Our nation has its beginnings in the sea trade, as its excellent location along the Maritime Silk Road meant it was easy for traders to stop by with goods.

Decades have gone by since, but the Maritime Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore continues to recognise this past and embrace opportunities in the continuously developing maritime industry. It plays a vital role in advancing and safeguarding our strategic maritime interests and to realise Maritime Singapore's vision as a global maritime hub for connectivity, innovation and talent.

This makes the organisation a standout development pathway for all with aspirations to join the maritime sector. For proof, look no further than Tan Qin Xiang, currently studying his Master of Science in Civil Engineering (with Fluids) in University College London (UCL) under the MPA Overseas Postgraduate Scholarship.

He spoke with us on the tremendous learning experiences under MPA he has benefitted from, telling a story of inspiration, learning and opportunity, with MPA backing him every step of the way.

To start with, we hear it is Tuas Port that led you to the MPA Scholarship. How did this happen?

Indeed, the development of the Tuas Port was what first drew my attention to a potential career at MPA. I felt that working on an engineering project of such magnitude and national importance would be a tremendous learning experience to kickstart my engineering career. Therefore, I took the leap of faith to apply for the MPA Scholarship when the opportunity arose, and here I am!

Indeed, you are currently studying a Masters. Tell us some highlights from the programme.

I am currently studying the MSc Civil Engineering (with Fluids) at UCL.

What I really enjoy about this postgraduate programme is how our class projects are designed to simulate real-world engineering projects, like drafting the preliminary design of a monopile substructure for an offshore wind turbine in the North Sea. Projects of this nature help me to appreciate the challenges and practical considerations of real-world engineering designs.

What sort of support did MPA provide for your studies?

MPA provided holistic and timely support whenever I needed it. The HR officers provided advice and assistance during various stages of my postgraduate programme applications.

Also, given the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19, they ensured we received regular updates on the latest government advisories for scholars who are pursuing studies overseas.

Aside from academic learning, you also completed two internships with MPA. Tell us more about them.

During my first internship, I worked to facilitate crew change in Singapore's ports during the onset of COVID-19. I assisted the review of crew change applications to ensure that crew changes were carried out safely and in accordance with government regulations. I also leveraged on my programming knowledge to develop automation scripts that effectively automated numerous tedious work processes.

For the second internship, I was attached to the Engineering & Project Management (EPM) Division. During the three-month stint, I was job-shadowing other senior engineers who were involved in the design and contract management aspects of MPA's building and reclamation projects.

How do you anticipate applying your internship experience to your future work?

The internship stint at EPM Division gave me a preview of what to expect when I officially join EPM as an engineer after I complete my post-graduate studies. This will flatten the initial learning curve, so that I can hit the ground running as an engineer at MPA.

What is the work culture at MPA like?

What stood out to me during both internship stints was the strong resilient spirit my colleagues embodied.

It was clear to me that they understood the importance and impact of their work on the maritime sector, so it was really inspiring to work alongside such a dedicated team of MPA officers.

What possibilities are there for scholars working at MPA?

MPA provides structured job rotations for their staff. Therefore, there will be opportunities to gain exposure to the various core functions of MPA, such as strategic planning, statutory enforcement or business development, throughout the span of one's career at MPA.

Last question: what would you say to convince someone to join MPA?

With the acceleration of digitalisation and decarbonisation in the maritime sector, there will be a myriad of exciting career opportunities at MPA. So if you are interested in shaping the future of our maritime sector, there's no better place to be!