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15 Aug 2024
3 mins
Making Members Feel Welcomed and Valued at SMOU Taipei Nite

SMOU put a Singapore spin into the SMOU Taipei Nite and Wavelink CadetsPlus Graduation on 19 July 2024.

More than 220 members, graduates from the CadetsPlus Programme, distinguished guests from the shipping companies and SMOU officials turned up for this grand celebration, held at the Shangri-La Far Eastern Taipei.

Specially curated for Taiwanese members and their companies, SMOU Taipei Nite is an opportunity for the union to express appreciation to seafarers for their hard work and for leaving their loved ones behind to keep the global supply chain going.

The Wavelink CadetPlus graduation was also celebrated alongside SMOU Taipei Nite which featured fringe activities that included a photo wall, 360-degree photo booth to capture omnidirectional views, claw machines and mochi stations.

The event kicked-off with an energetic number by Creative NEXT, a premier professional drum performance team in Taiwan. The high-octane opener was followed up by an inspiring message from Guest-of-Honour, Ms Mary Liew, General Secretary of SMOU and Vice President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), where she congratulated the graduates from the Wavelink CadetsPlus Programme.

While dinner was served, guests were seen mingling around and networking. There was exuberant cheering when it came to honouring the achievements of 87 Taiwanese cadets from the Wavelink CadetsPlus Programme. Among the cohort that graduated were 10 female cadets.

Mr Rahim Bin Jaffar, President of SMOU presented special awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of cadets in the Best Academic, Best Leadership and Most Outstanding Cadet. During his best cadet speech, the Most Outstanding Cadet awardee Chen In Been from U MING spoke about the shared experiences among his fellow comrades whom he had spent the past three weeks training alongside and expressed gratitude to the Wavelink CadetsPlus team.

In a celebratory toast Singapore style, everyone raised their glasses as they shouted  ‘yum seng” – drink to victory led by Mr Rahim Bin Jaffar and joined by Ms Mary Liew, Mr Thomas Tay, Mr Yong Soon Huat, SMOU Executive Committee Members, SMOU and Wavelink officials and staff.

The programme highlights included a spectacular Xiao Chi Nanta show, interactive games, song performances and a lively karaoke session where guests showcased their vocal prowess.

The highlight of the evening included lucky draw prizes. The top 10 Seafarers’ Draw Prizes were presented by Mr Fred Chang, President of National Chinese Seamen’s Union (NCSU); while Mr Yong Soon Huat, Treasurer of SMOU gave away the top 5 Lucky Draw Prizes.

More prizes were up for grabs, as Mr Ma Chao, Deputy Secretary General of the Chinese Federation of Labour Republic of China, conducted a Table Draw. There was a surprise treasure hunt game that led to more surprise gifts awaiting guests.

The evening of celebration and congratulation brought the Taiwanese seafarer community together and certainly made every member feel welcomed and valued.