The Singapore Maritime Foundation (SMF) and Seatrade are launching a first-of-its-kind Lego competition for tertiary students at Sea Asia 2017 as part of an initiative to give students pursuing a maritime-related education greater industry insight and exposure to the industry.
With support from The Panama Canal Authority, three groups of students from the Singapore Maritime Academy (Singapore Polytechnic), Ngee Ann Polytechnic and ITE College Central will be tasked to compete and recreate part of the world’s technical wonders, the Panama Canal, under 90 minutes.
Using the Limited Edition Lego Education Panama Canal sets, the teams will be judged on speed, accuracy and functionality of their canal’s locks system.
Mr David Chin, Executive Director of the Singapore Maritime Foundation, shares that the competition aims to engage youths and introduce them to the diverse aspects of the maritime industry.
“The Sea Asia Youth Lego Competition (Panama Canal Edition) is a great way for us to engage the younger generation and promote maritime through a fun and interactive activity.
“This year is also special as we will have over 220 participants from the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) who will be participating in the guided Sea Asia Youth Tour 2017. These participants will include, for the first time, not only youths from the IHLs, but the education and career guidance counsellors (ECG) working with students and jobseekers.
“SMF has been working to share more with youths about the maritime industry over the past decade, building up to the establishment of the Maritime Singapore Connect (MSC) Office last year, with support from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. This unit focuses efforts on establishing networks across various stakeholders, and thereby increasing accessibility, to connect both students and jobseekers to the multiple pathways to a rewarding and enriching maritime career,” said Mr Chin.
Mr Chris Hayman, Chairman of Seatrade, said: “The young generation are the future of the industry and we’re pleased that Sea Asia 2017 can provide an opportunity for them to engage through activities such as the Sea Asia Youth Tour. The Youth Tour has always been a key part of the Sea Asia offering, and the competition will add a new dimension to it which will be both instructive and enjoyable.”
Also taking place for the first time at this year’s edition of Sea Asia is the Sea Asia Maritime Art Gallery. Exploring the works of maritime artist Mr Chung Chee Kit, the art gallery will showcase the transformation of the maritime and shipping landscape in Singapore through Mr Chung’s paintings.
“The art gallery will bring a new dimension of vibrancy to Sea Asia. We’re honoured to be working with Mr Chung on this inaugural Sea Asia Maritime Art Gallery and look forward to sharing with everyone the heritage and culture of Singapore’s maritime industry through Mr Chung’s works of art,” said Mr Hayman.
