Speech by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister of Education and Second Minister for Finance at the Appreciation Dinner for Professor Leo Tan, Wednesday, 15 November 2006, 7.30 pm at the Grand Ballroom, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR FINANCE AT THE APPRECIATION DINNER FOR PROFESSOR LEO TAN, WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2006, 7.30PM AT THE GRAND BALLROOM, GRAND COPTHORNE WATERFRONT HOTEL

Professor Leo Tan & Mrs Tan
Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary
Members of the NIE Council
Mrs Tan Ching Yee, Second Permanent Secretary, MOE
Dr Su Guaning, President, NTU
Prof Lee Sing Kong, Director, NIE

We are here today to express our appreciation to Professor Leo Tan, who served as Director of NIE from 1 February 1994 to 31 October 2006. Most of you will know that although he has stepped down from the appointment as Director, Leo still remains as faculty staff in NIE’s Natural Sciences and Science Education (NSSE) academic group.

Leo’s contribution to NIE began before the Institute was even set up. As Director of the Singapore Science Centre, Leo participated in the MOE-established Committee which recommended that the Institute of Education and the College of Physical Education be merged to form NIE in 1990.

Leo was then asked to join NIE as Dean, School of Science in 1991. He served as Dean of the School of Science until 1994 and in this role, was instrumental in the success of the NIE’s new undergraduate degree courses.

On 1 February 1994, Leo was appointed Director of NIE. NIE has seen many notable changes under his leadership, including the move from Bukit Timah to a state-of-the-art purpose-built campus in NTU grounds.

Under Leo’s leadership, NIE transformed its organizational structure to strengthen its effectiveness in delivering its mission. It adopted a programme-driven, rather than Schools-based, organization structure. It also set up a new external programme office to focus on training and other consultancies. Leo also oversaw the establishment of a Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, and the Learning Sciences Laboratory to better apply information technology and interactive digital media to teaching and learning.

These were not however matters of structure alone. It was also a matter of creating a culture to drive excellence. In the midst of the changes, it was Leo’s passion and drive that ensured that NIE moved forward with verve to achieve global preeminence. Leo also built strong bonds and collegial ties that strengthened the NIE community. The family spirit which Leo has successfully engendered is felt not only by staff and students, but by canteen stall operators, security guards, building maintenance contractors, cleaners and book store operators among others, many of whom are attending this appreciation dinner.

I would like to thank Leo for his efforts to enhance the relationship between NIE and MOE. As Director of NIE, Leo has been a champion of the special tripartite relationship between NIE, MOE and NTU, and has encouraged greater discussion and consultation.

The relationship between NIE and MOE has in particular been greatly strengthened by NIE’s flagship professional development programmes, namely: (i) the Leaders in Education Programme for principals and (ii) the Diploma in Departmental Management programme for HODs.

These programmes have helped to train hundreds of educational leaders for Singapore schools. The Leaders in Education Programme is now looked at internationally as a peak of excellence.

Prof Tan has always fostered a close working relationship to uplift the education experience in NTU and NIE. One particular example is the award of undergraduate and graduate degrees by the University for certain programmes conducted by NIE – Leo played an active role in developing these programmes, together with NTU’s Academic Board.

Leo has also always taken the stand that NIE staff should support university initiatives, events and functions and to show NIE’s collegiality with NTU. Prof Tan himself served as the Chair of the NTU Bioethics Review Committee to advise on ethical issues that may be involved in research projects undertaken by university staff.

Leo has also spent much time and effort in keeping NIE on the forefront of developments in the Education Landscape. Throughout his tenure as Director, Leo has always been conscious of the need for NIE to develop and adapt in tandem with changes in the education landscape, both in Singapore and abroad. He has put this into practice by encouraging NIE to host international and local conferences, to keep NIE at the forefront of these changes.

NIE hosted the 7th International Conference on Thinking in June 1997 where the concept of ‘Thinking Schools, Learning Nation’ was first mooted by the then Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Goh Chok Tong. NIE also hosted the Gifted Education Conference 2004, and the International Conference on Pedagogy and Practice 2005. Most recently, NIE played a major role in hosting the International Physics Olympiad with NTU and NUS in June this year.

Leo lent his personal backing and support to the organising of these international events which have placed NIE on the world educational map. Under his leadership, NIE’s global reach has expanded and partnerships have been built with many reputable international educational institutions. Its Leaders in Education (International) programme has attracted participation by educational leaders from all over the world. So far, about 90 such international participants have attended the course.

Leo has not only contributed as a full-time teacher, educator and administrator, he has served Singapore in many other aspects. As a marine biologist by training, Leo is still active in research and sits on the board of several research institutes and statutory boards including the Institute of Molecular Agrobiology, the Science and Engineering Research Council and the National Parks Board where he is still the Chairman. Leo is also the Chairman of the National Youth Achievement Award Council and President of the Singapore National Academy of Science, among others.

For Leo’s many contributions to education, research and Singapore, Leo was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1988, the Public Service Medal in 1995 and the Public Service Star in 2001 by the President of the Republic of Singapore. In 2002, Leo was conferred the French “Order National du Merite” by the President of the Republic of France for his efforts to enhance cooperation between France and Singapore in the field of science.

This evening, on behalf of the government, the education fraternity in Singapore, and the NIE Family, I would like to express my appreciation to Professor Leo Tan, who has made a tremendous impact on the development of education and boosted NIE’s reputation beyond our shores.