MOE Speech - SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, ACTING MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, AT THE AVIATION SCIENCE WORKSHOP AT THE AIR FORCE SCHOOL

SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, ACTING MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, AT THE AVIATION SCIENCE WORKSHOP AT THE AIR FORCE SCHOOL ON TUESDAY 2 SEPT 2003 AT 5.00PM

Dr Lim Khiang Wee
Director of Science and Engineering Research Council, A*STAR
& Executive Director of Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, A*STAR

Dr Chew Tuan Chiong
Director and Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Science Centre

Good evening. I am very happy to join you today for the final section of the Aviation Science Workshop programme. I understand this is the first such workshop to be organised for secondary school students, as part of ST Aerospace's tribute to the Centennial of Flight and in conjunction with the RSAF's 35th Anniversary celebrations. I am sure you have had a fun-filled day. I hope that today's workshop has fired your imagination and promoted an interest in aviation science and technology among students like yourselves.

AVIATION INDUSTRY

2 Singapore sees aviation as a key industry cluster, given its high technology content and high value add. Despite the sluggishness of the global economy and recent setbacks in the travel industry, the outlook for the aviation business remains positive in the long term. We have a number of advantages working for us. Singapore is a global aviation hub hosting one of the world's busiest and best airports. We host some of the world's leading aerospace industry players undertaking various manufacturing, design and MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) activities. We also have the skilled and trained manpower necessary for this sophisticated technological sector.

3 We must continue to attract quality people to meet the new demands of the sector, and continually invest in training to keep pace with developments in technology. Workshops like this create awareness in the new opportunities that are open to you as students.

WHY THE WRIGHT BROTHERS STORY IS INSTRUCTIVE

4 I am sure all of you know the story of how the Wright brothers revolutionised travel and made the seemingly impossible possible when they executed the world's first controlled man-powered flight on 17 December 1903. Theirs is an inspiring story of scientific ingenuity achieved with very limited resources but a whole load of grit and perseverance. Wilbur and Orville Wright were true self-starters - a pair of self-taught engineers working out of the backroom of a bicycle shop. Driven by the unshakeable belief that flight was possible, they pushed the envelope beyond what their contemporaries had thought doable. Through trial and error, they succeeded in combating gravity and conquering the wind. In the process they also invented, single-handedly, each of the technologies they needed to pursue their dream.

5 Their story is instructive for several reasons. Their invention was not the result of luck. It reflected patience and disciplined effort. It was also propelled by interest and passion. They devoured every book and paper they could find on the subject. They were blessed with a bull dog-like tenacity that enabled them to surmount the numerous obstacles that fell in their way and, where necessary, make detours along the way. Add to this a healthy dose of audacity and you have a potent combination. And of course, most important of all, they had a vision they truly believed in.

KEY TAKE-AWAYS

6 Interest; Passion; Persistence; Tenacity; Knowledge. These are the qualities that time and again have proved to be the driving force behind successful endeavours and discoveries. They are the so-called X factors that combine to fuel the forces of progress and, in the process, improve the quality of life for all.

7 Conversely, the fear of failure is typically what puts the brakes on a good idea. The spirit of trying without fear of failure is the key to successful innovation. I urge you to keep that at the forefront of your minds. If you have all the knowledge you can acquire and the skills to apply them, but lack discipline, resilience and staying power, you are like a wonderfully designed car, equipped with all the necessary functions but without fuel.

8 Keep alive the passion in whatever you do. I am sure that many of you would have experienced a sense of wonder and amazement at the feats of aviation that other pioneers after the Wrights were able to achieve. Aviation pioneers like Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart, who powed solo transatlantic flights; or aircraft designers and producers like Anthony Fokker, Frank Whittle and Donald Douglas, who redefined aviation technology in their quest to conquer altitude and speed. The common ingredient underlying their pathfinding achievements was passion.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

9 Today's workshop marks a promising start. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has also responded to the growing popular interest in aviation by starting Youth Flying Clubs as a Secondary School Co-curricular Activities (CCA) programme since 2001. The core programme of these clubs in schools is aero-modelling. This activity has a strong following, with a membership of close to 500 pupils in 16 schools. Next year, another four secondary schools will join the programme. MOE also supports the aero-modelling courses conducted by the Singapore Youth Flying Club for other pupils whose schools do not offer this CCA. Presently there are about 700 aero-modellers in Singapore, of which 80% are from our secondary schools. Our polytechnics too have launched two new courses, in aeronautical engineering and aerospace electronics.

10 Some of you may well be considering a career in aviation. I hope you have made full use of this opportunity to interact with the professionals in aviation here today.

CONCLUSION

11 I would like to commend Singapore Technologies Aerospace, the RSAF, A*STAR and the Singapore Science Centre for putting this workshop together. It has, I am sure, been an enriching day for the students as well. Some will leave with tangible reminders, in the form of prizes they had won for their projects. But to everyone here, I hope that the intangible lessons learnt will endure, and will sustain your continuing interest in this field.