Speeches
Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Education at the Malay Youth Literary Association’s 7th Bestari Award Presentation Ceremony on Thursday, 21 August 2008, at 3.00pm at ITE College Headquarters Auditorium
Mr. Izzuddin Taherally, President, Malay Youth Literary Association, 4PM,
Mr Bruce Poh, CEO and Director, ITE,
Award Recipients,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to join you here at the Malay Youth Literary Association, or 4PM’s Bestari Award presentation ceremony. Today’s award ceremony recognises outstanding Malay Muslim students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). Since 2002, the top 45 Malay Muslim students each year from the ITEs are recognised for their excellent academic and personal achievements through the Bestari Award.
Relevance of ITE Education
ITE today is an internationally recognised, post-secondary educational institution. Their vision is to be A Global Leader in Technical Education, creating opportunities for post secondary students to acquire skills, knowledge and values for lifelong learning in the new global economy. To do this, ITE needs to stay relevant by meeting ever changing needs of the economy and the industries. To stay at the top, it must constantly benchmark itself with the best technical institutions in the world.
In this respect, I am happy to note that ITE has done well in meeting the rigorous demands of the new economy. New courses have been constantly developed to fill industry gaps and give students greater choice. A new ITE College West was unveiled recently to meet the growing needs of the hospitality and tourism sectors. This mega-college, located at the junction of Bukit Batok Road and Choa Chu Kang Road, is the second regional campus after ITE College East at Simei and is expected to be completed by 2010, When completed, it will have state-of the art facilities such as mock hotel rooms, training kitchens and restaurants, an indoor sports centre, and a music studio for budding deejays. This is a clear example of ITE’s commitment towards providing first class technical education for our youths.
ITE and 4PM
Having world class facilities is not enough. We need to inspire our youths to do their best and embrace learning as a life-long process. Organisations such as 4PM have been actively collaborating with ITE colleges to hone the interpersonal, communication and team-building skills of students. Project bITE, a collaboration between 4PM and ITE, is an excellent example of how ITE students are engaged by their community and given opportunities to fulfil their full potential. Activities like the Integration Camp, 4PM Bestari Award, 4PM bITE Seminar, Youth Entrepreneurship forum and the Gold Award Holder Alumni have helped to bring out the best in each student. Last year, Project bITE reached out to nearly 2000 students and volunteers through their activities.
Unite and Serve
Since 1999, Project bITE has grown tremendously in its outreach. It has benefited almost 12,000 students from different backgrounds, races and religions, way past its initial target of 500. With its motto to unite and serve, 4PM has indeed stepped forward to ensure that students from all walks of life are able to remain relevant and thrive in the new global economy.
Awards
As part of project bITE, ITE students volunteer for six months to mentor their juniors. Nuruldyania Binte Mohd Hanafi, who is one of those receiving the Bestari Award today, was awarded the best mentor earlier this year. Despite her heavy commitments as class monitor and member of the touch rugby club, she has built a good relationship with her mentee, Norashimah, by participating in activities with her. Under her mentorship, Norashimah learnt to be more outspoken and built up her self-confidence. Today, Norashimah actively volunteers with preschool children under one of 4PM’s programmes.
The winner of the highest award this year, the Outstanding Student Award, is Mohamed Ridzwan Bin Mustrafah. He has proven himself to be an outstanding, well-balanced and all-rounded student with the desire, determination and commitment to succeed. I understand he is an inspiration and role model to his peers, finding time to mentor his fellow ITE students while keeping up with his studies and contributing to the community.
My congratulations to Nuruldyania and Mohamed Ridzwan as well as the other awardees. Being given this accolade is an affirmation of your academic excellence and your ability to balance co-curricular and community service commitments well. These aspects certainly create a well-rounded individual.
Conclusion
The collaboration between 4PM and ITE is indeed commendable. They continue to be committed to improving society and to educate youths to be creative, innovative and imaginative, to think globally but still be rooted to where they come from.
I would like to commend and encourage the teachers who have played a special role in the growth of these award winners and given them the confidence to embrace the future with courage and conviction. Finally, my heartiest congratulations to all the award winners on your achievements and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
Thank you.