incoRPorate - Issue 3 / 2013

Published for industry partners of Republic Polytechnic

e’s improving singapor supply chain sector

New centre of excellence for logistics News 03

Focus 10

Profile 14

Collaboration with global IT leader

Supply chain management

Director of RP School of Engineering shares his passion

2013 Issue No. 3

In this issue

Editor’s message

W

Ronald Wong

Adviser Seto Lok Yin Editor-in-Chief Ronald Wong Editors Josephine Teo & Joey Tang Editorial Assistant Leow Weihui

8 10

7

3

14 Profile

News

Cisco Systems; Teleperformance Singapore; Singapore Armed Forces; Polar Puffs & Cakes; Jetstar Asia; W Squared Live Entertainment; Industry Services; MILK Fund; Student Career Services

Dr Wang Jianguo, Director, RP School of Engineering, explains why the study of engineering offers excitement and new challenges

10 Focus

15 Parting Shots

A new national centre at RP aims to boost supply chain excellence in Singapore’s logistics sector. We take a look at some recent projects

We sign off with some light-hearted food for thought

Publishing Consultant Switch Writer Melissa de Villiers Design Fredrick Dittlau

Calendar

elcome to our latest issue.

This time, our main focus is Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) new Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management (COI-SCM). Officially launched in April this year, COI-SCM is already playing an important role in helping businesses enhance their supply chain management and turn this into a competitive advantage.

In doing so, the centre is helping more businesses make the transition to being part of an economy driven by productivity and innovation and paving the way for Singapore to attain the next phase of leadership in the logistics sector. We take a look at some of the innovative projects COI-SCM currently has on the go. incoRPorate also shines a spotlight on how RP is preparing students for both internship and real work upon graduation through its hands-on Career Services framework (p8).

Last but not least, we interview Dr Wang Jianguo, Director, RP School of Engineering, and find out what makes engineering such an exciting and worthwhile subject to study.

Our electronic version of the magazine is available for you to download at www.rp.edu.sg/industry.

We are always open to input from readers, so if you have an article to contribute or suggestions on how to improve incoRPorate, please email us at help-occ@rp.edu.sg.

Enjoy the issue!

11 Sep Engineering Innovation Programme Fair 2013

2 Oct RP Technology Day 2013

21 Oct University Fair @ RP 2013

22 Oct Engineering Discovery 2013 24 Oct – 8 Nov Reflections – RP’s Community Arts Festival

incoRPorate is published by Switch (Registration No. 201025791H) for Republic Polytechnic. Views expressed in this magazine may not represent that of Republic Polytechnic or Switch.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Information is correct at time of print. Aug 2013

2

14

News

Managing Director of Cisco Singapore/Brunei Mr Joshua Soh and Principal/CEO of RP Mr Yeo Li Pheow shaking hands

MOU signed with Cisco Systems RP students to benefit from collaboration with global leader in IT

C

isco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) School of Infocomm (SOI) that will integrate the Cisco® CCNA® Security training programme to provide students with industry-recognised training and certification.

The leading global certification for security credentials in networking, Cisco® CCNA® Security training programme will give students the skills to develop a security infrastructure, recognise threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and mitigate security threats.

The training will be provided through the Cisco Networking Academy® programme, the flagship of Cisco’s social investment programme worldwide.

The programme also emphasises core security technologies and the installation, troubleshooting and monitoring of network devices to

maintain the integrity of data and devices, among other topics.

“As ICT industry leaders, we have the responsibility to nurture our future talents,” said Mr Joshua Soh, Managing Director, Cisco, Singapore and Brunei.

“I’m excited by the prospects this collaboration provides students in Republic Polytechnic as the skills they learn in the classroom, combined with the practical experiences acquired through their final-year project, will be key for Singapore’s growth as we enhance national competitiveness and

“As ICT industry leaders, we have the responsibility to nurture our future talents”

continually cultivate a pool of qualified professionals able to bridge the industry demand in the region.”

The MOU signed on 12 May 2013 recognises and formalises a strong working relationship with Cisco that dates back to 2005, when RP first introduced its CCNA certification programme.

RP and Cisco also worked together on a final-year project for students taking the Diploma in Information Technology. The project required students to develop a working prototype of a mobility-focused physical demonstration unit, a web portal for information access, a video, and a demonstration script.

Mentored by Cisco engineers, the students learned how to develop outcomes based on business needs and customer applications, and to understand the business value of technology. The project will be displayed at Cisco’s regional headquarters in Changi.

3

News

(L-R): Director-Finance & Accounting of Teleperformance Singapore Ms Sylvia Wu, CEO of Teleperformance South East Asia Mr Jeffrey Nah, Director of RP School of Hospitality Mr Albert Toh, and Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP Mr Seto Lok Yin.

Teleperformance Singapore signs MOU with RP Global contact centre company Teleperformance recently signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with Republic Polytechnic (RP).

Inked on 20 May 2013, the partnership paves the way for collaboration in the areas of research, curriculum development, scholarships, and attractive career opportunities for students at RP School of Hospitality wishing to enter the contact centre industry.

Teleperformance will sponsor 10 scholarships a year worth S$5,000 each for students on selected management trainee programmes at the hospitality school.

The best performing scholars will be given short overseas stints with Teleperformance to observe and learn global best practice in action.

The company will also provide RP students with book prizes and academic award sponsorships.

“We are pleased to offer RP students the opportunity to transform their passion into excellence,” commented Mr Jeffrey Nah, CEO, Southeast Asia, Teleperformance.

“Our global network and emphasis on industry best practices will be invaluable as these young talents embark on a career of delivering excellent customer service.”

4

Offering SAF personnel a fighting chance Ministry of Defence and RP join forces to teach new skills

T

he Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Republic Polytechnic (RP) recently announced plans to collaborate on a series of continuing education and training courses for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The collaboration will create opportunities for SAF’s warrant officers, specialists, and military experts to continue their education and attain a formal Diploma qualification.

As a first step, RP School of Engineering, RP School of Applied Science, and Academy for Continuing Education @RP worked with MINDEF to launch an 18-week Certificate in Bridging Engineering Foundation Programme.

The inaugural course, which started on 16 April 2013, saw a group of Military Experts (MEs) who left school more than a decade ago pick up their pens again to brush up on their knowledge of English, Mathematics, and Science.

Upon successful completion of the foundation programme, the MEs will qualify to enrol in RP’s Diploma in Engineering, specialising in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Mr Seto Lok Yin, Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP, said that the partnership with MINDEF was testament to RP’s commitment to forging stronger and longer-term industry collaboration, transforming our human capital from good to excellent.

“The Engineering Foundation Programme provides a pathway for servicemen to attain a diploma at RP,” he said.

“This will certainly enhance their mental ability and adaptability to work in different and challenging environments.”

MINDEF’s Chief Maintenance and Engineering Officer, ME7 Ng Chan Cheok, said that in order to deepen MEs’ domain expert knowledge and skillsets, there was a need for MINDEF to leverage the strong academic expertise of its educational institution partners.

“That way, our people can get fresh perspectives and get updated on latest technologies,” he said.

“As some of our MEs have been away from school for some time, the fourmonth bridging certificate will serve as an excellent refresher to prepare them for the rigorous diploma course ahead.”

A healthy twist adds to the sweet taste of success

RP students benefit from collaboration with Polar Puffs & Cakes

F

or more than 80 years, Polar Puffs & Cakes Pte Ltd has been tantalising Singapore’s taste buds with its freshly baked hot pastries and sugar rolls. Now, in its latest collaboration with Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) School of Applied Science, the leading café and bakery business has produced a healthier sugar roll with high whole grain content.

Rich in fibre and low in sugar, Polar’s new whole grain sugar roll contains 13 per cent whole grain. And while the roll’s sugar and fat content has been greatly reduced, the verdict is that it still tastes delicious.

Studies have linked the consumption of whole grains to a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, and other health problems. In its dietary guidelines for adults, Singapore’s Health

Promotion Board (HPB) recommends two to three servings of whole grain per day.

“The focus of our collaboration with RP is to develop and provide healthier options for the market and at the same time train students in developing

“The focus of our collaboration with RP is to develop and provide healthier options for the market and at the same time train students in developing industryready formulations for the real world”

industry-ready formulations for the real world,” said Dr Jonathan Cheah, Chief Operating Officer, Polar Puffs & Cakes Pte Ltd. “We believe that this experience provides students with valuable insights into the way our business works on the ground.”

Polar’s whole grain sugar roll project, which received funding from HPB under the Healthier Choice Symbol Grant, is one of the examples of symbiotic collaboration by RP School of Applied Science to develop more healthy food products.

Another project involved formulating a new cake recipe aimed to cater to the growing demand for high-quality glutenfree products. The results – four different flavours of gluten-free cakes – have been in stores since 2011.

5

News

Jetstar Asia deal will give RP students a flying start First ever agreement between the carrier and an institute of higher learning

J

etstar Asia Airways and Republic Polytechnic (RP) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding on 9 May 2013.

The collaboration aims to equip RP students with industry-relevant knowledge and valuable opportunities to develop their skills.

Under the agreement, Jetstar Asia will offer regular internship opportunities for RP students of civil aviation, aerospace engineering, and aerospace avionics.

The internships include attachments in areas such as airline management and engineering, as well as flight operations. Students who complete their internships will be considered for fulltime employment with Jetstar Asia after graduation.

The company will also offer selected

School of Engineering students pursuing RP’s Diploma in Aviation Management (formerly known as Diploma in Civil Aviation) the opportunity to fly to various destinations as members of Jetstar Asia’s cabin crew for 20 weeks as part of their internship.

“With nearly nine years of operation and more than 1,000 team members

“This partnership is an excellent platform to groom and nurture local aviation professionals, at the same time deepen the competitiveness of Singapore’s workforce”

(Front centre): Principal/CEO of RP Mr Yeo Li Pheow and CEO of Jetstar Asia Mr Barathan Pasupathi

6

in Singapore, we can offer students under this collaboration with Republic Polytechnic an enhanced learning experience within the vibrant aviation industry,” said Mr Barathan Pasupathi, CEO, Jetstar Asia.

“This partnership is an excellent platform to groom and nurture local aviation professionals, at the same time deepen the competitiveness of Singapore’s workforce.”

RP students will also carry out finalyear projects proposed by Jetstar Asia and co-supervised by its staff. These will aim to solve industry-relevant issues centred on flight operations, crew resource management, and engineering cost decisions.

Jetstar Asia said it would review these projects for real-world adoption.

Building human capital RP strengthens ties with industry stakeholders at round table session (L-R): Co-founder of WSLE Ms Wang Hongming, Co-founder of WSLE Mr Robert Vicencio, Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP Mr Seto Lok Yin, and Director of RP School of Technology for the Arts Ms Sharen Liu.

RP ready to leap into action with Ip Man the Musical MOU will help students gain stage production and arts event management skills

A

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between leading production company W Squared Live Entertainment Ltd (WSLE) and Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) School of Technology for the Arts.

Effective for two years, the collaboration, agreed on 11 June 2013, sets the stage for some exciting learning opportunities for RP students. Chief among these will be the chance to play behind-the-scenes roles in the staging of Ip Man the Musical, a major new production currently being developed by WSLE. In discussion now, students could potentially be involved in the stage management, documentary, live-audio, and promotion of Ip Man the Musical.

“This collaboration will help to produce better-quality new professionals for the stage production industry and the arts event management industry,” said

Mr Robert Vicencio, Co-founder of WSLE. “Finding skilled personnel with the right attitude – people who can solve problems on the spot – is not easy, but we believe that RP students are primed to do just that, which is why this partnership has the potential for success.”

Ip Man the Musical is expected to premiere in Singapore towards the end of 2014.

“This collaboration will help to produce better-quality new professionals for the stage production industry and the arts event management industry”

A round table meeting for Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) industry partners in the north recently took place at RP’s training restaurant, Oliva.

The event, held on 1 July 2013 and hosted by Mr Seto Lok Yin, Deputy Principal (Industry Services) of RP, focused on the theme ‘Building Human Capital’. It was attended by senior representatives of companies whose operations are located in close proximity to RP’s Woodlands campus.

Participants included Agilent Technologies, Anixter Singapore, ASE Singapore, Indoguna, Sanwa Plastic, Systematic Laundry & Uniform Services, and Univac Precision Engineering, as well as RP’s Human Resource Information System (HRIS) study project partner, the Singapore Human Resource Institute (SHRI).

The meeting allowed RP to acknowledge its existing relationships with these key strategic partners and provided an opportunity for companies to gather first-hand information on the recent research findings undertaken on the adoption of HRIS in companies.

Participants such as SHRI, Univac, Agilent, and Sanwa all agreed that the session was timely and relevant.

RP hosted a similar round table session for the logistics and food service sector in March this year.

Through these sharing sessions, RP hopes to deepen its engagement with the industry and bring value to its partners.

7

News Making a difference

MILK Fund gives generous assistance

(L-R): Deputy Director of RP Office of Industry and Collaboration Mr Tui Jurn Mun and Programme Director of the MILK Fund Mr Norman Wong

Strong support from valued partner, the MILK (Mainly I Love Kids) Fund, is helping Republic Polytechnic (RP) provide financial assistance to needy students.

Thanks to the MILK Fund’s generous donations, approximately 425 students are being helped each semester through the MILK Assistance to RP students – Pocket Money Scheme and Student Emergency Money Scheme.

In addition, the MILK Fund is also supporting RP’s needy students through its MILK Scholarship programme.

Set up in 2004, the MILK Fund focuses on plugging gaps in the social service sector. Working closely with local partners, the charity focuses on advocacy and fund raising, while its partners help with providing direct services for disadvantaged children and youth from low-income families.

About 45 per cent of RP’s student population requires financial assistance in the form of bursaries and subsidies.

RP’s strong partnership with charities such as the MILK Fund helps to support its students’ educational journeys, and ensures that needy students are not left behind because of their financial concerns.

RP is very grateful for the continuing generosity of industry and community partners who have supported RP over the years. Their gifts have transformed many students’ lives.

8

Adding an extra RP’s new career framework is preparing students for success in the world of work

P

roducing industry-ready graduates has long been a part of Republic Polytechnic’s (RP) mission. Thanks to its dynamic Problem-Based Learning approach, where entrepreneurial learning is nurtured in an environment that develops problem-solving process skills, and by working closely with industry partners to provide internship and project opportunities, RP prepares students to thrive in the world of work when they graduate.

But the preparation doesn’t stop there.

A new career framework was recently put in place to help students to develop even more of the skills employers value.

Launched in 2012, RP’s career framework was developed by its Student Career Services team under the Office of Industry and Collaboration, in

partnership with all academic schools in RP. It is designed to act as a roadmap and ease students’ transition from polytechnic life to the world of work.

Planting the seeds At RP, grooming students to be industryready begins at the earliest possible moment. During orientation, all new students are given a black folder (also known as the ‘Student Portfolio Folder’).

Students are encouraged to make productive use of the folder to update their participation, progress, and achievements in RP, which would eventually become their unique portfolio when they graduate.

During their first year, students are introduced to basic career concepts and a wide repertoire of employability skills, including teamwork, initiative-taking and problem-solving that are reinforced

edge through daily class participation and learning. Tools such as personality profiling, which provide an evaluation of personal attributes, are made available to help them become aware of their abilities and motivations, as well as enhance their interpersonal skills.

Career planning concepts are also woven into the curriculum.

Under a module titled ‘Cognitive ProblemSolving’, students look at case studies on decision making in relation to career development, and develop an appreciation of the strategies they need to build in order to achieve certain outcomes after graduation.

Broadening the scope At second year, the importance of

acquiring employability skills is further emphasised through the next phase of RP’s career framework. Within their respective schools, students attend workshops that teach resumé writing and interviewing skills.

Internship preparatory training also kicks off. This training is done before internships actually begin so that students are prepared and equipped for their first ‘real’ job. Mentors and career coaches also identify and assist students who need more guidance.

“RP’s structured career framework demonstrates its commitment to prepare its students with innovation, passion, and expertise to meet industry’s manpower needs”

Providing the launching pad By the time students reach their third and final year, they are already familiar with a wide range of employability skills that allow them to take advantage of internship, employment, and continuing education opportunities.

All RP students have to undergo, and pass, a 16-to-24-week internship programme before they are eligible for graduation. RP’s career framework ensures that all students on internships are closely monitored for their performance at work.

Academic staff liaise with company supervisors on the students’ progress and ability to carry out the tasks assigned

to them. Regular feedback is provided to the students.

A further initiative is the Career Fair held annually at RP to help students seek out job opportunities and know what is available in the market. At the same time, the fair provides employers with an opportunity to scout for talent.

Workshops and resumé review clinics are made available throughout the year to give the employability skills of students an extra polish. Regular talks and seminars by industry professionals throughout the year also offer excellent industry insights and career aspirations to the students.

RP’s structured career framework demonstrates its commitment to prepare its students with innovation, passion, and expertise to meet industry’s manpower needs.

9

Focus

Driving innovation for industry partners A new national centre at RP aims to boost supply chain excellence in Singapore’s logistics sector. We take a look at some recent projects.

A

new Centre of Innovation for Supply Chain Management (COI-SCM) was officially launched at Republic Polytechnic (RP) in April 2013.

The centre aims to champion supply chain excellence for Singapore-based companies by providing them with logistics, supply chain engineering and technology know-how, as well as training programmes.

10

A specific focus of COI-SCM is small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are expected to benefit significantly from the centre’s knowledge, resources, and training.

Jointly set up by SPRING Singapore, the Economic Development Board (EDB) and RP, COI-SCM began operating in January 2012. Initial co-funding support from SPRING Singapore and EDB amounted to S$7.8 million over three years.

Since its inception, COI-SCM has supported more than 50 companies across various industries in 59 projects, including the development of cloud technology software, machine-tomachine communications, and analytics for supply chain resource pooling opportunities.

The centre has also participated in discussions with more than 400 companies in the supply chain and

Principal/CEO of RP Mr Yeo Li Pheow presenting a token of appreciation to Mrs Josephine Teo

“We are offering companies real, practical help to improve their productivity – not highlevel theory, but real solutions that we work together to implement”

Director of COI-SCM Mr Dennis Quek leading a tour for Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport Mrs Josephine Teo

logistics sector to understand the trends and challenges they face.

Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport Mrs Josephine Teo was Guest-of-Honour at the April launch.

“The COI-SCM is one reservoir of expertise that is helping businesses, especially SMEs, to realise productivity improvements in tangible ways,” she said.

The Director of COI-SCM, Mr Dennis Quek, said, “We are offering companies real, practical help to improve their productivity – not high-level theory, but real solutions that we work together to implement.”

He added, “With the right resources, expertise and insight, COI-SCM will provide real value and support to ensure Singapore-based companies are well equipped to compete locally and abroad.” incoRPorate took a look at how the centre is strengthening innovation offerings for industry partners.

Logistics tracking The challenge: Logistics firm Keppel Logistics is known for its strong capabilities and track record in helping clients manage their entire supply chain – from the inbound movement of raw materials to the delivery of finished goods.

What Keppel wanted, however, was better visibility of its delivery progress, including the ability to track the status of its delivery vehicles in real time.

For any logistics company, access to real-time information is critical to guarantee efficiency, reduce costs and

improve customer service and Keppel is no exception.

The solution: COI-SCM developed a software kit that allows logistics companies to track their delivery vehicles’ location in real time.

RP’s cloud logistics tracking software kit includes an Android mobile application that tracks a driver’s location and allows them to update planners on the status of each delivery. This involves taking a picture of the signed delivery order, which is uploaded to the system in real time. Company planners, meanwhile, log on to a website running on Google App Engine (a cloud platform), which enables them to see drivers’ locations at any moment as well as the status of their deliveries.

In addition, both drivers and planners can make use of the application’s map and navigation system to get real-time information on traffic conditions, helping them plot delivery routes and predict a more reliable estimated time of arrival for their customers.

The COI-SCM took steps to ensure that its tracking software was a cost-effective solution for its customer.

“Because it’s built around Android handsets, technology such as GPS – already present in many smartphones – and readily available cloud platforms, this software is easy to use and fast to deploy,” said Mr Leonardo Vargas Leonardo, Assistant Manager, Process Engineering at Keppel.

11

Focus

Mr Dennis Quek giving a demonstration on 3D printing

“You don’t need specialised hardware to access it, nor did Keppel have to buy and configure special servers to host it.

Most importantly, using the software has really helped to boost productivity for both our drivers and planners and improve our customer service.”

The tracking software is currently being trialled by Keppel and its SME business partners as part of a feasibility study.

Data collected will be used to evaluate the impact on the delivery team and its operations.

“Keppel is keen to adopt the software and we are in the process of exploring how to proceed,” Mr Leonardo said.

Inventory planning The challenge: A leading designer of workwear, Neptune Workwear, has two kinds of business – a ready-to-wear and a made-to-order line.

Neptune wanted COI-SCM to advise on an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software package that would help to better manage its business.

The company was unable to tell how

12

“COI-SCM worked with the company to come up with a new system that made it easier to assign codes to new items in its collection and give a better overview of its inventory” much it earned from specific orders and lacked a reliable overview of its inventory.

The spreadsheet system it was using to record inventory levels, for example, did not allow Neptune to see how many items entered and left its warehouse per month.

The solution: Before deciding on an ERP package to implement, COI-SCM took a step back and looked at Neptune’s business processes.

“Companies often assume that adopting some new technology will be the easiest solution if they want to manage

things more effectively,” said Mr Friso Kluit, Solutions Enabler at COI-SCM. “However, we have found that without first analysing how exactly things are done, and by who, new software might not be that helpful and could even have an adverse effect.”

As a result, COI-SCM first worked with the company to redesign the way it labelled items.

Under the old system, not every unique item – that is, garments with a specific design, fabric, colour and size – had a unique code. Instead, only items of a certain design were coded. So COI-SCM worked with the company to come up with a new system that made it easier to assign codes to new items in its collection and give a better overview of its inventory.

The COI-SCM then met up with a number of ERP software vendors to brief them on Neptune’s requirements. After a presentation from each, potential solutions were carefully evaluated with Neptune and a selected vendor.

Now Neptune is applying for additional funding (Capability Development Grant) from SPRING to implement the ERP solution. The COI-SCM will take part in this project to facilitate the ERP and its integration into the company.

Resource pooling The challenge: Four companies located at Gourmet East Kitchen, a multi-tenant industrial complex for the food industry, jointly approached COI-SCM to help them identify opportunities for resource pooling. The lead company on the project was Hock Lian Huat Foodstuff Industry, a leading manufacturer and supplier of traditional Chinese foodstuffs.

The companies are competitors, serving customers at many common locations, including coffee shops, hawker centres, food courts, and malls. But tight labour market conditions and expensive Certificate of Entitlements (COEs) on company vehicles meant that they were all seeking ways to be more efficient and alleviate resource challenges.

The solution: COI-SCM provided consultancy to help the companies find ways to streamline their logistic operations, enabling them to work together and achieve mutual benefits.

Firstly, the consultants identified ways

Guest-of-Honour and industry partners watching a demonstration of the automatic order picking system

for the companies to make better use of available space in each other’s delivery trucks and optimise delivery network routes.

Delivery consolidation opportunities between companies at Gourmet East Kitchen and a third party logistics provider were also investigated. Consolidation benefits were quantified, looking at costs per point, per route, per month.

“The COI-SCM suggested a wide range of useful process improvements to help us increase productivity,” said Mr William Tan, Managing Director of Hock Lian Huat.

“These included using hands-free headsets to facilitate the keying in of orders, and sorting the items ordered according to driver delivery area for clearer cost tracking.”

The four companies have already adopted many of COI-SCM’s suggestions.

With the centre’s help, they are now in the process of developing a system that will allow them to work together even more efficiently in the future.

Improving stock management The challenge: Corlison, a distributor of personal care products and brand owner of Pearlie White oral care products, approached COI-SCM for input on how to ease its warehouse space challenges by

“The COI-SCM always puts a lot of emphasis on understanding a company’s business processes first before it embarks on a scientific approach to solve its challenges” cutting the amount of safety stock it kept on hand.

The company was carrying four to six months’ worth of stocks already paid for but wanted to reduce that to just one or two months’ worth.

The solution: After analysing Corlison’s business processes and the way in which it made inventory-related decisions, COI-SCM’s consultants felt that the key driver of warehouse congestion was poor forecast of sales. This often led to higher inventory, acting as a buffer against sales uncertainty.

The centre duly developed a more robust forecasting model for Corlison, using existing technologies in innovative ways to maximise Corlison’s output and efficiency.

“The COI-SCM always puts a lot of emphasis on understanding a company’s business processes first before it embarks on a scientific approach to solve its challenges,” said Mr Edmund Chan, Senior Manager at the centre.

“In this case, our analysis of Corlison completely validated our gut feeling about what had to be done. We went on to create a forecasting model aimed at bringing down the inventory cover to improve cash flow and space utilisation by 50 per cent.”

Using data based on Corlison’s account demand and lead time variability, the model demonstrates that there is a clear, measurable trade off between customer service levels and how much inventory a company should hold.

“The COI-SCM’s model has shown us that good forecasting can reduce the amount of safety stock required, and consequently the capital locked in inventory and space used,” said Mr Andy Ong, Director of Corlison.

“The model has helped us ascertain the minimum inventory required to meet customer service levels.”

The centre’s next phase of engagement with Corlison will be to train its supply chain team in the forecasting methodologies devised, as well as conducting a feasibility study on automated order-picking solutions.

13

Profile

Engineering solutions to tomorrow’s problems Dr Wang Jianguo, Director, RP School of Engineering, explains why the study of engineering offers excitement and new challenges

N

ow is an exciting time to study engineering.

Engineers have been responsible for some of the most innovative breakthrough designs of our times, from wind turbines to surgical robot technology. With the aim of making our lives easier and everything we use more efficient, they are constantly improving and inventing technologies to advance the world we live in.

RP School of Engineering has a lot of exciting projects on the go right now.

One involves developing a prototype that, by reading users’ brain impulses, allows them to carry out certain activities such as switching the TV on and off, or controlling a wheelchair – all without moving a muscle.

We are also working on 3D printing, the innovative technology that allows for the quick creation of 3D prototypes. It promises to transform the way things are manufactured in the future, significantly reducing production time and cost by ‘printing’ such things as engine parts, a bridge or even an entire spacecraft.

Our school is committed to working very closely with industry through as many channels as possible, from internships to applied research. If students’ learning is only textbook-based, then they will not

“As an engineering student, I was fascinated by the arts –

by Rodin’s sculptures, Tchaikovsky’s music and by world literature” 14

be industry-ready, innovation-ready, and international-ready once they graduate and they will not be able to make any impact.

Growing up in China, my role model was Cheng Jingrun, a profound mathematician from Fujian Province, who was much idolised by people of my generation. His research was into number theory and he made some remarkable contributions to the field despite facing many obstacles, including coming under attack during the Cultural Revolution and suffering ill health from Parkinson’s disease. I found his dedication inspiring.

It was because of him that I finally started paying attention during mathematics lessons in school!

The stereotype is that engineers are super-rational people, but I do have a softer side. As an engineering student, I was fascinated by the arts – by Rodin’s sculptures, Tchaikovsky’s music and by world literature. I read the classics avidly – works from Russia, Spain, France, and the UK, all translated into Chinese.

I’m also a big fan of the ancient board game of Wei Qi, the only intellectual game in which the best computer programme cannot beat even the most mediocre human player – the game is just too complicated. It’s about strategy. You can fight several battles on one board at the same time and the board is so large that with every move, the number of permutations increases exponentially. The computing power that would be required to win far exceeds anything that is currently available today. So it really takes a lot of mental agility to play it well.

Engineering is both an art and a science.

If you meticulously follow the rules, you may produce a sturdy but ugly bridge.

A fanciful design might look beautiful, but collapse in the first breeze. Good engineers need to keep both concepts in mind when developing an application or product, and that’s also what we try to make our students understand.

Parting Shots

6 million That’s the number of nanotechnology workers that will be needed worldwide by 2020, according to a study funded by the US-based National Science Foundation.

Nanotechnology, the science of building machines at a subatomic level, is one of the fastest-growing industries on the planet, with research taking place into its use in electronics, energy, construction, and even cosmetics.

(Source: nano.gov)

Move over, BRIC nations – the TIMPs are coming! The TIMPs – Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, and the Philippines – are emerging economies currently blessed with extremely rapid growth. This year, the International Monetary Fund forecasts inflation-adjusted increases in gross domestic product of 3.5 per cent for Mexico and Turkey, 4.8 per cent for the Philippines, and 6.3 per cent for Indonesia.

(Source: Reuters)

If current trends hold, China’s urban population will hit the one billion mark by 2030. Its cities will have added another 350 million people – more than the entire population of the US. (Source: McKinsey Global Institute)

World’s highest earning sports stars (June 2013) (Source: Forbes)

Greater Tokyo has the largest metropolitan economy in the world, with a total GDP (assuming purchasing power parity) of approximately US$1.479 trillion in 2008. That’s slightly more than all of Russia.

(Source: PRINCETON.EDU)

Drew Brees (American football)

Tiger Woods (golf)

Roger Federer (tennis)

US$51m

US$78.1m

US$71.5m

Kobe Bryant (basketball)

LeBron James (basketball)

US$61.9m

US$59.8m

Top 10 global destination cities in 2013 Index ranking by total number of international visitors* (in millions): 1 Bangkok 15.98 2 London 15.96 3 Paris 13.92 4 Singapore 11.75 5 New York 11.52 6 Istanbul 10.37 7 Dubai 9.89 8 Kuala Lumpur 9.20 9 Hong Kong 8.72 10 Barcelona 8.41 (Source: MasterCard Worldwide Insights 2Q 2013) * Includes both tourist and business travellers

15

ACE Your Career ACE@RP is the continuing education and training (CET) arm of Republic Polytechnic (RP). We promote lifelong learning amongst working adults so that they can remain valuable participants in a knowledge-based economy. ACE@RP offers various academic and executive programmes for aspiring professionals.

You can now choose our CET Diploma programmes for academic upgrading and career progression.

NEW INTAKES EVERY APRIL AND OCTOBER! Diploma (Conversion) Programme Diploma (Conversion) in Outdoor and Adventure Learning

Enh fun anced sup ding p up ort 95%to *

Specialist Diploma Programmes Specialist Diploma in Applied Learning and Teaching Specialist Diploma in Mobile Applications Specialist Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science Specialist Diploma in Sports Event Management Specialist Diploma in Supply Chain Management

Part-Time Diploma Programmes Part-Time Diploma in Applied Science (Nutrition and Food Science) Part-Time Diploma in Business Practice (Hospitality Management) Part-Time Diploma in Business Practice (International Human Resources Management) Part-Time Diploma in Engineering (Electrical and Electronics) Part-Time Diploma in Engineering (Operations and Engineering Management) Part-Time Diploma in Infocomm and Digital Media (Information Systems) Part-Time Diploma in Sports (Coaching) * SME-sponsored applicants enjoy 90% course fee subsidy.

Workfare Training Support (WTS) scheme eligible applicants enjoy 95% course fee subsidy. Terms & Conditions apply.

ACADEMY FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION @RP Tel 6697 1699 Email ACE@rp.edu.sg Web www.rp.edu.sg/ace