Thursday, November 12, 2015

Oral Presentation Reflection

My team and I were selected to present on the first day, out of a total of three days meant for presentation, on 5th November 2015. Not only we had to present on the first day, we were also chosen to be the first group to present. I was never strong in presentations as my personality shows to be someone who was not very active and outgoing compared to better speakers. Furthermore, our team only had a duration of three days to prepare the slides and to practice on the parts that we would be presenting.

Reading straight from the slides and holding on to the cue cards were not allowed so as to present a more professional side of us. This was not the first time I had to prepare a presentation similar to this. My final year major project in polytechnic required us to present in the same way as well. I was very nervous although I had practiced by going through my script numerous times. However, many things ran through my mind. I was afraid I may forget the crucial points in my script and also if my team and I would be fluent during the presentation. The entire presentation ended well, but there were many things to reflect on.

My performance for the presentation was average as I felt the audience could sense that I was tense with the pauses and fillers. Through this time's presentation, I was able to see my weakness which was having to focus on the points to be presented and giving eye contact at the same time. As I was nervous, when I gave eye contact to the audience, I had the tendency to forget what I was going to say next. My body language could have been a little stiff, but the remote pointer that I held onto was able to ease the stiffness and the movement was slightly natural. The Q&A session needed improvement as I did not have enough initiative to answer the questions. Perhaps this lies on the teamwork which needs to be coordinated well.

Overall, I felt that the entire presentation could have been done better, in terms of the teamwork and individual presentation. The audience felt that our enthusiasm was a little down and it affected the presentation mood in a way. Also, it was highlighted that our slides needed more visual aid so that it can capture more of the audience's attention. Things that I could work on more for future presentations will be more practices before the actual presentation, which will benefit greatly. And to design the slides such that it would be more captivating. With the feedback received, I hope to be able to improve and work on my weaknesses.

(459 words)
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Sunday, October 18, 2015

Reader Response (Draft 3)

In the article "Why the Climate Fight Needs Engineers?”, Shah (2015) states that engineers will be highly needed in the future for sustainable development in Asia. In order to accomplish it, the "Engineers Progression Pathway programme" has been introduced in Singapore to make provision for potential engineers. Sights of Asian cities facing drastic weather conditions leading to "floods, extreme high temperatures and droughts, water shortages, and rising sea levels" have proven the vulnerability of the cities from the results of fast-changing cities developments and population growth. These are highlighted to the Singapore government for "the urgency of a low carbon economy". Four key areas including "clean environment and water resources; sustainable development and infrastructure; sustainable energy; and resilience and adaptation against climate change" are identified in the article as main roles to deal with climate changes. The author has also mentioned the importance of engineering since Singapore gained independence in 1965. An example is the desalination and water reclamation technology whereby Singapore is able to ensure its water sufficiency. Therefore, there is a need for sustainable engineering. "Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB)" has been initiated to develop Singapore as a “zero-waste nation” through systems and technology, such as “eco-smart” housings in the future. The integration of a “green economy” brings Singapore a step closer towards the nation’s objective; “the world’s first Smart Nation”. While I agree that engineers play a huge part in contributing towards the future developments, I feel that the other approaches which can be further explained in ensuring our city to be well positioned for sustainable growth are points that the author has failed to consider.

Singapore is a small low-lying, densely populated island in the tropics, and will be at risk in facing severe consequences in the event of a climate change. It has been observed that there is an incline in sea levels and surrounding temperature. The sea level has increased at a rate of change of 3.22 mm per year, from 41.72 mm in January 2010 to 65.91 mm in June 2015. According to Xue (2013), the reason that contributes to the rising sea levels is from carbon footprints. In order to reduce the emissions, approaches such as “zero-emission” buildings have taken place. As a result of the unstable climate change, weather events like frequent rain occurrences or persistent drought will affect the biodiversity of Singapore's flora and fauna. These species find it hard to adapt towards new conditions and may not be suitable for the habitat changes. Thus, it negatively impacts their life cycle.

The trade industry will also encounter problems if trading partners are faced with extreme weather events. Thus, Singapore has always been following closely with the global issues and finding a way to a comprehensive approach by working closely together with other countries to undertake this challenge. One of the approaches to be taken is to reduce the growth of carbon emissions. According to Chia (2015), Singapore has pledged to "stabilise and limit its yearly greenhouse gas emissions to about 65 million tonnes by 2030", showing the country's contributions to the "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat". Over the years, changes such as controlling vehicle ownership and using natural gas have been made to get cleaner power generation instead of fuel oil.

New ideas and technologies are applied in Singapore to test and see if they are beneficial. If successful, the chosen idea or technology may be used as a solution in other countries. As said previously on the desalination and water reclamation technology in ensuring water sufficiency, PUB, the national water agency, brought in "Variable Salinity Water Desalination (VSD)" to seek for new water sources by harvesting water in different catchment areas. This is done so as to be able to secure a stable supply of water for the increasing population in a small city-state. The implementation of VSD has lessened the "unit energy consumption", which makes up most of the operational expenditure, to a lower level compared to using a common "seawater desalination plant". This has resulted in cost-effective production that is also proven as a cheaper and feasible alternative for water efficiency. The water reclamation technology can be said as a good long term sustainability investment plan.

In general, Shah has introduced new perspective points for me and has provided supporting references on what can be done to mitigate the aftermath of climate change. This can be a better article if missing information, such as the other approaches that will aid the challenges, were mentioned. Nevertheless, this article has been a great read in inspiring one's mind on the other means that can be taken into consideration. The creation of a sustainable future will be ready for the new generation to take up the responsibility.

(789 words)


References:
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Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Reader Response (Draft 2)

In the article "Why The Climate Fight Needs Engineers?”, Shah (2015) states that engineers will be highly needed in the future for sustainable developments in Asia. In order to accomplish it, the "Engineers Progression Pathway programme" has been introduced to make provision for potential engineers. Sights of Asian cities facing drastic weather conditions leading to "floods, extreme high temperatures and droughts, water shortages, and rising sea levels" have proven its vulnerability from the results of fast-changing cities developments and population growth. These are highlighted to the government for "the urgency of a low carbon economy". Four key areas including "clean environment and water resources; sustainable development and infrastructure; sustainable energy; and resilience and adaptation against climate change" are identified as main roles to deal with climate changes. The author has also mentioned the importance of engineering since Singapore had turned independent in 1965. An example will be the desalination and water reclamation technology whereby we are able to ensure our water sufficiency. Therefore, there is a need for sustainable engineering. "Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB)" is initiated to develop Singapore as a zero-waste nation, like “eco-smart” housings, through systems and technology. The integration of a green economy brings Singapore a step closer towards the nation’s objective; the world’s first Smart Nation. While I agree that engineers play a huge part in contributing towards the future developments, I feel that the other approaches which can be further explained in ensuring our city to be well positioned for sustainable growth are points that the author has failed to consider. 

Singapore is a small low-lying, densely populated island in the tropics, and will be at risk to facing severe consequences in the event of a climate change. It has been observed that there is an incline in sea levels and surrounding temperature. Frequent rain occurrences or persistent drought will affect the biodiversity of our flora and fauna. The trade industry will also encounter problems if trading partners are faced with extreme weather events. Thus, Singapore has always been following closely with the global issues and finding a way to a comprehensive approach by working closely together with other countries to undertake this challenge. One of the approaches to be taken is to reduce the growth of carbon emissions. According to Chia (2015), she mentions that Singapore has pledged to "stabilise and limit its yearly greenhouse gas emissions to about 65 million tonnes by 2030", showing the country's contributions to the "United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat". Over the years, changes have been seen such as controlling vehicle ownership and using natural gas to get cleaner power generation instead of fuel oil.

New ideas and technologies are applied in Singapore to test and see if it is beneficial. If successful, the solution may be used in other countries. As said previously on the desalination and water reclamation technology, PUB, the national water agency, brought in "Variable Salinity Water Desalination (VSD)" to seek for new water sources by harvesting water in different catchment areas. This is done so as to be able to secure a stable supply of water for the increasing population in a small city-state. The implementation of VSD has lessened the "unit energy consumption", which makes up most of the expenditure, to a lower level compared to using a common "seawater desalination plant". This has resulted in cost-effective production that is also proven as a cheaper and feasible alternative. The water reclamation technology can be said as a good long term sustainability investment plan.

In general, Shah has introduced new perspective points for me and has provided supporting references on what can be done to mitigate the aftermath of a climate change. It can be a better article if missing information, such as the other approaches that will aid the challenges, were mentioned. Nevertheless, this article has been a great read in inspiring one's mind on the other means that can be taken into consideration. The creation of a sustainable future will be ready for the new generation to take up the responsibility.

(672 words)


References:
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Friday, September 25, 2015

Reader Response (Draft 1)

In the article "Why The Climate Fight Needs Engineers?”, Shah (2015) states that engineers will be highly needed in the future for sustainable developments in Asia. In order to accomplish it, the Engineers Progression Pathway programme has been introduced to make provision for potential engineers. Sights of Asian cities facing drastic weather conditions leading to floods, extreme high temperatures and droughts, water shortages, and rising sea levels have proven its' vulnerability from the results of fast-changing cities developments and population growth. These are highlighted to the government for "the urgency of a low carbon economy". Four key areas including "clean environment and water resources; sustainable development and infrastructure; sustainable energy; and resilience and adaptation against climate change" are identified as main roles to deal with climate changes. The author has also mentioned the importance of engineering since Singapore had turned independent in 1965. An example will be the desalination and water reclamation technology whereby we are able to ensure our water sufficiency. Hence, there is a need for sustainable engineering. Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB) is initiated to develop Singapore as a zero-waste nation, like “eco-smart” housings, through systems and technology. The integration of a green economy brings Singapore a step closer towards the nation’s objective; the world’s first Smart Nation. While I agree that engineers play a huge part in contributing towards the future developments, I feel that the other approaches which can be further explained in ensuring our city to be well positioned for sustainable growth are points that the author has failed to consider. 

Singapore is a small low-lying, densely populated island in the tropics, and will be at risk to facing severe consequences in the event of a climate change. It has been observed that there is an incline in sea levels and surrounding temperature. Frequent rain occurrences or persistent drought will affect the biodiversity of our flora and fauna. The trade industry will also encounter problems if trading partners are faced with extreme weather events. Hence, Singapore has always been following closely with the global issues and finding a way to a comprehensive approach by working closely together with other countries to undertake this challenge. One of the approaches to be taken is to reduce the growth of carbon emissions. Chia (2015) mentions that Singapore has pledged to "stabilise and limit its yearly greenhouse gas emissions to about 65 million tonnes by 2030", showing the country's contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat. Over the years, changes have been seen such as controlling vehicle ownership and using natural gas to get cleaner power generation instead of fuel oil.

New ideas and technologies are applied in Singapore to test and see if it is beneficial. If successful, the solution may be used in other countries. As said previously with regards to the desalination and water reclamation technology, PUB, the national water agency, brought in Variable Salinity Plant to seek for new water sources by harvesting water in different catchment areas. This is done so as to be able to secure a stable supply of water for the increasing population in a small city-state.

(520 words)


References:
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Thursday, September 24, 2015

Summary: Why The Climate Fight Needs Engineers

In the article "Why The Climate Fight Needs Engineers?”, Shah (2015) stated that engineers would be highly needed in the future for sustainable developments in Asia. In order to accomplish it, the Engineers Progression Pathway programme was introduced to make provision for potential engineers. Sights of Asian cities faced with drastic weather conditions leading to floods, extreme high temperatures and droughts, water shortages, and rising sea levels have proven its' vulnerability from the results of fast-changing cities developments and population growth. These were highlighted to the government for "the urgency of a low carbon economy". Four main key areas including clean environment and water resources; sustainable development and infrastructure; sustainable energy; and resilience and adaptation against climate change were identified as main roles to deal with climate changes. The author mentioned the importance of engineering since Singapore turned independent in 1965. An example would be the desalination and water reclamation technology whereby we were able to ensure our water sufficiency. Hence, there was a need for sustainable engineering. Sustainable Singapore Blueprint (SSB) was initiated to develop Singapore as a zero-waste nation, like “eco-smart” housings, through systems and technology. With the integration of a green economy, it brings a step closer towards the nation’s objective; the world’s first Smart Nation.
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Wednesday, September 9, 2015

My English Language Learning Journey

As members of Generation Y, most of us have always been using English as a first language, following on with our own Mother Tongue as second language. Learning English had definitely came from a long way but this journey never ends as it meant a daily routine for all of us.

I remembered how much I struggled back then in school as I felt I was not fluent in English. I never bothered to understand things like grammar etc. Everything that I wrote or said was based on my own way of interpreting English. It was frustrating when there were times I tried to explain my words to someone but there was difficulty getting the point across as I could not find the suitable words to fit in. Since primary school, my parents enrolled me in for two different English tuition classes to pull up my grades. They felt it was important for me to do well in a core subject.

Tuition had benefited me a lot in terms of ensuring that I'm able to keep up with my level of standard for the language and provided me another way of learning other than what was taught in school. Though many practice questions were provided, I was not able to do as well as I should because of my perspective towards English as a dry and difficult subject.

There was a point in time when I started writing extra essays as homework, picked up reading once in a while which I don't usually do so, for an independent way of self-learning. I'm glad it had helped me and made positive changes towards the way I used to look at English.


Edited: 11/09/15, 22:08.
Edited: 16/09/15, 23:29.
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