Giant Steps in Singapore
Giant strides can be made with baby steps. This reality was brought home last week when I attended the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the International Society of Automation (ISA) and Singapore Polytechnic. Before I fill you in on the details, allow me to set the stage...
I was headed for Singapore on business.
Tim Feldman, ISA’s illustrious world traveler and international business development guru, found out I was going and called me about one week prior to departure…“Would you be available for about a two-hour presentation with our friends in Singapore to sign a MOU?”.
I responded that I landed in Singapore on the Monday following the US Thanksgiving holiday (missing out on at least one day of yummy leftovers!) at about 1:00 p.m.
Working with K.K. Siew, Singapore Section President, we set a time—K.K. would pick me up at 2:45 p.m. at my hotel and whisk me to the signing ceremony which began at 4:00 p.m.
…
Anyone who travels regularly can sympathize that the odds of my plane landing at the scheduled 1: 00 p.m. were slim. Since my plane departed LAX about 45 minutes late, the odds looked even lower than usual. I expected, when I landed in Hong Kong, to have a leisurely 2 hours to walk, stretch, and get the kinks out of my body. Instead, I had roughly 10 minutes to catch the final leg of my flight. Meanwhile, Tim was frantically e-mailing me and K.K. and watching the airline arrival site to see if I would make it to Singapore on time. I arrived and the ride from the airport to my hotel was uneventful (thankfully) and K.K called the room just about the time I finished my 30 minute shower and shine. WHEW!
K.K. drove me to Singapore Polytechnic where the signing ceremony was slated to occur. We were met by the Director of the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Dr. Dave Chong; Deputy Director, Dr. Rong Huan Yang; and a host of other faculty from the school.
That’s Dr. Yang and Dr. Chong on the left; K.K. Siew is on the right.
I had the opportunity to chat with many of the Singapore Section Members and faculty from the school—all were so gracious and hospitable that I don’t know quite where to begin with THANK YOU’s for all the kindness they showed me!
The most memorable part of the afternoon was Dr. Chong’s remarks. He talked about the need to make Automation “cool,” and the need to attract more of the best and brightest engineers into the field…I was somewhat taken aback that this was not an issue relegated to the US!
It was also a pleasure to chat with Elaine Ang and Rachel Loh of the Singapore Economic Development Board. They would like to see ISA open an office and make Singapore ISA’s Asian hub. The enthusiasm and spirit of a positive future were palpable at this event!
Yes, it was very educational and fun for me to meet with our Singapore Section Leaders; but most importantly, ISA has taken a bold step into the Asian region. SP will be offering ISA courses beginning with some of our most popular courses currently offered at Research Triangle Park, NC (ISA Headquarters). We hope this is a stepping stone for developing a lasting relationship and a greater presence in Asia. It may well be a model we pursue in other areas of the world in our efforts to become a truly global organization.
I want to publicly thank all the leaders, faculty, students, and attendees that made the agreement signing a wonderful event. The lovely plaque presented to me is proudly displayed at ISA Global Headquarters in RTP, NC.
Too bad Tiki had to miss it!
I was headed for Singapore on business.
Tim Feldman, ISA’s illustrious world traveler and international business development guru, found out I was going and called me about one week prior to departure…“Would you be available for about a two-hour presentation with our friends in Singapore to sign a MOU?”.
I responded that I landed in Singapore on the Monday following the US Thanksgiving holiday (missing out on at least one day of yummy leftovers!) at about 1:00 p.m.
Working with K.K. Siew, Singapore Section President, we set a time—K.K. would pick me up at 2:45 p.m. at my hotel and whisk me to the signing ceremony which began at 4:00 p.m.
…
Anyone who travels regularly can sympathize that the odds of my plane landing at the scheduled 1: 00 p.m. were slim. Since my plane departed LAX about 45 minutes late, the odds looked even lower than usual. I expected, when I landed in Hong Kong, to have a leisurely 2 hours to walk, stretch, and get the kinks out of my body. Instead, I had roughly 10 minutes to catch the final leg of my flight. Meanwhile, Tim was frantically e-mailing me and K.K. and watching the airline arrival site to see if I would make it to Singapore on time. I arrived and the ride from the airport to my hotel was uneventful (thankfully) and K.K called the room just about the time I finished my 30 minute shower and shine. WHEW!
K.K. drove me to Singapore Polytechnic where the signing ceremony was slated to occur. We were met by the Director of the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Dr. Dave Chong; Deputy Director, Dr. Rong Huan Yang; and a host of other faculty from the school.
That’s Dr. Yang and Dr. Chong on the left; K.K. Siew is on the right. I had the opportunity to chat with many of the Singapore Section Members and faculty from the school—all were so gracious and hospitable that I don’t know quite where to begin with THANK YOU’s for all the kindness they showed me!
The most memorable part of the afternoon was Dr. Chong’s remarks. He talked about the need to make Automation “cool,” and the need to attract more of the best and brightest engineers into the field…I was somewhat taken aback that this was not an issue relegated to the US!
It was also a pleasure to chat with Elaine Ang and Rachel Loh of the Singapore Economic Development Board. They would like to see ISA open an office and make Singapore ISA’s Asian hub. The enthusiasm and spirit of a positive future were palpable at this event!
Yes, it was very educational and fun for me to meet with our Singapore Section Leaders; but most importantly, ISA has taken a bold step into the Asian region. SP will be offering ISA courses beginning with some of our most popular courses currently offered at Research Triangle Park, NC (ISA Headquarters). We hope this is a stepping stone for developing a lasting relationship and a greater presence in Asia. It may well be a model we pursue in other areas of the world in our efforts to become a truly global organization.
I want to publicly thank all the leaders, faculty, students, and attendees that made the agreement signing a wonderful event. The lovely plaque presented to me is proudly displayed at ISA Global Headquarters in RTP, NC.
Too bad Tiki had to miss it!
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6:34 AM
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