30 Jan 26 | Student Leadership, Leadership & Development
From Curiosity to Confidence: How Education Shaped Damien’s Journey
Education does not always follow a straight path and Damien’s journey is a powerful reminder that growth often begins outside one’s comfort zone.
Before enrolling in the Computer Science programme under SIM–UOL, Damien came from a Logistics background, with his interest in technology sparked through self-learning and coding during his National Service. Entering a new academic field without a traditional foundation initially led to self-doubt. Yet, what began as uncertainty soon became a journey of discovery, one that reshaped his understanding of learning itself.
Through his studies, Damien came to realise that education is not about starting with the “right” answers, but about persistence, adaptability, and trusting the process. While the workload and project demands were challenging, effective time management and a habit of critically reviewing his own work allowed him to find balance and purpose in his academic journey. More importantly, he learnt to approach challenges with resilience rather than pressure.
Beyond the classroom, Damien’s university experience was deeply enriched by his involvement in student life. From being part of SIM Dreamwerkz, to serving on the SIM–UOL Computer Science Student Council and eventually taking on the role of Vice President, his leadership experiences extended his learning far beyond lectures and tutorials. His time as an intern, and later a team member under the Student Life Department, organising schoolwide events, further reinforced the importance of ownership, teamwork, and thoughtful decision-making.
These experiences highlighted a key lesson: university life is not defined solely by grades, but by learning to work with people each bringing different perspectives, ideas, and opinions to the table. Through collaboration and leadership, Damien developed essential soft skills such as communication, conflict management, and emotional awareness skills he found to be just as critical as technical expertise.
Today, Damien has graduated with First Class Honours and has stepped confidently into the working world in a full-time role with Cognizant. Reflecting on his journey, he remains grateful for the experiences that shaped his growth over the past three years of experiences that built his professionalism, confidence, and commitment to lifelong learning.
While acknowledging that there will always be others who may excel in specific areas, Damien believes that what truly matters is the willingness to keep improving, challenge oneself, and grow sustainably without losing sight of well-being.
His journey serves as an inspiring reminder that education is not just about where you begin, but how you grow along the way.
24 Nov 25 | All, World of Potential, Special Interest Club, Leadership & Development
A Glimpse Inside Singapore’s Parliament: SAS Members Explore the Nation’s Legislative Heart
On 10 and 11 November 2025, 47 members of the Singapore Affairs Society (SAS) at the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) visited the historic Parliament House, gaining an immersive look into Singapore’s parliamentary system and governance.
The visit provided a deeper understanding of the origins of Parliament, the roles and functions of Members of Parliament and the law-making process. Participants explored how debates are structured and how parliamentary decisions shape policies that affect everyday life in Singapore.
Highlights of the tour included walking along the iconic Speaker’s Row, exploring significant historical artefacts that chronicle Singapore’s political journey, and observing the Parliament Chamber from the Public Galleries – a rare opportunity to witness national governance in action.
Students also learned about mechanisms of accountability and representation that ensure Parliament functions effectively.
Beyond the historical and procedural knowledge, the visit encouraged reflection on the importance of civic awareness and engagement. Experiencing Parliament firsthand offered students a tangible perspective on how governance influences communities and daily life.
To conclude, the tour was an enriching and educational experience, combining history, civic understanding, and insight into Singapore’s legislative processes, leaving participants with a deeper appreciation of the workings of Singapore’s Parliament.
19 Oct 25 | All, World of Potential, Student Leadership, Leadership & Development
OCIP Sabah 2025: Beyond Borders, Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders
From 3 to 11 October 2025, eight SIM students travelled to Sabah under the guidance of the Student Life team as part of the Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP).
Through the BEST (Be English Speaker Today) programme, the volunteers conducted interactive English lessons at rural schools, using games, storytelling, and simple conversations to help students build confidence in speaking English. Over six days, the team reached more than 200 students across seven schools.
Beyond the classrooms, the experience challenged volunteers to adapt to unfamiliar environments, work closely as a team, and support one another through long days and limited resources. These moments helped shape their resilience, empathy, and leadership skills.
OCIP Sabah showed that learning does not only happen in classrooms. Through service, students discovered how much they could grow when they stepped beyond borders.
02 Oct 25 | All, World of Potential, Leadership & Development
SIM Students Clinch Champion Title at the 2025 CFA Society Singapore University Ethics Challenge
A team of three students from the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) has emerged Champion at the 2025 CFA Society Singapore University Ethics Challenge, held on 27 September 2025.
Ng Zi En (most left), Chen Lin (middle), Justin Fung (most right)
The winning team comprised Chen Lin and Fung Kai Min Justin from the RMIT University Bachelor of Business programme, and Ng Zi En from the University of London Economics and Finance.
Competing against leading universities in Singapore, the team impressed the judging panel with clear ethical reasoning, robust financial analysis and a well-structured presentation.
The CFA Society Singapore University Ethics Challenge is an annual competition that prepares aspiring investment professionals to navigate complex ethical dilemmas. Participants analyse real-world cases and present their recommendations to a panel of industry experts, demonstrating technical competence, professional judgement and integrity.
This achievement highlights SIM’s commitment to developing graduates who combine academic excellence with ethical leadership and professional readiness. It also reflects the dedication and teamwork of the three students as they prepared for the rigorous competition.
Huge congratulations to Chen Lin, Justin and Zi En on this remarkable accomplishment and celebrates their success in representing the university with excellence and integrity.
15 Jul 25 | All, Sports & Fitness, Leadership & Development
Mid-Year Milestone: SIM Lifesaving Club Shines at NUS Invitational 2025
As we reach the halfway mark of 2025, SIM’s Swimming & Lifesaving Club has already made this year one to remember. At the recent NUS Lifesaving Invitational, the team delivered an outstanding performance, walking away with not just medals but also national records to their name.
The team’s hard work and determination led to a well-deserved 3rd Place in A-Division Men’s Team, and 3rd Place Overall in the A-Division category.
In total, the team proudly secured:
🏆 4 Gold medals
🏆 3 Silver medals
🏆 3 Bronze medals
A special highlight of the competition was the record-breaking swims by Vanessa Ong and Ray Ong, who each set new national records — a proud moment for both the team and SIM.
But behind the success lies more than just competition results. This achievement reflects the countless training sessions, the commitment of every team member, and the constant encouragement from coaches and supporters.
🎉 Congratulations to our SIM Swimming & Lifesaving Club on their strong showing and here’s to more victories ahead!
11 Jul 25 | All, Student Leadership, Leadership & Development
In June 2025, SIM students took part in the H3 Vietnam Project under the Overseas Community Involvement Programme (OCIP). The trip was held in Tra Vinh, a village near Ho Chi Minh, and organised by Transformer, a subcommittee under the University of London Student Representative Club. Over two weeks, the team worked with the local community through teaching, cultural exchange, and construction.
Sharing Cultures in the Classroom
During lessons, students shared about Singapore’s heritage and food, such as Sultan Mosque, Chicken Rice and Laksa.
They also introduced traditional childhood games like five stones, colour sticks and country eraser. These simple activities helped to break the ice, and both groups enjoyed learning and laughing together.
Building the outdoor library space
Outside of the classroom, the team focused on building an outdoor library space. Tasks included laying concrete flooring, putting up walls and planting grass. The hot weather made the work challenging, but everyone supported one another and kept going. Completing the library was a proud moment for the team, knowing that it will be a useful space for the community. This trip was more than just volunteering. Through teaching and construction, students gained a better understanding of cross-cultural teamwork and how education can support community growth. Living among the locals also taught important lessons about humility, adaptability and respect. Even small contributions, when done with sincerity, can leave a lasting impact.
