Singapore is renowned for its prosperity and innovation. One third of the Fortune 500 companies have chosen to set up their Asian headquarters in Singapore, a testament to Singapore's financial standing in Asia.
Singapore's businesses are its dynamism. Among the Singaporean companies that the TGYD Southeast Asia Practice Team visited on this trip, WaterRoam is dedicated to solving the global drinking water problem and bringing clean water to the world through technological innovation, DayDayUp is a company that actively promotes the entrepreneurial culture and provides platforms and resources for startups to help them grow rapidly, and Ernst & Young (E&Y) is a company that promotes a culture of entrepreneurship and provides platforms and resources for startups to help them grow rapidly. Young is a multinational accounting and consulting firm and one of the world's leading Big Four accounting firms.
The spirit and culture of business is an important part of Singapore's urban landscape. At the same time, businesses help to build Singapore's image as an open, inclusive and opportunity-filled nation. International cooperation and cross-cultural exchanges between companies thrive in Singapore, bringing more opportunities and possibilities to the world.
The team also visited the National University of Singapore's Center for Urban Science (NUS Cities) to learn about the frontiers of new energy development in Singapore and to experience the application of green building technologies in the city.
a. WaterRoam: an unique answer to the water resource dilemma
The Head of R&D Department of WaterRoam, Ms. Ng Meng Yuan, welcomed the detachment and gave us an overview of the company and its products.
According to the introduction, WaterRoam is a company founded ten years ago by a group of graduates from the National University of Singapore (NUS) to address critical global water scarcity issues. Their main objective is to develop and deploy decentralized water treatment solutions, especially for underserved and disaster-prone areas. The company's ideals are grounded in the fundamental human right that all people should have access to clean drinking water.
The centerpiece of WaterRoam's product line is the ROAMfilter Plus, whose main principle is similar to that of a bicycle pump and whose clever design makes it very easy to use. Wu emphasized its efficiency, noting that it can produce 20 liters of clean water in just five minutes. Its simple design ensures that it can be used effectively in a variety of environments, including large rural communities and areas affected by natural disasters, among others.
Wu Mengyuan told the detachment that WaterRoam works extensively with organizations such as the Red Cross in order to expand the reach of its products. In areas where clean drinking water is in urgent need, the Red Cross and other organizations purchase the company's products on behalf of the local people and provide them to them on a pro bono basis, while the company receives a certain amount of financial benefits. Wu Mengyuan believes this is a healthy chain of cooperation.
Through the guidance of the person in charge, the detachment watched cases where WaterRoam had installed ROAMfilter Plus in many rural villages. The data from these cases speak volumes about the positive contribution of WaterRoam's products to solving drinking water challenges.
The detachment experienced the process of using WaterRoam's core products. The drinking water produced by the product was colorless and odorless, and the team members felt the convenience and effectiveness of the product intuitively and concretely after drinking it.
In the Q&A session that followed, the team members asked questions about the product, the company's business model and the company's future development direction, gaining valuable insights into the solution to the plight of water resources.
Finally, the detachment presented a souvenir to the person in charge, Wu Mengyuan, and took a group photo.
b. DayDayUp: Committed to Building an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
1. experiencing Day Day Up：The team arrived at DayDayUp's headquarters in Singapore, where the team was welcomed by Head of DayDayUp, Carmen Low, and her team. The team briefly experienced the coffee station in the company's shared workspace where employees work.
2. DayDayUp’s basic info: Carmen Low, Head of DayDayUp, introduced the company and Singapore's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem to the team members. Carmen Low firstly introduced DayDayUp's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem and investors, and then gave a comprehensive introduction of Singapore's basic situation from multiple perspectives, such as geography, economy, population, work culture, education system, and government governance.
From the introduction, the detachment learned that DayDayUp focuses on artificial intelligence, mobile Internet and other emerging technologies, and is committed to building an internationalized innovation ecosystem.
3. Interactions: After the introduction, the team members exchanged views with the person in charge on three issues: Singapore's government-enterprise relationship, the construction of digital infrastructure, and market focus.
The delegation presented a souvenir to the person in charge and took a group photo.
c. Ernst&Young: Seizing Investment Opportunities and Putting Clients First
1. Introduction to the investment environment in Southeast Asia:
The detachment came to the office of Ernst & Young Asia-Pacific Headquarter (hereinafter referred to as Ernst & Young), had a meeting with Andre Toh, Partner and Angela Deng, Head of Asia-Pacific Headquarter, and visited the headquarter building. With the theme of "Investment Opportunities in Southeast Asia", Andre Toh introduced the investment environment in Southeast Asia and showed the direction and results of Ernst & Young's work in Southeast Asia.
According to Andre Toh, as a densely populated region, Southeast Asia's annual GDP shows a growing trend, coupled with an average of about 68% strong young adults, Southeast Asia's labor cost is low and dense, which makes it a favorable place for labor-intensive industries. In addition, the network, big data and transportation and other infrastructure and technology enhancement, Southeast Asia has 70-80% of Internet users and online consumption share of 50-60%, which also shows the trend of economic upturn.
With the deepening development of technology, Southeast Asia's investment activities are also focused on the field of science and technology, including Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, including the three countries deal with technological innovation value of more than 90% of the ASEAN countries, ASEAN is the most focused on technological innovation investment in the place. Singapore mainly focuses on entrepreneurship, technology companies and research institutions; Indonesia mainly focuses on urbanization and technological innovation; Malaysia mainly focuses on semiconductors, digitalization and other directions for development.
2. Self-introduction of the practice detachment:
Zhang Wenjun, the deputy team leader, introduced the Global Competency Development Guidance Center, Tsinghua Global Youth Dialogue (TGYD), and the basic objectives of this practice to EY team, which helped EY team to deeply understand the intention of the detachment and facilitated the subsequent communication and dialogue.
3. Presentation form EY:
Two distinguished young people from the Ernst & Young team spoke on two topics. The first theme continued the previous introduction of the investment environment in Southeast Asia, analyzing the advantages and difficulties of investing in various fields in Southeast Asia in a more detailed manner, and at the same time listing representative enterprises in various fields for the reference and study of the team members. The second theme was about Ernst & Young's consulting, assurance, tax and transaction services, and we saw from the demonstration that Ernst & Young's dedication and persistence in serving clients.
4. Dialogue Exchange:
The team members actively asked Ernst & Young team questions about their knowledge of finance, investment and about accounting firms. Under the good communication atmosphere, some team members asked Ernst & Young team about their internship-related questions and got answers one by one, harvesting valuable internship information.
d. NUS Cities: Theory and Practice of Urban Science
At the National University of Singapore (NUS), the team was welcomed by the head of the Center for Urban Science (NUS Cities). She introduced to us the main functions and situation of the center. The center is affiliated to the School of Design and Engineering of NUS, and the whole center undertakes teaching, research and guidance in the discipline of urban science, which belongs to the trinity of cross-disciplinary scientific research platform.
The visit was also attended by Prof. Lam Khee Poh, Dean of the School of Design and Environment, NUS. He introduced the application of green energy technology in the building where the center is located. The entire building has been certified as "Energy Positive" by an authoritative organization. This means that the building is producing more energy than it consumes by utilizing new energy sources, and Prof. Lam went on to explain the rationale behind this, including natural ventilation techniques to reduce air-conditioning, and photovoltaic power generation to increase energy production.
In the beautiful environment of the NUS Cities atrium, the detachment presented souvenirs to the head of NUS Cities, took photos with Prof. Lam, and exchanged discussions.
Prof. Lam also introduced us toSingapore's new energy developmentand some of the terminology used in urban science. It was the first time for many team members to learn about theoffshore photovoltaic farms built in Singapore, and the first time for them to hear about the WELL certification for building comfort. Through Prof. Lam's impressive introduction, the team members were able to broaden their horizons.
Finally, the NUS Cities director took the team on a tour of the building that houses the Urban Science Center, introducing the technology used in the building. The team saw the innovative waste separation bins, the clever ventilation design and the use of fans, and experienced the coolness and dryness of the building, which is not inferior to air-conditioning.
During the NUS Cities visit, the team benefited from seeing examples of cutting-edge practitioners combining the theory and practice of urban science anddeepened their understanding of green cities and buildings.
f.Thoughts&Ideas for delegation members:
Huang Shihui:
NUS Cities is a research center initiated and facilitated by the National University of Singapore's Institute for Urban Studies (NUSIS).The goal of NUS Cities is to promote urban innovation and sustainable development, covering research areas such as urban planning, housing and community development, traffic and transportation, environmental sustainability, urban economy and social development. During my interaction with Prof. Lam of NUS Cities, I got an initial understanding of how to improve the greenness of buildings through design thinking.
Wang Weibang:
We visited DayDayUp, a startup incubator and shared office space provider. They showed us how they support startups and entrepreneurs and promote innovation and collaboration. We visited Ernst & Young Consulting, a well-known global consulting and professional services firm. They introduced us to their expertise and project examples in areas such as strategic consulting, accounting and risk management.
Huang Shiqing:
On Day 8, we visited the College of Design and Engineering at the National University of Singapore (NUS). There, we had the privilege of touring the college's remodeled Net Positive Energy building and listening to a professor share his thoughts on environmental engineering. The tour and lectures provided a valuable learning opportunity for us to gain a deeper understanding of NUS's College of Design and Engineering and the cutting-edge research in the field of environmental engineering. We gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of sustainable development and environmental protection, which will have a positive impact on our future studies and career development.On Day 9, we visited a range of businesses including Water Roam, DayDayUp and Ernst & Young Consulting. These businesses represent different areas of innovation and expertise.
Alice:
During my visit to NUS University in Singapore, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Singapore focuses on green development. Whether it is high-rise buildings, office buildings or schools, they are all actively constructed with green design and environmentally friendly materials. It is especially worth mentioning that NUS University also pays attention to the indoor environment and cares about people's well being, including indoor air quality and comfort.
Huang Ruihan:
The Sustainable Urban Planning Lecture at the National University of Singapore provided me with an insight into Singapore's advanced experience and practices in solar energy and other new energy development. Singapore has demonstrated its leadership in sustainable urban planning and energy management by promoting the use of renewable energy, especially solar energy, through innovative technologies and policies. Today's itinerary is very tight. startup Wateroam's innovative projects, especially its solutions in sustainable water management, not only demonstrated Singapore's dynamism in innovation and enterprise development, but also allowed me to see how Singapore has become an incubation center for startups in Asia and even globally. dayDayUp, as a startup incubator, and Ernst & Young's professional insight into Southeast Asia's markets. Both have also benefited me greatly.
Zhang Xin:
Stepping through the doors of Ernst & Young was like opening the door to business. Interacting with EY professionals gave me a glimpse of their exceptional work in the areas of auditing, consulting and taxation. The experience not only broadened my business horizons, but also sparked my keen interest in the professional services industry. I am grateful for this unique visit that has provided me with useful insights for my career path.
Chen Biaoniu:
We were much inspired by Prof. Lam's short but intelligent answers to the problems and solutions Singapore has encountered in new energy sources. The campus design that utilizes natural winds and the natural environment to reduce the need for air-conditioning and indoor ventilation was very innovative and gave us a cool ride in the heat.
We also visited Waterroam and the concept to equipment design they have done is commendable and provides a new way out for thousands of poor areas in need of drinking water. How to face the competition in the market to get profit is a question.
In the afternoon, we also visited DayDayUp and Ernst & Young's headquarters in Singapore, whose introducer said that Singapore is "a difficult place to recruit talent and too small a market", yet another real problem in the bustling city I know.
Jane:
The visit to the National University of Singapore provided insight into how architectural and spatial design can be integrated with environmental concepts to create spaces that are both sustainable and reduce environmental pollution. Through innovative design and use of materials, the school demonstrated how natural resources, such as light and wind, can be effectively utilized to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency. This experience not only broadened my horizons, but also deepened my understanding of the importance of sustainability. After visiting a number of startups, I have come to realize that in chasing our dreams, we are equally capable of contributing to society.
Gerogi:
NUS cities is basically a research program aimed towards more sustainable way of development. The main goal was to find solutions where the emission would be 0 right from the beginning of a new business or a project. The introduction was held at one of their 0 emission building during which the amazing Prof. Lam Khee Poh introduced it to us in more detail. Afterwards we toured their green campus which was a very beautiful place.
We visited a company called “DayDayUp" which is a consulting & aiding company experienced in China and Singapore market expansion, the introduction was very interesting, some students even inquired about the possible internship programs available. Our final official visit was to a BIG 4 consulting company known as “Ernst&Young”. This visit was very informative as I am very interested in that line of work.
