Supply Chain Management Field Study 2024: Singapore Study Tour
MSc-GSCM Programme organized a study tour to Singapore for the elective module – SCM6009 Supply Chain Management Field Study from 7 to 11 January 2024. This study tour was led by Dr George HO and Dr YM WONG, the SCM6009 module coordinator and lecturer, respectively.
Singapore is one of the important logistics and supply chain hubs in Asia. The country plays a crucial role in the global economy by facilitating the movement of goods and services across international borders. During the tour, students were given the opportunity to visit the leading logistics firms / institutes / terminals / ports, which broadened their exposure by providing them with a firsthand look at the facilities and a better understanding of different aspects of supply chain management.
Here are the highlights of the SCM-related firm/institute/terminal/port visits:
1. YCH Group Pte Ltd.
YCH Is a leading Asia-based integrated logistics and supply chain solution provider. The visit to YCH smart e-commerce hub was hosted by Mr CHUA Wei-Xiang, the Group Senior Manager (Automation & Infrastructure Projects) of the Facilities Department. Students had an opportunity to observe the application of autonomous mobile robots to ecommerce orders from order receipt to dispatch to the physical goods to the hands of the recipients. They also learnt about how automation strengthens cost-effectiveness, storage density and productivity. Students then visited the YCH cold chain storage system as well as the 50m tall AS/RS facility, thus gained insights into the logistics flow.
2. Geodis Singapore Pte Ltd.
Geodis is a global leader in the transport and logistics sector, ensuring the global distribution of products through innovation, sustainable and responsible logistics solutions. The visit was hosted by Mr OH Kheng-Huat, Sub-Regional Director of Business Excellence Southeast Asia and Mr KHOO Chai-Heng, Head of Contract Logistics (West Cluster) of Operation & Transportation. Students were given an opportunity to visit Geodis’s warehouse, including a dangerous goods store and a cold chain storage, to enrich their knowledge of managing warehouse and logistics related process. They also witnessed a robust AS/RS system that has run for over twenty years, and still very fit for the work.
3. The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA)
The Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) is a leading global port group and trusted partner in the maritime sector, playing a vital role in the global logistics industry for container terminal operations. The visit was hosted by Mr Daniel LIN, Union Leader of PSA Industrial Relations. Daniel first introduced the PSA global network and business development, and then demonstrated how the port enhances its productivity and optimizes the operations process by using contemporary automation technology, the eco-friendly technologies, and the green practices. Students were deeply inspired a lot by this visit.
4. DHL Express South Asia Hub
DHL serves as the backbone of international trade, connecting business across contents and facilitating the movement of the goods and services on a massive scale. The visit was hosted by Mr TAN Siong-Buck, COG Manager of General Office. Students had the opportunity to visit DHL’s large-scale automated warehouse, where advanced technology such as X-ray machines and automated flyer sorters are used to optimize its airfreight operations. Mr TAN also showed the cutting-edge innovations on how advanced technology can help improve the security, speed, and accuracy, as well as the commitment to the sustainability.
5. Supply Chain Asia Innovation Playground
Supply Chain Asia Innovation Playground is operated by the Supply Chain Asia Pte Ltd., a not-for-profit professional body that aims to bring professionals from within the logistics and supply chain industry together to share knowledge, learn from one another and create opportunities for collaborations. This session was hosted by Mr Paul LIM, Founder and President of Supply Chain Asia. Mr LIM introduced innovative intelligence, such as the automation models, Power BI and UiPath. Students gained valuable insights from this training session.
On the morning of 10 January 2024 (Day 4 of the tour), we were honored to have Dr KOH Chaik Ming, Senior Research Fellow from the National University of Singapore, to give us a professional seminar on “Future Supply Chain in Singapore”. The talk provided numerous examples related to policy, technology, infrastructure and technological innovation. All MSc-GSCM students actively participated in a Q&A session with Dr KOH, which further solidified their knowledge gained from both classrooms learning in Hong Kong and the site visits in Singapore. Students also had an opportunity to visit the campus of the National University of Singapore, which was ranked No.8 in the 2024 QS World Ranking.
The Study tour was concluded with the Student Group Presentation on Day 5 of the tour. Students were divided into five groups, they summarized what they had learnt from the site visits, identified similarities and differences between Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as the challenges faced by both locations in terms of operations, like decarbonization, regulatory compliance, environment concerns and technological advancements. All the students performed exceptionally well and it is believed that the study tour provided them with an unforgettable experience.
In addition to the above learning activities, students also took advantage of the evening and nighttime to go to various famous places to enjoy the country’s traditions and culture, which broadened their horizons and allowed them to appreciate all walks of life there.
