Good Afternoon,
My name is Chery Lim Xinmei. It is a tremendous honour to stand here today representing the graduating cohort of the 2023 Diploma in Procurement and Supply Management. As we gather to celebrate this significant milestone today, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought many of us, myself included, to this point.
Let’s be honest. when we first embarked on this diploma, we knew it wouldn’t be a walk in the park. Many of us are working adults, balancing demanding careers and personal lives. Yet, we chose to take on this challenge, stretching ourselves beyond our limits. We juggled work deadlines with evening classes, projects, and assignments, often sacrificing time with family and friends. We survived countless late nights and more cups of coffee than we’d like to admit. So, let’s take a moment to applaud ourselves for stepping up, overcoming obstacles, and thriving through it all.
Of course, we couldn’t have done it without our families and friends. To those who endured long nights of online classes, late returns from lectures, and weekends dedicated to assignments, thank you for your incredible patience. We know there were times we missed gatherings or took longer to reply to messages. Your support – whether it was cooking dinner or simply giving us space to focus – was invaluable in helping us reach this point.
I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our course instructor Mr. Alex Loo. Your engaging teaching style, passion for the subject, and willingness to share real-world experiences made our lessons enjoyable and memorable. From amusing anecdotes about your early careers to practical advice on dealing with unresponsive suppliers, you brought the material to life, encouraging us to apply our knowledge in real industry scenarios.
A special mention goes to Professor Philip Poh, our course facilitator. Your accolades and high standards are well-known, but it was your wisdom and belief in our potential that truly made an impact. You pushed us beyond our limits and inspired us to strive for excellence. We are better professionals today
because of your guidance and mentorship. Thank you for being such a positive influence on our academic and professional journeys.
To my fellow classmates: you have been nothing short of amazing. Whether sharing notes, coordinating study sessions, or simply checking in to ensure no one missed deadlines, the camaraderie we built made this journey so much more manageable. Personally, juggling the peak F&B season during Chinese New Year alongside this diploma was extremely challenging, but the support I received from classmates made all the difference. That willingness to lend a hand is something I will always treasure.
As we look to the future, we know it is filled with opportunities and challenges. No matter where life takes us, let’s hold onto our dreams and purpose. The fact that we took this bold step proves that life rewards those who dare to move forward. I’m reminded of Paulo Coelho’s quote: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Today is proof of that.
So, to my fellow graduates—congratulations! Here’s to new beginnings, greater achievements, and the endless possibilities ahead. May we all continue to make a meaningful impact in whatever we pursue.
Thank you!