Singapore, July 21, 2014 – FedEx Express (FedEx) today announced the top three winning teams of the Singapore FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC). The three winning student business teams have been selected to represent Singapore in the Asia Pacific FedEx/JA ITC that will be held in Hong Kong in August, competing against student teams from eight other markets across Asia Pacific.
The winning teams were assessed based on the originality of their project, the depth of research undertaken for their business plans as well as the feasibility of their idea. Outshining 11 other teams, they received book voucher prizes in addition to the opportunity to compete in the regional finals. The winning teams are:
1. Nabila Rahmat and Chan Hui Ying of Westwood Secondary School come up with a new approach to windows for buildings to reduce air pollution and its effects in China by launching a product called ‘InstAir’.
2. Anuar Hassan & Lim Hui Shi from ITE College Central aim to improve the safety of cyclists by offering a special signal light in the European market.
3. Tay Kian Hong & Eng Wei Jie from Singapore Polytechnic tackle the safety of cycling by offering customers in the Netherlands an anti-theft and road safety device called ‘Slock’.
Fourteen teams presented their ideas in the finals to a select panel of four judges made up of Khoo Seng Thiam, managing director of FedEx Express Singapore; Tony Loke, managing director of planning, engineering & properties of FedEx Express Asia Pacific; Robert Whittaker, managing director of Shared Future Pte. Ltd; and Patricia Poon, general manager of WHSmith Asia. The panel presided over a selection of original and innovative projects, ranging from a solar-powered mobile battery charger, to a spray on cast that will mold specifically to an injury and an electronic wristband that can enable the elderly to monitor their own health.
“FedEx has been a long-standing supporter of the FedEx/JA ITC and we truly believe in investing in and developing aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them gain exposure to the global marketplace. The FedEx/JA ITC is a perfect platform for these students to sharpen their business acumen and it is a great way for us to nurture the business stars of Singapore’s future,” said Khoo Seng Thiam, managing director, FedEx Express Singapore.
“We have seen growing interest from schools to participate in this challenging competition. All the ideas and presentations were interesting and we do hope that the students take them one step further. This year, we were encouraged by the quality of the presentations, besides the depth of the ideas and believe that the competition has become stiffer. We are happy to be able to reach out to the youth through this unique platform,” said Ng Hau Yee, director, Junior Achievement Singapore.
Since its launch in Singapore in 2008, the FedEx/JA ITC has attracted more than 2,352 students, showcasing the increasing interest in business development. It is aimed at encouraging youth to showcase their originality, creativity, level of thinking and flair for business. This year, the local FedEx/JA ITC attracted 479 students from 20 schools to take part in a workshop, which resulted in the submission of 68 market entry strategy plans from teams made of two students each.