10 May 2007 - Opening Address By Mr Leong Keng Thai, Deputy Chief Executive & Director-General (Telecoms), Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore At the Launch of the JavaJive Challenge, ITE College East.
Opening Address By Mr Leong Keng Thai, Deputy Chief Executive & Director-General (Telecoms), Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore At the Launch of the JavaJive Challenge on 10 May 2007, ITE College East.
Mr Tan Seng Hua, Principal, ITE College East,
Mr Wong Heng Chew, Managing Director, Sun Microsystems,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon.
Introduction
1. I am happy to be here today to launch the JavaJive Challenge 2007 organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), Sun Microsystems and the Institute of Technical Education. JavaJive is one of the 13 challenges of the National Infocomm Competition. Today, JavaJive is the first challenge to kick off the 2007 National Infocomm Competition series. It is also one of the latest challenges to join this nation-wide infocomm competition. It is my pleasure to welcome JavaJive to the National Infocomm Competition.
High Growth in Infocomm
2. The development of infocomm has grown rapidly in the last few years. Today, we see many new infocomm innovations which we have become very familiar with. Blogs, podcasts and videocasts, to name a few, have now become very popular as a form of communication and interactivity. Indeed, infocomm has become pervasive and become a part of how we live, learn, work and play.
3. No doubt, you would have heard of or better still, experienced the Wireless@SG service. This is a nation-wide wi-fi service available at public areas offering free access at 512 kbps. I am happy to share that to date, we have 2,000 wireless hotspots available and more than 400,000 subscribers on Wireless@SG since its launch in December last year. What this means is that more Singaporeans and even visitors to Singapore can enjoy an infocomm lifestyle while they are out of their homes and offices or on the move. Infocomm will continue to be a strategic enabler and source of competitive advantage as we progress into a world that is increasingly digital and connected.
4. A challenge like JavaJive is a great platform for aspiring infocomm professionals like yourselves to showcase your talent and to come up with innovative ideas and solutions that make all our lives more fun, more exciting, and more fulfilling. I am sure you are familiar with applications such as Flickr, Wikipedia, Blogger and Google Maps. These are innovative applications that have become part of our everyday lives. Who knows, you may invent the next great web application just by participating in this challenge. I strongly encourage all students to give your best, because creativity, passion and the will to succeed will be important ingredients to succeed in this competition.
The Future is Bright For Infocomm
5. Your success in today’s challenge may well spell your success in the future infocomm landscape. For now, you will be pleased to know that the future is looking bright for the infocomm industry. In a recent survey conducted by IDA, the number of infocomm job vacancies has more than doubled, from 2,100 in 2004 to 5,700 in 2005. In particular, there is demand for skills like Software Development, Infocomm Security, Database Management, IT Project Management and Web Services. And one of the highest numbers of employed infocomm professionals is in 'Programming & Software Design'. For this challenge, students will be challenged on software design & programming. This is your chance to hone your skills for the infocomm career.
6. Beyond growth prospects in the areas of infocomm job vacancies and demand, I am pleased to share with you that infocomm employees are today also enjoying higher salaries. Recent articles in the Straits Times reported higher salaries for infocomm workers in Singapore. Salaries for top infocomm professionals have jumped up to $100,000 a year in recent years. Overall, the infocomm industry has put in a sterling performance. Its revenue grew from $38 billion in 2005 to cross the $40 billion mark for the first time in 2006. Such growth can only spell more job opportunities for aspiring infocomm professionals like you.
7. Given the pervasive adoption of infocomm in Singapore, and the power of infocomm to transform lives and businesses, it is little wonder that infocomm professionals are now in high demand in every industry, be it in hospitality, biomedical or financial services. A career in infocomm comes with many opportunities to create intellectual property too. We are looking to you to be part of this dynamic workforce.
Closing
8. In closing, let me thank Sun Microsystems and the Institute of Technical Education for your efforts in leading the charge to nurture infocomm talent for Singapore. I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations especially to ITE College East, which has emerged first runners-up in the polytechnic/ite circuit of the National Infocomm Competition last year. Well done!
9. I wish all of you an exciting journey in the National Infocomm Competition 2007.
10. Thank you.
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