Final Reflection

ES2007S is not a typical module. It is one of the best modules that I have ever taken. And it is not because there is no final exams!

One of the assessments that we are marked on is our wiki project. I was grouped with Kelvin and Chin How. When we first formed, I did not know what to feel. I was glad as I had worked with Chin How prior to this in the peer teaching, and I know we could work well together, producing a fine performance during the very first peer teaching for our class.

I was at first puzzled for Kelvin, as to why his 'friends' did not make a group with him. The group of Bernadette, Caleb and Johnny who were always seen together, did not stick together this time. But as always, I do not judge a book by its cover. I felt that in the end Kelvin put in a great amount of work the same as Chin How and myself. I was comfortable and at ease working with them. I feel that I have amazing team members who have made it possible.

At a time during this course, I was having difficulties coming to school due to a surgery I had. But this was where the wiki platform served its greatest purpose. Working from home. I manage to do all the parts that I was suppose to do at the comfort of my home, with my group members being able to view, edit and adjust anything that I put up. And it works the other way round for me as well where I was able to monitor whatever my group was doing.

However, there is a limit to what the wiki platform can do. Our group do have to meet to tie things up either to argue, debate or discuss more comprehensively on certain topics or issues. But the time when I was gone, all the major discussions were already settled, its just doing the work that we had delegated and completing them on time. Our proposal was a bit rushed, but I had ample time to prepare for our presentation.

Overall, I feel good about the project, the wiki platform and of course this module as a whole. I enjoyed being taught under Dr Radhika, who is very different from all the other professors that had taught me in NUS. I still remembered the time, it was after one lesson, but Dr Radhika was able to call my name in the canteen. I was really touched and amazed by that gesture. She also made the lesson fun and engaging, that never fail to make me interested in professional communication.

Besides that, I am delighted with the new friends that I made in this course. We learn a lot from one another and had fun and laughter in every lesson. I have a lot of positives for this course and would definitely recommend it to my peers.

With that, thank you everyone. =)

Most AWESOME!

Oral Presentation Review

It has been quite some time since I last blogged!

But nonetheless, today’s topic is on my oral presentation review. Honestly, I am pretty happy with how I performed. The comments by my classmates on my final presentation are both overwhelming and encouraging.

People might mistake me as being a natural speaker, where I can engage the audience effortlessly. However, that is not true. During the dry run, to be honest, I was not prepared at all. I was hoping this ‘natural’ side of me would come out and take over the presentation, but we all know what happened in the end. It was one of my worst performances ever. Short of contents, lack of confidence and a stuttering speech were prevalent during my presentation. That was when it hit me. I am not that natural after all!

What I eventually did was to sit down, write my script properly, and rehearse and rehearse and rehearse! I am not joking. I think I rehearsed so much that I do not even need to look at the script while presenting. It also helps that the day before our presentation, the whole group met and practised together. Not only that, we improved each other’s presentation, on what to say and what to do. I change my scripts a few times just to improve and improve.

The night before, I was practising in front of my mirror, timed and record my speech. I was making sure I had the posture, the intent and the aura to pull it off. And on the day itself, I made sure I had plenty of water, wore smart clothes not just to look good, but when I look good, I feel much more confident. And that really helps.

I believe everyone can present well if they put their time and effort to improve and do well.

Here is just a short clip of my favourite presenter who inspires me. Steve Jobs. Tremendous respect for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-ntLGOyHw4&feature=fvsr

Fostering Intercultural Behaviour

In this highly globalised world, we live amongst people of different race, religion and culture. We must learn to not only adapt to this difference, but also respect one another. In Singapore, I am considered a minority. I would consider myself a Malay, same when every one of my friends who have seen me and talked to me. However, in my IC, my race is stated as Indian.

That brings to me intercultural behaviour. The moment I was born, I was already regarded as an Indian on my birth certificate, due to my father, from my grandfather, from our forefathers from India that came to Singapore years ago. But I never practised any Indian culture, nor speak any Indian language. I am more Malay than anything else.

For me, race is not important at all. We should be past that stage. I love travelling, and when I go overseas, especially in the west, all the locals there only ask me where I am from. That is it. They do not ask me what race I am. How I sometimes wish Singapore is the same in this aspect. There is neither racial segregations nor stereotypes. In fostering intercultural behaviour, what is important is to see what is common, rather than what is different.

In university, the common things are definitely our studies. In the workplace, common things is to get the job done. Outside, common things are endless. It can be dance, music, sports, arts and many more. We should set aside differences and focus on the common things we share.

Application Letter

Muhammad Nuri Bin Mohammed Noor
B/539 Ang Mo Kio Ave 10 #04-2575
Singapore 560539

9^th February 2011

Human Resource
Edgilis Pte. Ltd
3 Fusionopolis Way, Symbiosis #05-20
Singapore 138633

Dear Mr/Ms,

Internship Position

I am applying for the Internship position with Edgilis in the Consulting Division of Innovation Market in Singapore. I was first introduced to Edgilis during the NUS Career Fair that was held on 27^th January 2011. Meeting staff at the career fair, such as Mr Selvem, a lead consultant in Edgilis, has fuelled my desire to join one of the growing SME companies in the region.

Having been shortlisted for the Emerging Enterprise 2010 award, Edgilis has a huge potential to be a successful and thriving company that uses a purposeful management style with a healthy business mix to help customers achieve sustainable results. I admire Edgilis’s values of envision, enable and execute that breeds excellence throughout the ranks.

I am currently in the penultimate year of my undergraduate degree at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Upon completion, I wish to pursue my interests in rail transportation by gaining an insight into how system assurance, EMC and innovation play a key role in Asia’s leading opportunity consulting firm. My drive for success compels me to improve in a competitive environment where my potential can be realised.

I have shown initiative and analytical problem solving skills throughout my university education in various projects, such as leading a team of five in an industrial design project at ST Electronics in designing a door drive mechanism. I have demonstrated great communication skills in a plethora of roles while serving NS in the Singapore Police Force such as attending to complainant’s distress in counter service. These skills are also exhibited as a Mendaki tutor, where I manage and motivate a class of 15 students in Admiralty Secondary School.

International exposure such as my overseas community involvement project in Cambodia to build a library for an orphanage school demonstrates my independence and versatility in adapting to a different environment out of my comfort zone.

I believe my desire to succeed; proven leadership and communication skills coupled with my aspiration to work with and motivate others will prove successful in this internship. I would be honoured and inspired to be a part of your on-going success and expansion. I would like to thank you and will be looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Muhammad Nuri.

Resolving Interpersonal Conflict

During my time in National Service, I was blessed to be given the role of a frontline police officer, as I had a great deal of different experiences that neither reading books nor education in school could have given me. Resolving interpersonal conflicts is part and parcel of a patrol officer’s day to day job. Disputes between neighbours, friends, families or husbands and wives are some of the cases that I had attended to.

Usually, I have a senior with me who would take charge of whatever case that we had to respond to. However, on one occasion, it was the first time I had to put my best foot forward to lead a case of dispute between a husband and wife. My senior partner had a problem calming down the situation, as the neighbours had complain about the noise generated in the early morning by a Malay couple.

The heated argument between the couple was overwhelming, as I soon found out that it was very difficult for us to intervene. However, I took over from my Chinese senior partner in terms of talking to them in a prudent and conscientious manner in Malay. I took my time to listen to their problems one by one, and made them understand that even though I have no right to interfere in their marital problems, I would want to keep the peace at the vicinity. I was tolerant and understanding yet firm in enforcing the law and order.

We ended up resolving the situation where they agreed to talk things sensibly throughout the night. Sometimes I feel that in resolving interpersonal conflicts, people will react differently to different situations. During my short time span of being a police officer, I realise that sometimes speaking to another person in their language brings about a sense of similarity and togetherness that can solve a conflict. Small misunderstandings can lead to a huge disaster if not handled well. In that matter, the essence of effective communication skills is important.

What would be something different that you would do if you happen to be in the same situation as myself?

Gong Xi Fa Cai

To all my Chinese friends,
Happy Chinese New Year!

Peer Teaching!

Reflections

First of all, I would like to say a word of thanks to my wonderful team members, Cai Fang and Chin How, who were very enthusiastic and committed in making the peer teaching as effective as possible. We showed great teamwork and co-operation to work together amidst the short time period that was given to us.

Being the first group in our tutorial class to peer teach was never going to be easy. We were the ones to set the benchmark for others to imitate or even surpass. I was very nervous leading up to my part on ‘writing good news and bad new letters’ even though I had practised beforehand for the past two nights to make sure I was prepared.

I had collated the slides, which was something that I enjoyed doing. Using Prezi, I believed I had engaged the class in a clear and effective way, with excellent visual aids that improved the learning objectives of the lesson. I also think that I made a natural connection with the audience, with my short funny video clip helping me in that direction. To be honest, I feel that the audience was superb, as they were attentive throughout our lesson and asked relevant questions. They had even provided some useful feedback that is encouraging.

Overall, I am very happy with our team’s presentation. However, as a competitive person, I will definitely want to improve myself, maybe in the area of articulating and pronouncing my words better. In my opinion, I believe we have done our best and it will be interesting to see what the other groups will come up with in the next few weeks to come. I am definitely looking forward for the next peer teaching.

~cheers