Speech by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State for Education and Manpower, at the Opening Ceremony of SAXO Capital Markets - NTU IIC GO For Gold Challenge on Saturday 10 March 2007, 9.25 am at Sir Stamford Raffles Statue (In Front of Singapore River and Asian Civilization Museum)

SPEECH BY MR GAN KIM YONG, MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF SAXO CAPITAL MARKETS – NTU IIC GO FOR GOLD CHALLENGE ON SATURDAY 10 MARCH 2007, 9.25 AM AT SIR STAMFORD RAFFLES STATUE (IN FRONT OF SINGAPORE RIVER AND ASIAN CIVILIZATION MUSEUM)

Introduction
1. I am pleased to join you this morning at the opening ceremony of Saxo Capital Markets – NTU IIC Go for Gold Challenge. I am also happy to be here to witness the signing of the memorandum of understanding for the founding of I-Plus, a collaboration among the financial clubs of NTU and the polytechnics.

The Importance of Financial Knowledge
2. The NTU IIC Go for Gold Challenge is focused on broadening and deepening your financial knowledge. Certainly, financial management is an important life skill, which will stand you in good stead as you make financial decisions for your families, and plan for your future.

3. I am happy to see so many of you here participating in the challenge. I would encourage you to continue to learn and empower yourself with knowledge of the financial world. Take up Finance-related electives or interdisciplinary subjects at your polytechnic or university. Learn more about investing your money and discuss what your have learnt with your peers in your institution’s finance and investment clubs. Start early so you can gather more experience and make better financial decisions as you enter working life. Build and develop your interest, and it will serve you well in future.

Collaboration
4. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the joint effort of the finance and investment clubs of NTU and the five polytechnics - Ngee Ann, Nanyang, Republic, Temasek and Singapore Polytechnics – in setting up I-Plus. This collaboration will allow larger-scale projects to be carried out to reach out to a larger target of tertiary students and even to secondary school students. Initiatives like I-Plus pool resources in order to achieve wider impact, bringing greater benefit to the students. A similar collaboration, I-Cube, which brings together NUS, NTU and SMU, has successfully organised investment summits and talks for students.

5. The interlinking of the clubs will also enable interaction among students from different walks of life and bring about a lively exchange of ideas. You will learn new insights from each other as you share perspectives from your various fields of specialization, and form strong, long-lasting friendships.

6. I-Plus is an encouraging example of collaboration between our post-secondary educational institutions, showcasing the synergy that can be achieved through such cross-institutional activities. I hope to see many more such efforts going forward.

Commendation of Participants and Sponsors
7. In closing, let me commend you again for your enthusiasm, passion and spirit. It is delightful to see so many of you – young and enthusiastic participants here today. I hope you have gained invaluable financial knowledge and trading experience over the past few days. The skills and experience you have acquired will serve you well in future.

8. I would also like to take the opportunity to commend the organizers, who have no doubt worked very hard to plan and organize this event. I would also like to thank Saxo Capital Markets for their generosity in sharing its expertise, as well as sponsoring this event. Perhaps, some of our budding young investors here may one day join your organisation.

9. Finally, I am very heartened to note that today’s Challenge will help raise funds for the Children’s Cancer Foundation. Every dollar raised will be generously matched by Saxo Capital Markets. As you seek to deepen your financial knowledge, attain skills, and pursue your interests, keep in mind the less fortunate who may not have the opportunities you have.