Students from the Maritime Economics Track did the Singapore Management University (SMU) proud over the summer break. SMU was well represented at the National Maritime Case Competition, with two of the five finalist teams hailing from the University.  

The National Maritime Case Competition is the first ever Maritime-themed case competition held in Singapore. With an aim to raise awareness of the maritime industry, it is a conceptual challenge organised by NTU’s Maritime Business Society in collaboration with MPA and the Maritime Youth Club, co-sponsored by NORDEN Shipping. Participants were presented with real-life predicaments faced by maritime companies in the industry, and were required to come up with solutions as a team, before presenting it to a panel of judges consisting of maritime professionals.

SMU’s senior team, comprising Haruki Chua Una Qiang, Jeremy Cheok QiMing and Leon Lim Yong Yi, emerged first runner-up. The team’s motivation for joining the competition stemmed from their eagerness to share and apply the knowledge and experience gained from their respective summer internships. All three team members were earlier awarded the International Trading Excellence Awards by SMU’s International Trading Institute (ITI), where they had the opportunity to intern with ITI@SMU’s industry partners and develop deeper insights about the maritime business. They wowed the panel with their presentation – judges quipped that “the team could sell ice to an Eskimo”. The team put up a strong fight and scored second place overall in the competition, a remarkable achievement in the face of stiff competition. 

SMU’s junior team, comprising Wong Jia Wei, Sherwin Tesalonika Thie and Robin Ng Jui Pin, was recognised for their commendable efforts in formulating a strong proposal, qualifying as a finalist in the final round of the competition. Jia Wei commented that the team joined the competition as they recognised that it was an excellent opportunity to put learning into practice and bridge the gap between academia and solving real-world problems.

Indeed, it proved to be a valuable learning opportunity as attending maritime professionals were forthcoming with insights and opinions on the feasibility of the team’s proposal. The team walked away with fresh perspectives and a greater understanding of the maritime industry.

Congratulations to both teams!

[Featured Photo:1st Runner Up Team – (Left to Right) Leon Lim, Haruki Chua, Jeremy Cheok and Capt. Soeren from NOREDEN Shipping (Singapore)]