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It rained throughout the launch of SUI! retail shop, but no one complained. And why should they? In Chinese fengshui, water represents fortune, a sign of well-wishes and good prospects to come for the students and advisors behind SUI!, RP’s first retail business.
Short for Student Urbane Initiative, SUI! shop is the brainchild of a group of staff from the Centre for Innovation and Enterprise, led by Academic Staff, Ms Jane Ho. SUI! Shop will serve as a student-run live-lab environment through the student interest group, also named SUI! IG. This will be most relevant to the incoming pioneer batch of students for CIE’s newest diploma, the Diploma in Customer Relationship and Service Management (DCRSM). Through the management of the shop and servicing of customers, students will have the opportunity to cultivate their entrepreneurial spirit and develop their business acumen.
Mr Teo Ser Luck, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) was the Guest-of-Honour for the launch event on 9th January 2007. Upon arrival at the shop situated at the ground level of Republic Polytechnic Centre, Mr Teo
and Prof Low (Principal/CEO, Republic Polytechnic) was greeted by a spectacular
and energetic performance by the Lion Dance IG. A pineapple was strategically placed at the entrance of SUI! shop to symbolise prosperity for the shop.
In his opening speech, Mr Teo praised the student team behind SUI!, describing them as “passionate, young people” with the potential to
be the next batch of successful entrepreneurs in Singapore and beyond through their efforts in SUI!. He was also impressed with the concept of SUI! and thought other local educational institutes should take a leaf from RP in the promotion of youth entrepreneurship.
Prof Low echoed Mr Teo’s statement and saw SUI! as an extension of branding for RP, and an interesting facility that could add vibrancy to the campus lifestyle.
After the speeches, Prof Low, Mr Teo, Mr Tan Huan Peow (Director, Centre for Innovation and Enterprise) and Kenneth Loke (Student CEO, SUI!) proceeded to launch the opening by pressing the launch mechanism - a sphere - thereby lighting it amidst confetti.
The launch ended with a tour of the shop which contained a variety of merchandise such as:
- Student-designed T-shirts
- RP Corporate Gifts, eg. Namecard holder, Thumbdrive, Umbrellas
- Garskin laptop stickers
- TravelPac IT accessories
- Trexi Collectibles
SUI! shop also has a start-up corner for student IGs to rent and market their products and services. The first IG
to make use of this opportunity is the Pharmaceutical Interest Group under
the School of Applied Science, who has set up their health and beauty corner, The Panacea.
In addition, there are plans for SUI! to provide specialised services such as:
- Concierge Services
- Panel Messaging Services
- T-Shirt and Sticker Printing Services
For enquiries on SUI! IG, please email SUI! advisors at
jane_ho@rp.sg,
jasmine_ang@rp.sg or
patricia_kong@rp.sg.
* For RP Staff - Click here to view the rest of the photos from this event
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