Mr Teo Ser Foong was in his second year at Hwa Chong Junior College (now Hwa Chong Institution) when he developed an interest in aviation. As the tutor started a lesson on fluid mechanics, he found himself increasingly drawn to the topic.
Says Mr Teo, now 26: "An aircraft is so massive and complex. I wanted to find out and understand how it was designed and how it worked, among others. As my interest grew, I considered joining the aviation industry, especially with newer aircraft types being developed and plans for the Budget Terminal. That was why I subsequently chose to study aeronautical engineering."
Mr Teo accepted an Overseas Undergraduate Scholarship from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), after which he decided to pursue a direct master’s programme in aeronautical engineering in Imperial College London. While he enjoyed the comprehensive curriculum, which covered modules such as aerodynamics and aircraft performance, he also relished group projects where students get to develop design concepts together with their course-mates.
"Living and studying in London was a particularly memorable experience," he reveals. "It was a good opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life because the city was so vibrant and cosmopolitan. For instance, my Italian roommate in my first year became close friend, and even invited me to his home near Venice to spend Christmas with his family."
"Then, as part of my final-year project, I did a five-month internship with an engineering consultancy firm in Southampton. It opened my eyes to a working culture and environment rather different from that in Singapore. For instance, everyone addressed another by first names - including the boss!"
"Also, because I was exposed to important issues, other than economic ones, such as third-world poverty, environmental conservation and AIDS awareness, I learnt to develop a more balanced outlook towards life."
The scholarship provided Mr Teo, whose father is a foreman and mother is a homemaker, with more than a chance to pursue further studies abroad. It also gave him a better understanding of the organization - before he started work officially - as he spent school holidays attached to various divisions at CAAS and became acquainted with the staff. Meanwhile, events such as the management-Scholars’ Lunch allowed him to interact and exchange ideas with senior management.
"When I eventually started work, I did not feel as if I was that new to the company. It greatly helped to ease the transition from being a student to a CAAS employee," says the first-class honours graduate. He adds that the various structured training opportunities help him familiarize himself with the organizational needs as well as his job.
Now as Assistant Airworthiness Manager with the Airworthiness/Flight Operations Division, Mr Teo’s main responsibility is to assist in overseeing maintenance planning of aircraft operators such as Singapore Airlines, and ensure that they fulfill the mandatory inspections and modifications required by CAAS.
His job scope covers other areas, including conducting maintenance and engineering audits and surveillance of operators, evaluating new operator applications and assessing the operator’s ability to meet CAAS’s regulations and implement safe operating practices before his application is approved.
Mr Teo is happy that he is making his dream - to enhance Singapore’s civil aviation safety and chart the future of the aviation industry - a reality.
By Mary Lim