Speech by Senior Minister of State for Education Dr Aline Wong at the 2000 Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award Presentation Ceremony (31 Mar 2001)

SPEECH BY DR ALINE WONG, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION, AT THE 2000 TAN KAH KEE YOUNG INVENTORS' AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY, ON SATURDAY, 31 MARCH 2001, 9.30 AM, AT THE SINGAPORE SCIENCE CENTRE AUDITORIUM

It is my pleasure this morning to be here at the Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award Presentation Ceremony.

2 As we travel down the new century where knowledge reigns supreme, a transformation is taking place in the way we learn and teach. In the past, teachers were viewed as repositories of knowledge and dispensers of wisdom to their young charges. The exponential growth of knowledge, however, has made it imperative for teachers to become seekers, innovators and their students' fellow travellers on a life-long learning journey. This applies particularly to the field of science and technology where fresh discoveries are made and new knowledge created at an immensely fast speed. To maximise resources, teachers now work with partners in industry who open up even more opportunities for learning to take place beyond the confines of the classroom and the textbook.

The Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award
3 The annual Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award, jointly sponsored by NSTB and the Tan Kah Kee Foundation, is one such partnership that we encourage our schools to engage in. The Award seeks to stimulate and tap the creative and innovative potential among young Singaporeans, as well as to promote science and technology research in Singapore. This provides an excellent platform to excite our youths, to encourage them to come up with creative solutions in solving problems, and to foster innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit among them.

4 It is encouraging to note that there has been a steady increase in the number of participants and that many of the projects submitted are diverse and interesting both in concept and execution. The entries provide practical and creative solutions to day-to-day problems. All the participants for the award have clearly demonstrated a strong passion for innovation, and perseverance in trying out new ideas. These are indeed qualities that we want to inculcate in our youths today.

Exhibition of Asian Children's Invention
5 Here, I would like to take the opportunity to commend the organisers for their dedication and foresight. They have tried to raise the standards of creativity and innovation of our student projects by entering them in international competitions. This allows our budding Singaporean innovators to benchmark their inventions against international standards. This year two entries from the Students category have been specially selected to take part in the "Exhibition of Asian Children's Invention" at the "Japan Expo 2001 Kitakyushu" this July.

6 Good scientists and engineers need to meet with other good scientists and engineers who would feed their thoughts and challenge their perspectives. Our pupils who have been selected to participate in the exhibition will benefit as they learn to be open yet discerning in their interactions with pupils from other parts of the world. They will also get a first-hand experience in international networking and collaboration.

Forum on Creativity
7 A second event following this is the forum on creativity. Entitled "Celebration of Creativity - Creativity in the Arts, Science and Technology", the forum explores the concept of creativity across three categories: 1) the arts and culture; 2) mathematics and the sciences; and 3) technology and industry. Organised jointly with the National Arts Council and the Singapore National Academy of Sciences, it debunks the myth that the arts and sciences are two separate disciplines of study. In the Singaporean context, the Renaissance Man embodies the vibrant spirit of creativity, innovation and multi-disciplinary learning that we hope to achieve. Through such initiatives as National Education, Creativity and Thinking Skills, and Life Sciences, MOE is working towards breaking down the artificial compartmentalisation of knowledge in our schools and institutes of higher learning. A forum such as this will help to reinforce this endeavour.

Building Human Capital
8 Today, innovation is manifested in the creative translation of technology into products that can be utilised for its commercial viability. Innovation and technology will be the key driving force to spearhead Singapore in the New Economy, as we try to develop world-class capabilities in niche areas such as Biomedical Sciences, Chemicals, Electronics and Information and Communication Technology. To do that, we require individuals who are not only talented but are resilient as they overcome obstacles along their path.

9 It is critical that we continue to nurture and develop R & D talent in our young, by cultivating a strong interest in science and technology among them. This emphasis continues into our polytechnics and universities. We have to press on in this direction.

Conclusion
10 Let me conclude by extending my congratulations to the winners of this year's Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award. May your innovative ideas be shining examples for others to take up the challenge to create and innovate.