|
 |
Mr Melvin Tan Wei Yang
A passion to embrace IT with business rejuvenated Melvin Tan to start his own company Tinkerbox Corporation Pte Ltd, a software company to develop software to connect people. He developed a software application SMILES, to help schools manage their student information and results. While in national service, plans to commercialise the software is underway.
This passion brought him to Nanyang Polytechnic to study for the Diploma in Business Informatics. Earlier, he had started a business Reactive Systems with a group of friends, to provide IT consultancy and computer maintenance and system integrations services. When he learnt of problems with school administration systems, he decided to venture into this. After conducting a survey, he discovered that there were problems in communication between parents and teachers. So, SMILES was conceived and the pilot system was tested successfully in two primary schools.
The company had started with selling customized rechargeable batteries for the Micro-mouse Robots in 2002. The success led him to move into PC assembly and maintenance services. That spurred him to take on new projects for clients like Shangri-la and Fortuna Hotel. Other IT projects were to follow before Melvin decided to embark on the software development of SMILES.
His thirst for innovation and entrepreneurship starts from his younger days, having represented his secondary school in several entrepreneurship competitions. Then, he went into business to take on the games market. The company worked with Nexon Asia Online Pte Ltd to distribute game merchandise. It also provided IT services to several entertainment companies. Recognising his leadership, he was appointed as Chief Administrator and Head of Game Masters to help Nexon Asia Online run several road shows such as Darkages Online at Ngee Ann City. He helped organize the first Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) in Singapore in 2001 and also the World Cyber Games in 2003. He was appointed Chief Official for Hardwarezone Pte Ltd’s annual Game Axis Christmas Bash in 2003 and 2004.
Melvin advocates in giving back to community. As president of IT Club at St Gabriel’s Secondary School, he spearheaded the club of over 200 members, to actively participate in various competitions and promoting IT awareness among his peers and juniors.
While at NYP, he served as Secretary of Publications for IT Club to help the club to organize many events and was the official club photographer. In view of his active involvement and contribution to community services at NYP, he was given the National Youth Achievement Award (GOLD). In 2005, when the opportunity came for Singapore to organize the 117th IOC Committee Session, he volunteered and was drafted into the programme sub-committee.
Despite his heavy academic and commitments, he led a team of NYP students to clinch 2nd runners-up at the 2005 Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition, a national competition involving 70 teams. As Melvin continues to embrace IT with business, he is always looking for new opportunities to better serve the IT community.
|
| |
Go to top
|
|
