The SIRS Family
Welcome to the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies, fondly known as SIRS to our partners, learners and friends! We are a small team with big ideas, and each of us are well-honed professionals from diverse backgrounds that span the full spectrum of strategic business operationalisation including Business Management, Digital Marketing and Digitalisation, e-Commerce, Service, People Development, as well as the key critical areas of the Retail industry.
We hold the tenet that that people are the greatest assets of any organisation, and it is not just the knowledge and depth of experience that each of our team brings, but also the bond that all of us share through our common goal: to inspire and transform the retail industry, individuals and businesses towards their greatest potential in achieving excellence.
Contact us for information on grant-supported solutions that can support your business and workforce capability development.
Head of the SIRS Family
Melvyn Suan, Director of SIRS
With over 25 years of experience in the education industry, Melvyn Suan is a seasoned leader who wears multiple hats.
As the Director of the Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) Centre for Industry & Lifelong Learning (CIL3), as well as for one of NYP’s Continuing Education and Training (CET) centres - Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS), Melvyn leads the charge on key initiatives that aim at propelling continual learning, innovation, and strategic industry collaboration.
Supporting the vision of NYP and SIRS leading in their respective domains in the evolving landscapes of global and local environmental factors, and their socioeconomic impacts on businesses and professionals, Melvyn is focused on strategic synergies and fostering applied research & development that deliver quality education for the future success of businesses and work.
Getting to know Melvyn
Balancing the leadership of two major educational entities requires a strategic mind, a steady hand, and a collaborative spirit. Melvyn's approach to leadership is grounded in his ability to focus on long-term goals while ensuring operational excellence. His approachable demeanour and unwavering commitment to his teams create an environment where innovation and teamwork flourish. Outside of work, Melvyn loves staying active through golf, cycling, and badminton, reflecting his energetic and balanced approach to life.
Melvyn ❤ NYP & SIRS
“At CIL3 and SIRS, we have the opportunity to shape the future by working at the intersection of education, industry, and innovation. The challenge of staying ahead in both CET and Retail transformation is what drives me, and the positive outcomes for learners and industry partners make it all the more fulfilling.”
Eugene Pang, Assistant Director of SIRS
Eugene has over 25 years of experience in tourism and education. At Bintan Resort Management and the Singapore Tourism Board, he was instrumental in implementing destination marketing initiatives, hospitality industry development, and investment promotion policies.
At Nanyang Polytechnic, Eugene held a leadership position in the International & Industry Relations Department where he championed overseas student exchange programmes and internships. As the Course Manager for the Diploma in Hospitality & Tourism Management Programme, he oversaw curriculum development and student education management.
At SIRS, Eugene actively supports the Retail and adjacent service sectors, focused on helping businesses and individuals thrive locally and internationally through training and consultancy solutions.
Getting to know Eugene
Don’t be fazed by Eugene’s façade of appearing aloof and distant. Get to know him well enough and you will find that he is innately thoughtful, and thoroughly engaging with a keen sense of humour. Travel is one of his leisure pursuits, as is discovering new retail concepts and experiences.
Eugene ❤ NYP & SIRS
“Agility, foresight and integrity are hallmarks of the SIRS’ work ethic, and I’m proud to be part of the team!”
Karen Tan, Head of Corporate Services
Karen is our whiz at SIRS when it comes to getting things organised and running full steam ahead. With over 20 years in both the Public and Private sectors, she brings a wealth of experience managing a broad scope of operations and administrative initiatives.
At SIRS, Karen’s primary focus is to ensure a well-oiled process of efficiency and effectiveness for our learners and corporate partners in reaping the value of their interactions with us. Working with our Business Development, Customer Relations and Programmes teams, Karen oversees SIRS’ office administration & operations including facilities & IT, as well as adult learners’ administration and finance related matters.
Getting to know Karen
A gentle and demure disposition belies a steely focus and confident gatekeeping. Karen is a true disciplinarian at work and a free spirit at play. Catch her at the right time to experience the best of both worlds!
Karen ❤ NYP & SIRS
“While SIRS is a stat board, we work like a corporate entity with agility and dynamism.”
Shermaine Wee, Head of Customer Relations Centre
With over 20 years as a home-grown retail entrepreneur, Shermaine has a deep bond with and understanding of retailers and the retail industry. Her experience brings significant value-add to her role at SIRS where she leads the Customer Relations Centre team in supporting jobseekers on upskilling and reskilling towards enhancing their employability and career success through SIRS’ broad suite of training programmes.
Shermaine also spearheads driving community engagement for our key national training programmes, working with government agencies and industry partners for synergistic outcomes to the benefit of retailers and workers.
Getting to know Shermaine
Life around Shermaine is anything but dull with her being a self-confessed “shopping is in my blood”, and who enjoys a broad range of both in and outdoor activities from travelling, reading, watching Netflix movies and to getting in shape with a regular dose of Pilates. Shermaine ascribes her personality and values to being aligned with that of her MBTI personality type of ESTJ, and Scorpio horoscope, where she expresses herself as being the awesome combo of being ambitious, deeply emotional and sensitive, loyal to friends.
Shermaine ❤ NYP & SIRS
“The greatest satisfaction about working in the training industry specifically at SIRS is to be able to positively impact lives and livelihoods so that both individuals and retail companies can remain relevant and top of the game in terms of their productivity, competence, and capacity.”
Cindy Koh, Head of Product Development and Marketing
Cindy comes with over 20 years of experience in branding, digital marketing, customer experience, data analytics and consumer research forged in the dynamic global banking landscape where she pioneered significant future-forward digital innovation initiatives, before making her foray into the training industry.
In her dual capacity at SIRS, she drives the development and marketing of Training Programmes through the strategic cultivation of the expertise within SIRS’ and key partnerships to bring about the latest innovations and thought leaderships in key demand areas including digitalisation, emerging technology and sustainability.
She is an advocate of a learner-first focus, emphasizing on quality in delivery, aimed at driving successful outcomes for businesses, individuals, partners, and SIRS.
Getting to know Cindy
Cindy has a wide and eclectic range of interests, most of which may be deemed rather “geeky” in nature. Diving in with fervour on anything that catches her interest, she also indulges in the immersive world of gaming to exert her competitive spirit and the grit to excel as one of her pastimes.
Cindy ❤ NYP & SIRS
"Working with our incredible team at SIRS who subscribes to the ideology of “inspiring others to achieve their aspirations” in what and how we do our work…and who plays just as hard when we celebrate our success together!"
Jiawen Lai, Head of Business Development
With nearly 20 years of experience in consultancy, licensing and retail brand management, Jiawen along with her team is the high-powered driver behind SIRS’ key partnerships that include retail businesses, government organizations, and trade associations.
Jiawen’s focus is on creating synergistic and exponential value for retail businesses through a broad range of innovative collaborations that propel their successful growth and expansion through the digital age.
Getting to know Jiawen
While Jiawen may appear a little reserved and serious when at work, we have often seen her fun and playful side too with her ability to inject a dose of humour when we least expect it! She tells us that if you need to look for her outside of work, “you will find me at the gym, having coffee at a café or playing with cats.”
Jiawen ❤ NYP & SIRS
"Seeing how our solutions and programmes at SIRS impact our clients gives meaning to my work and keeps me going on!"
Tong Siew Ling, Deputy Head of Programmes Operations
Siew Ling brings with her 15 years of experience in operations management from both the private and public education sectors. Her key focus, in continually striving for higher educational standards, is on driving productivity through efficient streamlining of processes; and contributing to the enhancement of the teaching and learning experiences of both educators and students.
Getting to know Siew Ling
Siew Ling enjoys hiking, traveling, and reading, where these activities play an important part in helping her to unwind, broaden her horizons, and inspire her work. Her belief in lifelong learning and dedication to continuous improvement in personal development & growth shape and reflect her approach to both education and life.
Siew Ling ❤ NYP & SIRS
"The SIRS team is similar to Marvel heroes behind the scenes, contributing to ensuring seamless operations and creating an environment where students and educators thrive. It gives me a deep sense of satisfaction in being part of the team, knowing that our efforts can make a meaningful impact on the lives of others."