The Maritime and Port Authority
(MPA) of Singapore provides its
scholars with the support and
resources they need to thrive
in Singapore’s vibrant maritime
industry and to help Singapore
grow as a premier international
maritime centre (IMC).
Singapore’s maritime industry is a
dynamic ecosystem of maritime
and port services, home to over
130 international shipping groups and fast
becoming Asia’s hub for maritime law and
arbitration, and a crucial player in the offshore
and marine engineering sector.
Singapore is held in esteem by the
international maritime community and it is
also the place where key players, ideas and
opportunities in the global maritime industry
congregate. Behind all of these is MPA, the
driving force of Singapore’s success as an
international maritime hub and the organisation
responsible for identifying and cultivating
talents in this exciting field.
In addition, MPA represents and aims to
safeguard Singapore’s maritime interests by
partnering with industry organisations and
other agencies to enhance the safety, security
and environmental protection of Singapore’s
waters and to also facilitate the continued
growth of the industry. MPA scholars Gladys
Tan and Nelson Tay tell us about the boundless
opportunities they have had and how they have
enjoyed as members of the thriving maritime
community.
Establishing an international maritime centre
Gladys, who has always wanted to work in
the Singapore Public Service, admits that it was
only by association with MPA that eventually
gave her more in-depth exposure to the
maritime industry. She elaborates, “I didn’t want
to be someone who sat around and complained
about our system’s inefficiencies without
making any effort to correct them. I wanted
more out of my career than it being just a job.
I hope to be able to continue to help shape the
maritime industry and MPA as an organisation.”
Gladys Tan Peiwen
MPA Overseas Undergraduate Scholar
Designation:
Assistant Manager (Port Policy)
Studied:
Master of Arts in Regional Studies (East Asia),
Columbia University, US
Bachelor of Science in Biological
Sciences with Management,
Imperial College London, UK
"I remember very fondly the opportunity I had to shadow an MPA officer who was stationed in London for the International Maritime Organisation meetings – it was truly an eye-opener for me!"
As an Assistant Manager in Port Policy at
MPA, Gladys helps to formulate policies on
tariff regulatory frameworks, port charges and
incentive schemes. She elaborates, “These
policies act as signals to the industry to help
incentivise and grow specific areas of the
maritime sector. This will provide the impetus
to spur a collective effort from all relevant
stakeholders to help keep Singapore’s maritime
industry vibrant.”
Her compatriot Nelson, who is still pursuing
his Computer Science degree at Nanyang
Technological University also did not envisage
a career in the maritime sector from the start,
instead he was looking at joining IT giants such
as Microsoft, IBM or Hewlett Packard.
He explains, “My thinking changed after I
was assigned to PSA Corporation for a six-month
internship. I went in with an open mind,
acquired new knowledge and learned more about maritime sector and the history behind
MPA’s formation. When the opportunity for a
MPA scholarship opened, I knew that was what
I wanted and I immediately applied for it!”
Providing a sea of opportunities
MPA is dedicated to providing Gladys and
Nelson with all the resources they need to
succeed. Gladys attended overseas seminars
and conferences to familiarise herself with the
global maritime industry. She adds, “I remember
very fondly the opportunity I had to shadow
an MPA officer who was stationed in London
for the International Maritime Organisation
meetings – it was truly an eye-opener for me!”
During her student days at Imperial College
London in the UK, Gladys also had access to
internship opportunities and the chance to
participate in various staff events at MPA. She
adds, “I thought it was a clever way to integrate
us into the organisation and to impart some
technical knowledge, way before we started
serving our bonds. These experiences helped
cushion the transition from school to work and
I was able to better concentrate on 'learning
the ropes' without the distraction of being in a
completely foreign environment.”
“Opportunities to interact with our (then,
future) colleagues also gave us the opportunity
to better prepare ourselves for actual work life.”
Similarly, Nelson has had his fair share of
opportunities to prepare him for his future job.
He enthuses, “I was given the opportunity to
develop an IT programme which facilitated
the work process in the Human Resource (HR)
Division. I also got to interact with my future
colleagues and gained a better understanding
of what working life at MPA would be like.”
Nelson Tay Kai Xian
MPA Local Undergraduate Scholar
Studying:
Bachelor in Computer Science,
Nanyang Technological University
He adds, “My colleagues in the HR
department and I had also participated in
several scholarship fairs, where I served as an
ambassador to promote the MPA scholarship.
These platforms were great opportunity for
scholars to share personal experiences and to
relate our scholarship journeys to students and
parents.”
MPA also supported Nelson on his six-month
exchange programme to Uppsala University in
Sweden, where he had the chance to widen his
horizons through travel and exposures to new
cultures. “I was thrilled to explore the place! The
entire journey was truly a rare and insightful
privilege,” he says, smiling.
A scholarship unlike any other
Even though she already has two years of
work experience, Gladys still remembers her
positive experience as a scholarship applicant
fresh from Junior College. She shares, “I wasn’t
quizzed condescendingly about MPA or the
industry, nor was I made to compete with my
fellow applicants or clamour for speaking
opportunities in front of an audience.”
Nelson also felt that the scholarship selection process
allowed him to
focus on himself, instead
of worrying about outdoing other
applicants. He says, “During the scholarship
interviews, the interviewers were more
interested in how I articulated my life goals
and how I could contribute to MPA. I could
concentrate on the future I saw for myself
and worked to convince the interviewers of
my genuine desire to help build Singapore’s
maritime community.”
Both Gladys and Nelson are testaments
to the fact that the MPA truly needs a diverse
array of competencies. Nelson chips in, “As an
IT undergraduate, I aim to keep myself updated
with the latest technology in order to constantly
explore new methods that can help upgrade
and improve the work processes and systems in the maritime
industry.”
“As Singapore is one of the world’s busiest
ports, I see myself playing an important role
in making sure the industry’s IT systems are
capable of supporting a world-class port. I am
truly glad to be part of this vibrant maritime
ecosystem and treasure the opportunity to
contribute to MPA and the maritime industry,”
he affirms.