Reflection on Group Project

4/17/2011 11:31:00 PM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (4)

“Regardless of differences, we strive shoulder to shoulder... Teamwork can be summed up in five short words – We believe in each other.”

So much has transpired since the commencement of this module, and looking back, I must say that my entire ES2007S experience has been one invigorating and memorable journey towards self-realization and actualization. As I cogitate the lessons learnt throughout the course of this module, I cannot help but feel somewhat saddened that the journey has ended. Not only have I learnt a wide-stretching set of pertinent life-skills, I have also found, in everyone of my tutorial class, an intimate sense of friendship and camaraderie.


The group project was one of the biggest highlights of this module. The project, by itself, was a culmination of numerous skills learnt throughout the course and put into vital use. In addition, the group project provided an avenue to which fellow classmates are able to try their hands at attempting effective communication. Notwithstanding a tad heavy in workload, the group proposal and presentation was a holistic approach to test every student’s ability to communicate effectively in writing, as part of a team, and in front of a target audience.

Collaboration on the proposal of the project was as much an interesting experience as a challenging task. During meetings, many ideas were generated as a collective effort by the group to brainstorm for a problem statement and a course of action. The entire process involved formal meetings with group members, on top of an elaborate research procedure comprising surveys and literature reviews. Our group decided to compartmentalize the proposal, in an effort to reduce the need for frequent meetings which can become problematic given our hectic schedules. I must say that this strategy proved rather effective and efficient. However, for me this move can be rather bold and risky as it rides on the premise that work is able to be produced both with quality and punctuality. In spite of this, our team came out strong, delivering a proposal that, in my view, was with both intense conviction and persuasion.  

The wiki is a tool that proves to have immense potential for effective collaboration. The platform allows students to post their latest updates on their works, and subject them to discussions and revisions. This reduces the need for an excessive number of group meetings. However, the wiki platform can be rather unreliable, in the sense that it is still very unstable and has many bug issues to rectify. In addition, formatting can be quite a chore, and there is a limited array of designs of which the user can customize and employ. Nonetheless, it still has the potential to be an effective communicative tool.

In all, the group project was a task that involved immense commitment and dedication in order to be a successful endeavor. The project requires a high level of immaculate teamwork, where the term ‘communication’ is ubiquitous throughout the entire process. The structure which our group worked upon spoke of a high degree of trust each member of the team has to have for one another. No one project is 100% smooth-sailing, and this group project is no exception. There were instances where punctuality became an issue. Of course, we had to take into consideration each others’ busy schedules. Nevertheless, the group project was still largely a success for all of us.

In my view, I would never take a pass at such an opportunity to work as part of a team in order to deliver a piece of work. Working in groups is, and always will be, part of school, work, and even at home. The notion of teamwork is one that transcends industries, race, and even nationalities. In an attempt to master the rubrics of working as part of a singular unit, I feel that it is vital that I take every opportunity given to me with both passion and a sense of commitment.


Finally, I wish to thank everyone who has been a part of my learning experience in ES2007S. I wish to thank my entire tutorial class for their overwhelming participation, making every lesson a pleasure to be in. I also would like to take this opportunity to give a huge shoutout to our tutor Dr Radhika Jaidev for being such a caring and encouraging tutor. Your lessons have been most enriching and enjoyable, and I thank you for that. The course has provided me, on top of a wide-ranging set of vital skills, an immense boost in confidence, in both speaking and listening effectively. I am honored to have taken ES2007S.

Many thanks, to all members of ES2007S

Jeremy Koh

Reflection on Oral Presentation

4/11/2011 05:31:00 AM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (5)


“Life only demands from you the strength you possess.
Only one feat is possible – not to have run away”
Dag Hammarskjöld

Finally, the entire string of grueling presentations is over! Looking back at all these, I must say that I have learnt a huge deal about making oral presentations. In fact, I am also proud to report that I am actively applying what I have learnt from these into other subsequent presentations as well.  Through the rounds of presentations I find myself attaining a much better understanding of my abilities, in addition to having better control over my displayed emotions. I have learnt much with regards to the entire process of preparing and delivering a presentation, as well as tailoring additional media to enhance the effectiveness of the delivery process.

In preparing for my presentations, I referred, first and foremost, to the team’s proposal. From there I was able to draw the content which I wished to convey. Yet a presentation is particularly different from a written proposal. It essentially should be a summary of the proposal, but still manages to capture every salient aspect of the subject in question. Tidying up my slides and making them coherent was a tedious and often infuriating task, but ultimately the effort did pay off. In addition, I had the intention of including a timed animation which was to be played as I spoke. This required immense accuracy and concentration. The feat took me a number of tries before I was able to manage a speech that flowed together with the tour. In addition, I went through the process of writing a full script, matching it with the slides, before condensing everything into a point-formed set of cue cards. The effort was done with an intention to deliver a large amount of content with both a sense of conviction and confidence.

On the day of the presentation I rehearsed my parts innumerate times. The first few came off rapid, with me forgetting a good number of important points I needed to cover. Nervousness got the better of me as I delivered my speech with practically breakneck speed. However, subsequent tries allowed me to calm myself down, as I found myself remembering things better if I slowed my pace, contrary to my previous convictions.

During the actual presentation, I was able to compose myself, and kept to a pace which I felt comfortable in. However, as a result of wanting to deliver a presentation with substance and a strong sense of passion, I somehow forget the need to loosen up a little. As a result, while the content and the delivery was sound, somehow there was a lapse between my emotions and the way I displayed them.

Through the pointers provided by my peers, I soon understood the need to loosen up, in order to meld my thoughts and emotions into a complete and cogent presentation. A good presentation often involved a harmonious duet between the two aspects, with the addition of meaningful eye contact. I must say I have enjoyed myself tremendously in this round of presentations. My peers have been nothing short of excellent audiences, and I am very sure the lessons I have learnt will be translated into valuable skills vital in my future career.

Reflection on Oral Presentation

4/11/2011 05:30:00 AM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (0)


“Life only demands from you the strength you possess.
Only one feat is possible – not to have run away”
Dag Hammarskjöld

Finally, the entire string of grueling presentations is over! Looking back at all these, I must say that I have learnt a huge deal about making oral presentations. In fact, I am also proud to report that I am actively applying what I have learnt from these into other subsequent presentations as well.  Through the rounds of presentations I find myself attaining a much better understanding of my abilities, in addition to having better control over my displayed emotions. I have learnt much with regards to the entire process of preparing and delivering a presentation, as well as tailoring additional media to enhance the effectiveness of the delivery process.

In preparing for my presentations, I referred, first and foremost, to the team’s proposal. From there I was able to draw the content which I wished to convey. Yet a presentation is particularly different from a written proposal. It essentially should be a summary of the proposal, but still manages to capture every salient aspect of the subject in question. Tidying up my slides and making them coherent was a tedious and often infuriating task, but ultimately the effort did pay off. In addition, I had the intention of including a timed animation which was to be played as I spoke. This required immense accuracy and concentration. The feat took me a number of tries before I was able to manage a speech that flowed together with the tour. In addition, I went through the process of writing a full script, matching it with the slides, before condensing everything into a point-formed set of cue cards. The effort was done with an intention to deliver a large amount of content with both a sense of conviction and confidence.

On the day of the presentation I rehearsed my parts innumerate times. The first few came off rapid, with me forgetting a good number of important points I needed to cover. Nervousness got the better of me as I delivered my speech with practically breakneck speed. However, subsequent tries allowed me to calm myself down, as I found myself remembering things better if I slowed my pace, contrary to my previous convictions.

During the actual presentation, I was able to compose myself, and kept to a pace which I felt comfortable in. However, as a result of wanting to deliver a presentation with substance and a strong sense of passion, I somehow forget the need to loosen up a little. As a result, while the content and the delivery was sound, somehow there was a lapse between my emotions and the way I displayed them.

Through the pointers provided by my peers, I soon understood the need to loosen up, in order to meld my thoughts and emotions into a complete and cogent presentation. A good presentation often involved a harmonious duet between the two aspects, with the addition of meaningful eye contact. I must say I have enjoyed myself tremendously in this round of presentations. My peers have been nothing short of excellent audiences, and I am very sure the lessons I have learnt will be translated into valuable skills vital in my future career.

Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

3/09/2011 01:16:00 PM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (2)


Evaluating Intercultural Behavior

"Remember that every good friend was once a stranger"

It may seem like a cliché to mention the above, but just how many of us actually understand its true intended message? In a modern city like Singapore, the urge to establish one’s existential individuality becomes so strong that often we find ourselves knowing and not knowing a person all at the same time. How often have we found ourselves referring to mere acquaintances as ‘friends’? Is this notion of friendship uniform in an increasingly globalized population?

The following intercultural situation revolves about my trip to the Maldives back in 2004, as part of a team from Project Initiate of the Peoples’ Association Youth Movement (PAYM). The mission was to complete the construction of a community center as well as a running 56.6K internet center.

The Team from Project Initiate in front of the groundwork for the community center

Back when I was a freshman in National Junior College, a group of us (approximately 30) took part in Project Initiate, a community involvement project that sent us to the remote Kudafari Island of Noonu Atoll, the Maldives. The only impression I had in mind was that of the blue waters and white sands, nothing more. Prior to the trip I had the same worries as everyone else around me. How were we going to interact with the Divehi speaking Maldivians? How would they receive us? Would we be able to get used to their food culture in the course of 11 days?

The first culture shock I had struck me immediately as I exited the ferry boat upon reaching the island. There was no jetty installed at that time, and the waters near the land were too shallow for the boat to steer close. As such, the boat had to be docked a good 20 meters away from the sands (in chest-deep waters). As I stood portside of the boat, I noticed that the Maldivians had already anticipated our arrival. Almost the entire island’s population of about 600 was there at the beach to receive us. They were waving and cheering intensely with a genuine sense of hospitality. What took me aback was, however, the makeshift raft they had made and pulled out to sea for us to stand on. There they were, 20 men in chest-deep waters, tugging at the raft we stood upon back to the beach, so that we would not get our shoes wet. 

On the way to the village chief's house
Upon reaching dry ground, my team was led to the island chief’s house for a feast. As we walked, a good many of us had little children coming up to us to grab our hands. The stranger thing was that as I walked, a Maldivian boy just about my age came up my side and grabbed my hands as well. He gripped with interlocking fingers, and simply smiled to me as he carried on walking. I was shocked, especially from the fact that the gesture came from a 16 year old boy. However, seeing that the others had just about the same situation, I simply walked with him until we reached our destination.

The luncheon we had comprised a spread of Maldivian dishes (mainly fish and potatoes), as well as two whole roasted chickens. What we later found out was that these chickens were two of the five only chickens they had on the island. The Maldivians who were with us at the luncheon ate only the fish and staples, for fear that we might not have enough had they taken the chicken. We tried to get them to eat, but they just would not. Once again I was gravely humbled by the level of care these people showed.

The rest of the trip was spent building up both the internet and community centers. It soon dawn upon me that for the Maldivians on Kudafari island, such projects involved the everyone on the island. Some men would be working on the construction, while others went out to sea to fish for the day’s meals. The women would prepare all the meals on the island together, making sure that we had them enough every time. 

A party at the Kudafari island village hall


The entire experience at the Maldives was both humbling and inspiring for me. In a world where the cultures of capitalism and individualism permeate social geographies, it was shocking how the Maldivians of Kudafari island were able to redefine the concepts of empirical friendship and hospitality.

Both the makeshift raft and the simple but elegant spread at the luncheon were a thunderous bellow of care, generosity and kindness for us. The concept of ‘putting the guest before oneself’ never had a more apt example than this. In our context, we try to show as much generosity and concern for the guest as economically and physically possible. However, that did not mean putting ourselves in a very compromising situation. To the Maldivians, on the other hand, caring for the guest is tantamount to caring for one’s family. In the light of this, they have truly captured the essence of ‘going all out’ in caring for a complete stranger.

The way the Maldivian boy held my hand with interlocking fingers was, to them, a sincere show of immediate friendship. Of course in a Singaporean context this act would never be construed as ‘normal’, especially between males of similar ages. In retrospect, I felt that the Maldivians truly understand the intent of the quote stated at the beginning of this post. Friendship always began with complete strangers. The sooner we understand this fact, the sooner we are able to acquaint ourselves immediately with another individual. In fact, there should never be an awkward moment between oneself and another. In the Maldivians’ eyes, relatives, acquaintances, even strangers, are all alike. They are human, and therefore are friends. This notion transcends concepts of culture, race, religion, and even individuality.

Application Letter Critique

2/13/2011 11:17:00 PM / Posted by Jeremy / comments (0)

Unsolicited Application Letter for an internship position with Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited:

Apt Blk XXX
XXX St XX #XX-XX
Singapore XXXXXX

9 February 2011

The Officer in Charge
Singapore Technologies Kinetics Limited (ST Kinetics)
XXX Jalan XXXX XXX
Singapore XXXXXX

Dear Sir/Madam,

Application for the Position of Materials Science and Engineering Intern

I wish to be considered for an internship opportunity with your company. I hope that in considering my unique mix of technical skills and working experiences, the firm may see me as a suitable candidate for an internship. Enclosed is my resume for your perusal.             

I am currently a third year Materials Science and Engineering major with the National University of Singapore, specializing in nanostructured materials and nanotechnology. Through my course, I have developed a wide and dynamic range of transferable skills, such as perseverance and leadership, which allow me to work effectively and ethically under any stressful condition. My experience in handling state-of-the-art equipment such as the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the Powder X-ray Diffractometer have provided me with immense technical handling skills that boost both my level of confidence and proficiency in my field of study.

My previous designation as a laboratory technician for Technochem Environmental Complex Pte Ltd has helped me develop a high degree of research independence on top of an acute attention to detail, in order to successfully execute various critical evaluations and analyses. These experiences have sharpened my skills in problem solving and technical competency, both of which I feel are vital qualities as a scientist and an engineer.

Your company attracts me for the myriad of opportunities offered within your training schemes. The chance to work with various engagement teams and managements is one which I have much to gain from. I strongly believe that as an intern, I will be able to acquire the breadth of opportunities and experiences I need to develop as an individual, at the same time make an immediate and direct contribution to your organization.

With passion and an articulated vision, mutual development can be fostered, and I personally would like to be a part of that process. I look forward to your favorable reply. Thank you for your time.


Yours faithfully,

Jeremy Koh
 _________________________________________________________________________________

© Koh Siang Hui Jeremy

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