Mr Andrew Chong, Chairman,
ITE Board of Governors,
Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO, ITE,
Members of the ITE Board of Governors,
Parents, family members,
Colleagues and graduands,
1. A very good afternoon and congratulations to all our graduands and award winners. I am delighted to celebrate this milestone with all of you. Let us also extend our thanks to those who have supported our graduands – let's have a big round of applause for their families and friends, as well as our educators and colleagues at ITE!
2. To our graduands, as you enter a new chapter of your life, some of you may feel excited and hopeful; while some others may feel uncertain. Why? Because we live in a world where global trends are driving changes– think about how AI, climate change and the ageing population are affecting us in Singapore. At the same time, it's also a world full of new opportunities if we stay nimble and flexible by developing our skills and initiating positive change. Just now Ms Low Khah Gek identified 4 students, who reflect the strength, character and resilience of the graduating class of 2025. Allow me to share three points on navigating this dynamic future.
Developing the Right Skills
3. First, the importance of developing the right skills. I know there are many representatives of industries here with us today, and I thank you for your partnership. As jobs evolve, we need to ensure that we have the right skills. Besides keeping up to date with latest technologies, this also includes building up our uniquely human abilities – building interpersonal relations, thinking critically, effective communication, and the human touch. These are more valuable now than ever before.
4. To prepare you for this changing world, we had introduced ITE's enhanced 3-year Higher Nitec curriculum. Among our graduands today is the first batch of students who started the first 3-year Higher Nitec courses in 2022.
5. How will this enhanced curricular structure prepare our ITE graduates for the future?
- First, more of our students will attain a Higher Nitec certification. This gives you a stronger foundation for further education and skills upgrading.
- Second, our students gain valuable real-world work experience through two industry attachments, and develop soft skills that you may not get to exercise as much in a typical classroom setting.
6. One student who greatly benefitted from her internship experience is Vanessa Teo, a 3-year Higher Nitec graduate from Security System Integration.
- During her internship at K & C Protective Technologies Pte Ltd, Vanessa tackled complex challenges in a cross-border transportation project and handled tasks usually done by experienced staff. Her exceptional performance earned her a full-time position as an Engineering Assistant.
- Vanessa is now continuing her studies while working and has enrolled in the ITE Work-Study Diploma in Security Systems, fully sponsored by her company. I wish Vanessa all the best, as she pursues her aspiration to become a security consultant!
Pursuing Lifelong Learning
7. Learning does not stop at graduation. Our workplaces will continue to evolve, and we must all embrace continuous lifelong learning, to stay ahead and seize new opportunities.
8. There are diverse diploma pathways available for you to continuously refine your skills. ITE has been expanding its offerings of Work-Study and Technical Diplomas. Today, there are over 50 such Diplomas within ITE that you can tap on – valuable hands-on pathways that provide apprenticeship-based training.
9. Launched last year, the ITE Progression Award, or the IPA, helps ITE graduates with the financial costs of pursuing a diploma and boosts long-term savings. This year, the IPA was extended to 330 diploma programmes including the diplomas offered under the Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ). This will support ITE graduates in their efforts to upskill earlier in their careers. To date, around 12,000 ITE graduates have benefited from this scheme.
10. One such student is Mohammad Shameerul Mirdza Bin Mohammad Azman, who is a graduate from the Nitec course in Urban Greenery and Landscape.
- This is, in fact, his second Nitec! After his first Nitec 11 years ago, Shameerul gained work experience in the landscaping industry, and was inspired to pursue further studies.
- His passion and work experience shone through - leading him to win the Outstanding Contextual Analysis & Investigations Award at the 2024 Singapore Institute of Landscape Architects Awards for reimagining Tampines Quarry.
- Currently pursuing a Diploma in Landscape Design and Horticulture at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Shameerul continues to hone his scientific and creative skills. We hope that the IPA helps to better support his academic pursuits and I look forward to seeing more of his designs come to life in the future!
Building Our Singapore Together
11. Now, my final point. I have spoken about learning and picking up new skills – but to what end? I want to encourage you contribute actively to society too. This year, as we celebrate Singapore's 60th year of independence, we remember how each generation continues to build on the contributions of those who have come before them. As young adults, I urge you to do so with the same spirit of care and unity.
12. Among us today is Nur Aqilah Binte Azman, who is a graduate from the Higher Nitec in Electrical Engineering with a passion for sustainability and innovation.
- She was among the group of NUS and ITE students that prototyped a self-sustaining floating farm in Semporna, Malaysia, and was featured in CNA's 'Growing Wild' documentary for it.
- Under a HSBC National Youth Achievement Award (NYAA) Sustainability Project initiative, Aqilah also worked with a team to develop a device to reduce water consumption for ritual ablutions before prayers at mosques. This is a good example of combining environmental consciousness with cultural sensitivity.
13. To recognise students like Aqilah, I am pleased to share that we have introduced the 'ITE Inspire' track under the refreshed President's Challenge Fellowships, which President Tharman launched earlier this year. It will recognise ITE alumni who have achieved remarkable career success, and those who served as role models to nurture the ITE community. I encourage you to aspire to be an ITE Inspire Fellow and give back to the ITE community.
Conclusion
14. As I conclude, let me return to the three points that I shared earlier. Just like Vanessa, you will all be graduating with not just the technical expertise, but also with the human capabilities and touch, that will set you apart in an increasingly AI-driven world. Like Shameerul, there are many opportunities available for you to pursue lifelong learning, and it's never too late. And like Aqilah, recognise your role in building Singapore together - combining innovation with your care for our community.
15. Let these three elements - having the right skills, embracing continuous lifelong learning, and contributing to Singapore - be your compass as you navigate our future world. Yes, the world may be volatile and uncertain, but I have every confidence that you will not just adapt, but do well and thrive.
16. So congratulations again Class of 2025, and this future is for you to shape.
17. Thank you.