SPEECH BY DR ALINE WONG, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION,
FOR SIM-OPEN UNIVERSITY DEGREE PROGRAMME (OUDP) GRADUATION CEREMONY,
ON FRIDAY, 7 JULY 2000, AT 10.00 AM AT SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT (SIM) HEADQUARTERS, 461 CLEMENTI ROAD

Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman,

SIM Governing Council Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

2.      The graduates here today took a big step some four to five years ago to enrol in a degree programme and embark on a journey of learning again some years into their working life. I said "big step", because the decision to study again often came with a lot of personal sacrifice. It also required the understanding and support of family members, employers and friends. In the context of Singapore, this "big step" can also be described as a "brave step", as the culture of lifelong learning and continual education, although growing, has not yet become fully established in our society.

3.     The start of the new millennium has already seen many changes to the way we work, live and form social relationships. In our bid to transit quickly into the so-called knowledge economy, our workers will face challenges and even dislocations that rapid technological changes and intense global competition bring. In a globalised world, there will be an increasing divide between those with the knowledge and skills that are in demand, and those without such skills. There will be certain types of talent, knowledge and skills for which demand is high, and supply on a worldwide basis is not enough. At present, these include the new growing fields in information, high technology and the life sciences. These skilled knowledge workers will be able to fetch very high pay because of the international competition for their talents.

4.     At the other end of the spectrum, there is no shortage of unskilled workers. Every year millions enter the workforce throughout the world with little or no skills. Companies where labour costs are a large component of their production costs will move to places where the unit labour costs are lowest. Wages for low skilled workers therefore tend to be pulled down when workers elsewhere are prepared to do the same job for less.

5.     There will thus be a growing income gap between the skilled knowledge workers and the unskilled or semi-skilled workers. Much has been said and written about this growing income gap as being inevitable with globalisation of the economy. It has also been observed that, during the phase of economic recovery (from a recession), the unskilled workers are the least likely to reap benefits from the recovery. By contrast, workers who possess a wide-ranging spectrum of skills are found to weather an economic crisis far better than those who do not. The lesson for us is that our knowledge and skills have to be continuously honed in order for us to survive in the changing global economy. A firm commitment to lifelong learning, skills training and retraining, is the only way. Our skills have to be "reformed", so to speak, alongside the economic restructuring that is taking place.

6.     Today, intellectual capital is the key factor to economic growth. Mobility and portability of the factors of production are the order of the day. Furthermore, product life cycles are getting shorter. This implies that there has to be higher degrees of innovation in bringing products to market, and speedier production phases. This also means that the labour market needs to keep up with new demands, as existing jobs become more complex, requiring a diverse range of skills, and new jobs are created that require entirely new sets of skills.

7.     Knowledge and skills upgrading is no longer just a "nice-to-have". It is not something you undertake when you have time. It has become a "must-have" that is factored into a person's work life. In the final analysis, lifelong employability can be equated with lifelong learning.

8.     Over and above the learning that comes on-the-job, we need to have some structured learning that goes beyond the immediate demands of our current jobs. Such training allows us to concentrate and learn quickly in a nurturing environment. It also broadens our perspective beyond the operating perimeters of our everyday work.

9.     Some workers are more fortunate as they have supportive employers when it comes to continuing education. Some companies however tend to be conservative when it comes to staff training, and often quote the lack of resources as the main reason. But eventually, all of us must realise that people development is a long-term investment. It may not generate immediate revenue, but will ultimately impact on the sustainability of the company.

10.   Earlier on, I mentioned the inevitability of the widening income gap and the skills divide with the onset of the global economy. In Singapore, fortunately, there is a great likelihood that the vast majority of our workers will benefit from globalisation. This is because we have been building up, over the last decade or so, the facilities and the opportunities for our people to acquire skills and upgrade themselves. Our school system provides 10 years of general education, with a curriculum that prepares our students for meeting the challenges of the knowledge economy. Students are encouraged to be critical, thinking individuals; they are trained to be IT-savvy and are taught team-working and leadership skills. Our education system also prepares the greatest majority of students for post-secondary education: at the universities, the polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education. There is generous government support for every level of education. Our Manpower 21 masterplan also places a great deal of emphasis on post-school education, i.e. continuous and lifelong training.

11.   While support by the government and employers is essential, it is only a catalyst in the equation for change. The bottom line is that every individual worker has to decide whether he will embrace the principle of lifelong learning, and take advantage of the educational opportunities around him. It is a personal choice that each one of us must make.

12.   Institutions such as the SIM-Open University provide more breadth and depth to the opportunities for people who seek further education. Started in 1992, it was conceived with the objective of providing a second chance at tertiary education for people who have missed the opportunity earlier in life. The unique learning system of the Open University provides tremendous flexibility, thus making it easier for busy working adults to pursue a degree. That the Open University Degree Programme has met with such a hearty response from the Singapore public is testimony to both our population's value on education, and also to the Programme's creativity in meeting the needs of the population. I sincerely hope that the Programme will grow from strength to strength.

13.   Among the graduands here today are a good number of education officers. The courses of study they offered are varied, yet each has a direct relevance to the teaching profession. By enrolling in these courses and successfully completing them, you are a source of inspiration to the students you teach. The example you set, in pursuing your ambitions and dreams, speak volumes for the values that we wish to imbue in our students. This dedication to lifelong learning and developing yourselves to the best of your abilities is in itself a translation of the Desired Outcomes of Education.

14.   Before I conclude, I hasten to add that lifelong training is not merely about the paper chase. Lifelong learning, or for that matter, learning itself is a process to be enjoyed and savoured. In this pursuit, take time to reflect, develop a wide array of interests, be curious about all things intellectual, and allow for new areas of personal growth.

15.   Aristotle once said, "The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet". Today, this group of graduates stands before us as the best testimony to the promise of lifelong learning. I commend all graduates on your determination and endurance. I hope you will continue to cultivate your passion and thirst for knowledge. May you continue your lifelong learning journey with great passion. I wish you many fruitful years ahead.