“The airline industry is very dynamic, and we must not only respond to the concerns of today but to anticipate what is coming, adapt and future-proof the organisation for competitive advantage.”
Read on as we sat with Julie Seah, Manager Safety Security & Quality Development, Development, Singapore Airlines to find out more about her experience as a Master of Technology in Digital Leadership Programme student and how it has ”given her the confidence as a digital leader to tackle these challenges by equipping her with the skills and knowledge, frameworks, tools and techniques to drive digital transformation within her division and company”.
1. Describe your current job role and organisation.
Singapore Airlines is a global company dedicated to providing air transportation services of the highest quality. My role is to drive transformation and digitalisation initiatives for safety, security and quality in line with SIA’s Digital Transformation vision.
2. Why did you choose the NUS-ISS MTech Digital Leadership programme? How do you see the skills learnt blending with your current career path?
Prior to my Masters, I attended several Executive Education courses at NUS-ISS and found the quality and applicability of the courses to be good.
The MTech in Digital Leadership programme attracted me as it is both practical and industry relevant. It gives me the opportunity to interact and learn from lecturers, guest speakers and fellow students from different backgrounds and across various industries. I took up this course as I had taken on a new role of heading a development unit for my division to drive digital transformation. This course will equip me with the skills and knowledge to formulate and implement the digital strategy for my division.
3. Describe your NUS-ISS experience. What have you enjoyed most in the course and why?
The modules taught are practice based which means that you can immediately apply the concepts learnt at work. I have really enjoyed the networking, class discussions and group projects as they facilitate cross sharing and learning. The programme is also comprehensive and covers a broad spectrum of leadership and digital strategy areas across “People”, “Process” and Technology” pillars cumulating in a Capstone which demonstrates application.
4. Describe and elaborate on your current capstone project.
Our team of four is doing our Capstone with the Home Nursing Foundation (HNF), a charity which is Singapore’s largest and most established home healthcare service provider. We are working with HNF to develop a digital strategy which will enhance their business model, transform business processes and leverage on digital for new opportunities.
5. What were some of the learning points from your capstone project which you can apply to your current job / life?
The Capstone provides an opportunity for us to put our skills and knowledge into practice by applying what we have learnt to a real-world organisation and solving real life problems. To be able to create a digital vision and roadmap to help transform the business albeit in a small scale is fulfilling. The experience working as a team, collaborating with stakeholders and the learnings from project envisioning and scope definition, to iterative experimentation of initiatives and prototyping to deliver value are all value lessons from the Capstone.
6. What do you enjoy most in your current role?
Being able to drive change through people and technology to bring value to our internal and external customers.
7. Is there any advice you would like to give to potential students looking for a Master Programme?
Go for it! If you’re determined to learn, nothing can stop you. The path will not be easy and there will be sacrifices but it will be a rewarding journey and when you look back, it will be worth it.
8. What are your plans after completing the programme?
As I have spent most of my career in operations, I hope to expand my current portfolio to take on larger transformation projects and to gain experience in other aspects of the business and to drive transformation in those areas.
We wish Julie all the best in her future endeavors!
Find out more about the NUS-ISS Master of Technology in Digital Leadership Programme here.
Interested in a flexible study option? Learn more about the NUS-ISS Stackable Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Leadership which stacks up towards the Master of Technology in Digital Leadership degree.