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ITE 06/18/01

 

Press Release No. 07/07

Embargoed until 5 July 2007

ITE HOLDS FIRST INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SEMINAR IN COLLABORATION WITH
HONG KONG VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL

             Some 300 students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will join hands with 300 students from the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council (HKVTC) in a first international seminar, ITE-VTC Student Seminar 2007,to be heldfrom 4 to 7 July 2007, at VTC School of Business And Information Systems, Tsing Yi, Hong Kong. Based on the theme “Global City , Inclusive Society” , the 600 students from both countries will deliberate on issues pertaining to the sub-themes: Global City – New Opportunities for All and Inclusive Society – Caring for Others.

New Elements in Seminar

2            The Seminar marks a new milestone in the series of ITE Student Seminars:

• It is the first joint Seminar between ITE and HKVTC. Close collaboration and MOU partners since 1998, this is the first student seminar of this magnitude between the two partners;

• It will be the first time an ITE student seminar will be held completely in an overseas location; and

• All student participants are involved in action-based projects based on the theme of the Seminar.

3            Said Mr Tan Seng Hua, Principal/ITE College East and Advisor for the Seminar: “The theme encapsulates the twin goals of Singapore and Hong Kong in making themselves into global cities with an inclusive society that cares for others. We hope, through holding the Seminar in Hong Kong, and through interaction with Hong Kong students and speakers with rich international experience, students will have an opportunity to examine the issues of globalisation from a wider perspective, and be challenged to reflect on the roles they can play in caring for society.”

4            Looking forward to this milestone event is Alvina Melissa, a second-year Higher Nitec in Accounting student from ITE College Central: “Having the seminar in Hong Kong will certainly be an eye-opener for many of us, as we can observe and learn the entrepreneurial dynamics and high service standards in the cosmopolitan city. We look forward to getting to know and interacting with students from Hong Kong too!”

Action-Based Projects

5           All ITE and IVE students participating in the Seminar will be undertaking Action-Based Projects in conjunction with the seminar. “Youth Voice” is one such project. Undertaken by students in ITE College West, the project aims at helping special needs students gain confidence through movement and dance.

6          Said 17-year-old Theseira Moe Farhan, a first-year Nitec in Chemical Process Technology student, “Interacting with the special needs children and seeing them gain confidence through dance has been a most rewarding experience for us.” He and his team, like all student participants, are involved in the Action-Based Projects which arebased on any one of the two sub-themes. A brief of the Student Seminarwith examples of action-based projects is attached at Annex A.

Invitation to Media

7           Members of the media are cordially invited to cover or publish the ITE-VTC Student Seminar 2007.

8           The Opening Ceremony will be heldon Thursday 5 July 2007, 0930 hours at the School of Business and Information Systems Hall,Hong Kong Institute ofVocational Education (IVE), 20 Tsing Yi Road , Tsing Yi, New Territories, Hong Kong.

9           The Guest-of-Honour for the Opening Ceremony is Mr Toh Hock Ghim, SingaporeConsul-General in Hong Kong. The Programmes for the Opening and Closing Sessions are attached at Annex B.

10          For further information or arrangements for interviews, please contact Ms Hajijah Koming, Head/Communications (Colleges)/Corporate Relations, on tel: 67720804 or email: hajijah_koming@ite.edu.sg OR 2) Mr Jailani Nathan, Head/Publicity/Corporate Relations on tel: 67720805 or email: jailani@ite.edu.sg.

 

Released on: 3 July 2007

 

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, was established as a post-secondary education institution in 1992 under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and principal authority in developing national occupational skills certification and standards to enhance Singapore's workforce competitiveness. Under its "One ITE System, Three Colleges" Model of Education, ITE governs three Colleges, comprising ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West.

 

 

Annex A

BRIEF OF THE ITE-VTC STUDENT SEMINAR 2007

Introduction

1. The ITE Student Seminar is a biennial event that provides a forum for the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students to discuss and exchange views on, and be aware of issues related to development in Singapore and the world and an opportunity for them to develop their planning, organisational and leadership skills. Aligned with ITE’s goal to cultivate a global mindset in our students, the 4-day seminar will be held in Hong Kong from 4 to 7 July 2007. The Opening Ceremony for the Student Seminar will be held on 5 July by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Toh Hock Ghim, Singapore Consul-General in Hong Kong.

2. Into its 6th run, this seminar is a first for ITE to co-organise it with another world-class vocational institution and ITE’s MOU partner – Hong Kong Vocational Training Council (HKVTC). The seminar will involve 300 student participants from the three ITE Colleges; ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West, and another 300 students from HKVTC.

Venue

3. The Seminar will be held at the Hall of the VTC School of Business And Information Systems, 20A Tsing Yi Road, Tsing Yi , New Territories, Hong Kong.

4. Hong Kong is an apt venue for the seminar as it is a cosmopolitan city of dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, high service standards and colourful cultures. Hong Kong has a conducive business environment for multi-national companies (MNCs) to site their business operations. As a regional hub for China, many MNCs have benefited from its highly skilled workforce, favourable economic opportunities and large market. There is much for ITE students to observe, experience and learn from the life and culture in Hong Kong.

Theme for ITE-VTC Student Seminar 2007

5. The theme for the 2007 Seminar is “Global City, Inclusive Society”, which is in line with the Government’s aspirations for the future – for Singapore to become a vibrant global city with a world of opportunities, and for Singapore to become a gracious society – so that Singapore will become the best place in Asia to live, work and play for both locals and foreigners.

6. Singapore has been ranked as one of the most globalised nation and offers a globally top-ranked workforce, recognised for its high level of productivity, technical proficiency and business climate. The Government wants Singapore to become a global city - a cosmopolitan society, and a dynamic, well-connected and entrepreneurial economy with tremendous opportunities in all fields; finance, business, technology, social as well as the arts and culture.

7. In his recent speech, PM Lee Hsien Loong, spoke of a gracious society, and service excellence in a gracious and caring society. He reiterated that Singaporeans should treat each other with kindness and mutual respect and build “an inclusive society which leaves no one behind”.

 
Sub-Themes and Action-Based Projects

8. The seminar theme, “Global City, Inclusive Society”, will challenge our students to think of the global and social issues involved, how they can contribute and play a part in making Singapore a global city with a gracious society, and how they can leverage on the opportunities presented by globalisation.

The Sub-Themes are:

Sub-theme 1 : “Global City – New Opportunities For All”
Making Singapore a vibrant city full of life, energy and excitement; and tapping on the opportunities presented by globalisation.

Sub-theme 2 : “Inclusive Society – Caring for Others”
Caring for others; and improving our service culture.

Action-Based Projects

9. During the seminar, student presenters from ITE and VTC will share their projects and have dialogue sessions with a group of panelists, comprising all the six Principals: three from ITE and three from HKVTC. These presentations will allow student participants to learn how they can enhance their own actionable projects on the various topics under one of the sub-themes.

10. The following exemplifies meaningful projects which ITE students have embarked or will embark on:


• Project title: Arts Reloaded, ITE College Central
  “Arts for Everyone” is the philosophy shared by Shah Fardani and his team when they embark on this project, where team members teach music, drama and dance to secondary school students. In keeping with the Singapore’s aim to be a “ Global City for the Arts”, the project provides a platform to unearth hidden talents and opportunities for artistic expressions. In a small way, the team is doing its part towards making Singapore a flourishing arts city.
  
  
• Project title: Green Bank, ITE College East
  “Caring for the earth,” was what Mark Daniel Govin and his team aim to do with their green ideas. These youths want to do their part for the earth by setting up Recycling Bins at ITE Colleges and popular places in the neighbourhood. Through simple yet entertaining animations, they plan to ‘teach’ others to be more conscious of environmental issues so that everyone can play a part to care for the earth.
  
  
• Project title: Youth Voice, ITE College West
  17-year-old Theseira Moe Farhan likes to dance. But unlike most teenagers who dance for their own pleasures, Farhan and his friends have been dancing with children with special needs. Through body movements, they helped the children gain confidence and develop thinking abilities. “Interacting with them made me realise that they are so much a part of us, not apart from us,” shared Farhan.

 

 

Annex B

ITE-VTC STUDENT SEMINAR 2007 OPENING SESSION PROGRAMME

DAY 1:	THURSDAY 5 JULY 2007
	OPENING CEREMONY
0900 hrs	Guests to be seated
0930 hrs	Welcome by Dr Carrie Willis, MBE, Executive Director, Hong Kong Vocational Training Council Opening Address by Mr Bruce Poh Geok Huat, Director & Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Technical Education, Singapore Student Performances Keynote Address by Guest-of-Honour Mr Toh Hock Ghim, Singapore Consul-General in Hong Kong
1030 hrs	Tea Reception
	PANEL DISCUSSION
1100 hrs	Panel Discussion chaired by Mr Heng Guan Teck, Deputy CEO (Academic) of the Institute of Technical Education
1300 hrs	End of Session

 

ITE-VTC STUDENT SEMINAR 2007 CLOSING SESSION PROGRAMME

DAY 2:	FRIDAY 6 JULY 2007
	CLOSING SESSION
0830 hrs	Participants to be seated
0900 hrs	Student Presentations with Question & Answer Session chaired by Dr Lo Kin-ki, Deputy Executive Director (Operation), Vocational Training Council
1030 hrs	Tea Reception
	CLOSING CEREMONY
1115 hrs	Closing Address by Guests-of-Honour Mr Bob Tan Beng Hai Chairman, Institute of Technical Education, Singapore The Honourable Andrew Leung, SBS, JP Chairman, Hong Kong Vocational Training Council Performances
1230 hrs	End of Ceremony