Hands-on man

Mr Lim wants to be a part of the exciting tourism industry in Singapore.
PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

STB scholar Kenneth Lim is gearing up for an action-packed career in the tourism industry

by Kent Chan

MR KENNETH Lim considers his scholarship rather special.

It was awarded by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for a specific diploma course in integrated events management. Upon completing his studies, the 20-yearold is required to work three years in any establishment in the tourism industry, instead of with his sponsor.

STB actively promotes Mice (Meetings, Incentive travel, Convention and Exhibition) activities to help boost Singapore's economy. Each year, some 6,000 Mice events are held here.

Mr Lim has made firm and focused plans to get a piece of the action. He says: "I am an active person who likes to have more of a hands-on job, which the events industry can provide."

"The STB scholarship will give me the motivation and provide me a good accomplishment to add on to my resumé.&quo;

He is just months away from graduating with a Diploma in Integrated Events Management, offered by the Republic Polytechnic to develop talents to enhance Singapore's positioning as a top event organising and hosting location.

Students pick up specific skills like events marketing management, project management techniques, conceptualisation and execution of Mice events, crisis management skills, and of course, hospitality and tourism management skills.

They can choose to further their education in fields like business administration, hospitality, tourism and other related degrees.

Mr Lim's goal is to own and run his own event management company. Meanwhile, he is already busily chalking up the relevant experience.

Mr Lim is involved with the JIVE Interest Group, a co-curricular activity at his polytechnic, where members help in the creation, organisation and management of various campus events, like the Harmony Works Conference 2008. Fittingly, JIVE stands for Jazzy, Innovative, Visionary and Enterprising.

"After each of these events, I am exhausted. But, I am overwhelmed by the sense of satisfaction derived from running the events successfully,&quo; he says.

He has also had a taste of what the job is like on a bigger stage, as he was also a student leader at Global Entrepolis @ Singapore 2008, a major international business and networking event.

During the event, Mr Lim was in charge of other fellow student helpers, and had the chance to put into practise his event and people management skills.

He was also involved with World Effie Festival, an event targeting professionals in the creativity, design and marketing industries.

"These events opened my eyes to how events management works and what are some of the things they do behind a successful event," he says.

As Singapore plays host to major international events including the SingTel Formula One Grand Prix, the Volvo Ocean Race and the 2010 Youth Olympics, demand for people formally trained in event management is almost certain to grow.

The two integrated resorts will also have ample job opportunities when they begin operations.

All these developments only serve to whet Mr Lim's appetite for more. "Singapore's event scene is getting more exciting. I am looking forward to being a part of the exciting tourism industry,&quo; he says.