6 May 2005 - Opening Remarks By Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore At iN2015 Media Briefing, IDA Multi-Purpose Hall, Suntec Tower Three.
Opening Remarks By Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore At iN2015 Media Briefing on 6 May 2005, IDA Multi-Purpose Hall, Suntec Tower Three.
Good morning, friends, ladies and gentlemen.
1. As you know, Singapore is a country that is in the forefront of the new economy, where technology, capital, knowledge and talent count as some of the most crucial growth factors. Currently, our infocomm industry contributes to about 6 per cent of the country's GDP.
2. Singapore's infocomm landscape will see even more exciting developments in the coming years. The technology roadmap that IDA released in March gives an indication of new technologies that are just over the horizon and evolving. There will be many new opportunities. Singapore will need to be able to identify and seize these opportunities to ensure that we exploit these new frontiers, and stay at the top of our class in the global competitive environment.
3. The use of infocomm technologies in Singapore rank amongst the highest in the world. As a nation, we have a reputation as an "early technology adopter" and a "thought-leader". But our competitors are fast catching up.
4. Building on the successes of IT2000 ("Singapore - the Intelligent Island") and Infocomm 21 ("Singapore - the Infocomm Capital"), the current three-year Connected Singapore blueprint will have run its course by 2006. It is timely now to start development of a new compelling plan to regain Singapore's global leadership and mindshare in infocomm as well as re-energise the local infocomm sector.
5. The Singapore Government is drawing up the Intelligent Nation 2015 Masterplan (or iN2015 in short) that will look ten years into the future, and identify new possibilities and opportunities for Singapore?s industries, economy and society. As with previous masterplans, the Government cannot achieve the desired outcomes alone. Over the next 12 months, IDA will work with the infocomm industry, stakeholders in key economic sectors, research institutes and public and civic organizations. IDA hopes to engage the People, Private and Public sectors in this national co-creation endeavour, to ensure that iN2015 reflects real possibilities and a vision that is shared by all.
6. A high-level steering committee has been formed that will set strategic directions and spearhead the development of the iN2015 masterplan. The steering committee will be chaired by Mr Lam Chuan Leong, Chairman of IDA, and will comprise senior representatives from the industry, private and public sectors.
7. To support the growth of the infocomm sector, we need to have a committed and competent work force of ICT professionals. An Infocomm Competency Council has been set up recently to look into this area. This Council will be chaired by Mr Lee Kwok Cheong, President of the Singapore Computer Society. You will hear more from KC later as he shares with you more about the Council.
8. Today, on behalf of the Steering Committee, I would also like to announce the launch of a competition called Express IT! IN2015. Organised by IDA, the Singapore IT Federation (SiTF) and Singapore Computer Society, it is supported by MOE and Digital Life. This competition is meant to provide a platform to encourage everyone to proactively share with us their wish lists and dreams, on how infocomm technologies can help them work, learn and play by the year 2015. The competition is an open canvass and participants are welcome to express their views in various formats such as drawings, cartoons, short films, narrations or even songs. We look forward to seeing and hearing many creative works, and incorporating their visions into iN2015.
9. We hope that the media will give us their support. We also encourage you to share with us your wish lists and dreams. Do tell us how you envisage infocomm technology will impact your life or perhaps your work in 2015.
10. Personally, my dream is that by 2015, there will be no such thing as textbooks and exercise books - at least not in the form that we know them today. With new display technologies, new input technologies and new wireless technologies, all our children will need to bring to school each day is a small handphone-size device, which will let them access any knowledge, anytime, anywhere, in any language. No more heavy school bags to lug around. No more mindless memorisation. Instead, more time to explore. More time to learn.
11. Give it a thought. Thank you.
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