Speeches
Speech by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, at Victoria Junior College 24th College Day, on Saturday, 26th July 2008, at 3.00pm at the VJC Performance Theatre
Mr Chan Poh Meng
Principal, Victoria Junior College
Lieutenant-General (NS) Ng Yat Chung
Vice Chairman, Victoria Executive Committee
Members of the Victoria Executive and Advisory Committees
Members of the Old Victorians Association
Distinguished Guests
Parents
Teachers and Students
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon.
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to join you this afternoon. It is heartwarming to see past and present members of the Victorian family gathering to celebrate Victoria Junior College’s 24th College Day. Your presence exemplifies the proud Victorian spirit, and shows that the bonds you have nurtured over the years between students and with staff are strong and lasting ones.
Even as we celebrate another year of achievements, and commemorate the founding of Victoria Junior College, I know we are saddened that one prominent member and a proud Victorian is missing from our ranks. I know you would like to join me as we remember the late Dr Ong Chit Chung, a member of the Victorian family, and Chairman of the Victoria Advisory and Executive Committees, who had first mooted the idea of a junior college bearing the name of Victoria in the 1970s1. Just a few months ago, he was passionately sharing with me the plans and ideas that he had for Victoria School and VJC. He will be fondly missed but I am sure that his lasting influence will continue to be felt.
I note that your college motto is a Latin phrase, ‘Nil Sine Labore’, which means ‘Nothing without Labour’. It is synonymous with the development of Singapore for it is through the vision and hard work of our pioneers that Singapore has progressed from a third-world country to a modern metropolis, buzzing with life and abounding with opportunities. In the same vein, past and present principals, teachers and staff of Victoria Junior College have worked hard to bring the college from its founding in 1984, to become one of Singapore’s top junior colleges.
Developing a Global Outlook
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus told us two and a half millennia ago that ‘All is flux and nothing stays still’. Today, this time-tested observation continues to resonate as globalisation accelerates developments which have global impact and shorten decision-making cycles. These present many unpredictable challenges, and Singapore needs people who are nimble and adroit, able to make quick and sound decisions, yet not lose sight of the longer-term goals and needs. .
Globalisation has brought about great opportunities and benefits through the free flow of goods, services, ideas, capital and people, and has uplifted the living standards for many around the world. However, recent international crises like the credit crunch and price hike of staple foods earlier this year, and more longstanding issues like climate change, are grim reminders of the diverse challenges that lay ahead.
The U.S. National Academy of Engineering revealed in February this year 14 challenges for engineering in the 21st century that, if met, would improve how we live. It’s a long list of 14 challenges that provide plenty of food for thought: Make solar energy affordable; provide energy from fusion; develop carbon sequestration methods; manage the nitrogen cycle; provide access to clean water; restore and improve urban infrastructure; advance health informatics; engineer better medicines; reverse-engineer the brain; prevent nuclear terror; secure cyberspace; enhance virtual reality; advance personalized learning; and engineer the tools for scientific discovery.
These issues present serious concerns and require a global civic consciousness. The good news is that they are also areas which present rich opportunities for innovation and enterprise, to invent and develop sustainable solutions to the problems which confront us. Over the years, Victoria Junior College has nurtured capable young men and women, who have gone on to contribute to society in diverse fields, in the public and private sectors, both locally and overseas. To the students and recent graduates seated here today, I urge you to follow the examples of your seniors, and use your talents and skills not only to further your careers but to make lasting contributions for the greater good of Singaporeans and even the large community.
Nurturing a Sense of Rootedness
Graduates of VJC will find no lack of opportunities in Singapore and beyond. While we encourage our students to adopt a global outlook and prepare them well to range far and wide, we must also nurture in them a sense of belonging to Singapore. We need to help our young to strengthen their identification with Singapore, and to develop stronger emotional ties to our country. At the junior college level, we need to engage the students to think about national issues through open discussions, form balanced opinions and informed convictions, and empower them to give back to the community in meaningful ways.
I am heartened to note that, in addition to academic programmes and co-curricular activities to sharpen the mind and hone talents, Victoria Junior College students participate actively in community and humanitarian initiatives, often moving out of the school campus and even beyond our island state. Participating in these activities helps to build up a sense of community, as well as an understanding of the rich diversity of cultures and religion in society and empathy for the less privileged. They help to draw us out of our comfort zones and expose us to the real needs and challenges in the community. I encourage you to continue your efforts in these areas because such involvement provides an education that cannot be gleaned through intellectual debates and discussions.
Building Partnerships
I am glad to also observe the strong links that the College has forged with its alumni and other stakeholders. The Victoria Executive and Advisory Committees, and the Old Victorians Association play key roles in various college activities.
VicPaT2 (Victoria, Parents and Teachers) was set up to develop and strengthen co-operation between parents and the College, for the well-being of the students, and to let parents have a chance to be more involved in their children’s education. I understand that there is also the V+ Programme3 which allows students and fresh graduates from the College to go for short-term attachments in organisations from various business sectors, including architecture, law, hotel management, customer service, media production, and hospital attachments. This will give a broad-based experience to better prepare your students, and stand them in good stead for the future.
Conclusion
At this juncture, I would like to commend the staff and leadership of Victoria Junior College for your dedication and perseverance in nurturing young hearts and minds, the Victoria Executive and Advisory Committees for providing guidance to the College, and parents, for your continued support for the College. Such partnerships are both meaningful and powerful and is a distinctive feature of our top institution.
As you celebrate your 24th College Day, you can look back on your achievements with pride. They have been attained with the hard work and dedication of your teachers and staff. You have much to be proud of, and it gives me great pleasure to once again congratulate you on your 24th College Day.
Thank you.