To boost Singapore's talent pool for the increasingly buoyant infocomm industry, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), together with the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and industry players, has collaborated to launch Singapore's first infocomm reality game show called "iWhiz".
Singapore, 24 January 2007 | For Immediate Release
To boost Singapore's talent pool for the increasingly buoyant infocomm industry, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), together with the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and industry players, has collaborated to launch Singapore's first infocomm reality game show called "iWhiz". Part of IDA's Student Infocomm Outreach efforts, iWhiz is the latest in a slew of outreach programmes such as Infocomm Clubs and the National Infocomm Competition, to attract the youth to an infocomm career.
Mr Khoong Hock Yun, Assistant Chief Executive, Infrastructure and Manpower Development Group of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) said, "As Singapore surges ahead to realise our iN2015 vision to become a globally connected city powered by infocomm, we must ensure that we have an excellent talent pool with the expertise to harness infocomm technologies to gain strategic advantage. iWhiz, Singapore's first infocomm reality game show, will reinforce our talent attraction efforts and further the prospects of infocomm as an exciting and dynamic industry."
The iN2015 Masterplan is expected to generate 80,000 new jobs in 2015, out of which 55,000 are infocomm jobs and 25,000 are supporting jobs in the infocomm industry. While Singapore moves ahead with its iN2015 ambition to be an infocomm hub, there is a need to develop globally competitive infocomm professionals, who are both technologists and business strategists to transform key economic sectors and propel Singapore's growth into the future. The youth will be looked upon to be the champions of the next phase of growth in the thriving infocomm industry. In 2006, the infocomm industry revenue is expected to hit the S$40 billion mark for the first time. The infocomm industry has been growing steadily, registering revenue growth of 6% to 9% growth from 2004 to 2005.
iWhiz, mirrored after the National Infocomm Competition launched in June 2006, will span ten 30-minute episodes starting 5 February 2007, 8pm on Channel 5, every Monday. Meticulously crafted to challenge budding infocomm talents in various popular and emerging infocomm areas1 such as network & security, software & programming, iWhiz promises to be a reality game show to educate and excite all about the world of infocomm.
12 contestants, aged 15-21 years old, are grouped in three teams of four (For more information on the contestants, please refer to fact sheet Annex A (268.29KB)). Over 10 challenges, they will have to pit their wits, creativity and infocomm knowledge to emerge as Singapore's ultimate iWhiz. The losing team will have one member eliminated from each challenge.
Shouldering the responsibility to determine the results in each episode will be three resident judges from the public and private sectors. The chief judge is Mr Lee Kwok Cheong, better known as KC Lee, an IT veteran with vast experience in the infocomm industry, who will be represented as Chairman of the Infocomm Manpower Council. He is accompanied by Mr Andrew Sansom, Vice President of Singapore Computer Society and Mr Colin Png, Director, Business and Marketing Organisation from Microsoft Singapore. (For more details on the judges, please refer to fact sheet Annex B (87.69KB)). In each episode, they will also be joined by guest judges from the IHLs who will provide the necessary subject expertise for each challenge.
"MediaCorp TV, Channel 5 is proud to telecast iWhiz, Singapore's first local reality show that champions excellence in infocomm amongst youth. We are confident that viewers will be entertained by this unique reality format and learn more about the dynamic and exciting infocomm industry." said Ms Selena Ho, Vice President, Network Programming and Promotions, Channel 5. Hosting iWhiz will be TV artistes, Julian Hee and Tracy Tan. Both artistes are young, bubbly and infocomm savvy. They have been picked for their ability to relate to the young.
Singapore's ultimate iWhiz will stand to win an all-expenses one-week paid trip to Microsoft's headquarters in Redmond, USA. They will meet with key Microsoft executives and researchers; tour the Microsoft Home of the Future, Microsoft Centre for Information Worker and the Microsoft Museum. "iWhiz's unique and fun format will help to prepare the next generation of infocomm leaders in Singapore and excite a whole new generation of Singaporeans about the potential, possibilities and promise of information technology." said Colin Png, Director, Business and Marketing Organisation, Microsoft Singapore.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
1 According to IDA's Infocomm Manpower survey 2005, the fastest growing demand for infocomm manpower is projected to be in high-end jobs in the areas of 'Infocomm Research & Development', 'Digital Media', 'Web Development', and 'Infocomm Consultancy & Project Management'.
About the National Infocomm Competition
The National Infocomm Competition is a multi-themed inter-school challenge created to uncover top infocomm talent in Singapore. Divided into three circuits - secondary schools, junior colleges and ITE/polytechnics - the competition will encompass challenges focused on areas such as business IT, digital media, mobile technology, security & networking and more. The National Infocomm Competition is organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, Universities, Polytechnics, ITE College Central, Singapore Computer Society and Singapore Science Centre.
Infocomm Manpower Development Roadmap
IDA's Infocomm Manpower Development Roadmap is a five-year roadmap to develop infocomm professionals into globally-competitive players, the general workforce into savvy Infocomm users, and students into the infocomm talent of the future. The Roadmap supports the ten-year Intelligent Nation 2015 (iN2015) masterplan to turn Singapore into a globally connected city, powered by infocomm.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global Infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing Infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/.
For media clarification, please contact:
Gayle Wong (Ms)
Manager, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 0209
HP: +65 9753 3273
Fax: +65 6211 2227
Email: gayle_wong@imda.gov.sg
Ho Hwei Ling (Ms)
Assistant Director, Corporate and Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1996
Fax: +65 6211 2227
Email: ho_hwei_ling@imda.gov.sg
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