Session 1

SPEECH BY MR TAN HANG CHEONG
PRINCIPAL OF SINGAPORE POLYTECHNIC
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
TUESDAY, 26 MAY 2009 (Session 1)

Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs;
Your Excellencies;
Members of the Board of Governors,
Parents;
Graduands;
Distinguished Guests, Ladies & Gentlemen

1. Good morning and welcome to the 49th Graduation Ceremony of the Singapore Polytechnic.  We are honoured to have Minister Ho Peng Kee to grace this opening session as our Guest of Honour.  Thank you, Minister, for joining our graduands in celebrating this very special occasion. 



2. This year, Singapore Polytechnic will be graduating 5,010 students.  My heartiest congratulations to all of you.

Graduates from New Courses

1. Among the graduands this year, are the first batches of 38 diploma course students from Infocomm Security Management, 35 from Bioengineering, 95 from Tourism & Resort Management, and 37 from Games Design & Development, as well as 80 graduands from four new Specialist diploma programmes. 



2. As part of our ability driven education model, our academically more able students are encouraged to pursue an additional certification on top of their diploma, under our diploma-plus programme.  This year 259 students will graduate with a diploma, plus a specialist diploma or a certificate.  

New Developments at SP

1. SP is committed to offering courses to meet the changing needs of industry as well the aspirations of our population.  In this new academic year we  have launched 3 new diploma courses; they are:
   • Engineering with Business,
   
   
   
   • Nutrition, Health & Wellness, and
   
   
   
   • Creative Writing for Television and New Media.
   
   
   
   We have also launched a new Specialist diploma course in Nutrition & Health Promotion, an Advanced Diploma course in Kindergarten Education - Teaching.   



2. This year, we have re-structured the Academic Schools, Student & Academic Services and the Administration, re-grouping them into four clusters.  For example, the School of Business, School of Communication, Arts & Social Science, and School of Digital Media and Infocomm Technology are grouped under one cluster.  This will enable us to harness the energies and strengths of different schools and allow for greater synergy among the related courses and facilitate greater multi-disciplinary work so as to better provide holistic education to our students.

Learning Opportunities at SP

1. Your graduation marks only a milestone and not the end of your learning journey.   It is the beginning of the next phase of lifelong learning.  SP will continue to provide you the opportunities to continue learning and upgrading yourself to stay employable and relevant in this fast changing environment. 



2. Under the Ministry of Education’s Foreign Specialised Institution Collaborative framework, we have partnered with world renowned universities to offer degree programmes on our campus.  In August last year, 34  students formed the first intake of students in a new programme being offered at Singapore Polytechnic  in collaboration with Massey University of New Zealand, one of the top five food technology institutes in the world.  Students of this programme will be awarded with the Bachelor of Food Technology (Honours) degree.   In March this year, 51 students were admitted to the Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Optometry programme, established through a strategic partnership with the University of Manchester, UK.   



3. In addition to these programmes, as you know, SP offers our graduates numerous upgrading opportunities in the form of post diploma specialist and advanced diploma programmes that we conduct.  We also have our Department of Continuing Education and Training offering opportunities for our graduates to continually upgrade their skills and update their knowledge.  I like to encourage all of you to avail yourselves to our CET courses and to constantly upgrade yourselves.

Two Graduands Stories

10. I believe many of you joined us to pursue an SP diploma course because you believe that learning is the key to success in life.  Some of you have had to surmount the odds to attain your goals of receiving the SP Diploma today.  I would like to highlight two examples among your fellow graduands who have taken different routes to the polytechnic, but whose spirit of grit and determination have won the day;  they are Lim Yijie, recipient of our Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal, and Kuriakin, a winner of the Lee Kwan Yew award.  Both Yijie and Kuriakin are well-rounded students who have excelled in their studies and CCA.



11. Lim Yijie is our Tay Eng Soon Gold Medalist this year.  Yijie has truly come a long way since his younger wayward days where he failed almost all subjects from primary to secondary schools and obtained 30 points for 5 subjects for his ‘O’ Levels.  He did not fare any better during his first year of studies at ITE either, but the turning point came in his second year when his mother was diagnosed with cancer. Vowing to do better with his life, Yijie made up his mind to get his priorities right.  He graduated from ITE and was given an award for the most improved ITE student.   



12. Yijie subsequently secured a place in Singapore Polytechnic.  His diligence paid off and Yijie soon became a top student in his first year of the Diploma course in Computer and Network Technology.  Yijie was a member of the SP Ambassadorial Relations Corps (like our student helpers you see here on stage in blazers helping with the prize presentation today).  Yijie helped out at the Graduation ceremony just after his first year and was inspired to win the Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal award.  He was told that as a former ITE student, he had a chance to attain it if he worked hard enough, and today, he has indeed clinched the award for the most outstanding graduate who came through the ITE route, graduating with a GPA of 3.972.  Yijie will be taking the National University of Singapore’s offer to study Computer Engineering this August.



13. The second example is that of Kuriakin, one of our Lee Kwan Yew award winners.  Indonesia-born Kuriakin made up his mind to join SP after finishing senior high school in Bintan Island.  But, due to his average grades, he did not succeed in securing a place.  Seeing his father’s disappointment, Kuriakin was determined to make a change so as to fulfill his father’s wish of seeing him furthering his education in Singapore.  Kuriakin took his ‘O’ Levels as a private candidate and scoring an impressive aggregate score of 6 points, he was accepted by four polytechnics.  He chose to study Electronics, Computer and Communication Engineering at SP, his first choice, because he felt it was the course with the closest link to robotics development, given the fact that he had a deep fascination with robots. 



14. With a perfect GPA score of 4 with distinctions for every module in his entire course, many of us would think that all Kuriakin did during his three years in SP was to bury his head in books.  But that is not the case.  He was President of the guitar club, Student Leader and Advisor of Overseas Community Service Projects in the Philippines for two consecutive years, Chairman of the Mangrove Planting Club, student leader for the International Student Welfare Unit as well as a member of the Rotaract Club where he coached primary and secondary school students at the Clementi Student Services Centre, besides mentoring his peers at SP.  In between all of these, he took up part time work as waiter, sales assistant and roadshow promoter to finance his own education.  In June, Kuriakin will fly to Austria to participate in RoboCup 2009, billed as the Olympics for the robotics world.  Kuriakin was also a member of our SP team for RoboCup 2008 in Suzhou, China.  Kuriakin is a recipient of our Model Student Award.  He has been offered a place to pursue a Master in Computer Science under the fast-track NTU-Georgia Tech Integrated Programme.



15. Kuriakin’s success so impressed one of our SP alumni that he has offered Kriakin a $10000 scholarship to help him achieve his ambition of furthering his studies.

Commissioning

16. There are many among you who are like Yijie and Kuriakin.  You embody the SP spirit of striving for greater heights whilst possessing a sense of responsibility to family and community at large.  We are proud of you and your many accomplishments in competitions too numerous to name, and your ability to juggle many of your commitments, like participation in CCAs, sports and service to the community, in addition to your studies.  Your hard work as well as your lecturers’, and many others on whose shoulders you stand, has finally borne fruit culminating in your graduation today. 



17. You graduate today in the midst of uncertain economic circumstances. I want to encourage you never to give in to disappointments, hardships and difficulties.  There is no short-cut to success in life.  As Yijie and Kuriakin have demonstrated, it is all about grit, determination and clear sense of purpose.  



18. I hope that the years you have spent with us, have been more than just acquiring knowledge and skills.  In SP, we try our best to instil in you the SP core values, that of the pursuit of excellence, care and concern, responsibility, and particularly, integrity which has come so glaringly under the spotlight in recent times in the corporate world and civil organisations.



19. Above all your successes and achievements, it is my earnest desire for you that you be known as men and women of character. 



20. Let me end my speech with an excerpt taken from a speech by Winston Churchill, the great British leader who was speaking to students in his alma mater during the unsettling times just after the second world war:  “Never give in.  Never give in.  Never, never, never, never -- in nothing, great or small, large or petty -- never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force.  Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”



21. My heartiest congratulations again to all graduands.  I look forward to meeting many of you and hear of your success stories in life after you leave Singapore Polytechnic.



22. Thank you.

Session 1

SPEECH BY ASSOC PROF HO PENG KEE
SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND HOME AFFAIRS
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
TUESDAY, 26 MAY 2009 (Session 1)

Mr Tan Hang Cheong
Principal, Singapore Polytechnic,
Distinguished Guests,
Parents and Graduands,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good morning. 

Graduating in the midst of an Economic Crisis

2. I am happy, this morning, to celebrate with you and your parents an important milestone in your life. Congratulations to all of you!



3. Because you are graduating in the midst of an economic crisis, you may think that this is a bad time to be graduating. Whilst these are challenging times, it is not all doom and gloom.  For many of you, the practical approach to the growing unemployment rate is to lower your expectations and accept any reasonable job that comes your way.  This may come with a salary that is below your expectations.  Take this prudent approach positively, learn as much as possible and strive to excel in whatever you do.

Opportunities in the Digital Media and Infocomm Technology Industry

4. The good news for you, though, is that the digital media and infocomm industry has many exciting new developments despite the economic crisis. Japanese game studio Koei Entertainment has announced plans to double its operations in Singapore and add up to 60 new staff over the next two years. Similarly, Ubisoft is looking to expand its headcount while Lucasfilms' studio in Singapore is hiring digital artists.



5. The music industry’s global revenue is still growing. The Singapore Media Development Authority’s goal is for music to become a $46 million industry with some 1,330 jobs. The objectives are to promote and export Singapore music, position Singapore as a digital music hub for Asia and to establish more companies providing professional music services. The demand for creative talent remains robust in the digital media sector. 



6. Indeed, amongst you today are the first batch of graduands from the Diploma course in Infocomm Security Management which was designed to support the Singapore Infocomm Security Masterplan.  In a world that is highly dependant on computer networks and information systems, we need to protect our critical infrastructure and essential services because any failure will severely disrupt the economy and threaten our national security.  IDA has just released its report on Infocomm manpower needs. In it, job vacancies for infocomm security in 2008 have more than doubled. The projected growth of infocomm security jobs may exceed 7% this year.

Careers in the Home Team

7. There are other job opportunities outside the media and Infocomm industry as well, even though many of would likely work in media and infocomm, at least for now. For example, some of you may also wish to consider a career in the civil service. Indeed, a career with the Home Team, which is looking to fill 1,500 vacancies this year, is an option, if not now, perhaps later. Entrusted with safeguarding Singapore’s safety and security, a Home Team career will be professionally challenging, personally fulfilling and financially rewarding.

Opportunities in a Globalised Economy

8. Opportunities for employment and business are not confined to Singapore. In today’s globalised economy, you must be prepared to venture overseas. In Qatar, for example, Singapore has assisted the government to formulate an e-government strategy. There will be opportunities for Singapore infocomm companies to cultivate potential customers in the Gulf market.  In the European Union, we have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to cooperate on research and development in the field of information communication technology (ICT). The MOU will facilitate research collaboration which may in turn open up more opportunities for companies.

Opportunities for Further Education

9. Some of you may be thinking of furthering your education. There are many opportunities to do this, both in Singapore and overseas. There are also many scholarships available to deserving candidates.  I am happy to hear that, this year, four of you (Rain Deborah Tan, Leong Mei Poh, Melissa Poon and James Lye) from the Diploma in Music and Audio Technology have been awarded the prestigious Keele University Scholarship to pursue the Bachelor of Science (Honours) Music and Music Technology programme in UK.  IDA recently launched the prestigious Integrated Infocomm Scholarship (IIS) award. I understand that more than half of these awards went to Singapore Polytechnic students.  Well done! This is indeed a ringing endorsement of the quality of the candidates from the Singapore Polytechnic.

Seizing Opportunities

10. But, for some of you, this may be an opportune time to try out new ideas and take the path of an entrepreneur. The Chinese characters for "crisis" “wei ji” – “wei xian, ji hwei” incorporates both danger and opportunity. An economic crisis, whilst disrupting the business cycle, also creates new and sometimes unexpected opportunities. Polytechnic graduates, particularly Singapore Polytechnic graduates, have a long track record of producing successful entrepreneurs, giving rise to an SP Entrepreneurs Club amongst your alumni.  Life is about seizing opportunities that come your way, after quickly and carefully weighing your options.  In this way, I grasped the opportunities that came my way to be a law professor and then a politician.  Likewise, amongst you, a group of students from the Diploma course in Music and Audio Technology (Reuben Shaun Raman, a current student; Mandric Tan, a graduand today; and Ng Tian Hwee, a graduate last year) recently started up their own music production company, the SoundFarm Productions Studio.  I wish them every success. E-commerce is another arena where opportunities abound. Many young entrepreneurs have started online businesses. With proper market research done before you embark on your venture, the time and effort you spend up-front can pay off in the longer run.

Two Graduand’s Story

11. From among the graduands this year, I am told of two encouraging stories about how SP students overcame difficult circumstances and successfully completed their diplomas. I would like to share their stories as a form of encouragement, to highlight the resilience and determination of Singapore Polytechnic students.



12. The first is Candy Soh, one of the graduands from the Diploma course in Digital Media. As her parents were not in good health and beset with financial difficulties, she had to work to support herself and to lighten the family’s burden.  While her peers were having fun and hanging out with friends, she was working at several jobs. This however, took a toll on her studies. Candy sought help from her lecturers. Her lecturers were very understanding and always tried their best to help her. The school's financial assistance scheme also helped lightened her burden. She is graduating today. Well done, Candy!



13. The second graduand I would like to highlight is Lim Keng Joo. He is graduating today with a Diploma in Business Information Technology. Keng Joo was identified by the Singapore Disability Sport Council to have the potential to be one of the top disabled swimmers in the world.  Despite his handicap – having the use of only one leg - and having to balance between training and his studies, Keng Joo has succeeded in obtaining his diploma.  Keng Joo also won gold and silver medals in the ASEAN Paralympic Games and took part in the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in 2006, and the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Wheelchair and Amputee Games in 2007. Well done, Keng Joo.

Conclusion

14. In conclusion, may I remind you that whilst you have received a valuable education, this is really only the beginning of a life-time of continual learning.  As you step out, have the courage to attempt great things. I graduated as a law student in 1979, 30 years ago.  I never imagined that one day I would have the opportunity to serve as a Minister of the Land.  Enjoy the rest of the day with your parents, your lecturers and your alma mater, Singapore Polytechnic. When you have made something of your lives, remember to give back to those who had helped you succeed. I wish you many good years ahead and success in all your endeavours.

         Thank you.

Session 2

SPEECH BY LESLIENOAH WA
GROUP CEO / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HLN TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
TUESDAY, 26 MAY 2009 (Session 2)

Good afternoon respectable guest-of-honor, VIPS and lecturers and liberated graduates of Singapore Polytechnic School of Business.  First and foremost, I would like to convey my deepest appreciation for this invitation to be the guest speaker on this wonderful occasion of yours.  I can really fathom the jubilated feeling you are in right now because I was amongst the graduates of School of Business Finance Option in the year 1991.  The differences between now and then are we had our graduation ceremony in Kallang Theatre and also we were not wearing gowns then.  I remember quite vividly that guys like me were wearing our Nos. 4 army uniform as we were having our Basic Military Training and the girls were wearing white blouse and black skirt.  Another difference is that I am right here on stage giving a speech and not sitting below.  Of course, the biggest difference now is that I have added 18 years to my age.     

If you were recall in my opening address, I mentioned, “Good Afternoon, … liberated graduates….”  I have intentionally used the adjective “Liberated” to figuratively describe your feelings at this moment.  Why the word; “Liberated”? The reasons are straight-forward.  3 years of lectures and tutorials, projects and presentations, common assessments and examinations, alas, today is the day when you guys finally unleashed the yoke and saddle when you receive your reward.  The diploma that you are going to receive is the fruitage of the many years of toil and soil, the many hours of blood and sweat, uncountable moments of tears and fears you have been through.  I fully grasp your feeling and generously applaud your achievement on this special day of yours.     

I have just mentioned the good news.  Amid the good news, there is always bad news.  Before I reveal the bad news, kindly allow me to share with you a series of numbers.  13,920; 7500; and 10,800.  What are the numbers all about?  Certainly not Toto.  13,920 is the total number of retrenched last year.  7,500 is the number of retrenched in last quarter of 2008 (from October to December).  And what is the number 10,800?  It is the total number of workers retrenched in the first quarter of this year (Jan to March).  This number retrenched in the first 3 months of this year is already 78% of the whole of total retrenched last year.  Hence, we are sure the number retrenched this year will surpass that of last year. 

How do we interpret these numbers?   It means that there are more people out there going after fewer jobs.  Worse, you will be competing with retrenched workers who are equipped with relevant work experience.  Who will also be your potential competitors for the jobs?  According to the statistics by the Ministry of Manpower, out of 1,928,300 resident workforce, 12.3% are polytechnic diploma holders and 25.8% are degree holders.  Hence, it is inevitable that you are up against a lethal team of competitors in the already dwindling job market.  Having said that, what should fresh graduates like you need to do?  For male citizens, it is a straight-forward case but for others, it will liken to be a newbie being thrown into a 2-metre deep swimming pool. 

Despite the dismal situation, I would like to provide a “swimming ring”; but not tantamount to a life-buoy, in the form of 7 R’s.

Realistic in your job scope expectation.  Don’t expect regular working hours.  Gone are the days when there are many office-related works out there.  Even though PMETs (Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians) formed 51% of the resident workforce in 2008, up from 41% 10 years ago, share of production-related workers has dropped from 30% to 24%.  As a result, manufacturing-related work has significantly gone downhill.  It means that more and more companies have re-located to other low-cost economies.  Therefore, be prepared to work out of Singapore; out of your comfort zone and be mentally prepared and realistic in your job scope expectation. 

Reasonable in your pay expectation.  Your objective is to build and augment your work experience.  Never negotiate the pay you will be given.  Leave the pay expectation in the Job Application Form vacant and write down the word, “Negotiable”.  Accept the work and don’t negotiate the pay and the number of annual or sick leaves and other perks.  Do understand that the bargaining power lies in the job provider in the present market situation. 

Research the company you are going for interviews.  Doing so will impress your prospective employer that you are very serious about taking up the job.  Go the extra mile and have a competitive edge over other job candidates.   
 
Rapid and Responsive.  Turn up on time for interviews and if you are called for second interview, accept the date and time allotted for you.  Don’t negotiate for a time convenient for you but inconvenient for the employer. 

Responsible and Reliable.  Don’t over-promise during job interviews.  Always be humble and state the facts about what you can offer on the table.  Under normal circumstances, the prospective company will understand what is to be expected from a fresh graduate.  If too much is over-promised, it will sound very exaggerating and not being honest.

Doing all these may not guarantee you a job but at least it will prepare you better for the next job hunting.  Never be disheartened and always be Ready for Results; positive or negative.

In events you do get a job, or if you don’t but have the financial means to do so, I would strongly urge you to further your studies.  If you have a job, do it part-time.  4 out of 10 polytechnic graduates pursue further education within 5 years of their graduation.  Business course is the 4th most popular course.  Chemical and Life sciences is top on the list.  In fact, a substantial portion of them receive significant increase in wages after upgrading.  This is from a survey done by Ministry of Education in 2008. 

On 19th May (last Tuesday), when I was outstation in Suzhou,  I checked on the web-site and read that President Nathan announced that we will soon have a 5th University to ensure more direct route to degree for polytechnic graduates.  This goes to show that your diplomas are not enough to take you to the next level.  According to President Nathan, education is Singapore best investment for the future.  I cannot agree more.  In fact, further education is the best bet for all.  Especially in this economic downturn, the number of people going after further education will increase as they will be going back to strengthen their own arsenal of knowledge and when the economy picks up, they are all ready for battle again.

In Singapore, there is always vacancy for a job position; i.e. “Be Your Own Boss”.  At some point in your career, I am rather certain that you may brush along the idea of doing your own business.  There are pains and gains of being an entrepreneur.  I have gone through certain periods of time without salary, on the other hand, I had made my first million dollar in the early 30’s.  However, I have not classified myself as a successful entrepreneur yet.  Talking about success, in fact, no entrepreneur would not self-acclaim himself or herself as successful because doing so will allow complacency to seep in.  I am fortunate in my whole career as my so-called success is due to a combination of factors.  I have abbreviated it as “THE COIL”.  It stands for

T          -           Team.  Every successful entrepreneur cannot fight the battle alone.  He needs to have team of people around him.  The team members have their own distinct strengths and weaknesses, complementing one another especially in the field of expertise.  
 
H         -           Humility.  The proverbs, “there is always a higher mountain”.  Always remember that you will never be the best out there.  Hence, humility helps us not to be complacent. 

E          -           Effort.  It takes effort and hardwork in order to have food on the table.  If we wish to have seafood, the more we need to work harder. 

C         -           Courage.  To be successful, we have to be daring and carve a competitive distinct advantage and take on challenges.  Take some sacrifice and don’t take all that are available on the table.  Leave some to your team members by rewarding them.  Have the big heart of courage to share.  E.g.

O         -           Opportunity.  Have an eagle eye for opportunity.  Grab it fast.  This is easy-said-than-done and I do not know how to put in text-book theory.  However, do not jump into a business proposal rashly.  Always do a proper and thorough due diligence and homework by involving your relevant team member specifics in their field of expertise.  

I           -           Innovative Ideas.  Go against the conventional way of doing things but within the legalized context.  Offer what is not available in the market.  Dare to be different and differ to be daring.

L          -           Luck.  Like an oil to an engine. You need this invisible element

Allow me to share my own experience of applying “THE COIL” concept. 

In the late 1990’s, my company was focusing our manufacturing activities in Singapore.  Costs were becoming high and Singapore no longer had the competitive edge.  We wanted to shift out of Singapore then but could not afford to do so as the shifting cost was very exorbitant.  I was lucky when a local bank officer called me up and offered me a term loan of 5 years.  I immediately grabbed it and used it for the shifting.  We were at cross-roads as to where should we shift to?  Eventually, after doing some market study, we realized there was no competitor in the island of Batam and the government had some perks for local enterprise to set up businesses there.  To put the icing on the cake, we had a ready customer there and the market opportunities were rather vast there.  We took the courage to be different as we were the first molded rubber manufacturers there.  The setting-up process was no mean feat as it took a lot of effort and humility in the learning process.  Eventually, this gamble paid off and we managed to save a total of half a million dollars per year on wages.  We used the savings for re-investment to grow the company further and I am glad to say that HLN has become what it is today.  If you were to realize, I have used the pronoun, “WE”.  In other words, I have a team behind me and they were rewarded with HLN shares when we got ourselves listed in 2005. 

With the above 7 factors in place, you will have your own coil of success and the coil of success will become thicker if you believe in the above 7 factors, put them in practice and maximize them. 

All in all, the future remains very challenging for all, you and I included.  We cannot see any light at the end of the long economic tunnel just yet.  However, I am sure that if we have the right fundamentals and characters, we are more than certain that the dark clouds will dissipate off and the economic sun will shine again.  Hope by then, we are all ready to optimize the opportunities in the market. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have concluded my speech.  Thank you for your attention.

Session 3

Session 4

SPEECH BY MR MARK CHUA
GENERAL MANAGER, CIBA VISION ASIAN MANUFACTURING AND LOGISTICS
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2009 (Session 4)

Members of the Board of Governors,
Mr. Tan Hang Cheong
Principal, Singapore Polytechnic,
Distinguished Guests,
Parents and Graduands,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning,

Introduction  
It gives me great pleasure to join you at today’s 49th Graduation Ceremony of Singapore Polytechnic.  This morning marks the culmination of your efforts over the last 3 years.  My warmest congratulations to you as you share this pride of achievement with your parents and loved ones who are here with you this morning.

My Objective  
My objective this morning is not to speak to you about job opportunities, which I know is very challenging. Neither do I want to touch on the economic downturn which I am sure all of us are already fully aware. Instead I will like to share with you some of my experiences on how you could take charge of your career.  What I am going to share is not unique or absolute but I hope they will help to make a difference in your life as you embark in your working journey.

Key Message 
The Key Message I would like you to take away is “You should take charge of your career and success depends very much on yourself.” To realise this I am advocating that you adopt a F.I.T. Mindset. This is the acronym for Faithful, Initiative and Teachable.

How To Be F.I.T.? 
Let me start by focusing on the letter “F”. This stands for Faithful - “Faithful in whatever you do!” It simply means that in whatever job you start up with you should:

1. Be committed to the tasks given to you and perform them with integrity. That is to perform the given task whether big or small with your best effort until it is completed.
2. Be a person your bosses or colleagues can count on. This implies you should build a reputation that you are a person that is highly reliable and dedicated to complete project assigned to him.
3. Being faithful also implies that whatever you commit yourself to do you will accomplish them with the high standards of performance.

It has been said that if you can do small things well, then you can be entrusted to do bigger things in the future.

Next, let’s look at the letter “I”. This stands for Initiative – “Take Initiative to make a difference!” There are 3 ideas which I would like to share with you to exemplify this:

1. Grow in your job by always seeking the opportunity to do more. Continually find ways to over-deliver or go beyond the expectation of those who assigned you a task to complete.
2. To make a difference in your career, you cannot remain stagnant. You must move out of your comfort zone. This will require you to stretch yourself by taking on or volunteering to accept assignment that you have never done before. In this way you will gain new skill and experience which will then strengthens your capabilities.
3. Always search for approaches or ways to do things better without being told. If you feel that something is not quite right, then be proactive by taking action to improve the situation.

Lastly, I shall discuss the letter “T”. This stands for Teachable – “Be Teachable to grow continually.” Teachable does not mean the ability to teach but to be taught – the willingness to learn new things. Getting your diploma today signifies that you have successfully completed a defined set of curriculum, which will give you a foundation to kick off your career. However, you will soon realise that there are still so much things you do not know. Because of this, you should:

1. Never stop to learn – this implies that your learning don’t stop after you have graduated. Some of you will go on to pursue a degree to deepen your knowledge in your chosen field. For those who chose to find employment you should strive to master your job, and continue to keep abreast with development in your professional field through reading, attending seminar or enrolling to development programmes. In short, there is no end learning.
2. Be willing to take on new challenges. This can help to broaden your experiences, increase your knowledge, sharpen your skills and develop your resilience to shoulder bigger responsibilities. By doing this you will be able to add greater value to the organisation you are working for.
3. When it comes to learning, anyone can be your teacher. Every life encounter whether it is up or down is a valuable learning experience. You should adopt a humble spirit or attitude and people around you whether they are your superiors, colleagues or subordinates can teach you to be a better person and professional. In summary, what I am advocating to you is best expressed in the Chinese Idiom: “Huo Dao Lao, Xue Dao Lao”(“活到老学到老”). Again, there is no end to learning.

Conclusion
I hope my short speech this morning have given you some tips, though not absolute or unique as mentioned in my opening, which you could apply to kick start your career. I have personally embraced this mindset in my early career and they have continued to serve me well until now. I submit to you for your consideration and trust that they too could help to make an impact in your career and life.

I want to again thank the Singapore Polytechnic Members of the Board of Governors and the Principal Mr. Tan Hang Cheong, for giving me this great honour to address you today. Once again my heartiest congratulations to each of the graduates. You should be very proud of what you have achieved. Remember, your graduation is just the start, not the end of your lifelong learning and growing experience.

In closing, let me encourage each of you graduate to cultivate a F.I.T. Mindset – “Be Faithful”, “Take Initiative” and “Be Teachable”, and take charge of your career today.

Thank you.

Session 5

SPEECH BY MR LIM KIM CHOON
DIRECTOR-GENERAL & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE (CAAS)
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2009 (Session 5)

Members of the Board of Governors,
Mr Tan Hang Cheong,
Principal of Singapore Polytechnic,
Parents and Graduands  

1. Good afternoon. I am delighted to join you all today to witness the 49th Graduation Ceremony of Singapore Polytechnic. I understand that more than 350 of you will be graduating with diploma in aeronautical engineering, biomedical science and biotechnology.



2. Today’s ceremony marks an important milestone as you embark on the next phase of your life.  Some of you will go on to further your studies while others will enter the work force. Whatever your academic choices or career options, you will certainly find many applications of your knowledge and skills gained over the last three years at Singapore Poly.  Exciting career opportunities await you in the field of the aerospace engineering, biomedical sciences and biotechnology.



3. As the speaker for this graduation ceremony today, let me draw upon my years of experience in the field of aviation, to share with you my perspectives on the current landscape of Singapore’s aerospace industry and its outlook ahead.



4. Allow me to first set the stage with an overview of the aerospace industry worldwide. The global commercial jet transport Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul or MRO market is estimated to be worth US$45.7 billion today and set to grow by about 4% annually to US$53 billion in the next five years. Back home, we are fortunate to have witnessed the remarkable growth of our aerospace industry, with a 13% compounded annual growth rate since 1990. Today, the industry is a key contributor to the Singapore economy, accounting for nearly S$6.9 billion in output and employing about 19,000 workers in 2007. With a reputation for quality, efficiency and reliability, Singapore is one of Asia’s most comprehensive MRO hub, accounting for a quarter of the market share in Asia alone. 



5. To support the growth of the aerospace industry, the government is in the process of building the Seletar Aerospace Park, which is designed to accommodate a wide range of aerospace and business activities. The park has already attracted several notable investments, such as the $320-million Rolls Royce engine assembly and test facility, the first of its kind in Asia, producing engines for the latest aircraft manufactured by Boeing and Airbus.



6. At the same time, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore or CAAS is constantly seeking to strengthen Singapore’s position as a premier air hub and ensure that Changi Airport remains a key driver of our economy. According to a 2006 research study, Changi Airport contributed to S$31 billion in value-added, or nearly 15% of Singapore’s GDP, and generated business activities which amounted to about $151 billion. The airport was also responsible for providing over 380,000 jobs, of which over a quarter were direct employment.



7. Last year, Changi Airport handled 37.7 million passengers, making it the world’s sixth busiest airport for international traffic. Today, Changi links Singapore to more than 180 cities in over 50 countries and continues to be recognized as one of the best airports in the world.  The successful opening of Terminal 3 in January last year raised Changi’s capacity by 22 million passengers a year, bringing its total annual capacity to 70 million passengers.



8. The next major development involves the restructuring of CAAS and corporatization of Changi Airport, which will take place in July this year. In doing so, we hope to propel Changi Airport into a new phase of growth and development and ensure that Singapore continues to stay ahead as a global air hub in an increasingly competitive environment. The current CAAS will be also restructured to bring about greater focus in its mission to regulate civil aviation and strengthen Singapore’s position as an aviation hub. In particular, the new CAAS will also focus on the development and promotion of the aviation industry.



9. However, the aviation industry is navigating through a turbulent period amidst the current downturn and faces stormy skies ahead. In March, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revised downwards its outlook for the global air transport industry, projecting passenger traffic to fall sharply by 5.7% and forecasting losses totaling US$4.7 billion this year.  This is a stark contrast to the US$13 billion profits made by the industry in 2007, less than two years ago. Reflecting the severe deterioration of global economic conditions, airlines worldwide, including those in Singapore, are responding to the crisis by cutting back on capacity and even grounding their aircraft. These measures will adversely impact the short-term growth prospects of Singapore’s aerospace industry.



10. Despite the current gloomy backdrop, we have good reason to remain upbeat. According to the results of the 2009 Singapore Aerospace Industry Economic Sentiment Survey commissioned by the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore) in January, only one-third of respondents forecasted a drop in output this year while nearly 80% expected the business environment to improve by the first half of 2010. Underlining this mood of optimism, nearly half of the Singapore aerospace companies surveyed indicated that they planned to continue with their hiring plans this year, with a further 30% even intending to increase hiring.



11. Looking ahead into the future, the drive to improve fuel efficiency and reduce aviation’s carbon footprint will act as a catalyst for the industry to invest in and adopt new technologies. For instance, the use of weight-saving composite materials on the A380 makes it a highly fuel-efficient aircraft, resulting in a 12% reduction in fuel burn and emissions. Airlines and manufacturers are also testing new generation bio-fuels with the possibility of reducing carbon emissions by 60% over the life-cycle of the fuel. New engine concepts being developed, such as open rotor and advanced combustor, offer the potential to further reduce fuel burn by up to 30%.



12. Next, I will touch on Singapore’s biomedical sector and its growth prospects, an issue of keen interest to our Biomedical and Biotechnology graduands. In 2000, the government embarked on a major push to develop Biomedical Sciences in Singapore, as part of the overall effort to diversify our economy and introduce knowledge-driven, research-intensive sectors. Since then, Singapore has developed into one of Asia’s fastest-growing bio-clusters, with a strong track record in both small-molecule active pharmaceutical ingredient and secondary manufacturing.



13. Today, Singapore is one of the world’s leading manufacturing sites for research tools and diagnostics instruments. We supply some 70 per cent of the world’s micro-arrays and 50 per cent of the global demand for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) instruments. More than 20 leading medical technology, pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies have established their regional headquarters here. Such achievements have resulted from a decade of investment in promoting life science education in Singapore and setting up dedicated research hubs such as Biopolis.



14. In 2008, Singapore’s biomedical sciences sector contributed S$19 billion in manufacturing output while providing employment for more than 12,000 people. Despite the current downturn, Singapore remains a trusted and competitive centre for many biomedical firms to develop & manufacture innovative products for Asia and beyond. As we continue to see major players, such as Baxter, locating their key global and regional manufacturing sites in Singapore, we are confident of boosting our manufacturing output to S$25 billion and increase the number of jobs to 15,000 in this sector by 2015. 



15. With a stream of new developments in the pipeline, we need to ensure that our workforce is equipped with the right skills and expertise in order to support future growth and demands of our aerospace and biomedical sciences sectors, which rely heavily on skilled manpower. We must therefore continue to develop a core workforce of aerospace engineers and technicians, as well as biomedical professionals and researchers, so as to position Singapore well in riding the upturn of the global economy.



16. In this respect, I applaud the pivotal role that our tertiary institutions play in developing the hearts and minds of our younger generation. For instance, the Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering course offered by Singapore Polytechnic provides a broad-based engineering foundation to endow students with the right set of knowledge, skills and attitude. This will help prepare them to take on a wide spectrum of careers within the aerospace industry, such as jobs related to aircraft maintenance, production and design activities.  



17. To our students graduating today, I am confident that having successfully completed a highly intensive and demanding course, you now have a keener appreciation of the value of the well-rounded education that Singapore Polytechnic has provided you with.  Each of you should be proud of your efforts and achievements which have earned you a place in this auditorium today.



18. Nevertheless, today marks the beginning of your journey. To our aerospace graduands, the diploma that you have earned will help launch you into the aerospace industry, where you can look forward to an exciting and rewarding career. You have the option to pursue a career as an aircraft maintenance engineer, which will allow you to work on the latest aircraft such as the Airbus A380. You might choose to further your studies and engage in research projects to drive innovation and achieve technological breakthroughs. You could even consider a career with CAAS and help chart the future of the aviation industry in Singapore.



19. Likewise for our graduands from the School of Chemical and Life Sciences, your qualifications will open doors for you to a variety of career options, such as research assistants, medical and laboratory technologists, offered by our hospitals, commercial research labs as well as pharmaceutical companies. Whichever path you pursue, it is important that you find an area where you can contribute and do your part to make Singapore a centre of excellence for biomedical science and biotechnology. Ultimately, your ability to succeed as individuals will depend on your desire and capacity to absorb new knowledge and skills and re-invent yourself in order to stay relevant in the future. 



20. Having said that, many years from today, as you look back upon your tertiary school years, I am certain that you will cherish the kaleidoscope of experiences that remain with you even after your graduation. These are the friendships that you have cultivated, the teaching staff who engaged your minds, the projects that challenged your creativity and the campus activities that stirred your passion. Altogether, these shared experiences will imbue in you important values such as leadership, integrity and resilience – qualities that will serve you well later on in your career and life.



21. Finally, I would like to offer my congratulations to all our students graduating today. This marks a special occasion not only for you but also for your families and friends who are here to celebrate your achievements and share your pride and joy.



22. I wish you all a bright future ahead.

Session 6

Session 7

SPEECH BY MR JEFFREY CHUA
MANAGING DIRECTOR, CPF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PTE LTD
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
THURSDAY, 28 MAY 2009 (Session 7)

Distinguished guests,
Faculty and students,
Ladies and gentlemen

Good morning,

Looking around, I see plenty of fresh and eager faces. I see confidence written on your faces.
I was once in the same situation that you are in now; sitting among my graduating class during the convocation ceremony in an auditorium much like this one. I was trying, without much success, if I may add, to stay awake while the guest speaker was trying to impart something useful. So I know I need to help you stay awake.

Looking back upon that time, maybe I should have listened more attentively. I could have picked up something that could have given me an edge in seeking employment or in managing my working career thereafter.

The year was 1987, and the circumstances surrounding that period mirrored almost acutely what is happening in the world at this point in time. When I graduated I found myself in a Singapore that was mired in the throes of a recession. Job opportunities were few and far between. There were no job fairs and certainly no Community Development Council. Even the Manpower Ministry was called Labour Ministry.

Naturally, my friends and I found ourselves in a desperate situation. Some gravitated toward the civil service, others became teachers; a number leapt into the financial sector, with a proportion taking up positions as insurance agents [now called Financial Advisors] to give a better image! Keep in mind that we were all trained civil engineers.

For me, I decided that I didn’t want to wander too far away from my passion and so I held out for a job that had at least some relation to civil engineering. I came across an estate management position at a housing estate and wasted no time in taking it up. That was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Two years after that, the first Town Councils were formed in Singapore. I jumped at the opportunity to join one town council as a Property Manager. Within a short time in the Town Council, I rose to became the General Manager, a position which I held for nearly a decade. Following that, I was offered a senior position at CPG Facilities Management, which is an infrastructure and building development and management services provider in the Asia Pacific region. Three years later, I was promoted to Managing Director.

Looking back, I can say that I have walked a long and hard road to where I am now. I did it and I hope that you will be inspired to strive for great heights as well. Sure it wasn’t plain sailing. I had to cope with many events on the ground. I had to face the situation where a family lost two children in a fire. I had to face a scenario where whole market was razed to the ground and more than 50 stall holders lost their businesses. I had to file summons with the Court to get people to pay up their service and conservancy fees.

So what is the one significant lesson that I have learnt and you should take away? It is that life is unpredictable, so try not to be too surprised if your path toward success leads you in unexpected directions! But that’s not all, I have learnt other lessons as well which you may find useful.

Precise Choices

For a start, think long and hard about the type of work that you want to do. Within the Built Environment and Engineering industry itself there are already more job specializations than the menu at a restaurant or food court. Indeed, there is a wide range of areas that you can go into such as structural, construction, environment, and transport.

Can you see yourself still motivated to take on challenges in your chosen industry 10, or even 20 years down the road? English Writer William Hazlitt, once extolled that, “A strong passion for any object will ensure success, for the desire of the end will point out the means.” Those who have passion for what they do will be able to go the distance.

Consolidating Positions

Again, once in a position within your chosen field of expertise, make sure to hold it for as long as you can. Make full use of the chance everyday to not only build up your credentials but also your trove of knowledge in that field. In this sense, careers can be considered to be like buildings, which are formed from their foundations, and then built upwards. Your education is your foundation, and you must build the rest of your knowledge in a progressive manner.

One thing I have noticed about the facilities management industry is that there is a very high turnover rate. After some CSI -style investigation, I have realised that it’s because today’s youth have big aspirations when they join the workforce. They want to make it to Hollywood as an American Idol, but they often can’t remember the lyrics let alone keeping their voices to the key. Singapore’s Generation-Y wants a Ferrari and a condominium unit in District 10. And, they want it fast. To accomplish their aims, they try to climb the corporate ladder fast. What they forget is that one can’t go up the ladder if you don’t make your own effort to pull yourself up.

While I do not discourage you from aspiring for success, you must know the problem with fast-tracked careers. Not enough time is spent dealing with the nitty-gritty issues, so you build a career on stilts. Your foundation is weak. There is simply not much you can learn if you spend, say, only a year in a position. You will not have much experience in knowing how to comply with government legislation dealing with safety, environmental and energy-savings issues.

Such exposure is imperative from a professional perspective. As facilities managers or engineers, you are charged with a great deal of responsibility and in fact more so than most other professions as your work involves the safety of human life. Some of you will be embarking on construction projects that will house thousands of people on a daily basis when completed. It is your responsibility to ensure that these projects are safe and sound. Today, you are also required to play your part in cutting down lavish and excessive usage of energy as such a practice can have detrimental effects on our environment.

Manage Opportunities
I encourage you to take advantage of opportunities, but know what you’re going into.  At one point in my life, I decided to start a business during the IT boom, thinking that it would change my life. Well it did, except not in the way that I wanted it to due to my lack of knowledge in the area. I am a civil engineer not an IT engineer. Therefore, I made a swift but graceful exit. It was truly a humbling experience.

That’s not to say you won’t face difficulties in the area that you think you are competent in.  As a case in point, I worked with a company which is an outsourced vendor to large Government-Linked Groups some years back. It was a position which I felt familiar but I had to learn new things, like the importance of servicing clients well.

That particularly, was one very beneficial lesson that I think you should learn as well. Building relationships is extremely important. I can say that 25 years of networking, building contacts and relationships has contributed greatly to my success. It has quite literally led me to where I am today as well; part of the reason why I am here today is because I have built a good relationship with the staff and management of Singapore Polytechnic, who invited me to speak on this fine occasion, which is an opportunity I very much cherish and appreciate.

Further Education

After a few years of working, consider acquiring a University education. You will be in a prime position to do so as you will have a few years to prepare for it financially and mentally. You will find what is taught in the university easier to understand as you have had the practical experience.

The Road Ahead
For now, what’s the outlook? Prepare yourself for immense challenges ahead. You will be dealing with all sorts of situations, which will severely test you and stretch your capabilities as an individual. There are duties that you will have to do that will probably make you feel like pulling all the hair out of  your head, such as how to manage the cost for your clients, and how to get the best prices for them in purchases. 

Leverage on your knowledge. You have spent three years learning in Singapore Polytechnic. That’s a lot of time. I expect that you are now far more knowledgeable than the day you first stepped into the campus. The onus is now upon you to effectively use what you have learnt. There is a tendency for students to forget all the knowledge which they have learnt in their course. They don’t apply everything they have learnt in the classroom.

It is absolutely imperative that you do so. Most of the subjects that you have dealt with, for example things like Contract Law are extremely relevant in our industry. If you are one of those who want to be at the top of the game, go one step further by keeping yourself updated on the latest industry developments, news and information.

Remember that everything that you have learnt over the past three years in Singapore Polytechnic is not for nothing. It is to prepare you for a life as a working professional. Well, the time has come. This is it, this is the real deal. But at the same time, do also try to have fun because when you have fun, work doesn’t feel like work anymore. That is when you have a passion and will truly excel.

Congratulations and I wish you well. Thank you.

Session 8

SPEECH BY MR TITUS YONG
VICE PRESIDENT, SINGTEL SATELLITE
SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
THURSDAY, 28 MAY 2009 (Session 8)

Mr Tan Hang Cheong,
Principal, Singapore Polytechnic,
Members of the Board of Governors,
Distinguished Guests,
Graduates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good Afternoon.  It is an honour to be invited to address you today, graduates of the Singapore Maritime Academy and the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering.



2. May I take this opportunity to convey my most sincere congratulations to the graduates for your successful completion of school education.



3. I do not intend to speak for long, as I understand your eagerness to graduate; after all, even though eighteen years have passed when I was in your shoes, I still remember wishing for the long speeches to be over so that I could graduate!



4. I also distinctly remember I had several questions about my future swirling in my mind. Will I be successful ? Am I ready to brace myself for the challenges ahead?



5. You might have bid your final farewell to classes and today is probably for most , your single biggest accomplishment  to date but remember that your education continues.



6. Learning is a life-long process for us and after you leave this hall today, the world will become your new classroom where endless opportunities and challenges await.  



7.  If you were to ask me drawing from my personal experience, what does it take to succeed in this seemingly daunting and humongous classroom?



8. Let me share with you my winning formula and continue to be guided by them today. They can be summed up by the 3 R’s:
   • Be Resilient
   
   
   
   • Rejuvenate yourself and
   
   
   
   • Be Remarkable
   
   
   

Be Resilient

9. Since graduating as a communications engineer back in 1992, I have experienced my fair share of highly volatile and uncertain economic periods over the years. Very similar to what we are going through in today’s recession



10. Being resilient coupled with a “can do” attitude are absolutely   critical in helping one overcome the hurdles that come your way.



11. And I have also learnt, emerging triumphant from these periods of uncertainty absolutely goes a long way in moulding one’s character, so that one may rise to the occasion when the going gets tough.



12. Without character, paper qualifications alone cannot carry a graduate far after graduation.



13. Many of you will hopefully commence work in professions of your choice in the public or private sectors.



14. And in years to come, be it managing a fleet of ships or leading a team of engineers, you will need to lean on the strength of your character to lead and shape the people under you.



15. Are you ready for the challenge?



16. It has been said, "Good timber does not grow with ease; the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees."



17. This leads me to my second guiding principle.

Rejuvenate

18. In addition to staying resilient, I urge everyone single person in this room to constantly Rejuvenate yourself .



19. Do recognise we live in a fast changing, highly competitive world.  To stay relevant, it is important to continually upgrade your skills and knowledge.  You need to be equipped with the right tools in order to make a difference in your chosen fields of endeavour.



20. It is exactly for this reason that SingTel, as a partner of SMA, is excited to play an important role in shaping the future of maritime education and grooming the next generation of industry leaders through our collaboration in SatCom@SMA.



21. We want to arm SMA’s students with relevant industry knowledge and “hands-on” experience that will prepare them well to embrace new technologies when they enter the workforce.



22. SatCom@SMA is also a platform for innovation and knowledge-sharing . Some of you might be aware that it serves as a proof of concept lab for companies interested in collaborating with SingTel in the research and development of maritime infocomm technologies (ICT).



23. It is also an innovation hub for the maritime companies to learn how to leverage technology to transform their businesses and stimulate future growth opportunities.



24. I certainly hope to see a few familiar faces down the road , returning to this Academy to upgrade your skills or in the capacity as senior manager of a shipping company to experience the benefits of the latest communication technologies.



25. It is all about partnering you to constantly rejuvenate yourself after graduation.



26. At this stage, you may forget most of my speech. However, if there are three top things you need to bear in mind today,



27. They would be: Rejuvenate through constant innovation, constant collaboration and constant upgrading.



28. If you can rejuvenate constantly and be resilient, I assure you can live your life remarkably.



29. This brings me to the third guiding principle: “Be Remarkable”

Be Remarkable

30. Some have asked me, “ Titus, how did you end up being one of the youngest top management executive in Singapore’s largest company, SingTel.



31. My response is very simple : Choose to be a big fish in a small pond.



32. Have the courage to stand out from the crowd. To differentiate yourself from the rest. Choose to be remarkable in your life! Then….



33. You will dare to dream and dream big, so that even if you do not meet every goal, you will love life for having tried, for having reached for the stars.  You may find that circumstances may change little, but you will awake renewed for every day, and when success finally knocks on your door, you are ready to seize it.



34. Finally, make a lasting impact on the people you serve, be it your customers or your colleagues - and always stay humble. They could be the ones who are carrying the luck to help you Be Remarkable!

Conclusion

35. In conclusion, tothe graduates, please accept my congratulations. You have worked hard to develop your talents, acquire knowledge and skills which you must productively and creatively apply to improve yourselves in society.



36. I leave you with the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: "We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities." Singapore Polytechnic has prepared you well to enter the gates and embrace those opportunities.



37. I wish you all the best of luck as your voyage continues on the course of success. Congratulations!



38. Thank you.

Session 9

SPEECH BY DR MILTON TAN
EXEC DIRECTOR, DESIGNSINGAPORE COUNCIL, AND MICA FELLOW,
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS;
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
THURSDAY, 28 MAY 2009 (Session 9)

Mr Tan Hang Cheong, Principal, Singapore Polytechnic,
Members of the Board of Governors,
Directors, staff, and students of Design and Electrical & Electronic Engineering,
Ladies and gentlemen,

T-Rex did not make it. He and his fellow dinosaurs did not survive the last Ice Age, whilst many other life forms did. One explanation is that T-Rex and his kind could not adapt fast enough.

With the changes and uncertainties that we face today, will you, like T-Rex, be caught out? Will you, and I, be as obsolete as a dinosaur?

This is a simple question that I have for our short time together this afternoon. But one that I hope will not go away too frequently for I believe that we live in exponential times when rates of change have challenged our understanding of
permanence and competence.

With the global economy currently in recession, this is a tough time to graduate. But, to be sure, it's not the toughest of time (think of the post-war periods). And Singapore is certainly not the toughest of places to be in at this time (just think of the
massive job losses in the US: nearly 600,000 in January 09 alone, about 2 million in the last quarter, and 4 million -- the size of Singapore -- in the last year.)

The more personal question is how well prepared are you for this challenging time?

I have reasons to believe that you are. The philosophy of your School of Design is clearly founded on design thinking and aesthetics "to innovate and differentiate ... and to change lives for the better". If that is not a survival and rescue kit for a bad
recession, I don't know what is!

Your School does not merely depend on a well-worded philosophy and pedagogy. It puts it into action with key initiatives such as a "Global Immersion Studio" to give you a global perspective through a different culture, the Common Design Foundation program to raise cross-disciplinary awareness and 'total' design, collaboration with international design institutions such as the prestigious Architectural Association, London, and opportunities to work on national initiatives such as designing for "active aging" through the "50plus workshops.

I believe your Engineering school will have the equivalent programs to put our engineering graduates in equally good stead.

Let's get back to T-Rex.
Will climate change wipe some of us off again?
Will the ‘corrections’ in our global financial system bankrupt some of us?
Will your education guarantee you a job for now, let alone for life?
Can you “make a living”?
Will you be relevant?

To assess these risks, we need to turn on the radar of change and transformations. We need to perceive some of the relationships, trends and concepts that reshape our world. More than ever, we need to revisit the fundamental issues of creativity and design. We need to get the questions right in the first place.

When I first taught architectural design at NUS in the mid-80s, the younger ones of us rocked the boat without half realising it. We did 'cool' things such as set design projects located outside Singapore, introduced "limited objective" exercises (eg
buildings briefs without sites), and trained students to design entirely on computers, ie paperless. You can imagine that our senior colleagues did not take well to these! They believed in training architects to practice in Singapore, who produced functional designs that withstood all the practicalities of the real world (“where is your rain water down pipe?”), and who knew how to use a pencil before a pen, ie to crawl before they walked or ran. To them, these were non-negotiable. However, with globalisation, it is now well accepted -- with the benefit of hindsight -- that it was just as well that some of us broke the mould. The world had changed right under our noses. And it will continue to do so.

In one generation, the people who built and operated the canals in Europe as a principal means of transporting people and goods saw how it was used to build the railroads that totally superseded the canals.

Emerging towns and cities today in India and China are by-passing the fixed telephone “Land Line” to leapfrog immediately to mobile and wifi.

Singapore ERP is hardware intensive (gantries, IUs and cashcards); Compare that with London's Congestion Charge system which uses extemely scalable and flexible surveillance cameras and intelligent image processing software.

The mechanic who was servicing my car recently called me to say, “I just updated the software of your car”. Since when has my car become a computer?

When my son was just 10 years old he told his mother: “Mum, you should learn to use the computer when you grow up”!

We live in exponential times.

10 years ago there were no Starbucks outside the US. It rewrote coffee chic, and today, has over 13,000 outlets worldwide.

10 years ago there was no Kyoto Protocol, "carbon footprint" were marks left by social activist groups. Today, green is good, hybrids and electric cars are cool, and climate change is a hot agenda for governments and businesses the world
over.

10 years ago no one knew Harry Potter. Today, the book series has sold over 400 million copies in 65 languages, and its author J K Rowling has amassed at least £550m.

10 years ago, nobody knew Bilbao, until the Guggenheim by Frank Gehry was built. The fortune of the backwater city turned around completely.

Just 8 years ago there was no Google; today it is an everyday verb and a household name worth over US$80b, and worth more than Time-Warner. It now wants to make every handphone into a search engine.

8 years ago 9/11 had not happened. We now need to learn to live with the reality that it can happen again.

6 years ago viruses, including the "millennium" variety, were not so invincible. Then SARS struck in 2003. The prospect of a superbug going airborne still looms large today. H1N1 may be a distraction by comparison.

5 years ago, Singapore did not have the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay. Neither had works at Biopolis and Fusionolpolis of the OneNorth R&D park even started.

Just 3 years ago there was no iTunes and no iPods. Today, over 1b songs have been (legally) downloaded via iTunes, music companies reverse offer free CDs with online downloads, and PodCasting is also a verb.

Just 3 years ago social networking was still largely about country clubs and golfing; there was no Facebook or Twitter. Today Facebook has over 60 million users, and is the 7th most visited website in the world, up from 60th a year ago. Microsoft paid US$240m for a 1.6% share of Facebook, making its estimated value at over US$15b.

Just 2 years ago there was no VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) and no Skype. Today it has over 50 million users and VOIP may make conventional telephone charges history. IPTV will also be another disruptive innovation.

Just 2 years ago, there was no $100 Laptop. Today it is set to revolutionise the poor rural communities in 3rd World countries, levelling up their chances to thrive in an information age.

Just as all the above were completely unforeseen 10 years ago, the next 10 years will be equally, if not more, unexpected. The future is not readymade. Rather, it will be shaped by those who can conceptualise, transform and represent propositions in real-world solutions. This is the process of design.

In summary, allow me to impress upon you that there are 3 key reasons why design is important to Singapore:

The First reason is Rate of Change

I have largely been talking about this. The exponential rate of progress is matched by an equivalent rate of obsolescence. In 2006, the US Department of Labour estimated that 70% of jobs in 2020 do not exist today. They determined this based
on the rate of technological developments. Remember that the World Wide Web is less than 20 years old or about the same age as most of you.

The issue before us is therefore less of competence, but rather of creativity and our ability to adapt to change and the opportunities it present.

The Second reason is Creative Culture

Many people liken the current financial recession to a raging storm. The advice that follows is to find shelter, keep dry, hang in there, and wait for the storm to blow over.

I take an exception to that view. I believe that the situation is more like a crash landing into the depths of a jungle. In this scenario we simply cannot afford to sit and wait. We have to innovate our way out of the disaster – find food and water,
build shelter, deal with predators, find a way out of the jungle, improve our chances to be rescued, etc.

Regional and International competition is hot. New skills-sets are needed to compete globally, move up the value chain, stay ahead of the curve, and capture new opportunities of the future.

Competition, not the downturn, is -- and has been -- the critical issue facing us all.

The third reason is Place Matters

The quality of a place is not neutral to creative activity. To be the world's best place to live, work and play, the quality of our infrastructure, buildings, spaces, systems and touchpoints need to be outstanding. Our style of life (note: this is not the same
as lifestyle) needs to be conducive to design creativity.

I sincerely recommend for all of us to check our actions and priorities against these reasons – rate of change, creative culture and place matters. One danger is for us to go the way of T-Rex and the dinosaurs who could not adapt fast enough. The
other danger, to quote Peter Drucker is to waste our time:

"There’s nothing so wasted as doing something that need not be done in the first place"

Thank you.

Session 10

SPEECH BY DR TAN GEOK LENG
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER & SENIOR DIRECTOR (TECHNOLOGY & PLANNING GROUP)
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
FRIDAY, 29 MAY 2009 (Session 10)

Members of the Board of Governors,
Mr Tan Hang Cheong, Principal, Singapore Polytechnic,
Distinguished Guests,
Parents and Graduands,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.

Congratulations

1. It is my pleasure to be here with you on this happy occasion. First, I would like to congratulate you for successfully completing your diploma course. After three years of hard work and with the support and sacrifice of your family, your moment of pride has finally arrived. As you contemplate the next phase of your life, you will realise that you are faced with many challenges ahead. This morning, let me share some of my thoughts with you.

The World is Flat

2. In1492, Christopher Columbus, using the latest technologies of his day, set off to prove that the earth is round. However, five hundred years later, Thomas Friedman declares in his best-seller, “The World is Flat”. Ironically, it is due to the exponential advances in technologies of our day. Has the world really evolved physically from round to flat in the last half millennium? Friedman takes “flat” to mean "connected" -  the lowering of trade and political barriers and the digital revolution have now made it possible to do business, or almost anything else, with billions of people around the world. The playing field for businesses is now leveled. To survive in this globalised market, enterprises have to continually seek new ways to add value to their businesses. For example, nowadays, if you want to buy anything, you will most likely check out prices on E-bay or read reviews online before making a decision. Also, many electronic social networks such as Facebook and Twitter, are rapidly challenging the traditional way of how people communicate or entertain themselves. Phrases such as “Just-in-time” and “video on demand” are born.



3. As new graduates, you are stepping into this “flat” world. You realise your life journey is rudely punctuated by a nasty economic crisis that is currently sweeping across the world. Singapore is one of the most open economies and being heavily reliant on exports, is one of the worst hit.

Taking Stock

4. Before we are overwhelmed by the waves of despair, let us take stock of some of our strengths as a nation. Singapore has a highly skilled and motivated work force, a well-respected legal and judicial system and social and political stability that has attracted many of the top MNCs to set up base here. We have accumulated reserves that we can now draw on. As Minister Mentor Lee said, “we have saved for a rainy day and the rains have come.” On top of these, we can still focus on high value-added industries and enterprises such as petro-chemicals, the biomedical sector, precision engineering, tourism, clean technology, creative and digital media industries.

Looking Ahead

5. To weather this economic storm, our country is taking steps to nurture the talents of those who possess deep knowledge and yet are flexible enough to navigate across disciplines and fields, finding new ways of doing things. You have just benefited from this nurturing process. You will soon be part of a highly skilled, creative, innovative and entrepreneurial work force that Singapore hopes to build. However, all these ambitious plans require a solid infrastructure. The government is planning to leverage on new and emerging Infocomm technologies to power the next phase of our economic and social development.  As such, Singapore has embarked on the Intelligent Nation 2015 or iN2015 masterplan to build a global city powered by Infocomm, by the year 2015. An important cornerstone is to build the Next Generation National Broadband Network (or Next Gen NBN). Working together within a conducive environment, innovative next generation services can then be developed to grow Singapore’s innovation capabilities and so enhance her opportunities to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the industry and the lives of all Singaporeans. So I am glad many of you who are new graduates of Infocomm Technology (ICT) will be participating in this initiative in one way or another.

GEMS of Opportunity

6. Every cloud has a silver lining. Despite the economic downturn, there are gems of opportunity for those searching for them. What are your options in the midst of this crisis? For the boys, you might be spared some pain in facing the present reality as you do your best to serve our nation for the next two years. For the girls, the first one option would be to find a job. As you embark on this task, you come to the unpleasant realisation that you are now competing with older and more experienced workers for a shrunken pool of jobs. Your chance of landing a job has diminished. However, you being a member of the Gen Y, have certain qualities that will stand you in good stead.



7. According to a recent report in the Straits Times, Gen -Y is technologically-savvy, self-assured, able to multi-task and can juggle multiple portfolios. Bosses also have noticed that the younger generation workers are working longer hours and do not mind travelling at the drop of a hat to venture into new markets and new businesses. These strengths will equip you in your new job. Of course, expectations will have to be lowered. My advice is that you take on any suitable job to gain the necessary experience. You will then be better equipped when the economy turns around.



8. A second option is to further your studies. Besides the existing three universities, the fourth university is opening its doors in 2011. In addition, under the Polytechnic – Foreign Specialised Institution (Poly-FSI) framework, graduates like you can enrol in degree courses in niche areas with an industry-oriented focus. Others may take this opportunity to further your studies overseas.



9. The third option is to be your own boss! This is a good opportunity since the cost of business has gone down markedly. Recently, Spring Singapore launched a new scheme “Yes! Startups” to provide funding to help young budding entrepreneurs start their own businesses. It aims to nurture youths to be enterprising and innovative through direct exposure to entrepreneurship.



10. Let me illustrate this with a success story. Recently, two Singaporeans Stanley Han and Chen Xiangdong, designed a program KooBits that enable children to write e-books with pictures and animation easily.  This innovative program has gained popularity even overseas. How did this all begin? It started with a final year project that had failed. A chance meeting with a group of ICT teachers who wanted to encourage weaker students to write led to the launching of this new software. Research has shown that innovations that yield high novelty results often begin with interaction with people who make known their needs. KooBits is an example of such an innovation.



11. The three options I have mentioned are just some of the many opportunities available. If you scout around for them, you will be surprised that many gems will surface. Life is an adventure and you have begun your life story well by equipping yourself with a valuable diploma. As you continue to pen the next chapter of your life, pepper it generously with important traits such as diligence, perseverance, trustworthiness and a generous heart for the community you live in. There is no doubt that as we try to make sense of the often bewildering global scene unfolding before our eyes, we will emerge from this dark tunnel to see the light of success. With this, I wish you every success on all your future endeavours.



12. Thank you.

Session 11

SPEECH BY PROFESSOR ER MENG HWA,
SENIOR ASSOCIATE PROVOST
NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
AT THE POLYTECHNIC’S 49TH GRADUATION CEREMONY
FRIDAY, 29 MAY 2009 (Session 11)

Members of the Board of Governors,
Principal Tan Hang Cheong,
Distinguished Guests,
Parents and Graduands,
Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good afternoon.

1. I am honoured to be here this afternoon to give an address to the graduands at this joyous occasion. First of all, I would like to congratulate all the graduands here for your success in completing your polytechnic education. You have invested time, energy and money in your polytechnic education.  You have every reason to celebrate your achievements with your family and friends during this graduation ceremony.  My congratulations also goes to the parents and family members of all the graduands.  It is through your love and support that they are able to attain this significant achievement today.



2. Graduation is not only a time for celebration but also for a time for reflection and anticipation. I believe that Singapore Polytechnic has provided you with the necessary skills and knowledge for you to embark on your career.  In addition, I am confident that you will be good ambassadors of the Polytechnic when you start your career in future. To uphold the good name of the Polytechnic, it is important for you to earn the respect of your future employers by giving your best in the performance of their job, even when working under resource and time constraint. 



3. I strongly believe that a positive attitude is the most important attribute in the working world. Such an attitude can provide us with higher energy level, greater creativity and an improved personality.  Besides, with a positive personality, you can improve the climate of your workplace. The well-known saying that “a person with a positive attitude is twice beautiful” best describes the most powerful asset, that is, maintaining a positive outlook.



4. You are graduating at a time when the job market is certainly not at its most rosy. There is a possibility that unemployment could worsen further before it improves. Hence, I would like to urge you to be patient, bite the bullet and be prepared to lower your expectations. Do not be afraid to consider and even take up job opportunities outside your immediate area of diploma studies.



5. Whatever career that you are pursuing or will be pursuing, it is important to remind yourselves the broader picture of the art of education.  I once came across this quotation that I would like to share with you.  It says: “The art of education is to continue to grow as long as you live.  Every moment brings its lesson.  Every person is a teacher.  Grow in all directions.  Develop a desire for goodness, an eagerness for knowledge, a capacity for friendship, and a concern for others.  Grow!  Man is never finished.  Man never arrives.  Education never stops.”



6. What has all this to do with your future careers?  Firstly, it is important for you to embark on a lifelong quest for knowledge. In today’s global marketplace, where technologies and lifestyles are changing at lightning speed, acquiring knowledge constantly is more critical than ever. The ability to adapt to fast changing environments has become a core competency required by many employers. Knowledge generates the basic breakthroughs in technology that create the conditions for high returns and high growth rates.



7. If you wish to stay relevant with the times, you would have to  constantly learn, upgrade your skills and adapt to new situations.  What is important is that you must treat your careers as dynamic processes that need continuous upkeep and upgrading.  Therefore, examinations may not end even when you are getting your diploma at this graduation ceremony.  As you progress in your career, you will need to upgrade your professional skills and knowledge from time to time.



8. It is a fact that many polytechnic graduands aspire, and do go on to pursue further studies, whether at the local universities or in universities overseas. The importance of furthering your studies is even more critical for those who wish to continue your involvement in the technology arena, be it aerospace, computer, electrical or electronic engineering.



9. I know for a fact that there are several of your seniors, SP alumni from the electrical engineering field who have done very well and who went on to obtain their PhD. They are now professors in NTU. And just as those who have graduated earlier have gone on to do well in their further studies, I have every confidence that many of you here will be inspired by their success and do well in your own undertaking to pursue further studies.



10. Next, I would like to touch on the importance of networking skills for success.  Today, networking is a valuable skills in improving  both the social and professional aspects of our lives. It is crucial simply because no man is an island.  In the working world, we have to deal with and relate to supervisors, subordinates, customers and even competitors daily.  Maintaining a harmonious relationship with all these parties usually means a faster and more efficient workflow that helps enhance our personal and professional endeavours.  There are other good reasons why networking is important, especially in our career.  There is a well-known Chinese saying that “ 在 家 靠 父 母, 出 外 靠 朋 友 ”.  Translated in English, it means “One depends upon one’s parents at home and one’s friends when abroad”. You never know when you may need a friend or colleague to put in a good word for you or to assist you in any other way.



11. The most effective networking comes naturally through relationships established in a natural setting. You can build solid friendships and relationships from your childhood, school or polytechnic days, and also through other social contacts in all areas of your life.



12. To increase your capacity for friendship, it is a very good idea to be friendly and sociable because when you are such, you do not need to actively try to network;  it will happen naturally through your daily activities. As long as you possess integrity and sincerity, your reputation will precede you, and networking becomes easier and easier.



13. Your polytechnic education has provided you with a headstart in the networking world.  You should capitalize on this opportunity to build your valuable networking contacts.



14. Today’s graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life.  The Polytechnic has laid a good foundation for you, not only by equipping you with technical expertise, but also through developing your character. From now on, you have to work out your own road map and journey to success, which sometimes can be full of uncertainties.  However, as long as you adopt a positive attitude, engage in career long education, strengthen your creative talent and build on your networking skills, I am confident that you will be able to overcome the uncertainties and achieve great success.



15. On this note, may I wish you courage to pursue you career goals. Some people dream of worthy accomplishments, and yet, others stay awake to do them. I believe that the best preparation for tomorrow is to do your best today. Once again, I would like to offer my congratulations to the graduands today.

Thank you.