1415T2g1 South Korea/Participant Information/Ng Yew Hwee

About NG Yew Hwee, Jack

Academic Year: 3rd Year Degree: BSc Information Systems Management 2nd Major: ABT (Without Track) Previous CCAs: Gourmet Club, Whitehat Interest: Reading (Sci-fi, Fantasy & Horror Novels / Technology News), Gaming (Online & Single Player), Sports (Gym & Swimming)

Introduction

• Since young, I have always have been amazed and obsessed about technology. I have been tinkering with gadgets ever since I got the chance. Over time, I have learnt how to assemble, troubleshoot and fix various hardware and software like desktops, PSPs, mobile phones and tablets by myself.
• When I was 17, I withdrew from Junior College after a year in order to pursue my passion in IT. I took a diploma in Multimedia Information Technology specializing in networking from Nanyang Polytechnic.
• I am no stranger to the working world as I have participated in IT and Project Management related jobs with Hewlett Packard, Panansonic Pte Ltd, Ministry of Education, JurongHealth. Additionally, I have taken up long term part time jobs (being a TA, giving tuition) during my studies in order to support myself.

Why TSM South Korea?

What motivates you to join TSM?

• During my IS101 course, I have learnt that the advent of the internet has leveled the playing field for small innovative start-ups (e.g. Dropbox) to compete equally and effectively with existing technology giants (e.g. Google Drive). This has made boundless business opportunities possible even for students like me.
• Additionally, Dr Rajah Kumar, who is the former Chairman & CEO Philips and my professor for the TWC course, had thoroughly convinced me regarding the importance of innovative products and business models in today's ever changing and competitive marketplace.
• However, I feel that finding such opportunities are extremely limited in Singapore due to its small saturated market and regimental culture.
• I believe that joining this TSM would not only allow me to explore such possible opportunities overseas, but also expand my understanding towards how businesses, governments and societies interact with each other in a country other than Singapore.
• Finally, I hope to be able to network with like-minded people in developing a technological start-up in the future by embarking on this trip.

Why pick South Korea?

• Sustained by an sophisticated fiber-optic infrastructure, more than half of South Korea’s 50 million people play online games regularly. According to South Korea's Ministry of Culture, the video game industry makes up a large share of South Korea’s GDP. Additionally, the country's infatuation with video games has elevated cyber competition into a national sport, with events like the World Cyber Games being held annually.

• With the increasing affluence of citizens and increasing internet penetration in large countries like China, it is no wonder that the virtual goods industry has become a goldmine to tap on. Moreover, the increasing success of indie games by independent developers have further convinced me that the video game industry is a very attractive industry to invest in.

• Additionally, I have always been amazed by the rate at which South Korean companies are able to churn out innovative and competitive technological products (as compared to US based companies) and the rapid rate at which the citizens are able to integrate the newest technology into their lives seamlessly.

• Being an avid gamer and technophile myself, I am very interested to learn the secrets behind successful technological and video game start-ups in South Korea. With the accumulated experience and lessons learnt in South Korea, I hope to be able to start up my own technological company in the near future.

• Finally, as I am a fanatic follower of the Hallyu Wave, it will be a lifelong regret for me if i pass up this chance to experience the vibrant and exciting lifestyle in South Korea.

Internship Opportunities

What types of internship opportunities interest you?

• Business Process Reengineering
• Mobile / Online Game Development
• IT Consultancy
• Any technology product related businesses

Any ideal firms (based in South Korea) that you wishes to join?

• Nexon
• NCSOFT
• Com2US
• LG Electronics
• Samsung

Starting a business

What types of business interest you?

• Virtual Goods
• Online Games (Web or Mobile Based)
• Business Consultation
• IT Infrastructure Consultation
• Mobile Electronics

What plan do you have in starting a business?

• I am constantly on the lookout for possible innovative business opportunities and business partners as I have realized from my past experience that it is paramount to be the first-mover to establish a dominant market position.
• Once an idea is identified, I would try to enlist the help of a few like-minded friends in SIS. I believe that SMU will be supportive with regards to the realization of the business idea if it is good.

Past Experiences

• Last year, I took part in the Greentech Challenge Competition where my team proposed the possibility of a Distributed Cloud Computing Business Model which utilizes the processing power of volunteers' mobile phones to analyze data for scientific research purposes. Although our idea was not accepted, I am glad that that our idea was later implemented by other people [here]
• Last year, I developed a simple addon-program for an Android online game and managed to earn about $200 before discontinuing it due to school commitments.
• I started virtual goods trading systems for 2 online games on various popular forums as a personal hobby in the past and managed to earn about rough total of $10,000 in a period of 1.5 years. I discontinued it last year ever since due to intense competition from other traders.