Experience with Waseda University Guests

Waseda University Guests with TP students and lecturers

On August 27, students from the Waseda University came to Temasek Polytechnic (TP) to visit our Thomson Reuters Financial Risk Management Centre. Before the start of the presentation, a video on TP was showed to them to give an overview of the courses available. Ms Nami, also explained to them in Japanese to give them a better understanding of TP.

In the beginning of our presentation, we gave a brief introduction on FBI as well as the software available in the Thomson Reuters lab. After which, we explained the basic features of the software available such as Reuters Trader Asia (RTA) and Kondor Plus Suite (K+). To make the presentation more interactive and enriching for the Waseda students, we conducted a demonstration on RTA for the students to get a feel of the basic functions of the software. The students had the opportunity to use some of the basic functions of RTA. Some of the FBI lecturers were there to facilitate the practical session as well.

After the presentation, the students as well as the lecturers from the Waseda University were given the chance to ask questions regarding the software and FBI. One of the students mentioned that what he learnt in his course was conventional and is mostly theoretical in nature. Practical sessions were not often conducted and it is usually when students enter the industry that they will pick up the relevant practical skills. In addition, we exchanged cultural views regarding Japan and Singapore as well as current trends of the financial markets.

At the end of the session, there were some refreshments for the guests. While we were having our refreshments, we exchanged some of our learning experience with the students. From the students, our insights on Japan and their teaching methodologies were broadened. It was an enriching experience for all of us.

Overall, the guests from the University were impressed with our Thomson Reuters lab; the facilities and software that we had in the lab. The whole session was interesting and enriching for the three of us. We were elated to be given this chance to present our Thomson Reuters Financial Risk Management Centre to the guests from the Waseda Unversity.

By Yanda, Uyanga and Leonard

Oracle Academy Data Modelling Competition 2008!

The team, lecturers and the high-flyers of Oracle

Over a hundred teams took part in the prestigious Oracle Academy Global Data Modelling Competition 2008, and Temasek Polytechnic's very own made it onto the top honours list!

The team consisting of Teh Xue Fen Shellen, from the Diploma in Internet & Multimedia Development, Koh Jun Kiat and myself, both seniors of our very own Dip FBI, clinched a 6th place finish in the competition. This earned us bragging rights as the only Asian and Singaporean team in the top honours list of 11 teams.

However, the road to this achievement was fraught with much difficulty. The Oracle Academy Global Data Modelling Competition requires participating teams to create a database ERD diagram based on a given topic, for a fictionalised company or organisation of the team’s choosing. For this edition of the competition, the theme was meteorological weather systems, definitely not the ideal topic for amateurs in the field. At this point, it was late November, some 6 weeks to D-Day.

Without any knowledge of such systems, we turned to the National Enviroment Agency (NEA) Meteorological Services to find out more. Despite having busy schedules of their own, they were still willing to take time out to help us through with our data gathering efforts. And this even though we were pretty much clueless on what we needed to find out! For their invaluable help, kudos go out to Mr. Lesley Choo and his colleagues at NEA Meteorological Services.

Information in hand, we moved on to translating it into our ERD "masterpiece". Countless hours were spent drawing up and re-drawing our diagrams. Without a doubt, this was the toughest part. In the space of three weeks, we went through many major revamps, and each revamp had to be done in an even shorter span of time than the last. All this on top of a full-load of school and CCA commitments!

But things started falling into place. Slowly but surely, we began to put together a coherent and solid diagram, one that withstood the rigourous questions from not just ourselves, but the lecturers as well. Along with the diagram, we submitted a set of Microsoft PowerPoint slides which detailed the ERD diagram. Finally, on the morning of D-Day, we were done.

After a four month wait, the results were finally released in May, to our great surprise and joy. Our hard work had paid off! But at this point, I must pause to give special thanks to our dear lecturers, Ms How Woan Ling and Ms Cheng Huey Chen. Without their strong support and help, we would not have achieved what we did. To the lecturers we owe a BIG THANK YOU!

By Benny Chng

An Unforgettable Study Tour

Lasting for six days from the 7th June 2008 to the 13th June 2008 , the Global Citizenship (GC) study tour to Paris and London was a successful and fun-filled experience. Lead by Ms Marlina Binte Mastor and Mr Toh Kee Heng, the lecturers, the group of 30 Financial Business Informatics (FBI) students had a great time experiencing the rich culture and history of London, and shop in the hyped-up Paris.The purpose of this trip was to have a cultural exchange with the locals, and to apply what we have learnt during the GC lectures and tutorials in real time situations, which in this case, is the overseas trip. Some of the highlights of the trip were taking a Ferris wheel ride on the London Eye, a cruise night tour around the Eiffel Tower and visiting the University college of London, the Bank of England Museum, Thomson Reuters and having fun in Paris DisneyLand.Footsteps were left behind while memories brought back to Singapore. This study tour is really beneficial in providing me an actual real fact of how living in London and Paris were like, especially in Paris, where we get to live in a hostel. Moreover, our lecturers have also given us the chance to ask around the locals and interact with them. The tour is also offered us a sense of freedom as we get to tour around the city to spend a day on our own doing the activities that we love to. For instance, entering the horrifying London Dungeon and to shop and have our own lunch around the shopping malls, cafes or pubs.In conclusion, I would like to end off my report with some of my personal reflection. Being as a first time traveler to overseas has really widened my horizon and enlarges my vision and thinking. Furthermore, the feeling of traveling to the other side of the world with my best friends and to spend quality time with them really makes this journey an awesome one.

By Chee Meng

Study Trip In London-Paris

FBI students at University College London, a world class university ranked among the top 10 globally.

Ms Zorbas explaining the courses offered in UCL.

At UCL's Virtual Trading Floor, which is supported by Reuters and 4 leading investment banks - Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley.

Dr Christopher Clack, Director, Financial Computing and Quantitative Finance at UCL giving a demo on the Reuters 3000 Xtra to FBI students at the UCL's Virtual Trading Floor.

At the Bank of England. Wei Choy, we can see you !

Marlina posing with Paul Julius Reuter.

At London Bridge with Tower Bridge in the background. London Bridge is defintely NOT falling down !

FBI gals, Nicole, Erlianna, Li Zhen, Uyanga, Shu Xian, Huan Yi, Joyce and Valerie at The London Eye.

Gisele, Shawn, Ashwin, Leo, Nadiah and Naqiah enjoying the famous British fish & chips meal.

Shu Xian, Erlianna and Long Jun having dinner in an English pub.

The Bobby at Buckingham Palace - a favourite among the FBI students. Nicole and Huan Yi taking a snap before the changing of the guards.

Travelling on the Eurostar, a high-speed train service from London to Paris. Marlina just before embarking.

Arrival at the Eurostar terminal located at Gare du Nord station in Central Paris.

Eiffel Tower - the icon of France

At Disneyland Paris

Reuters Development Centre in Paris

Mr Mody giving a presentation of the latest state-of-the-art applications and financial solutions at the Reuters Development Centre in Paris.

Reflection Time - Yuan Hong, Wan Ying, Chee Meng, Zhi Yuan and Jonathan.

Graduation 2008

FBI Junior Year student Tobi with Guest-of-Honour,

Rear Admiral (NS) Ronnie Tay, the CEO of Infocomm Authority of Singapore

during the reception after the graduation ceremony

Today is Graduation Day. Next year this time, our pioneer batch of FBI students will be proudly walking up the stage to receive their diploma. This is the day both students and lecturers are working hard for !

PRESS ON everyone !

Campus Care Network (CCN) Day

16 May is our CCN Day - an opportunity to raise funds for needy students in TP. See what our FBI freshmen have to put up on that day.

FBI C206 with their delightful home-made "Soya Croquettes". Mind sharing with us your recipe?

Sold out ! Sorry, no more candy floss. Definitely a good day for FBI C207 and Vincent.

Want to try our "French Fries in Cheese" & "Brownies" made by FBI C208?

Jerry taking a rest. Time for a glass of ice-cool "Oreo Milk Shake" from FBI C209.

PCEO stopping to chat with FBI C210.

New Semester Begins ...

This semester, FBI students get to enjoy TWO new competency centres - the TP-Reuters Financial Risk Management Centre, and the TP-Business Objects Business Intelligence Centre. Cool ! These 2 centres are equiped with state-of-the-art technologies to prepare students for a sucessful career in the financial services and IT industry.

Lesson @ TP-Reuters Financial Risk Management Centre

Our FBI gals from C156 - Shui Jin, Shi Han, Hui Joo, Fiora and Wan Ting proudly posing @ TP-Business Objects Business Intelligence Centre.

Totally engrossed. Marlina with Jen and Ramizah @ TP-Reuters Financial Risk Management Centre. Everyone, please look here !

Sophia and Cheyrl taking an unscheduled break for a photoshoot. Say cheeze !

Our senior year FBI guys Chee Seng and Sheng Yang. Hey guys, why are you not in class?

Freshmen Parents' Seminar

Freshmen Parents' Seminar was held in the first week. Many parents came to find out more about the courses their children are in.

Shared with parents the various careers in the banking and IT industry that FBI prepares their children for, as well as opportunites for further studies in universities. Parents, your children are in good hands ! In 3 years, we will transform your kids into young adults ready for the industry... and the world.

Couse Coordinator Meng Siew and Care Persons Huey Chen (C206), Vincent (C207), Liang Gek (C208), Kok Yau (C209) and Marlina (C210) chatted with the parents after the sharing session.