Published on 19 Dec 2024

NBS Alumni Set Record in Gobi Desert Challenge 2024

Congratulations to our 50 NBS alumni who showcased incredible resilience and teamwork at the 19th Gobi Desert Challenge.

With the largest-ever contingent representing NBS, the team completed the race in a record time of 8:24:24, achieving 19th place among 53 EMBA business schools worldwide. Held in Dunhuang, China, from 2-4 October 2024, the annual race tested participants with its challenging terrain and unpredictable conditions. 


NBS alumni team participants of the 19th Gobi Desert Challenge 2024 at Dunhuang, China 


Alumni from Singapore joined their counterparts from China to represent NBS in this prestigious event. Participants included Prof. Boh Wai Fong, Ms. Janet Young, and Mr. Koh Boon Pin, who shared insights into their preparation, teamwork, and the personal impact of this unique experience.   


Prof. Boh Wai Fong
Vice President (Lifelong Learning & Alumni Engagement)
Nanyang Technological University

“This year marks the first time Singapore NBS alumni have joined the Gobi Challenge alongside their counterparts from China. The Singapore NBS alumni were recruited by the Chinese alumni in China who self-organise and participate in the challenge every year. By participating, I hope to be able to encourage more alumni members in Singapore to participate in this event in the future.

I see this as an excellent opportunity for our global alumni members who share the common interest of running or trekking to meet. Imagine conquering the Gobi Desert together, the shared experience and memories will be unforgettable! 

Although we came from various locations, I was impressed that the team was so professional and supportive of one another. The event really brought the alumni members in China and Singapore closer. Some of them even went on a road trip together after the race.

The entire event was very professionally organised and I was confident that it was a safe platform to challenge myself while bonding with our alumni to promote the spirit of sportsmanship and teamwork.”


Mr. Koh Boon Pin
B. ACC, EMPA (Chinese)
Head of M&A and IPO
SooChow CSSD Capital Markets (Asia) Pte. Ltd

“I’m honoured to be part of the 2024 team, which achieved a few firsts in the race. We had the largest ever NBS contingent and achieved the fastest ever timing by NBS, which was one of the earliest business schools to join the annual Gobi Challenge since the 3rd Gobi Challenge. 

The team coach, team guide and team members treated one another with much respect, coming together to motivate one another during the race and throughout the months of preparation before the race. We also received much support from the Executive Committee and members of NTU Gobi Team Alumni Association, who selflessly attended and sponsored the training activities in different parts of China. The Alumni Association was also instrumental in handing down the values of teamwork, endurance, fitness and good health which are core to the spirit of the Gobi Challenge.

The team's eventual result was a testament of such collaboration and I’m really proud of our achievements. 

The camaraderie among the team members was exceptional and I value the opportunity to collaborate with NBS alumni members from different backgrounds and different parts of China.

While I could not join most of the training sessions that were conducted in China during the preparation phase, I participated in the daily reporting of training statistics and progress via WeChat and attended the monthly virtual meetings with the team. Some NTU Gobi Team Alumni Association members would also join me for runs in Singapore when they visited, and they were generous with encouragement and sharing of past race experiences.  Through these, I experienced the strong bonds forged within the NBS alumni community in China and I look forward to seeing more alumni members based in Singapore seeking to experience this unique journey.”


Ms. Janet Young
Nanyang MBA (ACC)
MD & Group Head
Channels & Digitalization, Strategic Communications & Brand
United Overseas Bank Ltd
Member of NBS Advisory Board

“There was an impressive display of resilience and leadership skills as team members overcame evolving circumstances to emerge victorious. Participating in the Gobi Desert Challenge is truly a life-changing experience and I highly recommend NBS alumni members to try it at least once!  

The race is demanding and personally challenging for me as I have a locked knee problem and did not have time to train adequately for the 121 km race. Nevertheless, I still wanted to give it a shot, so I approached the race with the mindset of giving my best effort by combining walking and running, rather than trying to run the entire distance.

Throughout my participation, there are many things that I’m grateful for. This includes the care, support and thoughtfulness of my teammates as well as the opportunity to simply be there. 

As a result, I’m inspired to pay it forward by offering support to others in need within our community. To support disadvantaged children and their families, I have launched a fundraiser in conjunction with my participation in the Gobi Desert Challenge. I aim to raise $90,000 between October 2024 to January 2025 and I’m pleased to have reached the halfway half mark so far. All proceeds will go towards supporting disadvantaged children and their families through programmes organised by social service agencies, administered by Community Chest.”

 

Each year, NBS Alumni Relations supports the NTU Gobi Team Alumni Association, a dedicated group of Nanyang EMBA (Chinese) alumni, in recruiting NBS alumni participants. The association independently organises fundraising efforts and coordinates training across various cities for the annual Gobi Desert Challenge. The challenge is a powerful demonstration of the leadership, emotional intelligence, and exceptional management skills cultivated at NBS.


Ann Ong, Deputy Director of NBS Alumni Relations (third from right), joins participants
of the 19th Gobi Desert Challenge 2024 at the closing dinner

Keen to be part of the next race? Contact us at NBSAlumniOffice@ntu.edu.sg!