Categories: Student Life

A Peek Into Dr Tham’s Life

Introducing a new series “A Peek Into” where we interview Head of Schools and Lecturers and understand what life is like for them on campus and beyond. Today, we’ll take A Peek Into Dr Tham’s Life as the Dean of MDIS and also the Head of School for the School of Engineering & Technology.  

What do you do as the Dean of MDIS & the Head of School (HOS) for the School of Engineering & Technology (SET)? 

As a Dean, I oversee all operational issues for all schools at MDIS for both students and staff i.e. enrolment, discipline or misconduct, welfare, working and learning environment and others. As the HOS, I have been involved in student’s learning from the day a student enrolled into the programme till graduation and beyond. Students sometimes face difficulties and I try to solve them. For example, some students might have difficulty attending classes due to work commitments or personal issues. I have to ensure that lecturers are aware and we provide support to those students.

What first interests you in the field of Engineering?

It all started when I saw my neighbour playing with a yoyo. I’m not sure how old was I then. I was wondering how he made the yoyo swing back and forth while spinning. It was fascinating! I tried to figure out how it works and tried to modify my own yoyo by changing the string, even tried to put some light on it by dismantling it, but unfortunately failed and got scolded for breaking the yoyo. 

What would the students be surprised to find out about you?

I am very playful with my friends. We did a lot of things during our university time that our lecturers have warned us to stop or risk not being able to attend lectures.

What are some of the challenges SET students face today?

With the advancement of technology, students face very stiff competition among their peers around the world. The information or knowledge that they learnt might be outdated when they graduate. Hence, students need to update themselves regularly so that they can stay in the know and be competitive. 

Everything in excess is dangerous. Is artificial intelligence a threat or a blessing for today’s job?

It all depends on the purpose of the use of artificial intelligence. From my personal view, it is a blessing because it can help us to work more efficiently especially when working on routine work or tasks that do not involve decision making. Once decision making is done by artificial intelligence, we will be in deep trouble as it will only follow logic. However, we humans are born illogical.  

QuickFire Questions

What do you do to destress?

A night of good sleep will help me to destress and refresh my mind.

What’s your Netflix/Disney + recommendations? 

I am a big fan of animations or cartoons, especially lighthearted titles such as Ice Age, The Croods, Tom and Jerry, Kung Fu Panda and others. I watch them together with my children.

MDIS

Founded in 1956, the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) is Singapore’s oldest not-for-profit professional institute for lifelong learning. MDIS has two main subsidiaries: Management Development Institute of Singapore Pte Ltd which oversees its Singapore academic operations, and MDIS International Pte Ltd which focuses on MDIS’ globalisation strategy. MDIS offers internationally-accredited courses in Business and Management, Engineering, Fashion and Design, Health and Nursing, Information Technology, Languages and Education, Life Sciences, Media and Communications, Psychology, Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Safety and Environmental Management.

Share
Published by
MDIS

Recent Posts

Are Fashion Design Courses Worth it in Singapore? | Your 2026 Education Guide

The glitter of the runway, the precision of a perfectly draped silhouette, and the thrill…

2 weeks ago

How to Become a Psychologist: Psychology Courses in Singapore

The demand for mental health support in Singapore has reached an all-time high, with more…

2 weeks ago

Which PEI has the Best Business Management Courses in Singapore? | Your 2026 Education Guide

Choosing a business management course in Singapore is a pivotal decision for any prospective student.…

2 weeks ago

Navigating the Best Accounting and Finance Courses in Singapore | Your 2026 Education Guide

Singapore’s position as a global financial hub remains steadfast in 2026. For prospective students, selecting…

2 weeks ago

What is the Difference Between a Regular MBA and a Global MBA?

Regular MBA vs Global MBA: What’s the Difference? In the competitive landscape of the Singaporean…

2 weeks ago

Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity vs CISSP: Choosing Your Path in Singapore 

In Singapore’s Smart Nation landscape of 2026, the demand for digital defenders has never been…

3 weeks ago