Mr Izzuddin Taherally, President, 4PM
Dr Yek Tiew Meng, Principal, ITE College East
ITE Directors
Representatives from the National Council of Social Service
Representatives from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore
Ladies and Gentlemen
Introduction
1. A very good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure to join the Malay Youth Literary Association, or better known as 4PM, for the FRENZ Programme Graduation 2019.
Today, we will witness 190 students who are graduating from the FRENZ Programme and recognise the efforts of the mentors who have been supporting these students throughout the programme.
The FRENZ Programme
2. The FRENZ Programme is aimed at strengthening the social and emotional competencies of selected students across all Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Colleges, particularly those from disadvantaged families. This is to help these students continue with and improve their learning and have opportunities to acquire skills that will develop them holistically.
3. Under the programme, students are matched with mentors and provided with social and emotional support through platforms such as team-building activities, guidance, and motivation sessions, as well as individual and group mentoring. Piloted in ITE College East in 2010, the FRENZ Programme eventually expanded to the other ITE Central and West Colleges. I am heartened to learn that to date, FRENZ has impacted the lives of over 1,900 students.
4. Dinie Zaki Bin Sazalie is one of the students whose lives have been transformed by their experience in the programme. Zaki was initially a shy and reserved student who struggled to make friends. This affected Zaki's studies, as he did not have peers to guide and support him in school.
Since joining the FRENZ Programme, Zaki now has the courage to step out of his comfort zone to engage and connect with his peers. Recently, he even took on a leadership role in the FRENZ Camp. Zaki is currently completing his second NITEC while volunteering at 4PM.
5. It is also encouraging to know that 4PM has dedicated mentors for this programme, some of whom are former ITE students, who have benefitted from 4PM's programmes themselves. These mentors are dedicated and always do their utmost to help their juniors.
6. One example is Muhammad Shafiq Saini. A graduate from the FRENZ Programme in 2016, Shafiq became a mentor in 2018 after graduating from ITE. Before joining the FRENZ Programme, Shafiq was a quiet boy, who would shy away from interacting with his peers in school. Through the programme, he gained social skills and grew more confident. This helped him to make friends more easily. Inspired by his experience in the FRENZ Programme, Shafiq took on the role of a FRENZ mentor, to guide and motivate his juniors and help them grow as confident individuals.
7. These individuals are a testament to the good work that 4PM has done through the FRENZ Programme, to empower youths by providing a nurturing and inclusive environment for them to grow and learn from one another.
I want to encourage all of you, both mentors and mentees, to always find positivity in every given opportunity. This positivity will enable you to create an impact and inspire others.
8. Your journey in the FRENZ programme will allow you to grow in confidence, and learn to be a good mentor to your peers and family. The socio-emotional skills and experiences gained are important and I hope that you will continue to be part of the programme and inspire others. I am also delighted to see more students pursuing higher NITEC, with increased support provided for ITE students, in the form of educational support and programmes like FRENZ, which will provide more opportunities for our youth to develop holistically.
Conclusion
9. In closing, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the principals, Class Advisors, as well as 4PM staff and mentors for your efforts in guiding and nurturing our youths. The commitment and dedication that each of you has shown towards these youths has definitely impacted them positively and contributed to their success within and beyond ITE.
10. Graduands, although today marks the end of your journey in FRENZ, I encourage you to never stop learning and growing. Create your own legacy as you continue to make an impact to the community around you.
11. Once again, my heartiest congratulations to all of you and your family. I wish you the very best in your future endeavours. Thank you.