The first batch of 26 small and medium enterprise (SME) business leaders celebrated their graduation on 9 October 2017 at the Executive Development Programme (EDP) Convocation ceremony, which was organised by School of Business (SBIZ). EDP is a year-long programme jointly developed by SBIZ and National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) U-SME. Offered in Mandarin, EDP consists of 12 seminars and 3 industry talks on various topics to help participants keep pace with future developments that can impact their businesses. It also provides them with relevant knowledge to sustain business growth and manage their competition.
The Guest-of-Honour, NTUC Assistant Director-General (ADG) and Director of U-SME, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, gave a welcome address urging the graduands to continue learning and equip themselves with relevant knowledge in this fast-changing economy. He then presented the graduation certificates, together with our President, Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, to the EDP graduands. During the dinner, two EDP graduands did sharings of their learning journey at Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). Mr Edmund Toh, Director of Pyrotech, is appreciative of the friendships he has made and said that the programme has provided a good platform for local SME business leaders to share their business practices and identify opportunities for the future economy. Moving forward, he hopes to set up an alumni group for members to network and grow. Ms Kelly Keak, Managing Director of MTM Skincare, shared that this programme kept her updated on new technologies and business models which she can take back to share with her colleagues.
The first batch of EDP graduands with representatives from SUSS and NTUC U-SME (seated, from left); Ms Susan Woo, Manager, NTUC U-SME; Ms Catherine Cho, Deputy Director, NTUC; Professor Cheong Hee Kiat; Mr Yeo Guat Kwang; Professor Tsui Kai Chong, SUSS Provost; Associate Professor Lee Pui Mun, SBIZ Dean; and Dr Guan Chong, Head of SBIZ Marketing programme.