Polytechnic Education - Keeping Its Edge

11 Jul 2005

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and The Arts and Health

Venue: The Ngee Ann Convention Centre, Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Mr Tan Hup Foi, Chairman of the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Council

Mr Wee Tew Lim, Deputy Chairman of the Council

Mr Chia Mia Chiang, Principal of Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Parents and Graduates, Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning to launch Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Graduation Ceremony 2005.  At this session, I share the joy of the graduation of another successful batch of Biotechnology, and Horticulture and Landscape Management students.  I extend my congratulations and best wishes to all the graduates, your parents and loved ones.

That Something Extra in Polytechnic Education

Indeed, you are fortunate to be graduating at a time when the employment market has improved.  Unemployment fell to 3.7% in December 2004, down from the peak of 5.7% in 2003.  Polytechnic graduates continued to be among the most sought-after.  Last year, nine out of ten secured their first job within five months of graduation.  Graduates from the Health Sciences, Chemical & Life Sciences and Maritime courses led the pack in being the top earners. 

It is no surprise then that I learn that Ngee Ann's graduating cohort of Marine & Offshore Technology students has attained virtually 100% employment, and that some graduates from your Polytechnic have received as many as three or four job offers.

Employers are not the only ones seeking out diploma holders.  Local universities are also wooing them. Increasingly, more polytechnic graduates are gaining admission into our local universities.  Within the last two years, the number of polytechnic graduates making it to the three local universities has almost doubled.  The number is expected to increase further in the immediate years ahead.

This speaks volumes about what we already know of the quality of our polytechnic graduates.  Indeed, polytechnic education is a core pillar in Singapore's education system.  Amidst the challenging educational landscape, polytechnics have not only held their own, but have with each passing year added value through reinvention and re-engineering.

Polytechnics have long moved beyond technical skills competency.  I see conscious efforts to weave in holistic development, nurturing the spirit of innovation and enterprise, and instilling a global mindset.  Clearly, as polytechnic graduates, you are well positioned for the global workplace. This will be your edge in the new economy.    

The DNA of Ngee Ann Product

I commend Ngee Ann Polytechnic for its clear leadership in adopting a unique learning model to draw out enterprising traits in students.  In the process, you have created a special DNA in the Ngee Ann product.  Let me illustrate this with a few recent examples.

You can see the Ngee Ann DNA in Darran Nathan, an Electronic & Computer Engineering graduate in year 2000.  Darran has led a team to develop a supercomputing platform that can help the pharmaceutical industry cut data processing time drastically.  For this engineering researcher-turned-entrepreneur, the world will be his market.   Aaron Tan, a 2004 graduate of the School of InfoComm Technology, is already his own boss, with several IT-related businesses to his name.  In the field of sports, Elaine Chua, a Business Studies graduate, has become a full-time sailor and the first Singaporean to complete the British Telecom Global Challenge.  She is now probably out in the open sea, keeping her dream afloat to be the first Asian woman to enter the Mini Transat [1] race. On the film industry scene, there is Jason Lai, a Film & Media Studies graduate who co-founded Oak 3 Films.  This local company has now made inroads into the global market through tie-ups with international partners. 

Unmistakably, these individuals, from diverse backgrounds but are all products of Ngee Ann, have something in common. You see in them passion, creativity, adventure, resolve and fearlessness. It's the DNA of an enterprising being.  This is that something extra that will take you far in life. 

Top Facilities to Train Nurses

I am also pleased to note the amount of effort invested in setting up the School of Health Sciences and the launch of a nursing diploma at Ngee Ann this year.  Its establishment is excellently timed, in view of the dire need for nurses and healthcare professionals.  While people used to shun nursing in the past, there is a renewed interest in this line now.  The first intake figure of 170 at Ngee Ann will be ramped up to 400 in four to five years.  Students will enjoy world-class facilities.  They will be trained in one of the best environments, equipped with anatomy laboratories, operating theatres, Paediatrics and Geriatrics wards, Cardiac Life Support Lab and general wards.

Beyond traditional nursing, the School has incorporated life sciences electives into the curriculum and offers a solid 48-week clinical attachment programme. This is a definite plus as it prepares graduates for the diverse educational and employment opportunities in the healthcare sector.  With the opening of the second medical school and plans for nursing degrees in Singapore, life and health sciences diploma holders can look forward to several avenues to upgrade their professional qualifications.

I am pleased to learn that, moving forward, the Polytechnic plans to introduce Advanced Diploma programmes in specialized areas like Infection Control, Clinical Trials and Cancer Care.  To further plug the manpower gap in the nursing industry, Ngee Ann is also considering a two-year accelerated programme for mid-career professionals interested in nursing.  These are steps in the right direction and will certainly propel Ngee Ann as a serious player in the field of health science education.  

The many initiatives for the new School of Health Sciences attest to the Polytechnic's unwavering commitment to ensure that its graduates keep the edge in an ever-changing landscape.  I am confident that Ngee Ann has prepared all of you well for the world outside.

Keep Sharpening Your Edge

As you embark on a new journey of your life, remember to keep sharpening your edge.  Although the job market looks rosy now, our past experiences have taught us not to be complacent.  We should not let the prevailing fair weather conditions "soften" us.  Global uncertainties still loom.  The foundation laid by your Polytechnic is your compass.  Your broad-based experience at Ngee Ann would guide your enterprising spirit.  Seek opportunities and knowledge tenaciously, not just for economic benefits but because it helps to advance society and better the human condition.  

On this note, I wish you all the best in all your endeavours.