) or https:// as an added precaution.Mr Abel Ang, Chairman of the Republic Polytechnic Board of Governors,
Ms Jeanne Liew, Principal & CEO of Republic Polytechnic,
Members of the Republic Polytechnic Board of Governors,
Faculty members and industry leaders,
Distinguished guests,
Family members,
Class of 2026,
A very good morning to everyone.
Introduction
1. It is my deep privilege and pleasure to join all of you this morning on this very special and momentous occasion.
Singapore's Experience Economy & Its Diversity
2. In the years that you have spent with RP at the School of Technology for Arts, Media and Design, I imagine you would have spent countless hours not only in lectures and tutorials, but also outside the classroom — learning through internships and from industry. It has been the hope of the faculty and polytechnic that you turn your creativity into real-world impact, that you build your voice, and that you create stories through the skills that you have learnt.
3. Today, as you engage with the space of the arts, entertainment media, digital content and sound — and indeed with the rest of society — people and consumers are more discerning than ever. They yearn for deeper engagement and personal connectedness, and they appreciate the storytelling that accompanies a product or service. It is not merely the commodity or service itself but also how it is presented and experienced by the end user.
4. We can see this across many industries – from tourism, entertainment, arts and culture, and digital and immersive media just to name a few. Know that your skills as STA graduates are transferable across many disciplines, and you need only look at the variety of internships that STA graduates have pursued – from Mediacorp to DBS Bank, from theatres to live production, from performing arts centres to digital marketing companies, from the newsroom to theme parks and tourism attractions.
5. As graduates of STA, you are architects of experience and you are storytellers. You create memories for others – through how they see, hear and experience your work. You have been trained to design, to curate and to deliver the experiences, whether online or offline. You would have also learned how to harness AI as a creative partner and tool, using it for ideation, prototyping and content development, to amplify your artistic vision and work.
21st Century Competencies
6. As you learn the technical skills of your trade through your Diploma, there are many things you would have also learnt along the way, perhaps without even realising it. You have learnt more about yourself, becoming more self-aware of your strengths and weaknesses. You have learnt to be adaptive and resilient in the face of challenge and adversity. You have also learnt to overcome disagreements and conflict, to communicate, to collaborate, to negotiate with others, and to manage relationships better, whether with your peers, with lecturers, with employers or with your clients.
7. In fact, the very nature of your work trains you to put yourself in the shoes of others and to be sensitive to their experience; what they see, what they hear, what they feel about the product they are experiencing. You learn to be more culturally attuned to audiences of different backgrounds and cultures, online or offline. And you do your level best to optimise the experience for them.
8. This is only possible when you bring empathy, sensitivity and genuine care into the work that you do. All of this you have learnt as part of your Diploma, and I hope you recognise it as such. These are precisely the 21st Century Competencies that at the Ministry of Education, we hope to build and reinforce in our students as they go forth with confidence and take on what lies ahead.
9. Whether you studied Arts & Entertainment Production Management, Media & Design, Digital Content Creation or Sonic Arts — remember, you are architects of experience, you are storytellers and you create memories for others to cherish.
Alumni Success Stories
10. Today, you graduate and join the ranks of around 7,200 STA alumni who continue to shape Singapore's arts, media and design landscape. Many of their contributions go far beyond our shores.
11. Let me share the stories of three remarkable alumni who exemplify the possibilities ahead of you.
12. First, Timothy Oh, from RP's first graduating batch in 2008. He now serves as General Manager of COL Group International, leading global expansion in micro-drama distribution, Intellectual Property (IP) development and digital storytelling. His journey from RP graduate to industry leader — and his return now to serve on STA's School Advisory Committee — represents the full circle of impact that you too can achieve. He graduated, he did incredibly well and he has come back to pay it forward to the school community and wider society.
13. Another remarkable RP alumna is Serene Tan. Serene graduated from RP in 2012 and went on to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Creative Industry Management at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). She has built an illustrious career in the arts and entertainment industry, and her portfolio includes projects with Louis Vuitton, Swatch Group and Jackson Wang. Today, she is an Assistant Manager at AEG Presents Asia, where she supports the touring productions of international artistes like G-Dragon.
Lifelong Learning
14. I'm equally inspired by Sahabuddin Jamaludin's story, who after 15 years with Cathay Organisation Holdings, was so impressed by the RP interns he supervised that he subsequently completed not one, but two part-time diplomas himself: a diploma in Business Practice – Hospitality Management and another in Design & Media – Digital Entertainment and Events. His commitment to continuous and lifelong learning exemplifies what we hope to see in all our graduates.
15. As you embark on your careers, remember that graduation is not the endpoint, but merely the beginning. Learning is a natural part of life, and the process of learning and self-discovery is a lifelong endeavour.
16. Cultivate in yourselves the hunger to learn and be inspired by others, along with the spirit and desire for continuous self-improvement. It is never too late to deepen your skillsets, to learn something new and see how it can be applied to work or life, or to pursue an interest over the course of your career.
17. In an ever-changing world, continued learning is what will enable you to achieve your fullest potential.
Appreciating Contributors of Success
18. As you celebrate this significant milestone, recognise that success did not come from your efforts alone. As you look around the auditorium today and step onto the stage to receive your Diploma, take a moment to acknowledge the faces of those who have contributed to your success.
19. It may have been that friend who lent a listening ear during a difficult time. The mentor whose wisdom and encouragement gave you the much-needed confidence to try, even when you felt it was beyond you. The lecturer who spent extra time to provide you with the guidance and knowledge to do well in your studies.
20. And most importantly, the family members who have been constant pillars of support as you gave your best for the Diploma you are about to receive. It may have been Mum or Dad or a sibling who provided stability at home while you focused on your studies or even a partner, a husband or wife, who stepped up for the family while you were busy with assignments.
21. Each and every one of them was deeply invested in your Diploma and your success too. They were cheering you on every step of the way. May I invite you to join me in thanking all of the people who have supported you on your RP journey. A big round of applause for them, please.
Conclusion
22. In closing, as you leave this auditorium with your Diploma in hand, I want to impress upon each and every one of you that you have so much to give. And as fast as the world is changing, there is still much to be optimistic about and many opportunities to be seized.
23. The world needs your fresh perspectives, your skills and your passion to turn creativity into real-world impact. Remember, you are architects of experience, you are storytellers and you create memories for others to cherish.
24. I look forward to seeing what you will achieve in the future, and I am confident that you will make your school, your families, your friends and yourselves proud.
25. Congratulations, Class of 2026.