The theme of the 15th NOC Shanghai Company appreciation this year was “GLEE-SH”. Inspired by the TV series and its meaning of happiness, GLEE captures the spirit of the 15th SHEN here in Shanghai. In the TV series, the Glee Club “geeks” live out their passion for music despite facing many obstacles. Similarly, the 15th batch has braved numerous challenges to get to where they are today. The Glee theme song “Don’t Stop Believing” appropriately captures the entrepreneurial essence of the 15th SHEN who have pursued their ambitions and dreams here in Shanghai.

The biannual event, held on the 22nd of November was in appreciation of the participating companies which have played critical roles in grooming the entrepreneurial potential of the 15th SHEN. The guests came dressed in a myriad of colorful outfits according to the “GLEE-SH” theme, their enthusiasm filling the dining hall of 致真. The colors represent the energy and liveliness of the batch as well as the unique diversity of each individual. Equipped with a pair of colored “geeky” spectacles, the guests were directed to have their picture taken against a 2 metre tall backdrop bearing the colors of the theme. Our guest of honor and director of NOC, Associate Professor Teo Chee Leong appeared sportingly joined in the festivities in a velvety orange shirt. Professor Kau was also aptly dressed in bright pink.

Professor Teo formally addressed the event by thanking the various companies, which included Asia Voila, SheShan Golf Club, Strip and BrowHaus, DE Global, Love Box, Wild Fire and Trader Analytics, for their guidance and mentorship to the 15th Batch of NOC Shanghai Interns. He also emphasized on the importance of the close partnership between the National University of Singapore and the participating companies. On his ending note, he wished the 15th Batch the best and urged the juniors to do just as well. 

Professor Yin from the Department of Business Management in Fudan and a long-time partner of NOC, also addressed the guests. He spoke of the long standing partnership between NUS and Fudan University. He emphasized the importance of the exchange of cultures, ideas and friendships between the students from the two schools. Prof Yin magnanimously extended a hand of friendship to the all NUS students, encouraging us to maintain the strong bonds between NUS and Fudan.

A spread of scrumptious Singaporean food was presented to the guests at dinner time  as they tucked away in to our local favorites such as Satay, Fried Bee Hoon, Sweet and Sour pork as well as delectable desserts generously sponsored by founder of HoF, Brian Tan. As business cards were exchanged, so were smiles and laughter as the guests mingled convivially throughout the evening. Both the 15th and 16th batch of SHEN served as a connecting fabric by introducing the guests to one another and weaving together the entrepreneur network within the room. 

One of the highlights of the night was undoubtedly the hilarious video montage of the 15th SHEN, which showcased their fun and lighthearted side, sparking much laughter throughout the room. The president of the 15th SHEN, Tan Yan Liang, then gave his farewell speech. Yan Liang reflected on his one year in Shanghai. On hindsight, his entire NOC journey can be said to be “connecting the dots”, stringing together all his experiences, challenges, opportunities and decisions. He also expressed his gratitude towards the program and his company DE Global. Lastly, he urged the 16th Batch to bring SHEN to new heights and to make the best use of their time in Shanghai. 

The night ended with the incoming President of the 16th SHEN, Jerry Sim, sharing the direction which 16th SHEN. He presented the various aspects which 16th SHEN would look in to in the coming year which included the areas of Business Development, Community Involvement, Publicity Outreach and Fostering Cohesion.

The event gradually saw closure as the final pictures were taken and the handshakes exchanged. All in all, the 15th Shen NOC Shanghai Appreciation Dinner felt like a heartwarming reunion that brought interns, colleagues, professors and friends together. 

This episode of Glee-SH, all who walked out, were winners.

         "Put in extra effort in everything you do. These effort will not be wasted. Sooner or later, they will come back to you in the forms of opportunities, job promotions, etc. Everything moves in a circle. When you are young, you might not be able to see how your career and life will play out but you when get older, you will clearly see that everything you did when you were young has a meaning."

Also, Dawn, Long Qing and I had a chance to chat with Leong Wai Leng, Chairman of OCBC Bank China and Ms. Grace Fu, the Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, and the Environment and Water Resources. During our conversation, what they asked what I did at my internship in Shanghai, I said " change water dispenser bottle" and they laughed because it made them remember the menial tasks (stapling, photocopying, etc) they did just starting out in their careers. Haha

Lesson of the Day: I might be only 'changing the water dispenser bottle' today, Ms. Leong and Ms. Grace Fu reminded me that they too, started from 'changing the water dispenser bottle'.

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Write-up and Photos taken at the event:

6^th Business Forum Organised by SSBA, “Entrepreneurial Journey – Innovation & Internationalisation” (创业之路-自主创新与国际化) was held from 09:15-13:30 on 25 November 2011, Friday at JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square. The program which was held in Chinese, focused on

•  How to transform a small domestic enterprise into a global renowned company
•  How foreign firms can capitalise on the opportunities in China
•  The application of Laozi's philosophy for building enterprises and doing business in China

Guest of Honour, Ms. Grace Fu, the Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, and the Environment and Water Resources in Singapore, graced the event and delivered a keynote address.

This event was an excellent opportunity to interact with a wide variety of professionals. Panelists shared thoughts on the challenges of doing business in China and how enterprises and business owners can grow their companies through innovation and internationalisation.  

Guests who arrived early.

Melrose Pizza

Pre-event networking

VIP table 

Broadcaster and Compere – Xu Hui 

Xu Hui starts the event.

As Xu Hui was talking, everyone was listening attentively

Darren gives his opening speech in Mandarin

Senior Minister, Ms. Grace Fu delivers her opening speech

After Ms. Grace Fu's speech, the panelists are welcomed onto the stage to start the Zhao Qiguang.                                     

Q&A Session

SSBA Presenting The Token Of Appreciation To Sponsors Of This Event

SSBA presenting the Token of Appreciation to sponsors of this event

SSBA presenting the Token of Appreciation to sponsors of this event

SSBA presenting the Token of Appreciation to sponsors of this event

Post-Event Networking                                       

Post Event Buffet Lunch

Very nice spread of buffet lunch!

About the Panelists:  

Leong Wai Leng was appointed as Chairman of OCBC Bank China in August 2007. She has overall responsibility for directing and executing OCBC Bank's growth strategy in China in her current role.   A Singaporean and a graduate of the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Ms Leong has more than 22 years of experience in finance  both  in the corporate world and in corporate banking.  She has worked in China for  the last  ten years ,   including  seven years of corporate experience with Philips Electronics Group  as its China Country Treasurer and  VP,  and China Group CFO.  She held several senior banking positions in Citibank Singapore, JP Morgan Chase Singapore, and HSBC China. 

Zhao Qiguang is Burton and Lily Levin Professor of Chinese at Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota. He was born in Beijing and grew up in China. He has an MA in English and American literature from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He started the Chinese Language program at Carleton College and has been teaching courses in Chinese language and literature, comparative literature, and Taoism for more than twenty years. He has frequently appeared on Chinese television, on both national and local channels, discussing culture and international relations. He talked about Taoism on Shanghai television in a ten-part series called "The Wisdom of Lao Tzu," which was broadcast in November 2007, and is published in book form. He also did a seven-part lecture series on a Shandong Television program, "Laozi, Number One Under the Sun." He has published six books including a comparative study of Eastern and Western dragons.

"Walking down the narrow lane of Tianzi Fang at Taikang Lu ('Art Street'), you'd be wondering if you were really in cosmopolitan Shanghai. At a glance, Taikang Lu features a mix of old and refurbished brick houses. However, do not be fooled by the traditional old lanes or wet clothes hanging on bamboo poles above your head. Taikang Lu sure deserves a second look. These days, many artists and local designers have set up boutiques and laid-back cafe is that have been drawing crowds of yuppies, fashionistas, designers and expatriates. 

(by the way, can any photographers please tell me what use is such a big lens for?)

At the heart of Taikang Lu are many art studios and galleries. This area has been home to many artists seeking a reprieve from the threat of demolition of artist's villages and communities by property developers in recent years. These studios which are mostly situated at Buildings 3 & 5, feature many contemporary works of design, painting and photography."

Yep, they have cosplay in Shanghai too

Super big lens part 2

Super big lens part 3

Cute baby!

This is not Tian Zi Fang. Its a park which I discovered when I was randomly cycling the other day.

Yea man he's the Indian chef from Bombay!

I am 23 years old this year. For my friends who are around my age, please refer to the images below to see how a bank run looks like. Basically, if you have most of your money stashed away in your savings account, you will literally lose everything you have when a bank run happens. \

A financial crisis of unmatched magnitude is coming very very soon. 

Be Prepared

What is a Bank Run? 

Source:http://goldsilver.com/news/pictures-from-a-latvian-bank-run-as-mf-global-commingling-comes-to-town/

If anyone is wondering why the collapse of MF Global after the discovery of its commingling and theft of client funds was the single worst thing that could happen to market confidence, then look no further than the small Baltic country of Latvia where precisely what Jon Corzine's firm did to its clients, has happened at the bank level. Businessweek Reports: "Lithuanian prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Antonov and Raimondas Baranauskas who are former shareholders of Bankas Snoras AB. Both men are suspected of embezzlement and document forgery, the Prosecutor General said in a statement on its website today. Baranauskas is also suspected of accounting fraud and abuse of authority, it said." Kinda like Jon Corzine, if not by the actual authorities, then by everybody else. And just like in the US where the lack of confidence in the system following the MF filing, so in Latvia the people have decided to hit the ATMs first and ask questions later. "“This money was the bank’s clients’ money,” said Irena Krumane, head of Latvia’s bank regulator, on Latvian Television last night. Krajbanka will most likely be liquidated because the bank doesn’t have the resources to meet depositor and creditor demands unless the Lithuanian government decides to recapitalize the lender, said Janis Brazovskis, the lender’s administrator, in an interview with Latvian Independent Television program 900 Seconds today…Depositors can withdraw 50 lati a day beginning today for the rest of the week, said Krumane at a press conference." At today's rate this is about $95. Which is why what happened next, as shown in the pictures below, was to be completely expected, and is a perfect indicator of the collapse in liquidity and credibility of our own system where commingling, unlike in Latvia, goes unpunished.

I wonder how much these soft toys cost?

Here's the medal which everyone will receive at the end of the race. I got two of them! I don't know why, but the staff just gave it to me.

Relatively empty train in the wee hours.

Yes, revolve to open the door. China English.

Can anyone tell me the meaning of 'Emiction' ?? Splendid example of China English.

It must be quite cool to live in such a nice place!

The legion of runners.

Leon and Me.

AKQA flag. It was very crowded. I was alone at the start and there was no way that I could have spotted my colleagues. But luckily I saw the flag…..

China Expo!

Powerful Chinese politicians watching us little citizens run……

This bridge is disproportionately tall….

Some huge bee hive.

The first water checkpoint!

Photographing the Photographer photographing the runners.

Look at what a mess Pavilion France is in right now……

5km mark with some (cute?) girls?

Those cheerleaders!

Come'on ! Cheer louder for me!

That's right, keep cheering!

7km mark!

2 photographers standing on the roof of a van to get a clear shot……

The human bridge

9km mark! Finishing soon!

Reverse human bridge.

Some Chinese beauties(?)

End point!

Hell-big drums

Nice angle!

 This couple couldn't hold on any longer…. right after the 10km run, they lay down on the mat and start to make out. Just Do It!

Presenting to you…..the Nike Lunar Run participants!

Some random limo I saw at my house area.

This is a comparison of their height with mine:

My height: 170cm

(From the left; estimates):

Policeman #1 : 200++cm

Policeman #2 : 200cm

Policeman #3 : 185cm