Ng Swee Geok
Temasek Polytechnic

Ng Swee Geok has proved that although cerebral palsy can impair her physical abilities, it cannot cripple her spirit of tenacity nor disable her drive
to excel.

Swee Geok contracted severe jaundice during infancy that resulted in mild cerebral palsy. This condition affected her speech, body movements and muscle control. As her parents could not afford to send her to a special school, she had a mainstream education. A determined and hardworking student, she gained entry to Singapore Polytechnic and graduated with a diploma in business.

By that time, she had proved to herself that she could overcome her physical disability. Little did she guess then that she was to face a far greater challenge - proving herself to others.

Bitter struggles, sweet success

Upon graduating from Singapore Polytechnic, Swee Geok sent out over 100 job application letters.

"When I wrote to companies and declared my physical disability, no one would employ me," she said.

"In terms of education, I didn't lose out to my classmates, but all of them managed to get a job and I didn't. I underwent a period of depression. It was the darkest period of my life. I even thought of committing suicide."

After a year of disappointments, she was offered a job as a technician in Singapore Polytechnic through the help of her lecturers. She worked hard while taking up part-time studies and gained an advanced diploma in business information systems.

In 1992, she joined Temasek Polytechnic's (TP) Business School as a technical officer. Later she pursued her studies on a part-time basis and received her degree in computer science in 1999.

Today, Swee Geok is not only Technical Support Supervisor (Operations) at TP's Business School, but also a multiple award-winning staff in the institution.

Well done!

Swee Geok, who supervises six technical support officers, works unstintingly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth operation of 16 computer laboratories as well as some 200 PCs in the staff network.

During a recent migration of the staff network system at TP's Business School, she and her team put in many extra hours to ensure that the system would be up and running quickly. As a result of their teamwork and well-coordinated efforts, the migration went smoothly and lessons were not disrupted.

On another occasion, she helped to coordinate the migration of staff PCs from the Windows 98 platform to Windows XP platform. She meticulously worked out the schedule for the migration, helped to back-up data and emails, and ensured that the migration was successful.

Recently, Swee Geok and her team completed a computer laboratory upgrading project. She carefully and precisely listed out the specifications required, taking into account the needs of students and lecturers. Upon receiving quotations from various vendors, Swee Geok evaluated the quotations. Then together with her team, she thoroughly tested the different systems. This entire process ensured that the most cost-effective quotation was finally accepted.

Job satisfaction

"I love the work and find it very interesting," said Swee Geok, who welcomes challenges and opportunities to learn and try new things.

She went on to share about one of her most satisfying projects - working with colleagues from Finance Department to do online PC sale registration and writing a computer programme for balloting a large number of old PCs last year. The campus-wide PC sale saw good response from students. Students were able to acquire used PCs at a low price.

Swee Geok opined: "I think excellence at work is its own reward. The job satisfaction gained is rewarding in itself!"

Par excellence

Swee Geok shares her thoughts On self-acceptance "I struggled to accept my physical disabilities, especially during the period when I was jobless.... I have learnt to accept myself. Others might look down on me but I should not look down on myself." On effective leadership "Teamwork is important. I try to set a good example as a supervisor to motivate others to give their best." On awards " I'm very grateful to TP as an organisation and my bosses. The awards make me want to perform better to show my appreciation to them."

Over the past 12 years at TP, Swee Geok has garnered several awards, including the TP Excellence Award. Her perseverance, strong sense of responsibility and commitment, and drive for learning has enabled her to come so far. As a Christian, Swee Geok attributes all her achievements to God, her "strength and sustainer".

Sharing about her motivation, she said: "My job didn't come easily so I don't take it for granted. Whenever I do my work, I give my best in appreciation to TP for giving me the opportunity to work."

Proud to have such an outstanding staff in her team, Swee Geok's supervisor said: "Swee Geok is highly committed to her work and ensures that the laboratories are well managed. With her cheerful disposition, she is well-liked and highly respected by her colleagues. She is an asset to TP!"

— Contributed by Mrs Viola Lau, TP