Speech by RAdm(NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, at the "Ideas In Action 2006" Culminating Event on Friday, 22 September 2006, 10.30am at the Singapore Expo

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) LUI TUCK YEW, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE “IDEAS IN ACTION 2006” CULMINATING EVENT ON FRIDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2006, 10.30AM AT THE SINGAPORE EXPO

Mrs Catherine Weir,
Head of ASEAN, Citigroup Corporate & Investment Banking and Citigroup Country Officer in Singapore

1. I am pleased to be here today to witness the culminating event for Ideas in Action 2006, jointly organised by Citigroup and the Learning Society. This programme is now into its fifth year and it is truly heartening to see the infectious enthusiasm and energy shown by teachers and students alike. I extend my heartiest congratulations to all the 80 teams who have made it thus far.

2. In the highly competitive world we live in, there is a natural tendency among some to be afraid of failure because there is so much to lose. Many of us prefer to follow the well-trodden path and the tried and tested ways because these had served us well. In doing so, we have become less comfortable with the unknown and uncertainty, less prepared to improvise and possibly somewhat more predictable and risk averse. While we do not want all things to be constantly changing, there is a danger if we are merely satisfied with doing the same things over and over again – unthinking, unquestioning, unchanging and unmoving. This concern applies not only to doing, but also to mindsets, rules, beliefs and perspectives that we hold dear to our hearts because they had achieved the desired results for us in the past.

3. We need Singaporeans, especially our young, to have this spirit of innovation and enterprise, a spirit of inquiry and of daring to do, a willingness to challenge the norms and to accept challenges as the norm. We need you to dream audacious dreams, be passionate about your vision and ideas and to have the energy, skills and knowledge to bring them to fruition.

4. I am therefore very glad to see so many of you stepping up to the challenge to participate in “Ideas in Action”. I am very encouraged by the success of this endeavour. I understand that since 2002, the number of submissions has grown by an impressive 150% to 370 in 2006. This is the second year our teachers have enthusiastically risen to the innovation and enterprise challenge of “Ideas in Action”. I must say that their enthusiasm and energy are shining examples for the young minds they strive to mould.

5. From what I can see today, I am impressed by this year’s submissions. The range of ideas we see before us is fascinating. They cover the practical and pragmatic and extend to the more esoteric. There are curb-climbers designed to facilitate the movement for the wheelchair-bound; solar-powered air-conditioners to reduce heat in the car; research in traditional Chinese herbs to cure viral diseases and even cooling caps with mini-fans attached to provide relief from the hot weather. These original creations are only possible because you have dared to create something different. I hope that you will not stop here but go on to try and find interested parties that you can convince to help further develop and market your ideas and products.

6. I would like to commend Citigroup and the Learning Society for their firm commitment to promoting creativity and innovation among our youths. Through programmes such as “Ideas In Action” our students are given the opportunity to extend their learning experience. Collaborations and partnerships of this sort between organisations benefit our young as they pick up useful life skills that will stand them in good stead in adult life.

7. Each project team present here today has been selected to be part of this Culminating Event because the projects are outstanding, creative and, above all, because you impressed the judging panel. It is also very clear to me that you have devoted a lot of time and effort to your projects, and I hope the entire experience will spark an even greater desire to grow this spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship in you.