♥ Princessa's Royal Diary ♥ - Royalty has never been so PINK!

Previously, the "Meeting Young Minds @ BIT" event was held at Temasek Polytechnic (TP), Temasek Business School, LT19.

Here's a little background on what this event is all about:

Led by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of Singapore, the Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) blueprint seeks to fuel economic growth through the innovative use of technology. The target is that in less than 10 years, Singapore seeks to become the world's first in harnessing the power of technology to add value to its economy.

Riding high on this exciting growth is TP's Diploma in Business Information Technology. Since 2000, they have trained and graduated business technologists adept at both aspects of business and IT.

MeetingYoungMinds@BIT is an annual event to highlight the achievements of BIT students. The event is conducted to present the technology solutions and the expertise that they can offer to their business partners.

I was informed that the event was to start at 2pm. Unfortunately, I was held up by another event (also at TP) that was only to end at 2pm.

Thankfully, I had gotten the programme details wrong - in a good way. The actual event launch and opening address by Mr. Yeow Aik Liang, Daniel, director of Business School, would not take place until 2.30pm.

Finding out that I wasn't late after all, I let out a "sigh" of relief.

Grabbing a snack, a cup of fruit punch, I still wasn't able to satisfy my hunger - I haven't had lunch, same goes for my "assistant". Through thick and thin (or hunger for this case), we will pull through. Aren't you the slightest bit touched yet? Hurhur.

(Coming back) As family, friends, students, lecturers, and us - the media, made our way into the lecturer theatre, the emcees made their way to the stage and welcomed all.

Mentioning earlier, the opening was address by Mr. Yeow Aik Liang, Daniel, director of Business School, TP. The speech took roughly fifteen minutes or so.

The most memorable statement made was, "we'd like to think TP stood for Top Polytechnic". He added, "at least in the eastern part of Singapore". Pretty cheeky for an old guy (no offence) eh?

According to the programme details (printed on that is), Mr. Roger Khoo, Temasek Business School Advisory Committee Member, TP, was suppose to make the next statement. However, he was unable to attend. In his absence, Mr. Patrick Chang, founder of SimplySpeaking, came on stage instead. His agenda for the evening was about "playing games" and how you can understand finance with it - SmartMoney Board Game.

To bring in the elements of technology, this game has a digital copy called the SmartMoneyOnline - developed with Adobe Flex and PHP.

I haven't tried it, but it is said to be "fun, interactive, easy to play and allows anyone who wishes to learn money management to do so in the comforts of their own home".

The game is currently single player, but they are looking to make it multi-player in the (near?) future. When will this become reality? Beats me, only time will tell.

Next on the stand, we had Jiahao (sorry wasn't able to catch his full name), a third year student from TP.

This kid is probably a couple of years my junior, but his presentation skills were not beneath mine. There were some shortcomings during the presentation but it was mostly covered up pretty well. If I hadn't known he was a student, I would probably have thought he did this for a living.

What I found most interesting during his presentation was the "Interactive Product Catalogue".

Here's a video of how it works:

The idea is similar to what I've heard of previously - reading pages made of electrons and not paper - but less advance.

The Interactive Product Catalogue works similarly to the iPhone. The involvement of touch is significant. Much like the concept of eBook, but with an interactive element to it. Basically how it works it that it reads your hand movement (or such - available to many mobile phones these days) to navigate through the pages of the digital book. Well, at least that's what I understand.

After Jiahao exited the stage, Mr. Justin Goh, executive corporate business, OTO Bodycare Pte Ltd came forth.

A personal note: I'm not sure if the "title" of Mr. Justin Goh was mentioned during the presentation. Nonetheless, how I obtained this piece of information was rather surprising. I had Google-searched his name and company, and his Friendster account popped out. Unfortunately girls, according to his status and profile picture, I'm sad to inform you that he is MARRIED – young, but married.

After, Justin's (can I just call you Justin?) presentation, Melissa and Nash (I think), the emcees, made their way back on stage.

The event ended with a token of appreciation given to the speakers.

Another personal note: I bow to thee that set their eyes on SecondLife.

PS: Images can be found at Gadget3.com!