Speeches
Speech by Guest of Honour Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State for Education, and Trade and Industry, at Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Graduation Ceremony at Ngee Ann Convention Centre on 11 May 2009 at 9.00 am
Mr Tan Hup Foi, Chairman of the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Council;
Mr Chia Mia Chiang, Principal of Ngee Ann Polytechnic;
Parents and graduates;
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen;
Good morning.
I am very pleased to join you at the opening session of Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Graduation Ceremony 2009. I would like to congratulate all graduates on achieving an important milestone today. This ceremony is in honour of you and those who were instrumental in your growth.
As we celebrate your accomplishments, we also pay tribute to those who have nurtured and guided you along the way. We must acknowledge the important role that your parents and loved ones have played to support you, as well as the good work done by your teachers and lecturers to prepare you to the best of their ability for the challenges that lie ahead.
This week a total of 4,600 Ngee Ann Polytechnic students will graduate from 7 Schools. This brings the total number of graduates from NP since its establishment in 1963 to over 100,000. At this morning’s session, we will witness the graduation of 254 students from 4 courses offered by Ngee Ann’s School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology, including the pioneer batch of 40 students from the Pharmacy Science course.
The graduation of this pioneer batch of Pharmacy Science students is timely for two reasons. The first is the increasing demand for pharmacy technicians to help meet the rising healthcare needs of our ageing population. The second is the continued growth of the pharmaceutical manufacturing and biomedical sciences sector.
Biomedical Sciences - Good Prospects
The economic situation today is different to that which your seniors, who graduated last year, faced. The global economy is in a downturn, Singapore is in a recession, and job opportunities are tight. However, those of you from the School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology can draw confidence from the fact that the pharmaceutical and biomedical industry is one of the more resilient sectors, and it continues to have good prospects in Singapore and the region.
In 2008, Singapore’s biomedical sciences sector contributed S$19 billion in manufacturing output while providing employment for some 12,450 people. As global companies continue to locate their key manufacturing sites in Singapore, we expect employment in the sector to increase to 15,000 employees and achieve S$25 billion in manufacturing output by 2015. This year, another 900 jobs are expected to be added to this sector.
Singapore is also currently home to more than 130 international biomedical sciences companies, many of which are expanding their base of activities in response to the growth of Asia. Several pharmaceutical firms are experiencing healthy growth and ramping up their operations - with some already taking the lead in opening new plants and expanding their existing facilities.
The biomedical sector has been identified as one of the key engines of our future growth. In the year 2000 , the government commenced efforts to develop the biomedical sciences industry by building world-class infrastructure and capabilities which support a broad range of initiatives, including manufacturing, R&D and proof-of-concept activities. For example, to fuel the continued growth of the industry, the government has committed about $1.55 billion to develop its infrastructure and capabilities in translational and clinical research. This will further consolidate Singapore’s position as a biomedical research hub in the region. In this way, we will be well-placed to ride the next wave of growth when the global economy turns around.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology
Ngee Ann’s School of Life Sciences & Chemical Technology plays a pivotal role in both engaging the needs of the biomedical industry and in laying a solid educational foundation for its many graduates to excel in life. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a few success stories of graduates who have pursued their studies with passion, while striving to make a difference to the community.
As part of their internship cum final year project, three Pharmacy Science students - Ng Khai Yin, Sherman Tan and Hu Weishan - conceptualized and produced an information package for diabetic patients on how to use insulin pens. The educational material produced has been well received and will be used by the Diabetic Center at NUH in educating their patients. As members of the first batch of students in the Diploma in Pharmacy Science course, Khai Yin, Sherman and Weishan were pioneers of the intensive internship program at NUH. Not only did they perform admirably, the trio were also commended by the hospital for their willingness to learn in a very different environment.
Dr Lok Shee-Mei, from the graduating cohort of 1993, was awarded a $2.2 million National Research Foundation Research Fellowship Grant in January this year. This highly prestigious grant is made under a government-supported scheme to attract and retain top-rate research talent in Singapore. Over the next three years, Dr Lok plans to use her research funds to help develop a vaccine against the dengue virus. It was during her days as a Biotechnology student at Ngee Ann Poly that Dr Lok first discovered her interest in studying the interaction between viruses and the human immune system.
I hope that the paths taken by Khai Yin, Sherman, Weishan and Dr Lok will inspire you to build on the education and training that the polytechnic has given you, and to strive for even greater heights. I urge you to emulate them by embracing three key attributes which, I believe, account for their success, and that of many others - passion, perseverance and a pioneering spirit. Firstly, it is important to be passionate about what you do. When you encounter obstacles and challenges, it is this passion and zeal that will give you the much-needed impetus to press on. Secondly, perseverance in the face of adversity is the hallmark of many strong leaders. Often, success is achieved by learning from a series of “failures”. Thirdly, cultivate a pioneering spirit; we must have the courage to dream of possibilities and the drive to act and make them a reality.
The “NP Advantage” Package
Finally, against the backdrop of a tough economic environment, I am happy to learn that Ngee Ann Polytechnic is also doing its part to help its graduating students. NP has established a $2 million initiative aimed at giving fresh graduates like you an edge. Under this “NP Advantage” package, as it is called, you will have the opportunity to take up newly-introduced Specialist Diplomas with internship opportunities. These programmes will provide you with specialist skills and knowledge, and connect you with the relevant industry through internship placements.
There will also be 50 newly-created jobs for fresh graduates at Ngee Ann as project and research assistants to accelerate the polytechnic’s capability development work. In addition, the polytechnic is also providing interest-free study loans for those of you who wish to pursue degrees. I commend NP for taking these initiatives to give the 2009 graduating batch a boost in these challenging times.
Conclusion
In closing, I would like to once again congratulate all graduates on your achievements. I look forward to the emergence of technopreneurs and researchers from your graduating class, and to your contributions that will take Singapore another step forward in our quest to be a vibrant global bio-pharmaceutical hub. I wish each of you and your families much happiness and success in your journey ahead.
Thank you.