Address by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State for Education and Manpower, at the MOU Signing Ceremony for Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Newcastle University to jointly offer a Degree in Naval Architecture under the Poly-FSI Collaboration Framework, on 22 November 2007, 3pm at Ngee Ann Polytechnic

ADDRESS BY MR GAN KIM YONG, MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, AT THE MOU SIGNING CEREMONY FOR NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC, SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC AND NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY TO JOINTLY OFFER A DEGREE IN NAVAL ARCHITECTURE UNDER THE POLY-FSI COLLABORATION FRAMEWORK, ON 22 NOVEMBER 2007, 3PM AT NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC

Mr Chia Mia Chiang, Principal, Ngee Ann Polytechnic,

Mr Tan Hang Cheong, Principal/Designate, Singapore Polytechnic,

Professor Ella Ritchie, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Newcastle University,

Mr Michael Chia, President of the Association of Singapore Marine Industries,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. Good afternoon.

2. It was just over a year ago that I was here at Ngee Ann Polytechnic to witness the MOU signing among Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Wheelock College and RTRC Asia to offer a degree programme in Early Childhood Education. It was the first degree tie-up under the Polytechnic and Foreign Specialised Institution (or FSI) collaboration framework. .

Creating a diverse university landscape

3. I am delighted to be back today to witness the signing of the MOU between Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne for our second degree tie-up under the Poly-FSI initiative. The collaboration between the two institutions and with Singapore Polytechnic will offer a degree programme in Naval Architecture. It will inject greater diversity to our tertiary education landscape and help meet the increasing demand for skilled professionals in our offshore and marine engineering industry. I congratulate all three parties involved for successfully forging this partnership.

4. As many of you are aware, we intend to increase the number of publicly-funded university places to cater to 30% of each cohort of local students by 2015. Poly-FSI framework is an integral part of our expansion plan. In particular, these degree tie-ups will create a more diverse tertiary education landscape and offer more opportunities for our polytechnic students to attain their degrees. The Poly-FSI collaboration will also help raise our polytechnics’ capabilities and expertise.

Meeting the manpower needs of the buoyant marine industry

5. Offering a degree programme in Naval Architecture, with specialisations in Marine Engineering and Offshore Engineering, is a strategic and timely move. Singapore is one of the world's premier ship repair and conversion centres, as well as a global leader in the building of jack-up rigs and the conversion of Floating Production Storage and Offloading units. Our marine industry has experienced strong growth in recent years, achieving a total output of $9.8 billion[1] in 2006. This is a 30% increase compared to 2005, and has resulted in a two-fold increase in employment of about 100,000 jobs.

6. I am confident that the degree programme in Naval Architecture will attract more good students to consider a career in the marine and offshore engineering industry. Apart from meeting the current manpower need, this degree programme will produce well-trained and competent skilled professionals, which will enhance the technical expertise of the industry, enabling Singapore to strengthen our position in the global arena.

University of Newcastle Upon Tyne - An excellent partner of choice

7. I am confident that Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic have chosen an excellent partner in this collaboration. Newcastle University is a highly regarded institution in the UK, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programmes. In particular, the University has achieved excellence in the area of Naval Architecture and is also a well-recognised leader in industry-based research. Newcastle University has been a university of choice for many Singaporeans pursuing overseas studies in this area and has indeed produced many prominent leaders in the local marine and offshore engineering industry as well as the government sector.

Inter-polytechnic Co-operation

8. This Poly-FSI tie-up is special because it involves not just one polytechnic, but two polytechnics with a partner university. The degree programme in Naval Architecture is designed for graduates of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Diploma in Marine and Offshore Technology programme as well as Singapore Polytechnic’s Diploma in Marine Engineering programme. Students in the degree programme will have access to the excellent facilities and resources in both Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic.

9. This degree programme will start with an initial intake of 60 students in September 2008, with plans to reach a stable intake of about 75 to 80 students each year. At a later stage, we will consider broadening the access of this programme to graduates from the other polytechnics and ‘A’-level holders. Suitable bridging programmes may need to be put in place.

10. Apart from undergraduate education, this degree tie-up will enable useful collaboration in applied research and innovation between the two polytechnics and Newcastle University. In particular, there will be significant scope and synergy for research collaboration between the University and Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Marine and Offshore Technology Centre of Innovation.

11. At this juncture, I would like to commend Ngee Ann Polytechnic for taking the lead in working with Newcastle University and Singapore Polytechnic to realise this exciting collaboration. At the same time, I would like to commend Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic for breaking new grounds on the original Poly-FSI framework by working together to develop and implement the programme.

Conclusion

12. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate all the three parties for committing to this partnership to offer a degree programme in Naval Architecture to graduates from our polytechnics. This will provide more options for our students and will be an unique feature in our tertiary education landscape. It is indeed a ‘win-win’ situation for all the parties involved. I look forward to a successful collaboration.

13. Thank you.

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[1] In 2005, total output was $7.42 billion, employment was 48,516.