THE HCI ADVANTAGE

Entrepreneurship

Who we are:

The Entrepreneurship Unit aims to raise students' awareness and understanding of the context, challenges and tools of entrepreneurial ventures. We organize and expose students to workshops, seminars and student forums as well as a range of competitions ranging from business plan writing to entrepreneurship competitions.

Every year, we showcase the best business ideas of talented students at the HCI - GSK - EDB Entrepreneurship Challenge, an event exclusive to Hwa Chong with generous co - sponsorship by GlaxoSmithKline and the Singapore Economic Development Board. Through external partnerships, we provide opportunities for networking with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. By exposing students to entrepreneurial learning on a variety of platforms, we hope to develop their entrepreneurial skills and promote Hwa Chong as a centre for entrepreneurial learning.

Why we do what we do:

•         To develop students' entrepreneurial skills through exposure to entrepreneurial learning on a variety of platforms
•         To develop passionate and innovative individuals
•         To offer opportunities to students to help them develop their leadership potential

What we do:

Past – year events

JA Be Entrepreneurial Course

FedEx Trade Challenge 2011

Entrepreneur Speaker Series 2013

Mr Stanley Han

GIC Workshop 2013

Entrepreneurship Day 2011

Silicon Valley Trip 2012

Silicon Valley Trip 2011

Unit teachers/ How to contact us:
Unit Coordinator: Mrs Ling – Li Yinglin
Email: yinglin@hci.edu.sg

Mrs Teri Chua
Email: chuahl@hci.edu.sg

Mr Lim Yong Hin
Email: limyh@hci.edu.sg

Students' Council

The Students' Council is a major student organisation that plays a large part in the student activities of the school.  It represents the student body in the decision-making process with regards to improving the general welfare of the students, fosters school spirit, and produces responsible student leaders of integrity, character and excellence.

The Hwa Chong Students' Council (High School) represents the highest level of student leadership in the High School section, consisting of the “High School Council” and four “Consortium Councils”.  The “High School Council” is formed by selected Secondary 4 student leaders and members of the Consortium Council Executive Committees of the four Consortium Councils from Hwa Chong Institution (High School).

Find out more about our 39th High School Council and Consortium Councils

39th High School Council

The 39th High School Council is made up of 17 committed and passionate Secondary 4 Councillors who have chosen to take up the challenge of making an impact on the High School in their final year. 12 members of the four Consortium Council Executive Committees are also chosen to be part of the High School Council.

This year, the theme for the 39th High School Council is “Symphony No.39”. Symphonies transcend their static musical notations- orchestral interpretations of tempo and volume provide fresh memories to familiar melodies. Similarly, the 39th High School Council seeks to amplify the school spirit by promoting innovation through preserving tradition. While the Council consists of a myriad of personalities as diverse as orchestral instruments, our desire is to strike a harmonic chord that resonates within all of us. We will always work in concert with the student body as we produce our Hwa Chong Symphony No.39.

Here is an overview of the 39th High School Council structure:

*Consortia Council ExCo Members are residing within the three committees.

 

Aphelion Council
Established in 1999, the Aphelion Council, upholding its reputation as an efficient and dedicated team, has organised international, national, and school-wide events, such as the Asia-Pacific Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools, the Singapore Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools and the exchange programme with St. Nicholas Girls' School for Year 3 students of both schools. The Aphelion council has also collaborated with Ortus Council to organise the Teachers’ Day Celebrations for the past few years. Working by the fundamental principle of always placing the students' welfare as their top priority, the Aphelion Council organises annual events that enrich the life of Aphelion students such as the A-lympics, end-of-year activities and the end-of-year Aphelion Nite. With nurturing outstanding leaders as its aim, the Aphelion Council strives to produce student leaders of high calibre to better lead the student population.

iSpark Council (iCouncil)
Formed in 2000, the iCouncil has evolved from a student support group to an organization of student leaders. It aims to enhance student welfare through a wide range of initiatives such as iPlay, iLounge, iCare and the year-end iSpark Nite. In addition, the iCouncil has played a key role in the organizing of school events such as the Hwa Chong Institution Open House each year and the Chinese New Year Celebrations. At the same time, the iCouncil places a strong emphasis on developing leaders who takes the initiative to serve the consortium and the students’ needs with compassion and humility by providing opportunities for leadership exchange and community engagement. This year, the iCouncil’s direction is titled “Fundamenta Firmanda”, Latin for “Strengthening Foundations”. It will continue to build upon its legacy and promises to remain true to its mission of serving the consortium, making it a second home to all iSparkians.

Ortus Council
In 2002, the youngest of all consortium councils, the Ortus Council, was formed. The Ortus Council has always taken pride in its dynamism and innovation, having spearheaded a multitude of initiatives aimed at enhancing Ortus students' welfare. In 2008, the Ortus Council launched the Peer Tutoring Programme, an effort that saw student leaders help their fellow schoolmates improve academically through study sessions led by peers. In 2009, as an extension to this programme, the Ortus Council launched the Peer Support Leaders Programme, focusing on the needs of the Secondary 1 and 2 students in the consortium in order to help them assimilate into the Ortus family. In addition to these initiatives, the Ortus Council is also involved in the planning and execution of a number of school events this year, including the Chinese New Year celebrations for foreign students together with Aphelion, APMOPS Hosting, National Day celebrations, and many local and foreign exchange programmes. With unwavering passion and compassion, and an iron will for betterment, the Ortus Council is set to surge ahead as we explore new frontiers, and in the face of fresh challenges. We do not limit challenges, challenge limits we do.

ProEd Council
Founded in 2001, the ProEd Council comprises of a team of ProEd student councilors who are passionate servant leaders. The ProEd Council places the needs of students on centre stage, with initiatives and plans which incorporate the feedback and opinions of the student population. Additionally, the ProEd Council serves as a bridge between the staff and the student body, conveying the needs of the students to the school administration. From 2011, the ProEd Council has taken on the responsibility of organising the Annual Camp for all Secondary One students. In addition, the ProEd Council has helped to co-organise important and large-scale annual school events, such as the Chinese New Year and Teachers' Day celebrations, as well as many important activities for students such as ProEd Nite, the ProEd Leadership Camp and End-of-Year Activities. Community service is a vital component of leadership development; the ProEd Council works closely with other leadership groups in ProEd to make a difference to the lives of little tots, youths, the elderly, the disadvantaged and the disabled in Singapore. The ProEd Council is a team of dynamic young gentlemen who are respected by staff and students alike. With a committed team of talented, steadfast, and responsible councilors, the ProEd Council is ever ready to soar to greater heights.

The College Students’ Council is made up of five distinct committees that facilitate various aspects of school life, from encouraging student-administration communication to student welfare. The Students’ Council also takes charge of major events in the school calendar, such as Open House, Senior Promenade and Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.

Programmes & Activities

In line with the college vision to build a world class institution of leaders, the leadership development unit aims to develop student leaders with the vision, wisdom, passion and integrity to succeed in the global environment and to serve our nation.

The leadership development (LD) unit is in charge of overseeing programmes which would contribute to the grooming of leaders. These include leadership development workshops, seminars and attachments. The LD unit is also in charge of Pre-University study awards and scholarships.

Programmes & Activities 2013

For College 1 students

JC Study Awards & Book Prizes

JC Study Awards & Book Prizes are offered by the Ministry of Education, statutory boards (such as DSTA and A*STAR), private organizations and our college. They do not carry any bond liability and most of them are tenable for two years of JC studies, subject to the scholars' satisfactory progress in their academic work at the end of JC1. The list of JC Study Awards, Scholarships & Book Prizes open to JC students are:

•       MOE Pre-University Scholarships
•       MOE Humanities Scholarships
•       MOE Language Elective Programme (LEP) Scholarships
•       MOE Art Elective Scholarship
•       MOE Music Elective Scholarship
•       A*STAR JC Science Award
•       DSTA JC Scholarship
•       SPF-JC Book Prize
•       GIC Young Leaders Award
•       Stanford Club of Singapore Book Prize
•       Tan Sri Dr Tan Chin Tuan Foundation Scholarship and
•       Seah Book Thong Prize Book Prize
   

The main requirements of JC Study Awards are that students must have achieved excellent academic results and possess good CCA records and have shown leadership qualities. Details on application procedure will be posted on EMB when application is open.
 

Temasek Dialogue

Temasek Dialogue (formerly known as Temasek Seminar) is an annual event introduced since 1991. The event aims to increase the knowledge and awareness amongst students on defence and security issues that affect Singapore. HCI students attended the Temasek Dialogue 2011, which was held in conjunction with the Republic of Singapore Air Force Open House. They had the opportunity to engage in a dialogue session with the Guest of Honour, Minister of State for Defence and Education, Mr Lawrence Wong. Student participants were nominated by their Civics Tutors.

For College 2 students

Grassroots Attachment Programme (GAP)

One component of HCI's Talent Attachment and Grooming (TAG) Scheme is an attachment to MPs and the grassroots organizations that they represent. The objectives of the Grassroots Attachment Programme (formerly known as Political Leaders Attachment Programme (PLAP)) are to allow students to observe first-hand how sensitive political issues are handled by MPs at grassroots and executive levels, and to help groom a breed of future leaders who are in tune with the needs of the nation and loyalty expected of our active citizenship.

In 2012, 122 students (97 from college and 25 from high school) were selected for the GAP, attached to a total of 34 MPs. These students went through selection interviews before being shortlisted to participate in the programme. These interviews were captured on video and video CDs were given to students together with comments about how they could improve their interview skills.

Marcel Wong, Jonathan Tan, Chee Yuan Jun and Esther Wong with Mr Chan Chun Sing in 2012

Aloysius Oh, Samantha Lau and Yip Cheng Hao with DPM Teo Chee Hean in 2012

PSC Psychometric Assessment Exercise (PAE)

The Psychometric Assessment Exercise (PAE) is used by the Public Service Commission (PSC) as one of the shortlisting criteria for those who are interested in a Public Service career through PSC Scholarships. Civil Service College (CSC) has collaborations with HCI to host PAE in our school.

For All Students

Seminars / Conferences / Dialogues

All students are given opportunities to attend scholarship talks while student leaders are given opportunities to lead in discussions, facilitate dialogue sessions with ministers and permanent secretaries, and participate in prestigious seminars/conferences, so as to gain more exposure and broaden their perspectives. Students could either register themselves or are nominated by teachers for these events.

Some of the seminars / conferences / dialogues held in 2012 are:

• NUSPA Forum 2012 (31 Jan 2012)
• NYP Health Science Immersion Camp (4 Feb 2012)
• Vision 2030 Youth Dialogue Session (6 Feb 2012)
• Visit to Parliament House on Budget Day (17 Feb 2012)
• Forum with Nobel Prize winner, Professor Muhammad Yunus (23 Feb 2012)
• NUS Sociology Pre-U Conference (25 Feb 2012)
• PAYM policy forum 2012 (31 Mar 2012)
• The inaugural IISS Fullerton Lecture (23 Mar 2012)
• ACSI Youth Leaders Summit 2012 (20 and 21 Apr 2012)
• The 2nd IISS Fullerton Lecture (26 Apr 2012)
• Dialogue Session with Mr Chan Chun Sing (4 May 2012)
• NUSPA Policy Studies Seminar & Debate Series (PSSDS) 2012 (12 and 19 May 2012)
• Dialogue Session by MHA DS (Mr Tai Wei Shyong) (18 May 2012)
• Temasek Dialogue (25 May 2012)
• JTC I3 Challenge 2012 (4 – 7 June 2012)
• Young Leaders of Tomorrow Singapore Program (4 – 15 Jun 2012)
• EDB Amoeba Challenge (6 – 8 June 2012)
• 3rd National Convention of Singapore Muslim Professionals (30 Jun 2012)
• The 4th IISS Fullerton Lecture (30 July 2012)
• Sharing on current situation in Europe by EDB Director (30 July 2012)
• AJC Paradigma 2012 (2 Aug 2012)
• The 5th IISS Fullerton Lecture (24 Aug 2012)
• A*STAR scientific conference (18 and 19 Oct 2012)
• In Dialogue with Youth (24 Oct 2012)
• TJC Student Leadership Congress (16 – 17 Nov 2012)
• S Rajaratnam Lecture (30 Nov 2012)

Scholarship Day

HCI organises scholarship seminars and Scholarship Day, with many top scholarship providers visiting the institution, setting up booths and providing students and parents with the latest information about the scholarships they offer.

A total of 45 organizations participated in the 2012 Scholarship Day held on 11 July 2012, with 39 scholarship / career talks and 44 exhibition booths set up. The scholarship organizations gave talks in two concurrent sessions during C2 CT session and the scholarship organizations set up exhibition booths in the Hall. Some of the organizations are A*STAR, AVA, BCA, BrightSparks, CAAS, Changi Airport Group, DOS, DSTA, EDB, EMA, HDB, HPB, IDA, IE Singapore, IRAS, LTA, MAS, MCYS, MFA, MHA, MINDEF/SAF, MND, MOE, MOH, MPA, NAC, Natsteel Holdings, NParks, NTU, NUS, PSC, PUB & NEA, SIM, Singapore Power, SMF, SMU, SNCF, SPH, SPRING Singapore, ST Engineering, STB, SUTD, URA, USP-NUS.

LD RESOURCES IN HWA CHONG

HCI Leadership Enrichment and Development (L.E.A.D) Package

This package is an annual publication by the Leadership Development Unit to introduce to JC1s the importance of leadership as well as to prepare them to build foundational skills such as effective communication, working in teams and organising events. Both academic and affective domains of character development are emphasised to students in this publication. Useful tips on portfolio management are also given to students in order for them to document achievements and record insightful reflections. This would come in handy for their scholarship and job applications in future.