With the theme of ‘Greenovation for a Blue Planet,’ GIIS Real World Challenges Convention (RWCC) 2014-15 held on November 21, 2014 at GIIS East Coast Campus, energised students across all levels. In this convention, students’ were introduced to the real world issues. Through convergence of creative thinking, challenging ideas and innovative approaches students expressed their love for mother earth. The event had a glorious start with the lamp lighting by the dignitaries. The Guest of Honour for the day was Mr George Madhavan, Director, 3PNetwork, PUB.

Blending quality with global issues encountered by students, the RWCC 2014-15 provided the right stimulation to GIIS student’s teams to make presentations to real world problems. This unique platform encouraged students to network with a host of people and problems to research on their chosen topic find solutions and present the process. This initiative is been piloted by GIIS East Coast Campus to provide a platform for students to deliberate and put forward ideas for a better tomorrow. The topic for this convention ‘Greenovation for a Blue Planet’ aimed at propagating the Quality Movement. Over 300 participants from five schools, GIIS Queenstown Campus, GIIS East Coast Campus, GIIS Balestier Campus, GIIS Kuala Lumpur Campus and GIIS Tokyo Campus took part in the annual convention. In Junior and Senior categories, GIIS East Coast Campus emerged as a winner.

The show started with the address by the Principal, Ms Melissa Maria who introduced the Guest of Honour and briefed the audience about the importance of such a convention. The Guest of Honour Mr Madhavan conducted activities for the audience on innovation. He motivated all to keep innovating in order to stay at par with the present generation as well as look forward for the generation to come.

There were eight competitions held in all including Essay Writing, Art Competition, Vid-Ed, Fashion Show, Green Rhythms, Conference, Transformation Turncoat and Quality Circle Presentations. Out of these three of them were pre-judged events and the rest were held on the spot. The concept of innovation was foremost in everything at the convention from various scientific models displayed to paintings by students, quizzes and Quality Circle Presentations.

Quality Circle presentations

The first event of the day was the Quality Circle presentations for the various categories where group of employees and students presented their work by meeting regularly to identify analyse and solve problems at home and school. Its aim was to improve work processes, empower, motivate and enrich their work, create harmony and result in high levels of performance. The judges for this competition were from the Singapore Productivity Association, Mr Tan Tio Hai and Mr Tang Teck Chye, both experts in the field of Quality.

RWCC Winners

Conference

The next event was the Conference, a competition by the future citizens to discuss and find a solution to the problem, which is currently a global challenge, put forward rightly under the topic, ‘Greenovation for a Blue Planet’. The judges for this event were Mr P Mohandas, Chairman, Rotary Club of Singapore, and Mr Suresh Hathirmani, President, Diamond Exchange of Singapore.

Winners

Fashion Show

Fashion show was the next competition under the theme ‘Green Ramp for a Blue Planet’ where the little participants’ ramp walked with their innovative costumes made out of recycled material. The judges for this competition were Ms Padmini Srinidhi, an exponent in Carnatic music and Ms Sharmila Khandkar, Counsellor, GIIS Singapore.

Winners

Green Rhythms

‘Green rhythms for a Blue Planet’, a unique competition was lined up next where the students were to come up with a rhythmic competition related to the theme. The judges for this competition were Mr Sivakumar, Marketing Manager, Yokogawa and a violin expert and Ms Padmini Srinidhi. The participants could use one original and innovative musical instrument created from recycled material. The creativity exhibited by the students with the varied instruments as well as the rhythm was unbelievable.

Winners

Transformation Turncoat

For the Transformation Turncoat - a debate with a twist, the participants were given a general topic to speak both for and against it within the given time and they have to portray both the sides of the same coin. The judges were Ms Piyali Roy, President, Arts Bridge, a non-profit organisation, and Ms Sonia Melvani, a freelance writer. The students came up with very confident and vibrant arguments related to the topics.

Winners

Essay Writing Competition

The Essay writing competition on the topic ‘Walking the Green Carpet for a Blue Planet’ was a pre-judged event. Students pen their innovative ideas towards protecting the planet.

Winners

Art Competition

Art competition on the topic, ‘Green Strokes for a Blue Planet’ was a pre-judged event. The participants used their creativity to express their concern for the nature.

Winners

Vid-Ed Competition

Vid-Ed (Video editing) on the topic ‘Greenovation for a Blue Planet’ was also a pre-judged event. This being a movie making competition students showed enthusiasm.

Winners

Prizes for all the competitions were given by the eminent dignitaries including Mrs Aparna Temurnikar; Mrs Smita Wargantiwar; Mrs Wrushali Bodhankar and Ms Rekha Varghese, Vice Principal, GIIS Queenstown Campus. Mr Rajiv Vasudeva, Country Director, GIIS Singapore; Mr B G Shenoy, Director Global Centre for Education Excellence (GCEE) and Mr Prafulla Rout, Group Financial Controller also graced the event and motivated the team to do better.

The convention owes its success to the Quality Circles conducted regularly in all GIIS campuses under the guidance and leadership of Mr Shenoy. The RWCC concluded with remarkable performances from the GIIS East Coast Campus rock band and team of dancers.

During the event, students displayed scientific as well as innovative projects and competitions under different categories. As part of the convention, various projects were exhibited in classrooms. The creative works displayed by students were truly enriching and represented the students’ zeal to give shape to their ideas through various projects.

The remarkable student participation was a result of excellent planning and devoted support from the staff and students along with guidance from the GIIS East Coast Campus Principal Ms Melissa Maria.