As a student who had only dealt with engineering problems, I find effective communication as one of the most challenging modules that I have ever experienced. The module ensures an active interaction among peers through discussion which is useful to build up my confidence in my presentation. Through this module, I am confident to say that my English language has improved dramatically because I did my best to brush up on my grammar and tenses. I have never understood the right way to improve on the English language, but through this module, there were ample amount of resources and links that were provided for the students to read through. I truly wished that I have gone through this module earlier because it was beneficial for me. In this module, I find the technical report as one of the hardest parts. My team have to go through intense brainstorming and researches to source out an ideal engineering solution for an existing problem. However, on the day of my presentation, my team and I felt a sense of achievement because we put in our effort and understanding our product well enough to deliver it effectively. My goal for this module was to be able to communicate effectively through emails which were not elaborated on, but I can say that my improvement on the language will assist me in drafting it. With the skills that I have learnt from the module, I will continue to practice and apply it to my future work to make the best out of it.

Attending the Maple Tree forum was extremely fruitful for me to hear how the four panelists shared about their success in their journey as an entrepreneur. As a student who have studied engineering for many years, I always thought of many different business ideas. However, having a realistic mindset, I refrained myself from venturing into it and until now there is no execution to any of those ideas that I have thought of.  I truly agree to how Ms. Nancy states that starting a business is not just about the idea but the way of how it is being executed. To execute an idea, the person will have to go through many challenges such as gathering their pool of consumers, the ability to break even and the possibility of it failing. During the Q&A session, I had a strong urge to ask the panelists who started the business with the thought of promoting sustainability on whether their motivation came from having a money driven mindset or just pure intention of promoting sustainability. However, the question may come across as offensive to the panelists, so I did not ask the question to prevent any misunderstanding. I personally believed that without having a money driven mindset, regardless of how exceptional the sustainable idea may be, the person might not have the drive to executed it. All in all, I am glad that I have attended this forum as it has motivated the part of me that still hope to start up my own business.

Presti, D.L. (2016). Towards 100% recycling of reclaimed asphalt in road surface courses: binder design methodology and case studies. Journal of Cleaner Production, Volume 131, Pages 43-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.05.093

This article, “Towards 100% recycling of reclaimed asphalt in road surface courses: binder design methodology and case studies” (Presti,2016) elaborates on the capability of the reclaimed asphalt from the road pavement and also the issue of it not being utilize to the fullest extent. An intensive research on the reclaimed asphalt was conducted to showcase that with the aid of adding rejuvenator into the mix, the road pavement can provide a better property performance by using a higher reclaimed asphalt content. Additionally, the rejuvenator can act as a control for the reclaimed asphalt properties behavior depending on the required design mix.
The assuring results are provided in a table format to showcase the enhancement of the gradual increment from the reclaimed asphalt content. The author’s main objective of this article is to influence key stakeholders to play a part in promoting sustainability by reusing more reclaimed asphalt content in the asphalt road pavement which will also benefit from its promising result. This article is extremely useful for my technical report as it fully supports the idea to recycle the reclaimed asphalt by maximizing the content. With the support from the thorough research conducted by the trained professionals, it provides a good stand that our proposed idea is credible and obtainable. Furthermore, the research has also proved that reclaimed asphalt should be a prominent alternative with its ability to accustom to different design requirements.

233 Words.

In the article, “Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future”, Mackenzie (2017) stated that promoting Eco-friendly buildings will be the solution to a cleaner and sustainable future for Singapore. The article emphasizes the importance of how sustainability can significantly affect the future. Singapore generates high energy consumption due to its metropolitan lifestyle and vast infrastructures. The immense demand for energy has gravely affected the natural environment because of the process the generate energy has led to the massive amount of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions being released. As a keen supporter of environmental protection, Building Construction Authority (BCA) aims to influence developers and designers to incorporate sustainable design into their buildings. In addition, the author also mentioned that the implementation of green buildings was a huge success and it can benefit the developers to save costs in the long run. Green buildings such as the Asia Square has proved that design is an important factor and therefore, it gives designers and stakeholders the power to achieve sustainability. The author concluded that a proactive approach to protect the environment will help to deal with climate change.

I do agree with the article that implementing green features into buildings will alleviate the environmental impact and act as a stepping stone to pave out a greener future for Singapore.

Firstly, as a developed country with dense population, the high demand for energy is unavoidable. However, Build Construction Authority (BCA) has shown that there is a distinctive reduction in the consumption of natural resources. Based on the article “Green buildings also better for health, not just more energy efficient’’, Boh (2017), mentioned that BCA has tabulated data on existing buildings that have adopted green features and have attained an outstanding result of a major reduction in energy consumption. Therefore, green features have shown their impact and significance on the environment. On BCA’s website, the news article has provided a graphical report to showcase the gradual reduction of the energy consumption contributed by commercial building with Eco-friendly features. As a result of the increase in influence and advancement in green technology, resources were being consumed efficiently.

Furthermore, Singapore has been diligent in educating and encouraging students to take part in the journey for a greener future. In the article, ‘‘Green moves to get students and companies involved in sustainability efforts”, Seow (2016) remarked on how students were exposed to sustainable practices and given opportunities to participate in promoting green features. Nurturing the young about the impact of green buildings will help to cultivate the habit of a sustainable lifestyle for them. On the WWF’s webpage (2017), it supports the idea on educating the younger generation by raising environmental awareness through helpful programmes. With proper education on sustainability to the younger generation will promote the use of green features which improves the environment.

Lastly, Singapore’s Government plays a major role in protecting the environment. The Government has set policy to achieve environmental goals by indirectly encouraging the developers to take up Eco-friendly measures. In the article, “Singapore Budget 2018: Singapore’s carbon tax to start at S$5 a tonne”, Soh (2018) informed that government aims to reduce the carbon emission and imposed a tax based on the amount of carbon emission released by industrial companies. However, the Government has offered their assistance by providing grants to companies to improve the sustainability for their buildings. Based on greenfuture’s webpage, there are more than 30 incentives and funds offered to developers that are interested to take up the green future challenge therefore, showing that the government is keen on promoting green features to improve the environment.

In conclusion, with the continual advancement of green technologies and progressive involvement to fight against climate change. I firmly believe that green features will be the key to a greener future.

630 words.

References

Boh, S. (2016). Green buildings also better for health, not just more energy efficient: BCA study. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/green-buildings-also-better-for-health-not-just-more-energy-efficient-bca-study

Build Construct authority. (2017). HEALTHIER AND GREENER BUILDINGS IN NEXT LAP OF SINGAPORE’S GREEN BUILDING JOURNEY. Retrieved from https://www.bca.gov.sg/newsroom/others/Media_Release_SGBW_2017_120917.pdf

Seow, J. (2016). Green moves to get students and companies involved in sustainability efforts. The Straits Times. Retrieved from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/green-moves-to-get-students-and-companies-involved-in-sustainability-efforts

World Wildlife Funds. (N.D.). Eco-Schools Programme, Retrieved from http://www.wwf.sg/wwf_education/eco_schools_programme/

Soh, A. (2018). Singapore Budget 2018: Singapore’s carbon tax to start at S$5 a tonne. Business Times. Retrieved from https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/energy-commodities/singapore-budget-2018/singapore-budget-2018-singapores-carbon-tax-to-start-at-s5

Green Future. (2015). 2015 Guide to Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment. Retrieved from http://www.greenfuture.sg/2015/02/16/2015-guide-to-singapore-government-funding-and-incentives-for-the-environment/

In the article, “Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future”, Mackenzie (2017) stated that promoting Eco-friendly buildings will be the solution to a cleaner and sustainable future for Singapore. The article emphasizes the importance of how sustainability can significantly affect the future. Singapore generates high energy consumption due to its metropolitan lifestyle and vast infrastructures. The immense demand for energy has gravely affected the natural environment because of the process the generate energy has led to the massive amount of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions being released. As a keen supporter of environmental protection, Building Construction Authority (BCA) aims to influence developers and designers to incorporate sustainable design into their buildings. In addition, the author also mentioned that the implementation of green buildings was a huge success and it can benefit the developers to save costs in the long run. Green buildings such as the Asia Square has proved that design is an important factor and therefore, it gives designers and stakeholders the power to achieve sustainability. The author concluded that a proactive approach to protect the environment will help to deal with climate change.

I do agree with the article that implementing green features into buildings will alleviate the environmental impact and it acts as a stepping stone to pave out a greener future for Singapore.

Firstly, as a developed country with dense population, the high demand for energy is unavoidable. However, witnessing the evident progression of the green features through platform such as Build Construction Authority (BCA) has shown that there is a distinctive reduction in the consumption of natural resources. Based on the article “Green buildings also better for health, not just more energy efficient’’, Boh (2017), mentioned that BCA has tabulated data on existing buildings that have underwent upgrades and incorporated green features into their building. BCA attained an outstanding result of a major reduction in energy consumption. Green features have shown their impact and significance on the environment. On BCA’s website, the news article has provided a graphical report to showcase the gradual reduction of the energy consumption contributed by commercial building with Eco-friendly features. As a result of the increase in influence and advancement in green features technology, the natural resources were being consumed efficiently.

Furthermore, Singapore has been diligent in educating and encouraging people to take part in the journey for a greener future. In the article, ‘‘Green moves to get students and companies involved in sustainability efforts”, Seow (2016) remarked on how Secondary school students were exposed to sustainable practices and given opportunities to participate in promoting green features. Nurturing the young about the impact of green buildings will help to cultivate the habit of a sustainable lifestyle for them. On the WWF’s webpage (2017), it supports the idea of raising the awareness of the negative environmental impact by providing helpful programmes to educate the younger generation.

Lastly, Singapore’s Government plays a major role in protecting the environment. The Government has set policy to achieve environmental goals by indirectly encouraging the developers to take up environmentally-friendly measures. In the article, “Singapore Budget 2018: Singapore’s carbon tax to start at S$5 a tonne”, Soh (2018) informed that government aims to reduce the carbon emission and imposed a tax based on the amount of carbon emission released by the industrial company. Although the hefty tax will continue to increase at a consistent rate, the Government has offered their assistance to avoid it by providing grants to improve the sustainability for their buildings. Based on greenfuture’s webpage, there are more than 30 incentives and funds offered to developers that are interested to take up the green future challenge. With the support of the government and the continual advancement of green technologies, I firmly believe that the involvement of green features will be key to counter climate change.

(634 words)

References

Green buildings also better for health, not just more energy efficient: BCA study (2016). The Straits Times. Retrieved, September 12, 2017 from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/green-buildings-also-better-for-health-not-just-more-energy-efficient-bca-study

HEALTHIER AND GREENER BUILDINGS IN NEXT LAP OF SINGAPORE’S GREEN BUILDING JOURNEY (2017). Building and Construction authority. Retrieved, September 12,2017 from https://www.bca.gov.sg/newsroom/others/Media_Release_SGBW_2017_120917.pdf

Green moves to get students and companies involved in sustainability efforts. The Straits Times. Retrieved, June 24, 2016 from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/green-moves-to-get-students-and-companies-involved-in-sustainability-efforts

Eco-Schools Programme, World Wildlife funds. Retrieved, 2017 from http://www.wwf.sg/wwf_education/eco_schools_programme/

Singapore Budget 2018: Singapore’s carbon tax to start at S$5 a tonne. Business Times. Retrieved, February 20, 2018 from https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/energy-commodities/singapore-budget-2018/singapore-budget-2018-singapores-carbon-tax-to-start-at-s5

2015 Guide to Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment, Green Future, February 16,2015 fromhttp://www.greenfuture.sg/2015/02/16/2015-guide-to-singapore-government-funding-and-incentives-for-the-environment/

In the article, “Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future”, Mackenzie (2017) stated that promoting Eco-friendly buildings will be the solution to a cleaner and sustainable future for Singapore. The article emphasizes the importance of how sustainability can significantly affect the future. Singapore generates high energy consumption due to its metropolitan lifestyle and vast infrastructures. The immense demand for energy has gravely affected the natural environment because of the process the generate energy has led to the massive amount of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions being released. As a keen supporter of environmental protection, Building Construction Authority (BCA) aims to influence developers and designers to incorporate sustainable design into their buildings. In addition, the author also mentioned that the implementation of green buildings was a huge success and it can benefit the developers to save costs in the long run. Green buildings such as the Asia Square has proved that design is an important factor and therefore, it gives designers and stakeholders the power to achieve sustainability. The author concluded that a proactive approach to protect the environment will help to deal with climate change.

The implementation of in-cooperating green features into buildings will alleviate the environmental impact and act as a stepping stone to pave out a greener future.

Firstly, as a developed country with dense population, the high demand for energy is unavoidable. However, witnessing the evident progression of the green features through platform such as Build Construction Authority (BCA) has shown that there is a distinctive reduction in the consumption of natural resources. Based on the article ‘’ Green buildings also better for health, not just more energy efficient: Boh’’ (2017), mentioned that BCA and the National University of Singapore (NUS) utilized 3 and a half years to conclude that buildings with green features can contribute to a better living aspect with enhanced air conditions. Through the prominent statement given by the committed studies on green features, it has displayed their significance for the environment. On BCA’s website, the news provided a graphical report to showcase the gradual reduction of the energy consumption contributed by commercial building with Eco-friendly features. Through the years of advancement in green features technology and increase in influences have greatly improved the environment.

Furthermore, Singapore has been diligent in educating and encouraging people to take part in the journey for a greener future. In the article ‘‘Green moves to get students and companies involved in sustainability efforts: Seow’’ (2016) remarked on how Secondary school students were exposed to sustainable practices and  given opportunities  to participate in promoting sustainability. Nurturing the young about the impact of green buildings will help to cultivate the habit of a sustainable lifestyle for them. On the WWF’s webpage (2017), it supports the idea of raising the awareness of the negative environmental impact by providing helpful programmes to educate the younger generation.

Lastly, Singapore’s Government plays a major role in protecting the environment. Government has set policy to achieve environmental goals by indirectly encouraging the developers to seek the necessity to take up environmentally-friendly measures. In the article, ‘’ Singapore Budget 2018: Singapore’s carbon tax to start at S$5 a tonne: Soh’’ (2018) informed that government ought to reduce the carbon emission and impose a tax base on the amount of carbon emission released by the company. The hefty tax will continue to increase at a consistent rate, however, the Government has offered their assistance by providing grants to promote the sustainability of their buildings. Base on greenfuture’s webpage, there are more than 30 incentives and funds offered to developers that are interested to take up the green future challenge.

References

Green buildings also better for health, not just more energy efficient: BCA study (2016). The Straits Times. Retrieved, September 12, 2017 from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/green-buildings-also-better-for-health-not-just-more-energy-efficient-bca-study

HEALTHIER AND GREENER BUILDINGS IN NEXT LAP OF SINGAPORE’S GREEN BUILDING JOURNEY (2017). Building and Construction authority. Retrieved, September 12,2017 from https://www.bca.gov.sg/newsroom/others/Media_Release_SGBW_2017_120917.pdf

Green moves to get students and companies involved in sustainability efforts. The Straits Times. Retrieved, June 24, 2016 from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/green-moves-to-get-students-and-companies-involved-in-sustainability-efforts

Eco-Schools Programme, World Wildlife funds. Retrieved, 2017 from http://www.wwf.sg/wwf_education/eco_schools_programme/

Singapore Budget 2018: Singapore’s carbon tax to start at S$5 a tonne. Business Times. Retrieved, February 20, 2018 from https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/energy-commodities/singapore-budget-2018/singapore-budget-2018-singapores-carbon-tax-to-start-at-s5

2015 Guide to Singapore Government Funding and Incentives for the Environment, Green Future, February 16,2015 fromhttp://www.greenfuture.sg/2015/02/16/2015-guide-to-singapore-government-funding-and-incentives-for-the-environment/

In the article, “Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future”, Mackenzie (2017) stated that promoting Eco-friendly buildings will be the solution to a cleaner and sustainable future for Singapore. The article emphasizes the importance of how sustainability can significantly affect the future. Singapore generates high energy consumption due to its metropolitan lifestyle and vast infrastructures. The immense demand for energy has gravely affected the natural environment because of the process the generate energy has led to the massive amount of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions being released. As a keen supporter of environmental protection, Building Construction Authority (BCA) aims to influence developers and designers to incorporate sustainable design into their buildings. In addition, the author also mentioned that the implementation of green buildings was a huge success and it can benefit the developers to save costs in the long run. Green buildings such as the Asia Square has proved that design is an important factor and therefore, it gives designers and stakeholders the power to achieve sustainability. The author concluded that a proactive approach to protect the environment will help to deal with climate change.

Although the implementation of in-cooperating green features into buildings will reduce the negative environmental impact, it does not ensure that our future environment will improve.

[186 words]

In the commentary, “Green buildings, Singapore’s natural ally for a greener future”, Mackenzie (2017) reported that promoting eco-friendly building will be the solution for a cleaner and sustainable future for Singapore. The report emphasizes the importance of sustainability in which has control for the future’s outcome.Singapore is a developed country, with a high population and dense infrastructures, which contributes a massive amount of greenhouse gases and carbon emissions that is drastically affecting the natural environment. As a keen supporter of environmental protection, Building Construction Authority (BCA) aims to spread awareness to developers/designer on the benefits of Green Mark Certification.The report also mentioned that the implementation of green buildings was a huge success and it can benefit the developers to save cost in the long term. Green buildings such as the mentioned “Asia Square” proved that design is an important factor, thus giving designers and stakeholders the power to achieve sustainability. Singapore understands the importance of protecting the environment and are taking further action to contribute globally. To attain a greener future for Singapore, everyone must be pro-active and work together to overcome the problem of climate change.

[187 words]

Dear Ms Gan,

My name is Tang Kak Yong and I am writing to share more about myself to you. I graduated from Singapore Polytechnic with a diploma in Civil Engineering with Business. Being in the outdoors and learning through hands-on activities have always been enjoyable to me and civil engineering allows me to do both as I’ll be working onsite where all the action is.

My weakness lies in my inability to express myself in words due to my lack of vocabulary and poor usage of grammar. I have always struggled with the English language as I grew up in a mandarin speaking household. In Secondary school, I barely passed my English exams and only realised the importance of it during my GCE O- levels, where I had to stay back for countless of English remedials to improve my grades.

My strength lies in oral communication as I am confident in public speaking and I can express myself to my peers well. This skill set was acquired through my time spent in the police force during my National Service. I served as a Neighbourhood Police Centre Officer (NPCO) and was exposed to many situations where I was constantly put in a position to speak to the public, news reporters and criminals that were uncooperative. I observed the way my superiors spoke to difficult complainants and got them to cooperate with ease through communication. Being in that environment provided me with ample opportunities to practice and improve my ability to effectively communicate with people from diverse background.

For this module, I want to improve my writing skills especially in email writing as it is the most essential tool for communicating in the working society. Being able to deliver clear messages to my receiver will improve efficiency during work.

All in all, I know that language is all about practice and I will do my part to show enthusiasm and effort to learn.

Best regards,
Tang Kak Yong
CVE1281(Group 2)

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton