Commencement Guest Speaker : Dr Shahzad Nasim

Dr. Shahzad Nasim's career as a Professional Structural Engineer spans more than three decades. He is responsible for the overall coordination of multi-disciplinary professional teams, leading the conceptual designs and overseeing the detail design and constructions of major and complex projects undertaken by Meinhardt. He has built a regional reputation for providing highly innovative, buildable and cost-effective solutions for tall buildings and complex infrastructure projects.

As the Global CEO, Dr. Nasim is responsible for the performance of all Meinhardt offices across the globe, client management and providing input to all the major projects undertaken by Meinhardt Group. He is also actively involved in the growth and expansion plans of the group worldwide.

The projects led by Dr. Nasim include some of the landmark commercial offices, residential and retail and entertainment complexes such as The Dubai Mall (Dubai, U.A.E), The Marina Bay Financial Centre (Singapore), The Sail @ Marina Bay (Singapore), One Raffles Quay (Singapore), OUB Centre (Singapore), The River (Bangkok) and Bank of China (Hong Kong).

Dr. Nasim is regularly invited to speak at local and regional conferences and has numerous papers to his credit. He is also actively involved in educational, professional and statutory boards related to the construction industry.

 

Speech By Dr. Shahzad Nasim, Executive Chairman, Meinhardt Group International; At The Engineering Commencement 2016 Ceremony (C13) For Cee Graduation On Monday, 11 July 2016 At 10Am.

NUS Pro-Chancellor, Mr Stephen Lee Ching Yen; Graduates; Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen; good morning.

Foreword

I am very pleased and feel privileged to join you on such a momentous occasion and wish to thank NUS for giving me this honour.

For all those graduating today, this is your day - a defining moment and important milestone in your life. You are fortunate to earn a degree from NUS - the top Asian university for three consecutive years. Congratulations to all of you on acquiring the best Academic Passport to enter your practical life.

With your graduation today, it would seem that the stress of assignments and exams is behind you. But this is not the end of the learning phase. Learning is a lifelong process and this is only the beginning.

Career Prospects

You have already made the fundamental decision of becoming an engineer in different fields ranging from Civil and Environmental Engineering to Biomedical. An engineering degree opens doors to many other professions. Some of you will be joining construction field, some will join R&D firms, and some will join the Public Sector.

In the recent years, the model of engineering profession has been changing rapidly. Engineers today have to deal with more complex projects and lots of other issues such as environment. We therefore need to have more diverse training and adaptability to cope with the changing business and technology landscape.

Fortunately, we are at the right place at the right time. Asia has 60% of the world's population and generates 50% of the world's economy. You can therefore be assured that every one of you can find a job of your choice.

How to Succeed

Whilst everyone will find a job, to succeed you must put in the old-fashioned hard-work, show you are adaptable and able to learn quickly. You need to ensure you differentiate yourself in whatever you do. To climb to the top you must be dedicated, have entrepreneurial and business skills. Companies like people who can contribute to their success, profitability and expansion.

In today's world, academic excellence alone is no longer sufficient to succeed, leadership and business acumen play equally important role.

Global Markets

In this highly globalised world, our market is no longer confined to Singapore alone. Singapore Inc. is an excellent brand name and in the same league as the first-world countries. So we must be prepared to export our technology, culture of innovation and enterprise, and Asian service to other parts of the world. Singaporeans must therefore be willing to travel and relocate - to internationalise Singapore.

Leadership

I always say that whether it is a company or country, leadership is very important. Singapore has done well because we are fortunate to be blessed with exemplary leadership. Consequently, despite the small size and lack of resources, Singapore has become a first-world country within such a short span of time.

You will be leaders of tomorrow, so you must make sensible choices. Don't be driven by money alone, at least in the early part of your careers. Join companies where you have the best opportunity to learn and make yourself more valuable in the future.

Personal Story

When I see you today, it reminds me when I was your age.

I arrived in Singapore in early seventies as a student. The mission was to do a Masters in Singapore and at the same time gain some valuable experience as construction of the new Singapore was just taking off. Failing in either the education or my day job to support my education, was not an option available to me.

I joined Meinhardt as an employee in 1978 after graduating from the then University of Singapore. Meinhardt was in its early days, operating from a small office of 10 people in Marina House. I rose through the ranks, slowly but surely.

Six years ago I bought the Meinhardt Group worldwide from Meinhardt family and shifted the HQ to Singapore. Today Meinhardt is arguably the largest global engineering company owned and headquartered in Singapore employing 4300 staff in its 45 offices, across the globe, and the rest is history.

The morale of the story is that age, nationality and educational background are no hindrance in a place like Singapore which thrives on meritocracy. It is your passion, can-do spirit and ability to endure hardship that determines your success.

Family Values

Finally, you should never forget to serve and look after your parents, communities you live in and more importantly, your country as you owe your success to them.

Conclude

For your accomplishments at NUS, I offer you and your families my heartfelt congratulations. The future is yours to shape. Before I leave the rostrum, I wish to thank NUS again for giving me this honour to be here today.

Thank you very much.