Mr Peter Lam, CEO of ITE
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
1.It is my pleasure to join you today as we mark two firsts for ITE: the inaugural BioPharma Conference that we are going to witness today, and the opening of the new Bioprocess & Pharmaceutical Centre, or BPC.
2.Touring the BPC earlier, there was a sense of excitement about the facilities. I saw first-hand the precision involved in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. In fact, from some of the students taking us through the facility earlier – Joshua, Cristiano, Aarthi, Afiq as well as Teng Yi - you get a sense of the excitement that they have for the facility, in terms of bringing to life the skills that they learn in the classroom.
The BPC gives our students the opportunity to learn not just the science, but also the deep discipline and responsibility behind the work and industry. What we see here is a reminder that biopharmaceutical manufacturing is ultimately about turning clinical science into something that people can depend on, and also importantly, can save lives.
Preparing talent for a changing industry
3.Across advanced manufacturing, we see Artificial Intelligence, Automation and other digital technologies increasingly being deployed and transforming the way we work. Our biopharmaceutical industry is advancing at this exciting time too, with newer treatments such as cell therapy opening up new ways to treat serious diseases.
4.For Singapore to remain competitive in advanced manufacturing, we require not only sophisticated facilities and technologies, but also, and I argue more importantly, the people with the skills and confidence to use them well. Many of them are here in this room today – our students in the auditorium.
5.We must support our talent in developing strong technical foundations, as well as the qualities that technology cannot replace. This includes sound technical judgement, the adaptability and the desire for continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to high standards of quality and safety.
6.That is why the theme of today's conference, “Wired for Growth: Empowering BioPharma Talent in a Digital Age”, is especially apt.
Where the classroom meets the workplace
7.This is where the BPC has an extremely important role to play; truly where the classroom meets the workplace.
8.In biopharmaceutical manufacturing, students learn to follow procedures carefully and consistently, understand both the theory and practice of good biopharmaceutical manufacturing practices, and can confidently know what to do when something does not go quite according to plan.
9.This is reflected in how ITE designed the BPC. Built around a cleanroom concept similar to that of a controlled environment used in industry, students do not just learn about biopharmaceutical manufacturing, they get to practise its processes and exercise its discipline in very realistic settings. This is especially important in an industry where both consistency and precision are part of the job.
10.The Centre will also serve learners at different stages, from pre-employment training and Work-Study Diploma students, to adult learners returning to pick up new industry skills. This reflects what we increasingly demand from our education and training ecosystem: not a once-off preparation for the workplace, but a place of varied opportunities for people to keep learning as our jobs and technologies evolve.
Keeping training relevant through partnerships
11.There is another reason why a Centre like this matters. A facility can only remain relevant if the learning within it continues to evolve alongside industry.
12.Industry brings knowledge of current and emerging technologies, workplace practices and skill needs. ITE brings its expertise in translating industry inputs into meaningful learning experiences. And the Government supports the wider conditions for our industries, our employers and our workforce to grow and reap the benefits of future opportunities.
13.I would therefore like to acknowledge Repligen Singapore and Qingdao Haier Biomedical for their partnership with ITE.
- Through the MOUs to be signed today, ITE and Repligen will establish facilities within the BPC, such as the joint bioprocess training platform.
- Beyond the BPC, ITE and Qingdao Haier will set up a Good Laboratory Practice-aligned advanced laboratory, supporting our broader efforts to keep training relevant.
14.Both partnerships demonstrate what is possible when Education and Industry partners work closely together. Students gain authentic exposure and learning experiences by working on real-world and impactful projects. Educators stay connected to exciting and current developments in the workplace. And companies contribute to building the talent pipeline that will help the sector grow and develop over time.
Concluding remarks
15.Let me close with one ask to each of you in attendance today.
16.To our industry partners: continue opening your workplaces, your expertise and real-world challenges to our students. Grow their interest in your field and develop the talent pool, for it is your industry and sector that will benefit in good time.
17.To our educators: continue to keep abreast of the industry developments and keep the learning for our students exciting and relevant, while preserving the strong fundamentals and standards in our students. It is through your good work that we bring out the best potential of our students for them to then excel in future.
18.And finally to our students here in the auditorium: stay curious and adaptable, take pride in your craft, and apply your best selves in your studies and the development of your skills. Never lose sight of the responsibility that comes with the work and take advantage of the many opportunities that await you in this sector and the industry.
19.My congratulations once again to ITE. I am confident that with the BPC, together with ITE’s strong industry partnerships, will help prepare many more generations of skilled and future-ready biopharmaceutical talent in Singapore.
20.Thank you.