15 September 2007 - Speech By Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore as the Guest-Of-Honour At The 2007 National Infocomm Scholarship Awards Ceremony Cum 23rd National Software Competition, Singapore Polytechnic.
Speech By Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore As The Guest-Of-Honour At The 2007 National Infocomm Scholarship Awards Ceremony Cum 23rd National Software Competition on 15 September 2007, Singapore Polytechnic.
Mr Edward Quah Kok Wah, Deputy Principal (Admin), Singapore Polytechnic,
Students,
Sponsors and participating companies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
Introduction
1. First, let me extend my heartfelt congratulations to the award recipients of the National Infocomm Scholarship and the winners of the 23rd National Software Competition here today. The infocomm scene in schools today is certainly very much abuzz. I understand that more than 1,500 students have registered or participated in the National Infocomm Competition so far. This is an increase of more than 50 per cent compared to the same period last year. This year, we have three new challenges and S$300,000 worth of prizes to be won. I would like to urge you to take part in these challenges and compete for the fabulous prizes in store for you.
2. The National Infocomm Scholarship (NIS) too has set new records with 39 scholarships being presented to the young men and women sitting in the audience here.
3. The number of sponsor organisations participating in the National Infocomm Scholarship has also grown from the initial 7 to 21 this year. I would like to thank all the NIS partners for your support and I hope you will continue to work with IDA to expand the scholarship to benefit and attract more students into infocomm to contribute to your companies and the nation.
4. Nine of this year's NIS scholars will be pursuing the flagship infocomm master's programmes. The flagship programmes are IDA's effort to bring together both local and leading overseas universities to offer integrated fast-tracked bachelors and masters programmes for the brightest students. The first flagship course was offered in March last year by the Singapore Management University (SMU) in partnership with the world-renowned Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). This year, we have added two more flagship programmes, NUS has tied up with Carnegie Mellon University's Entertainment Technology Centre and NTU with the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Infocomm Driving Usage Across Sectors
5. The remarkable boost in both the number of scholarships awarded and the number of organisations joining the NIS demonstrates the vibrancy of the infocomm industry and its thirst for talent to drive and sustain growth in the sector. This growth will continue to rise with the ever-increasing adoption and usage of infocomm by governments, businesses and consumers around the world.
6. Infocomm has significantly transformed the global landscape over recent decades and the infocomm sector in Singapore is now worth more than S$45 billion. Infocomm manpower, too, has grown by an impressive 7% to bring the number of infocomm professionals in Singapore to 120,000 last year.
Leveraging Infocomm for Innovation
7. We have come a long way in exploiting IT and making it a pervasive part of our lives. It is critical that we do not rest on our laurels but continue to innovatively harness infocomm technologies to enhance our national capacity and competitiveness. Infocomm will continue to be a key enabler of businesses across all sectors, from healthcare, manufacturing, logistics to finance and retail.
8. Every infocomm entrepreneur, who is equipped with the knowledge, skills and determination to develop innovative solutions, will have the opportunity to excel. And those who have succeeded in doing so, are handsomely rewarded. The world's richest have men derived their wealth from infocomm. For example, Carlos Slim Helu, who is now the richest man in the world, owns numerous telecommunication companies in Mexico and Latin America. The founders of Google, eBay, Yahoo and YouTube are also all billionaires now.
9. You could be the next, because the possibilities are endless. There are so many other needs to be met to enhance the way we all live, learn, work and play. We are only limited by our own imagination.
Conclusion
10. On this note, I would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to Singapore Polytechnic for organising the 23rd National Software Competition under the National Infocomm Competition and lending their support for our National Infocomm Scholarship. I believe, together we will grow from strength to strength in sourcing and developing potential infocomm leaders.
11. To all the NIS scholars, I would like to congratulate you on your wise choice in making infocomm your career. The future is yours to shape!
12. Thank you.
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