) or https:// as an added precaution.Mr Yuen Kuan Moon, Chairman, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Council,
Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal & CEO, Ngee Ann Polytechnic,
Ngee Ann Polytechnic Council Members,
Graduands, Parents, and Distinguished guests,
1. I am delighted to celebrate this milestone with all of you. To the 349 graduands from the School of Business & Accountancy, our 100 adult learners and 14 top award winners, my warmest congratulations to all of you!
2. This ceremony marks the culmination of your hard work here at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Beyond academic achievements, you must have overcome challenges, developed technical as well as life skills, and built confidence throughout this journey. These will serve you well after graduation.
3. Your growth is the result of your own efforts, and the support and love of those around you – your families, friends, lecturers and mentors. Let's give a big round of applause to thank them for standing by you.
Navigating a Changing World
4. You are graduating at a time of change. The world is in flux, with greater geopolitical contestation among nations. Trade is being reshaped by tensions and supply chains are being disrupted. At the same time, rapid advancements in technologies such as GenAI are transforming the way we live, work and learn. And the threat of climate change has not gone away at all, even if it has receded from global attention due to more immediate crises.
5. At home, here in Singapore, we must navigate change too. Our population is ageing rapidly. This year, we became a super-aged society. While income inequality has been improving, we know we need to do more to ensure social mobility keep our society cohesive. We also want to support the diverse aspirations of young Singaporeans like yourselves.
6. While these changes, domestic and global, will have a significant impact, know that you will not be navigating them entirely on your own. We will be there with you every step of the way – not just to manage these changes, but to help you seize the opportunities that will come with them.
7. For example, artificial intelligence (AI). Technologies like this AI can make us more efficient, allowing us to focus our energies on higher-order tasks that require human judgement and human wisdom. So, I am glad that Ngee Ann Polytechnic will be introducing a "Human-First AI" curriculum that will help learners to tap AI capabilities, while building up important human skillsets that are needed to apply AI thoughtfully and wisely. This "Human-First AI" curriculum will be embedded within Ngee Ann Polytechnic's part-time diploma and post-diploma courses from October this year.
8. Our Institutes of Higher Learning are also making AI-related courses more accessible, to help graduates like you use AI confidently in your work. For example, all Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduates will have discounted access to a suite of signature AI courses, and some of these can be stacked up to earn full qualifications such as a Specialist Diploma. As AI continues to advance rapidly, I encourage you to take advantage of these courses to stay at the cutting-edge. So even as some of you go out into the workforce or pursue further education, bear this in mind. It's there for you.
Staying Adaptable
9. Indeed, as you enter the wider world today, your learning journey is just beginning. In this fast-changing world, continuing to learn all through life, and staying adaptable, will be more important than ever. Let me share just two stories of how your graduating class has demonstrated such adaptability.
10. The first example is Charmaine Maryesther Wee, who is graduating today with a Diploma in Business Practice (Administration & Management). She returned to school to strengthen her professional foundation after nearly two decades in the workforce. Midway through her studies, she stepped into a General Manager role at a mental health arts charity, and directly applied what she was learning to strengthen organisational practice and processes. She even coached other classmates and encouraged her family to take up part-time courses. Today, she is also one of the inaugural 15 recipients of the SkillsFuture Lifelong Learning Awards, which recognises individuals who embody the spirit of upskilling and lifelong learning, and contribute towards skills development in their work, social and learning communities. Congratulations to Charmaine!
11. Another student who has demonstrated such adaptability is Chin Chun Wai. He is graduating today with a Diploma in Business Studies. As a national fencer, he made the difficult decision to defer his studies to pursue qualification for the SEA Games in 2025. Even though he narrowly missed selection, Chun Wai pressed on – and represented Singapore at the Asian and World Fencing Championships – before returning to complete his diploma.
12. Balancing the demands of high-performance sport and academic rigour is not easy. Yet Chun Wai adapted and he has excelled. Today, he is graduating with a perfect GPA and will be receiving the Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal and Lien Ying Chow Gold Medal. Congratulations, Chun Wai!
Creating Impact for Others
13. Beyond personal excellence, our graduates today have also demonstrated a deep heart for service and the drive for real-world impact –and these are important human qualities that we need in an AI age.
14. One example is Nuranisah Anwar Sadath, who is graduating today with a Diploma in International Trade & Business. I'm told that she volunteers regularly at organisations like Willing Hearts and New Life Community Services, where she spends time with the elderly and teaches English to underprivileged children. Even when she faced some health challenges, Nuranisah continued to show up for others week after week, choosing to make a difference in small ways that matter deeply to those she supports. Thank you Nuranisah for showing such grit.
15. Another story is of Business Studies graduand Lingesh Sachuvanantham, who wanted to reduce plastic waste from single-use floss picks. Lingesh and his co-founder faced many challenges along the way – even facing a 3D printer fire. But they kept going to launch Kloss, a sustainable dental care solution made from bamboo and charcoal fibres. Today, Kloss has reached thousands of consumers and earned a finalist spot at the National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards. Congratulations, Lingesh!
Closing
16. These are just a few of the many uplifting stories amongst you, that demonstrate the resilience, purpose, and heart of our Ngee Ann Polytechnic graduands.
17. Wherever life takes you, I hope you continue to learn, contribute and lead with purpose. Keep the friendships and bond you have made in school. They will see you through life. Congratulations once again on reaching this milestone. I wish you and your families the best in the next chapter of your journey.
18. Thank you.