Event Report – Welcome Onboard Superstar Virgo

Reported by Chen Jiaxi Bernard

On 28^th November 2008 (Friday), the pioneer cohort of 98 Leisure and Resort Management (LRM) students, together with their lecturers, was treated to a delightful afternoon onboard SuperStar Virgo, one of the cruise ships under the Star Cruises family.

This 3-hour program organised for the students was a special collaboration between Star Cruises and the Diploma in Leisure and Resort Management, Temasek Business School.

First Hand experience of the Cruise Industry

Arriving at the Harbourfront Cruise Centre at 1435 hrs, the students were given a glimpse of the sequence overseeing the whole administrative process for every cruise holiday. It must be commended that the check-in process was relatively smooth and a whole host of staff from Star Cruises marked the students’ name against a pre-prepared list. After passing through the immigration counters, students made their way onboard Superstar Virgo and were ushered from the promenade to the Galaxy of the Seas on the 12^th level.

The students also had the opportunity to meet Mr. Moses Lim, renowned local celebrity and a gourmet ambassador for Star Cruises, in person. Moses took this special opportunity to present his “Gourmet & Heritage Cruise Experience onboard Star Cruises” to the students. He brought uninteresting classroom theories to life and provided students with deeper insights and perspectives on the planning, selling and marketing of Gourmet & Heritage Cruises.

In a fitting conclusion to the wonderful experience, students were taken on a 30 minutes tour around this awe-inspiring cruise ship.

Launch of Singapore’s 1^st Cruise Business Module

This was also a fitting occasion for Temasek Polytechnic and the LRM family to launch its very own Cruise Business module to wide acclaim from its industry and media partners. Temasek Polytechnic Business School is the first educational institution to offer this module to aspiring leisure and resort students.

Speaking at the launch of this module, Mr. Desmond Lim, Course Manager for the Diploma in Leisure and Resort Management gave his views on the impact of the current financial crisis on the tourism industry, particularly the cruise business in the Asia Pacific region. Mr. Lim highlighted that despite the economic malaise, the cruise industry, by 2015, is set to welcome 1.6 million guests onboard. He expressed optimism that “Singapore is well-positioned to build up capacity in the cruise industry and will remain steadfast and cruise through this current economic downturn.”

Lively, Ready & Marketable

When interviewed to give his views on the one thing that he want students to bring away with from this field study, Mr. Michael Yeo, subject leader for the Cruise Business module expressed hope that students will eventually understand that “theories and concepts taught in the classroom can be applied anywhere”.

Mr. Lim noted that this field study is more than just imparting “technical knowledge” to the students. It is a perfect opportunity for students to establish “collective memories of activities together”

Indeed this field study onboard Superstar Virgo has been an enriching learning experience for the students and this has certainly add much value to their education. Fittingly, Mr. Desmond Lim is confident that every Leisure and Resort Management graduate will be “Lively”, “Ready” and “Marketable” and this is in no small part due to the well-rounded education provided by Temasek Polytechnic and most importantly, the close contacts and links that the lecturers shared with the relevant industry partners.   

On behalf of the students and the lecturers, Mr. Michael Yeo would like to thank Star Cruises for their warm hospitality and kind arrangement in specially organising this field study onboard the Superstar Virgo amidst a tight cruising schedule.

Chen Jiaxi Bernard is a Senior Year student pursuing his Diploma in Leisure and Resort Management. This field study has reinforced Bernard’s determination to make cruising an integral part of his lifestyle in the years ahead. Bernard, together with 97 of his peers is graduating in April 2009.  

Introduction by Mr Desmond Lim, LRM Course Manager

Moses Lim, Gourmet Ambassador for Star Cruises

Let's begin our tour...

Glorious food

Study Trip in Hong Kong

It was term break for the students in Temasek Polytechnic but 58 students and 3 Lecturers from the Diploma Leisure and Resort Management and Diploma in Marketing was on a Cross-Diploma study trip to Hong Kong from the 8th to 12th October 2007.

The 5-day educational trip exposed our students to the vibrancy of the Hong Kong tourism & tourism marketing industry. They were also given a tour of the operational aspects of managing tourist attractions such as Disneyland, Ocean Park and Victoria Peak. The programme also included a tour to the back of house of the haunted house in Ocean Park, visit to the prestigious Hong Kong Polytechnic University and other night attractions in the evening.

As part of the programme for students to gain real industrial knowledge, special talks were also organized with distinguished speakers from various attractions and organizations:

• Mr Noble Coker, Vice President of Park Operations and Operations Development of Hong Kong Disneyland
• Mr Paul Pei, Executive Director – Sales of Marketing of Hong Kong Ocean Park
• Dr Thomas Bauer from Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Hong Kong Tourism Board Office
• Ms Yong Lye Peng, Marketing Consultant from Ingram Brand Company

Quotes from our students about the trip

“The visit to Hong Kong Polytechnic University has taught me a lot about tourism in Hong Kong and also about marketing. It was great honour to be able to learn from the lecturers as it broadens our knowledge and understanding of tourism in Hong Kong.”
Ruth Lim Hui Zhen

“I have truly enjoyed myself a lot as I have learnt from this trip which is out of the textbook and notes…”
Ruth Lim Hui Zhen

“… widen my horizons and taught me to apply what I have learnt into real life context. The speeches made by various personnel also helped me understand the industry better.”
Carol Yeo

I will remember the words from the Vice President of Disneyland… “Never leave a place until you figure out what is the problem, especially when you have a certain reputation to carry.”
Pang Xue Qi

Ocean Park

Fireworks Display in HK Disneyland

Visit to Hong Kong Polytechnic University

All raring to go at the Changi Airport

Our students with their lecturers, Centre
from Left: Mr Low and Miss Joan Ho

27th International Epilepsy Congress

A total of 94 LRM freshmen students helped out as event helpers for the 27th International Epilepsy Congress held at the Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre. This is in line with the faculty’s constant effort to bring student’s education alive where they learn how to approach their classroom theories with real-life situations. MICE, in short for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions is one of the modules where students are exposed to the operations and management of business events.

The 27th International Epilepsy Congress is accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME) to provide the following CME activity for medical specialists. The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS).