Venturing Forward: My Journey at the NUS Enterprise Summer Programme

Embarking on a remarkable journey, I found myself in the hub of innovation—Singapore. I am Elgene Bermudez, an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Applied Mathematics with Specialization in Mathematical Finance (AMF) at Ateneo de Manila University. It was my honor to represent Ateneo and the Philippines as a delegate in the NUS Enterprise Summer Programme in Entrepreneurship at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

This summer program delved into the heart of innovation and entrepreneurship in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Running from July 10 to July 21, 2023, it was an intensive course where global participants were immersed in developing business ideas and pitching them to investors, industry experts, and venture capitalists within two weeks.

My path to NUS was a blend of ambition and dedication. It all started when the deans at Ateneo extended an invitation to certain program courses, including AMF, about the program. Following this, I submitted my intent for nomination, and the deans deliberated on the top 10 nominees from Ateneo. I was selected and instructed to proceed with my application to NUS. Shortly after, NUS selected me as one of three Ateneo delegates. There were also delegates from the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University.

To top it all off, the Temasek Foundation awarded me a scholarship: the Temasek Foundation-National University of Singapore Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative 2023. This scholarship covered the program fee of 5,000 SGD and on-campus accommodation at NUS University Town.

Throughout the program, we attended lectures and workshops from 8 AM to 6 PM, covering topics such as the business and socio-cultural context of Singapore and ASEAN, venture creation, and various entrepreneurship themes.  We were privileged to visit tech giants like Google and Huawei and innovative e-commerce platforms such as Shopee and Shopback.

The culminating activity was a practical hackathon where we went from design thinking to preparing and presenting startup pitches. We also had our share of fun activities, including learning Bahasa Indonesia, playing the Thai instrument Angklung, trying out traditional Thai dance, dragon boating in Marina Bay, visiting social impact enterprises, and wrapping up with a lively closing ceremony.

This journey aligned seamlessly with my career aspirations as an applied math and finance major. As a student interested in cross-cultural dynamics, the program has equipped me with a deeper appreciation of various cultures and innovative approaches from ASEAN countries. Beyond personal growth, the program has instilled in me a greater awareness of cultural nuances, which is valuable in bridging gaps between people from different backgrounds, allowing me to be a more versatile and adaptable professional in the Philippines’ business and entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Meeting Pathways alums during this journey was also both inspiring and heartwarming. Hearing about their journey from being Pathways participants, like myself, to successful individuals pursuing their ventures abroad fueled my aspirations. Their stories served as a testament to the possibilities that lie ahead, motivating me to dream bigger and strive harder to pursue my goals.

Looking back, these two weeks in Singapore have been nothing short of life-changing, and I am immensely grateful for this invaluable opportunity that has shaped my path meaningfully. This journey has strengthened my commitment to personal and professional growth and inspired me to approach the future with a passion for learning, exploring, and positively impacting the world.