NParks has also recently set up CUGE – Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology, to provide diploma and advanced diploma programs for people who wish to equip themselves with the necessary skills to work in the landscape industry. This is a key part in our drive to attract more people to join NParks.

You recently led a team to participate at the prestigious 19th World Orchid Conference in Miami, Florida, USA, and won the top award for International Display. That must have been a proud moment for you, wasn’t it?

Yes, it definitely was. I created a garden display called “Orchids in Harmony”, that expressed Singapore’s strong affinity with orchids. It was a 50 metre square display that was a modern Asian interpretation of the courtyard garden, and celebrated the diversity of multicultural Singapore. In the display, I used tropical orchids with their many rich colours and dazzling array of forms and sizes, to portray the different races of Singapore.

It was really hard work preparing the display. My team and I had to set up ten days before the Conference. We also did everything ourselves as there were no contract workers involved. That’s why it was really worth our efforts when we won the top award for best international display, and I was close to tears as I was both happy and relieved at the same time.

Do you enjoy working at NParks?

I love working here as we are all like a big family. NParks has a great culture of empowering its employees, taking care of their needs and constantly strives to maintain an excellent work-life balance.

That is why joining NParks is an option that I would highly recommend to fresh graduates who aspire to a great career in an organization that offers them a wide and interesting scope of work, many opportunities to grow and develop themselves, and also enables them to appreciate the beauty of plants and nature at the same time.