23 May 2008 - Address By RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore, As Guest-Of-Honour at Temasek Informatics and IT School Graduation Ceremony 2008, Temasek Convention Centre, Temasek Polytechnic
Address By RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore,
As Guest-Of-Honour At Temasek Informatics And IT School Graduation Ceremony 2008,
Friday 23 May 2008, 9.30am, Temasek Convention Centre, Temasek Polytechnic
Mr Boo Kheng Hua, Principal & CEO, Temasek Polytechnic,
Members, Board of Governors and Temasek Informatics & IT School Advisory Committee,
Deputy Principals, Directors, Distinguished Guests, Graduands, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
Introduction
1. I would like to first thank Mr Boo for kindly inviting me to officiate at this graduation ceremony. It is an honour for me to be here this morning to witness the graduation of so many promising young talent from Temasek Polytechnic.
2. I would like to congratulate all graduands on your fine success and achievements. The diploma that you will be receiving today recognises that you have gained the relevant knowledge and skills for a bright career in infocomm. Indeed, as your Director Ms Lim Sok Keow has said, Singapore needs 'techno-strategists' - graduates like yourselves with a sound foundation in IT skills and business knowledge - to give Singapore a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
The Future is Infocomm
3. We live in a rapidly changing world of infocomm - from broadband, WiFi, Bluetooth, and 3G to virtual environments, like Second Life and a host of interactive digital media. Infocomm has transformed the way we live, work, learn and play. It is pervasive in everything we do, and today, we are dependent on many innovative infocomm technology products and services to be connected and carry out our various activities.
4. A career in infocomm is exciting because of the dynamic nature of technology and its transformational impact. The 500 or so of you graduating today can look forward to a dynamic infocomm career and to lead in the forefront of technology. Singapore is ready to deepen the technical capabilities and enhance the global competitiveness of our infocomm workforce. Over the years, Singapore has been investing in infocomm as a key enabler of economic and social growth. The foundation we have built has helped to contribute to a vibrant infocomm sector in Singapore. For 2007, our preliminary estimates indicate a revenue growth of between 7% to 10% for the sector.
5. Going forward, Singapore's infocomm masterplan, Intelligent Nation 2015 or iN2015, will continue to guide our efforts to foster a conducive environment for greater innovation and growth through infocomm. These include building a new ultra-high speed broadband infrastructure, ensuring skilled infocomm manpower, developing a thriving infocomm industry and encouraging a high level of infocomm adoption by enterprises and citizens.
6. To support these exciting developments, we need a pool of talented infocomm manpower, like yourselves. You may be happy to know that today, demand for infocomm professionals across all sectors is increasing. According to the latest Infocomm Manpower Survey, the number of infocomm manpower employed grew by 8.9% to reach 130,400 last year. Job areas in demand include technology research and development (R&D), digital media, web development, infocomm security, infocomm consultancy and project management, to name a few.
7. Key economic sectors, such as healthcare, banking & finance, retail & tourism, have adopted infocomm to improve their productivity. The same survey shows a shift in the employment of infocomm professionals, from those with pure technical expertise alone to those with business and management skills as well. For instance, the number of infocomm professionals in 'Project, IT and Business Process Outsourcing Management' grew from over 11,000 in 2006 to 24,000 last year. Moving forward, I am confident that there will continue to be a healthy demand for infocomm professionals, both locally and globally.
Quality Graduates
8. Over the years, Temasek Polytechnic has produced many fine and competent infocomm professionals. Riding on the upward development of infocomm, your School made a visionary move in renaming itself as the Temasek Informatics & IT School. I am pleased to note that Temasek Polytechnic has also been producing outstanding students who have been awarded the National Infocomm Scholarship or NIS. This Scholarship offers the unique opportunity for scholars to be nurtured by leading MNCs, local companies and government agencies during their course of study. Through company mentorships and overseas work attachments, NIS scholars will be trained to become industry-ready and globally-competitive infocomm professionals or techno-strategists even before they graduate. IDA looks forward to working closely with Temasek Polytechnic to continue grooming our infocomm talent.
9. While technical IT skills are important, other skills such as leadership, communications and teamwork are equally key to your success. I encourage you to be professional in how you handle everyday situations and in particular in interacting with people. Always be ready to listen, to communicate and to act with integrity. The ability to work effectively with people and to help one another is an essential life skill.
10. I can see that helping each other is already something close to your heart. I am most heartened to hear about your involvement in community work in Singapore and overseas. The recent crises in Myanmar and China are a reminder of how natural disasters can suddenly hit communities of people. We should always be ready to respond with compassion and to use our time, talents and skills to help those in need.
Conclusion
11. In closing, let me say again that as graduates of Temasek Polytechnic's Informatics & IT School, you are well-prepared for an infocomm career with good technical skills and business knowledge. Do seek to continually innovate and add value by keeping yourself updated on developments in infocomm technology and practices.
12. On this note, I encourage you to take up the challenge of an infocomm career and wish you every success in all your endeavours. Thank you.
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