Distinguished Minister for Education, Mr Heng Swee Keat
Principal of Pioneer Junior College, Mrs Tan-Kek Lee Yong
Mr Jim Rogers
Board members of Business China
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good afternoon!
1. First of all, on behalf of Business China and our co-organiser, Pioneer Junior College, I would like to thank Minister Heng for taking time off his busy schedule to grace this inaugural China-Quotient Teachers’ Forum.
2. We are also glad to have Mr Jim Rogers here with us today to share his views on Singapore’s education landscape, as a father of 2 bright girls. Last but not least, we are heartened to have the support of so many principals and teachers in attending the Forum this afternoon. This Forum is organised for you, with the aim to better equip our teachers in engaging our youths to be future-ready and China-savvy.
3. Last November, our Founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew graced the Business China Awards 2012 as Patron of Business China. In his speech, Mr Lee said that Singapore, with the advantage of being more westernised than China, can in fact, be the bridge between China and the western world.
4. Mr Lee also foresees that as a result of China’s rise, there will be greater demand for bilingual and bicultural talents. Our younger generations need to learn how to leverage on Singapore’s cultural and linguistic affinities. This is why dedicated teachers like you are especially important to ensure that our Asian heritage is passed from generation to generation.
5. It is also with this aim that Business China has partnered Pioneer Junior College, enlisting help from Ministry of Education officers, to co-develop a China-Quotient Resource Package for teachers, which will be launched by Minister Heng Swee Keat today.
6. This Forum is one of the many platforms that Business China initiates to promote understanding of the Chinese language and culture in multi-cultural Singapore. Launched in 2007 by our patron, Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Former Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao, Business China hopes to create more platforms for the younger generation to better engage China and contribute to stronger bilateral relations between the 2 countries.
7. To meet this demand, Business China actively reaches out and serves to groom an inclusive group of bilingual and bicultural Singaporeans. Besides teachers and students, signature platforms were created to cater to the needs of aspiring business leaders and corporations. One example is the Future China Advanced Leaders programme or the ALP.
8. In fact this coming Sunday, 20 top business leaders, senior executives and heads of organisations enrolled in the ALP will be embarking on a journey to experience China. Travelling to Yan’an and Xi’an, the participants will get rare chances to interact with high level Chinese officials, learn from senior scholars and business leaders to get an updated insider’s view of the current China society.
9. As China’s society is constantly evolving, it is necessary for us to always keep up-to-date of her developments and its relevance to Singapore. Business China hopes to become the nexus to which corporations and organisations will turn to for China-related expertise. In this respect, we are indeed very pleased to have this opportunity to work with educational institutions like Pioneer Junior College which shares our vision.
10. Once again, on behalf of the organisers, we are grateful to Minister Heng for gracing the Forum and sharing your knowledge with us.
11. Finally, I wish all of you would gain many useful insights and enriching interactions today.
12. Thank you.