SMU has emerged the biggest winner at the 2017 National Human Resources (HR) Case Competition, clinching the first and third prizes in the finals of the competition held on 11 March 2017.

Emerging champions was SMU’s Team Skunkworks comprising undergraduates Chelsea Kwan Hong Tian, Tan Choon Kiat David, Quek Yee Ler and Wang Qiwei Darryl; while The Home Run Team, comprising Chua Chui Ling, Grace, Yu Xiao Xiang Myo, Louis Reinaldo Raharja Hadiatmajaya and Jermaine Lim Pin Xiu, took third position.

Sponsored by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower and organised by the Human Resource Consulting Club (HRCC) of Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the competition challenges students to critically analyse a business case surrounding HR issues and subsequently develop HR recommendations and solutions which are practical yet creative.

This year, the six teams from SMU, NUS, NTU and UniSim which made it to the finals were asked to make recommendations to enhance Changi General Hospital’s work-life programmes, in light of their current challenges, including the highly competitive healthcare sector, rising patient expectations, tight labour market and ageing population.  The teams were also asked how the Hospital can future-proof its Human Resources for continued success.

Darryl attributed his team’s win to ‘a combination of success factors’.  He said, “The content of our recommendations must have depth, creativity and robustness to differentiate us from the competition.  That can only happen with many hours sacrificed into debating it and with the right team conditions where all of us have the psychological safety to speak from our individual positions. All the hard work is put in before the competition, and on the day itself it was all about the delivery.”  And indeed, the team delivered their recommendations in a manner that was clear, concise and convincing, thereby winning the hearts of the distinguished judging panel which included Ms Low Peck Kem, Chief HR Officer of the Public Service Division, Prime Minister’s Office.

Congratulations, Team Skunkworks and The Home Run!

[Featured photo: (L-R) Team Home Run comprising Yu Xiao Xiang Myo, Grace Chua Chui Ling, Louis Reinaldo, Jermaine Lim Pin Xiu; Team Skunkworks comprising Quek Yee Ler, Chelsea Kwan Hong Tian, Wang Qiwei Darryl, Tan Choon Kiat David, are seen here with SMU Lecturer Paul Lim, who was a judge at the preliminary rounds of the National HR Case Competition.]