Media
26 March 2010
World Expo Volunteers Train To Become Ambassadors for Singapore
The Singapore Pavilion will see 60 volunteers give up their personal time to become ambassadors for Singapore at the Shanghai World Expo this year.With this being Singapore’s largest undertaking at any World Exposition to date, the team of volunteers will undergo a specially tailored three-day training programme to prepare them for their stint. Two training sessions will be conducted, one in Singapore from 26 to 28 March and the other in Shanghai from 16 to 18 April. This is to cater to the volunteers who are currently located in either place.
Developed by the Singapore Tourism Board with the help of NTUC Learning Hub, the programme will guide volunteers on service etiquette, cultural norms in China as well as the latest developments in Singapore related to tourism and the Expo’s theme of urban sustainability. Most importantly, the programme aims to infuse volunteers with much enthusiasm and passion so that they can bring the Singapore experience to Singapore Pavilion visitors.
Commenting on the training programme, Mr Zee Yoong Kang, CEO of NTUC LearningHub said, “Building upon our years of training experience, NTUC LearningHub has developed a three-day training programme with experiential learning as a key component for the volunteers. The Pavilion is a showcase of Singapore to an international audience and the volunteers will be an integral part of the experience. Our training will place emphasis on Singaporean values through interactive activities and role playing. Through this, the volunteers will then be able to deliver experiences with a Singapore touch to visitors to the Pavilion.”
The recruitment process started in December last year at the local tertiary institutions. In addition, Singaporeans based in Shanghai or with experience working in China were recruited.
“The World Expo takes place only once every five years and we wanted to engage students in this rare opportunity to gain exposure in one of the world’s fastest growing economy as well as experience the world coming together at the same time. We started off the volunteer recruitment process at the tertiary institutions and were pleasantly surprised to see applicants from different walks of life, all wanting to represent Singapore. Drawing on their personal experiences of Singapore, these volunteers will play an important role to complement and complete the Singapore experience at the pavilion.” said Ms Leong See Kay, Director, World Expo 2010, Singapore Tourism Board.
Aside from the tertiary student profile, the list of volunteers also includes Singaporean students currently studying in Shanghai’s Fudan University, a businesswoman and an ex-beauty queen who is actively involved in charity work in Shanghai. While most of them are Singaporeans, Malaysians and mainland Chinese, have also volunteered and been chosen to volunteer with the Singapore Pavilion.
Summing it up, 21-year-old Li Jun Yi, who speaks four languages, said, “As a permanent resident here, I feel that it is my responsibility to introduce Singapore to the world. This is a rare opportunity and I believe it would be a great one to build friendships and life experiences.”
Volunteers were selected for their understanding of Singapore’s culture and history. Aside from being proficient in both English and Mandarin, volunteers had to commit to a sufficient period of service. The volunteers will augment a team of specialized guides to be involved in various areas of operations including events programming and hospitality services to guide VIPs and visitors on the journey through the Pavilion to experience how Singapore is a great destination to live, work and play.
For additional information on the volunteers, please refer to Annex A.
For other updates on the Singapore Pavilion, please visit www.SingaporeAtWorldExpo.com
About World Expo 2010 Shanghai China
World Expo is a 150‐year‐old global and non‐commercial exposition aimed at developing world economy, culture, science and technology, promoting the exchange of ideas and strengthening international relations. Themed “Better City, Better Life 城市，让生活更美好”, World Expo 2010 Shanghai China will centre on innovation and interaction, exploring the full potential of urban life in the 21st century. This will be held in Shanghai, Pudong as well as Puxi, from 1 May to 31 October 2010 and is expected to attract 70 million visitors in six months. For more details on World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, please visit www.en.expo2010china.com.
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a leading economic development agency in tourism, one of Singapore’s key service sectors. Known for partnership, innovation and excellence, the Board champions tourism and builds it into a key economic driver for Singapore. STB aims to differentiate and market Singapore as a must-visit destination offering enriching experiences through the “YourSingapore” brand. For more information, please visit www.stb.gov.sg
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About NTUC Learning Hub
NTUC LearningHub Private Limited was corporatised in 2004 with the mission to enhance the lifelong employability of Singapore’s workforce by providing high quality, innovative products and affordable learning. The training programmes provided by NTUC LearningHub® comprise Infocomm Technology, Professional IT Certificates, Soft Skills & Literacy, Workplace Safety & Health, Employability Skills System, Customer Service Training, Pharmaceutical, Trades, Cleaning, WSQ Security and Manufacturing Skills. To date, it has trained close to 800,000 executives and working adults, and has worked with more than 10,000 companies to identify training needs, define curriculum roadmaps and deliver contemporary training programmes. The organization has evolved to meet the burgeoning training needs of Singaporeans to continuously keep pace with the dynamic business economy.
For more information, please contact:
Singapore Tourism Board
Ho Wan Ling (Ms)
Manager, Destination Communications Department
Tel: +65 6831 3470
Email: ho_wan_ling@stb.gov.sg
Sharon Liew (Ms)
Manager, Destination Communications Department
Tel: +65 6831 3754
Email: sharon_liew@stb.gov.sg
Or the STB Media Hotline at +65 9011 2071
NTUC Learning Hub
Tracy Lee (Ms)
Manager, Marcom
Tel: +65 64717283
HP: +65 98440077
Email: tracy.lee@ntuclearninghub.com
Selected profiles of volunteers
YVONNE LEE, 23, student
Yvonne Lee signed up to be a volunteer at the Shanghai World Expo as she feels that the theme of “Better City, Better Life” is closely related to her course of study. Passionate about design and creative sciences, she is currently a student of architecture at Scalebar, the School of Design and Environment at the National University of Singapore (NUS). A keen photographer and dancer, Yvonne likes to put her creativity to the test and has participated in extracurricular activities at university using her photography and design skills as a layout designer, sets builder, painter and dancer in a production at Eusoff Hall, NUS.
LI JUN YI, 21, student
Li Jun Yi, is a student of International Relations in the Political Science school at the National University of Singapore (NUS). She is a keen volunteer and was part of the NUS Red Cross Chapter, where she worked on R.I.C.E. a nationwide project for the Red Cross Humanitarian Network. Her hobbies are playing the piano, singing and learning foreign languages. Jun Yi also enjoys philosophy and Chinese literature.
TU HUI, 22, student
Tu Hui, a Ministry of Education scholar, has been in Singapore for three years. She has enjoyed her time here in Singapore and wishes to introduce Singapore to more people through volunteering at the Singapore Pavilion. Tu Hui has also volunteered as an interpreter in various international conferences. Her hobbies include Chinese calligraphy, swimming, piano and table tennis.
ADRIEL LEONG, 20, student
Building friendships and meeting people from all over world are what inspired future doctor Adriel Leong to sign up as a volunteer for the Shanghai World Expo. This will not be difficult for Adriel who speaks English, Chinese and German. A student at the Yong Loo Lin Medical School at the National University of Singapore (NUS), his interests range from language to philosophy and humanities through to the hard sciences. The top thing on his to-do list in Shanghai is to check out each and every one of the Pavilions at the Expo grounds.
DORIS HO, 51, businesswoman
Doris Ho has been paying attention to the development of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo since she visited Shanghai a few years ago. She jumped at the opportunity to sign up as a volunteer for the Singapore Pavilion and will be taking time off her business to be part of this event. She is looking forward to the great experience and memories that she will gather from this volunteering experience.
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