17 Nov 2018

Speech by Top Student, Wang Zhen Fen at the inaugural MDISSpeeches

Good morning,

Guest-of-Honour, Dr Chia Shi-Lu, Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC;

Dr Eric Kuan, President of the Management Development Institute of Singapore;

Dr R Theyvendran, Secretary-General of the Management Development Institute of Singapore;

Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice Chancellor, Edinburgh Napier University;

Ms Naomi Graham, Vice Principal, International, Edinburgh Napier University;

Faculty Members of Edinburgh Napier University;

Distinguished Guests;

Graduands;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

1  Thank you for sharing your precious time with us this morning on this very special occasion. My name is Wang Zhen Fen.  It’s a great honour for me to be given this opportunity to deliver the address on behalf of the graduating 2018 cohort.

2  First of all, I would like to extend my congratulations to the cohort of 2018! It has been a challenging journey that could only be completed through hard work, diligence and determination. Yes, we have made it!  All of us deserve a big round of applause.

3  Time flies! The past 2 years has not been an easy journey because we had to balance our lives of being part time students and full-time working professionals, as well as manage our family commitments. Time management and prioritisation were very important skills which I had honed during the 2 years of my learning journey.

4  On the other hand, I had benefitted tremendously from the study group that we had formed with members from our cohort. We supported each other in our course modules, clarifying doubts, understanding concepts and working together as a team in motivating each other to succeed.  The camaraderie and rapport went a long way in spurring us to excel despite the numerous challenges. 

5  At the same time I would like to express my gratitude to our lecturers and faculty members of ENU. They are experts in their field, knowledgeable, patient and committed. They have mentored and provided suggestions where needed, and promptly responded to our emails when in doubt. MDIS has impressed me not only with their holistic educational environment but also the dedicated and committed staff who have received our feedback and addressed our concerns. My sincere gratitude and thanks to MDIS for having made my learning journey an enriching and enjoyable one.

6  I would also like to thank my family and friends for their endless support and continuous encouragement when I was having sleepless nights and facing challenges. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me in my learning journey.  None of us could have gotten here if not for the support of our families and friends.

7  I became a registered nurse in the year 2011. Over the years, I have observed that the way we work has evolved and changed significantly.   Nursing practices and standards of healthcare have progressed with the emergence of new advancements and technology, and is continually being upgraded to provide the best possible medical care.

8  It is therefore essential for us attain a higher level of education, and to upgrade our knowledge and skills to keep abreast of the changes.  I am glad that I have pursued the Bachelor of Science Nursing (Top-Up) degree awarded by ENU to meet the ever-changing demands of the healthcare profession.   And of course, the salary increment is a bonus and a great incentive!

9  As healthcare professionals, it is essential for us to continue to upgrade our skills and knowledge, and to embrace the advancements in healthcare to maximise patients’ outcomes.  Today is not the end of our learning journey; it’s simply the beginning of another. So, let’s make the most in giving our best in serving humanity.

10  Once again, congratulations to my fellow graduates and thank you to all.