Team Leader for Project L.O.V.E 2007 offered to help me with my modules before exams and I managed to clear my exam. My 2nd benefactor! The Project L.O.V.E team gave me the opportunity to be part of the secretarial team. It’s indeed a team of love as what I have seen. Everyone works closely like a big family. And that’s when I get to know more LDPians besides Susan and Yuli. During the trip, the team was bonded more closely.
Unlike my 1st community service trip to Thailand during my poly days, we were treated as adults and leaders. In the different departments and the group collaborations of classroom teaching and science exhibitions, we are expected to initiate and take the lead to come out with the best plan. “We’re old enough to think for ourselves!” that was muthiah and jarrod’s favourite phrase. The 2 leaders only reminded us the rules and regulations for only once. Then, we must uphold their trust on us. Effective decision-making and communication skills were practiced during nightly short meetings. I still remember the serious case of ‘students requested for autographs’. Technically, we shouldn’t give the autographs as it would affect our plan. Muthiah brought up his view - we should! as we could give hope to each of them to work hard! One by one, all state our views. Our decision is that we would only give autographs after our science exhibitions. And definitely, not forgetting the experience of the local culture eg the nice nice food & warm hospitality and backpacking R & R experience.
My next project is my own department, T & D project, Coaching workshop conducted by LDP seniors lead by Kelly (who was the T & D dept head). I had to work with a completely different team and also the very very experienced seniors. It was my 1st workshop but not the usual one as in engaging external trainers but getting our very own LDP trainers. The whole course benefitted me a lot in the way of learning what is coaching, learning the various presentation styles from the seniors, pick up a new set of team management and knowing more LDPians.
In Yr 3, I took up the LDP main com post as Honorary General Secretary and initiated the UNI-For-The-New-U Programme. It was a programme being adapted from the previous committee tutoring sessions for polytechnic students. We had weekly tutoring and also mass lectures for the yr 1 and yr 2 direct entry students. Aside from these, we had an recess week event of having the honor to invite Prof Chou to share his studying skills when he was a student and the yr 3 & 4 to share on their exchange and OIA experience. The programme was then carried to Peer tutoring under Kok Hou and his acad dept. The whole project was a success and I was fortunate to have Rudy Herianto as my asst team leader who helped and supported all along.
Top on of that, I also took up Vice-Chairperson in NTUSU BP Mentoring. In the post, I did apply what I have learnt in LDP especially the operational model in LDP in having workshops to train my mentors. (speak abt photos) Then, my batch of LDPians were just like me taking up main committee positions like Susan took up President for LDP and Vice-President for Food Aprecio Club, Xie Wei - Vice President for Toastmasters’ Club, He Shu - Vice-President for MAE Club, Bao Shin – IT Director for Investment Interactive Club, Boon Yen – PR Asst Head for LDP, Yee Loong – Centre Head for WSC RSP and Yan li & Boon Inn - the few LDP events IC There were also some who had stepped down from their posts like Yuli – Vice President for LDP & Project L.O.V.E 2007 asst team leader, Yiliang – PR Head for LDP, Kelly – T & D head for LDP, Jason - Hon gen for Hall 16 JCRC, Parvathy - Treasurer for LDP & Project L.O.V.E 2007 team leader
As a hon gen, I made the efforts to know at least 80% of all LDPians since I was the ‘spammer’ to inform of events and workshops. That’s when I was even closer to LDPians. I always maintain my beautiful attendance close to 100% in LDP activities to set a good model to all and always fulfilling my job as a hon gen to take attendance.
Then, I continued to join Project L.O.V.E 2008 to Baray, Cambodia and until the recent Project L.O.V.E 2009 to Wenxian County, China (speak about the photos). Hahha! I was wondering who can break my consecutive records for Project L.O.V.E(s)!
Besides that, we, the LDPians also initiated our very own outings like Homestay trips in Malaysia and China, Tioman snorkeling trip, impromptu JB trips and in the recent weekly badminton sessions at this function hall! ~~LDP events and private bonding events…
My NTU life evolves round LDP so I was wondering what my life would be without LDP! My story is just a chapter out of many other chapters of stories to be shared by my fellow graduating LDPians. Do take your time to hear from them of how we benefit from LDP, what activities we will miss after we left... and I think we all are going to miss LDP Room the most! The place where we study, we mug, we spend our short breaks in between lectures, we cook supper and desserts, we play games, we sleep, we have meetings, we HTHT, we get to know more LDPians and many more…
On behalf of the Graduating LDPians, I would like to say a big thanks to LDP for giving a whole list of wonderful memories and equipped us with skills to prepare us for our future career. Also a big thanks to all Professors who assisted us especially Prof Chou who see us grow in LDP. Also a big thanks to the LDP committee for planning our graduation dinner very well! And to the juniors, do cherish your moments with LDP and I believe you might benefit more than me!
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