25 August 2000

SPEECH BY MR PETER CHEN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION
AT THE NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC ACADEMIC STAFF UNION 20TH ANNIVERSARY SYMPOSIUM "POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM"
FRIDAY, 25TH AUGUST 2000 AT 9.00 AM, LT 22 NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC

Keynote Address 2: Polytechnic Education Policy and Challenges in the New Millennium

INTRODUCTION
1. I have been invited to speak on the seemingly clairvoyant theme of "Polytechnic Education Policy and Challenges in the New Millennium" but let me first start with the more familiar territory of polytechnic education in the past.

SUCCESS OF POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION
2. The past years have seen technical education in Singapore develop at a phenomenal pace. The aim of the Singapore government was to make the system of technical education in Singapore the best of its kind in the world. And the best education has to be a system that is sensitive to the continually changing needs of the economy. To provide a world-standard technical and technological education requires the resolve and resource of great magnitude. Singapore has invested enormous amounts of money and other resources in its polytechnics. Some of you may be aware that more than $2 billion has been "invested" in the Temasek and Nanyang Polytechnic campuses. It is an investment which we believe will bear fruit many fold.

3. Today, polytechnics offer more than 50 diplomas and post diploma courses ranging from engineering to business, maritime studies, biotechnology, optometry, nursing, information technology, computing and e-commerce. In addition, polytechnics also offer many short courses for working professionals.

4. You have built up a fine tradition of industrial training. Your graduates have contributed significantly to Singapore's economic and industrial growth. Many are well-known entrepreneurs. Just last week, many of them were showcased in The Straits Times for their contribution to Singapore. A number of your graduates, for example Mr Sim Wong Hoo, Mr Edmund Tie, Professor Shih Choon Fong, hold positions of responsibility and leadership in industry, business and in public organisations.

5. The reputation of the Polytechnics and the image of technical education have risen over the years. We have also seen the number of students who enrol in Polytechnics growing throughout this time. Approximately 40% of each P1 cohort receives a polytechnic education - this is among the highest rates in the world.

CURRENT CHALLENGES
6. You have done a good job of preparing our students for developments in the economy and workplace. Now, at the threshold of a new millennium, what kind of new careers might evolve? What sort of skills do we need for work in the 21st century? What changes will we see in the world of work and consequently, polytechnic education, as the millennium progresses?

7. No one needs to be a clairvoyant to predict that the 21st century will usher in tremendous advancement and change, both scientifically and technologically. We enter a new era. This scientific and technological revolution began in the 20th century but the closer we came to the 21st century, the faster things seem to roll. It will continue and even increase in velocity and impact.

8. Future scientific and technological innovations will determine the work skills (and therefore education and training) that will be needed in the new millennium. The advances in Science and Technology are accelerating at such a pace that new career work opportunities abound. The implicit importance of this also means the requirement of regular skills renewal.

Challenge #1: Keeping up with Scientific and Technological Advancement and Change
9. Emerging technologies, globalisation and the information revolution will increase the demand for high-tech skills. Students should welcome the increasing number of new job opportunities available in a broad spectrum of industries. As educators, we should embrace these developments and respond by investing fully in our students' education and training. Although the fundamental skills required by these students will endure, they are only the foundation on which they will build new applications, apply to new situations and to innovate. Beyond our fundamental skills Singaporeans will need to periodically acquire a new repertoire of skills as technology advances and the new economy changes.

10. A defining feature of the future workplace is the new breed of "knowledge workers" who work with their brains as well as with their hands. To compete, today's successful workers must have acquired not only the ability to read, write, and compute with competence, they must also be able to think analytically, adapt to change, work in teams, and use and exploit technology.

Challenge #2: Preparing for Needs of Industry
11. Technical education has to respond to the needs of industry. We must assess the critical areas of technology to focus on, and broaden the range of skills of our students. Broadening the scope of polytechnic education does not mean simply lengthening the course, adding more content or increasing contact time. It means that students must be equipped with relevant & practical skills early in their education career. Many students choose a polytechnic education for the very reason that they can immediately get their teeth into the practical side of learning. However things are never so simple and straightforward. Unless you have an adequate foundation of knowledge and theoretical content, you will not be able to lift yourself above the level of an artisan. Education must develop your ability to extend yourself so that your full potential becomes realisable. Moreover, in the world of Science and Technology, every practical and commercial innovation and solution is the result of a multi-disciplined team effort. The development of inter-personal skills has become as important as the technical skills.

12. For this reason, employers in industry no longer want workers who only have specialised skills and nothing else. They want graduates with breadth and flexibility to be able to go beyond themselves. These qualities are becoming increasingly prized in the emerging job market. Industry also wants graduates who have leadership skills, who understand and embrace teamwork approaches, who have developed oral and written communication skills, who have gained knowledge about industry and who understand cultural norms and mores. Polytechnic programmes that address these needs are likely to be the outstanding programmes of the future.

(a) Role of Research, Design and Development
13. Our polytechnics can also take pride in their efforts in Research, Design and Development. This is a crucial element in the polytechnic's role as a teaching institution. Why is research so important? The type of research I am talking about is in Application, Design and Development. The hallmark of our polytechnic education is its practice and application orientation which is eminently suited for the type of students who are attracted to it. Collaboration with industries in Research, Design and Development ensures that we are up to date in what we teach. This is essential for both the teachers and students and provides the stimulus in teaching, learning and application of knowledge and skills. There is no better learning experience than to participate in a real life project that works and is commercially valued! Research, Design and Development in the polytechnic is an excellent breeding ground for the technopreneurial spirit and mindset.

14. Innovation and technopreneurship will be an input driver in the new economy. Increasingly, we hear of technopreneurs who set up companies which leave an unprecedented impact on the world within a short period of time. In order not to be left behind, Singapore needs to be able to keep up. We have set up the Technopreneurship21 initiative to develop a more conducive environment but first, students must be imbued with the spirit of entrepreneurship. This means that they must be educated to identify opportunities and prepare themselves to take the risk of seizing these opportunities. The polytechnics must be prepared to extend its horizons and involve themselves in new opportunities and new areas and undertake Research & Design and Development projects with industry.

(b) Upgrading Opportunities for Polytechnic Graduates
15. Whilst we are preparing to meet the needs of industry, we must also strive to provide for the aspirations of our polytechnic graduates. Many of our polytechnic students, as you well know, have dreams of achieving a degree. And many are capable of it. But the personal aspirations should be met in the context of continuous education and training as much for adding real value to the economy as for the individual. The challenge will be to provide the opportunity that will meet the personal aspiration of the individual and the needs of the economy.

Challenge #3: Satisfying Employers who are Seeking Workers with Higher Skills
16. The spirit of continuous education and training is already an economic imperative today, which must be imbued in all Singaporeans. Opportunities for lifelong learning must be improved and expanded rapidly to bring adults to a higher level of competency, including technological competency. The polytechnics have an important contribution in this important task. Lifelong education is no longer solely a governmental responsibility but the responsibility of the individual. Everyone must take charge of his own learning needs. The government can provide the opportunity but it is the individual who has to take it.

17. The opportunity for prosperity and our chance for survival will depend on a people who can apply knowledge and are therefore innovative and creative. They will be the enterprising who are quick off the mark and who never miss an opportunity. Our polytechnics are a good breeding ground to spawn such people and such aspirants. You can help to make it happen.

Challenge #4: Facing up to Increased Regional Competition
18. Some 20 years ago, when Singapore took the first step to climb up the technological ladder, some of our regional neighbours were a few rungs behind us. We thought we had a comfortable lead. In the last several years, except for the recent set-back some of our neighbours are beginning to catch up, with some breathing down our neck. The only way we can pull ourselves ahead is to prepare our people and workforce to possess the technological advantage.

19. Singapore competes with everyone on the global market. Our polytechnic graduates will be a competent force in our battle for the global market and on you we place our trust.