Good afternoon,
Today is a day of celebration, and I am grateful to be here with all of you to mark this special occasion. As we celebrate our accomplishments, I would like to share a few thoughts on the importance of choice, change and community.
The first thought is about choice. We all face choices in life. And the choices we make determine our future. There is a famous poem by Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken” that I have always found to be very inspiring. The first stanza goes like this:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveller, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;”
This poem is a reminder that we all have choices to make in life, and that the choices we make can have a profound impact on our future.
When I first decided to switch to Supply Chain and subsequently joined this institute, I knew that I was making a big choice. I was leaving behind a life that I knew well to pursue something new and challenging. But I also knew that it was the right choice for me. This choice has led me to a challenging but rewarding career path.
We often face difficult choices in life. We have many choices before us. We can choose to stay safe and take the well-trodden path. Or we can choose to take the road less travelled and make a difference in the world.
There will always be that path not taken, and we will never know what would have happened if we had taken a different path. But I believe that the most important thing is to make the most of the path that you have chosen.
The second thought is about change. Heraclitus, a Greek Philosopher once said that “Change is the only constant in life.” Change is inevitable. And while change can be difficult, it is also an opportunity for growth.
We now live in a world where change is happening faster than ever. New technologies are emerging, new markets are opening up, and consumer demands are constantly evolving. We need to be adaptable and resilient to succeed in this ever-changing environment. We must be willing to step outside our comfort zones and embrace new ideas.
One example of how change has impacted the supply chain industry in recent years is the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused widespread disruptions to global supply chains, leading to shortages of goods and increased shipping costs. This forced supply chain managers to be more agile and adaptable to keep their businesses running.
Finally, I want to talk about the importance of community. Community is essential to our success. We can accomplish more when we collaborate with others. That is why I’m so grateful for the community that has lifted me on my journey to graduation.
To my course instructors, Professor Philip Poh, Mr Wong Kwee Meng and Mr David Tan, thank you for teaching me how to apply my knowledge to real-world problems and challenging me to think critically and solve complex problems.
To my family and friends, thank you for your unconditional support and love.
And to my classmates, thank you for being such supportive and encouraging friends.
In a world where people don’t always remember what you did, but will always remember how you made them feel, let’s build a community of support and encouragement as we navigate through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. When we work together, we can overcome any obstacles and achieve our goals.
Now, in the spirit of community, I would like to ask you to join me in a tradition: a hip-hip-hooray cheer to celebrate our accomplishments and wish each other the best in our future endeavours. Please stand and face your family and friends. We will do three cheers. When I say “Hip hip,” you say “Hooray!”
Congratulations again to each and every one of us! Thank you and have a good evening!