Commencement Speech 2025

Commencement Guest Speaker:

Mr Lee Aik Seng

Speech by Mr Lee Aik Seng, Managing Director of Obayashi Singapore Private Limited, at the Design and Engineering Commencement 2025 Ceremony (C32) for Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduation on Sunday, 20 July 2025 at 7.00pm.

Engineering Excellence: A Journey of Perseverance, Leadership, and Legacy

  • Professor Richard Liew, Head, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Design and Engineering;
  • Distinguished Guests;
  • Fellow Graduates;
  • Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening

Today, as I stand before Singapore’s next generation of civil and environmental engineers, I see ambition, potential, and the drive to build a future that will shape societies. You are stepping into a field that offers more than just stability and financial security. Engineering is a force that transforms lives, defines skylines, and drives innovation. It is a calling — and a journey.

I know this firsthand. My career at Obayashi began 38 years ago as a site engineer, and over time, I progressed through roles as project manager, general manager, managing director, and eventually managing executive officer and Head of APRHQ. Throughout those years, there were challenges, opportunities, and moments of uncertainty. There were times when others presented alternative career paths to me — tempting offers, different industries — but I never wavered. Not once did I contemplate leaving. I persevered. I stayed focused. I remained loyal to my path, and that loyalty shaped my career into what it is today.

Lessons from My Journey
If there is one truth I have learned, it is this: your career is defined by your choices. The challenges you embrace, the resilience you build, and the way you lead will determine your future. Allow me to elaborate:

  1. Every Challenge is an Opportunity to Rise

    2. At Obayashi, I faced projects that tested my limits — balancing sustainability with cost, navigating contracts, and leading diverse teams. Engineering is not just about technical skills; it is about strategy, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in complexity. Every challenge presents an opportunity to grow.

  2. Communication Will Set You Apart

    3. Engineering is more than numbers and blueprints — it is about influence. Throughout my career, working in a Japanese corporate environment taught me the value of precision, discipline, and structured problem-solving. But beyond that, I learned that communication — articulating ideas, negotiating contracts, and building relationships — determines success. Whether you work in Singapore, Japan, or anywhere else in the world, your ability to communicate effectively will define your leadership.  The EQ part is very important.

  3. Resilience Fuels Growth

    4. Not everything will go as planned. Projects will face delays, unexpected technical challenges will arise, and industries will evolve. Engineering is not about avoiding obstacles — it is about confronting them head-on. Throughout my 38-year journey, perseverance has been the foundation of my success.

  4. Stay committed, stay resilient, and stay the course.

Your Future in Engineering
Civil and environmental engineering does not just offer a career — it offers a legacy. This field will not keep you stagnant; it will push you forward. You will progress, specialise, and lead — if you seize the opportunities in front of you.

Today, the world needs engineers with a global mindset — leaders who understand international collaboration and who can drive large-scale infrastructure projects. My exposure in Obayashi with international contracts has shown me how global agreements shape the future of construction. Whether it is a high-speed rail project in Southeast Asia, a hydrogen energy initiative, or a smart city transformation, the challenges ahead demand ambitious, visionary engineers. If you embrace complexity, opportunities will come.

So my message to you is this:
- Be bold — push beyond comfort zones and dare to take on the toughest challenges.
- Be resilient — when the path is difficult, rise with determination and purpose.
- Be leaders — influence, inspire, and shape the future with your skills and vision.
Your journey starts now. The choices you make, the challenges you face, and the perseverance you show will define your success. You have the knowledge, the vision, and the power to shape the world.

So step forward with confidence.
Build with purpose. Lead with courage.

And create something extraordinary.

Because the future isn’t waiting — it’s yours to build.