Speech by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, at The British Alumni 20th Anniversary Dinner & Dance on Saturday, 10 March 2007, at 7:50pm, at The Pines

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) LUI TUCK YEW, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE BRITISH ALUMNI 20TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER & DANCE ON SATURDAY, 10 MARCH 2007, AT 7.50 PM, AT THE PINES

1 I am pleased to join you on this special evening as you celebrate your 20th anniversary, look back with pride to the milestones in your amazing journey and look forward with eagerness and anticipation to the promising and exciting possibilities ahead.

DEVELOPING A GLOBAL OUTLOOK
2 The past 10 years have seen more Singaporeans study, work and live abroad. More of our local companies are venturing overseas to seek new growth opportunities. At the same time, more MNCs are relocating or establishing their office and regional headquarters in Singapore, investing significant sums that testify to their faith and confidence in Singapore’s and the region’s future. They acknowledge the benefits of our geographical proximity to the immense markets east and west and the ease with which they can reach these markets from Singapore. They welcome our pro-business policies, the strength of our infrastructure and the clear and transparent operating environment. They recognise we have a well-educated workforce with multi-lingual skills, stout character and strong work ethics. This is a special advantage that gives us a distinct competitive edge.

3 We are committed to giving our young the best possible education, to prepare them well for a global future and shape them with the attributes that will allow them to take advantage of the myriad opportunities in Singapore and beyond. They need to learn from young to relate to people from all walks of life, race or creed, to live harmoniously with them and to compete and collaborate alongside them. They will benefit standing shoulder to shoulder and learning side by side with the foreign students in our national schools. In addition, more of our schools will have linkages and twinning programmes with their counterparts in selected countries and more students spend time away on exchange programmes and community projects. Some schools may choose to set up satellite campuses overseas that will allow our students an extended period abroad where they can immerse themselves fully in the local culture.

4 Even as we encourage our students to tread intrepidly onto the world stage, we must not forget to also strengthen their roots here. Increased globalisation means they can grow up in one country, study in another, and work in a few others. Such mobility and fluidity may make them global citizens, but we need them to remain connected and emotionally rooted to Singapore so they will continue to regard this place as home, no matter how far they journey or how long they are away.

5 A spectrum of our students will begin this journey by choosing to complete their tertiary education overseas, among them, some of our best and brightest. The top universities in the United Kingdom are held in high regard, offering a standard of education and quality of life that compare favourably with top universities from around the world. They are prestigious and historical institutions staffed by academicians renowned and respected worldwide for the tomes and research that bear their name and the patents that testify to the cutting-edge work they do.

HELPING STUDENTS MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS
6 Our students have important decisions to make when pursuing an overseas education. These include the choice of the tertiary institution, the programme that best suit their interests and even financial considerations. I am pleased to note the British Alumni’s contributions to helping them in these areas.

7 At the British Council’s annual “Education UK” Exhibition, the Alumni advises prospective students on British higher education through its booth and special “Student Life in the UK” workshop. Singaporeans who are currently undergraduates in the UK may also apply for the Alumni’s Student Assistance Scheme if they are facing financial difficulties in their final year of study. I am sure that the students who have availed themselves of such counsel or assistance have benefited from it.

8 Upon their return, the British Alumni has functioned as a vehicle for returning graduates to seek guidance and assistance as they re-immerse themselves into the Singapore scene. In addition, the alumni has given its members, particularly those without their own university alumni association, a sense of fellowship and belonging with the activities it had organised. All in, your initiatives are noteworthy and I encourage the Alumni to continue with these commendable efforts.

9 Looking ahead, I am told that the British Alumni is gearing itself to take on the mantle as the ‘Coordinating Body’ for UK University Associations in Singapore. This is no simple undertaking. I am sure that there are many constitutional, administrative and inter-organisational details that remained to be discussed and ironed out. I wish you well. I have confidence that the British Alumni, together with backing from the British High Commission and The British Council, will continue to serve with distinction and make strides towards the laudable goals it has set for itself. May I again congratulate you on your 20th Anniversary and extend my best wishes on all your future endeavours.