24 March 2006 Opening of ITE College East

SPEECH BY MR LEE HSIEN LOONG,PRIME MINISTER, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING F ITE COLLEGE EAST.

24 MARCH 2006, 6.00 PM AT ITE COLLEGE EAST.

Mr Eric Gwee, Chairman, ITE Board of Governors,
Dr Law Song Seng, Director & CEO, ITE,
Staff and Students of ITE,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

1. I am happy to join you this evening for the opening of ITE College East the first of three Regional Campuses which ITE is building to provide a first-class technical and vocational education for Singaporeans.

Moving Forward Together Through ITE Education

2. ITE is an important pillar in our strategy to develop every Singaporean to be the best that he can be, and to participate fully in the growth and progress of our nation.

3. Over the years, the Government has made a big effort to help all Singaporeans to progress and level up, so that all our children, even those from poor families, can get a fair start in life.

4. The growing pressures of globalisation have stretched out the income distribution in our society. Those without skills will find it difficult to make a living competing against low cost workers in China, India or Vietnam, and are doing our utmost to equip these workers with skills and training. In response, we have stepped up efforts to help the poor and vulnerable. We have launched many initiatives to provide focused and specific assistance for lower-income workers. And in this year's Budget, we are sharing the fruits of growth with Singaporeans through a Progress Package, which is weighted heavily towards the lower-income groups.

5. In the longer-term, the most effective strategy to deal with this problem is education. Our education system enables Singaporeans to develop and grow through a wide choice of pathways. Today, 88% of each cohort[1] enrol in post­secondary educational institutions junior colleges, polytechnics and ITE. Some of the rest enrol in private educational institutions. But we estimate about 6% join the workforce without a post-secondary education. 6% is too high. We should aim to at least halve that number. More students should receive post-secondary education, so that they will be better prepared for a bracing and competitive world.

6. ITE educates students with thinking hands, who have the potential to excel in technical vocations. ITE's emphasis on hands-on training and critical thinking habits provides students with solid grounding and relevant skills for future employment. Your graduates are confident, proficient at their jobs, and in strong demand.

7. ITE itself has grown into an institution that has an international reputation for excellence in technical training. As a World Bank report put it, ITE has achieved significant breakthrough by establishing itself as a post-secondary institution. It has effectively rebuilt and transformed its former vocational institutes into top-line educational colleges. ITE has given skilled occupations a new social and economic importance, creating viable careers for its graduates.�

8. Last year, I visited ITE MacPherson and met one ITE graduate, Sairin Sani. He came from the Normal stream and had little interest in his studies while he was in school. But his life turned around when he enrolled in ITE. He took to ITE's hands-on training like a duck to water, and regained his confidence and zest for learning. From ITE, Sairin went on to polytechnic and then to NTU, where he graduated with first ­class honours in Mechanical and Production Engineering. He is now pursuing his dream career in aerospace engineering.

9. ITE alumni have taken other paths to success besides academic upgrading. One graduate, Johnny Tng, excelled in his job as an assistant engineer in a manufacturing company because of the hands-on skills he acquired at ITE. After working for seven years, he set up GemTree Pte Ltd, a company that manufactures factory automation equipment for MNCs in the biomedical, data storage and semiconductor industries. Devices manufactured and designed by GemTree are used in many countries, including in libraries in Australia and research companies in Europe. To grow his business, Johnny plans to set up a sales-and-service branch in Thailand this year. His three-year-old company now has an annual turnover of $3 million.

10. These two alumni show how far one can go with an ITE education. I encourage all ITE alumni who have benefited from your education to support ITE. You are good role models for many young Singaporeans and can motivate the present students in ITE to work hard for their aspirations and achieve even greater heights of success.

ITE College East A Milestone in Technical Education

11. The establishment of ITE College East is a milestone in ITE's One System, Three Colleges� model of technical education. Over the next five years, we will build two more Regional Campuses ITE College West in Chua Chu Kang and ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio. With one ITE system, there will be greater synergy and consistent standards among the Colleges. At the same time, each College will have more autonomy to grow and specialise in niche areas, providing more choices and possibilities for students to pursue their diverse goals.

12. As the first comprehensive college for technical education, ITE College East must set the benchmark for excellence in technical education. Its infrastructure, comprehensive facilities and curriculum have been designed to meet the needs of a changing global economy, and to provide the best educational experience for students.

13. Since ITE College East only started operating in January last year, it has established collaborations with many industry leaders. An example is the partnership between the Centre of Technology for Info-Communications and two global IT giants Microsoft and SUN Microsystems to create advanced learning opportunities for students and staff. ITE students will earn a joint ITE-Microsoft Industry Certificate or a joint ITE-SUN Microsystems Industry Certificate, in addition to their Nitec or Higher Nitec qualifications,

14. Another initiative is ITE's partnership with Medical Education Technologies, Inc, or METI a US-based company that develops learning tools for healthcare professionals. ITE and METI have jointly established the Centre for Healthcare Simulation Training, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia. The Centre provides simulation training for healthcare professionals using METI's Human Patient Simulator (HPS) a high-fidelity manikin which can simulate patient symptoms such as breathing difficulties, wheezing and changes in heart rhythm. Students can then assess the symptoms and recommend appropriate treatments. This will provide realistic training for all students pursuing their Nitec in Nursing. Next Steps and Challenges

15. ITE's industry-relevant programmes, innovative teaching and learning approaches have raised the quality and profile of our technical education system. But ITE cannot afford to stand still. It must continue to adapt and explore new frontiers to give its students a competitive edge in a rapidly changing global economy. In its latest five-year strategic roadmap, ITE has articulated its vision to be a Global Leader in Technical Education.

16. ITE has already developed a Global Education Programme to give students international exposure through overseas visits, industry attachments and community service projects abroad. ITE students will now have opportunities to participate in exchange programmes in countries such as America, China, Germany, Hong Kong and Vietnam. Through its Alumni Association, ITE is also tapping on alumni with overseas businesses to support these industry attachments.

17. Next month, the first batch of 15 Engineering students will leave for a one-month company attachment in China. To date, 6% of ITE students have participated in 40 overseas programmes in 10 different countries. ITE aims to expand the overseas Global Education Programme to 10% of ITE students by next year.

18. ITE has much to be proud of. You have a proven brand of vocation and technical education, and a reputation for excellence that has spread beyond our shores. Building on this strong base, ITE should aim to attract even more students who can benefit from an ITE education. Last year, ITE took in about 12,000 students, of whom 29% were level students, 18% were from Normal (Academic) and 53% from Normal (Technical). While there has been a significant increase in the N(T) students going to ITE, each year over 1,000 N(T) students still do not proceed to ITE after secondary school. We must reach out more actively to these students, and persuade them to invest in their future by continuing their education and training in ITE.

Conclusion

19. With the many initiatives to improve the quality and reach of ITE's programmes, I am confident that ITE will continue to upgrade itself and produce graduates with the confidence and skills to succeed in the workplace. By investing in ITE students, we are building an inclusive society, where all Singaporeans have a place and a contribution to make. It is how we ensure that in Singapore, we can all stay together while moving ahead.

20. I congratulate the ITE Board of Governors, management, staff and students on the opening of ITE College East. Today marks the beginning of an exciting and rewarding new phase of development for ITE. I wish you every success as you pursue your vision to be a global leader in technical education.

 

Updated On: 08.02.21