Address by Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education & National Development, at the IgnITE Skills Challenge Finals 2026

Mr Peter Lam, CEO of ITE, Deputy CEOs, Principals,

Partners, Staff and Students of ITE and Secondary Schools, Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. A very good afternoon to all of you. Thank you for having me at this year's ignITE Skills Challenge Finals and Award Ceremony.

2. Today, we mark a special occasion — this year is the 10th edition of the ignITE Skills Challenge, and what a journey it has been. The ignITE Skills Challenge was launched in 2016 to encourage our students to learn more about applied learning, skills education, and hands-on problem-solving. From its humble beginnings, it has grown into a challenge that thousands of students look forward to each year.

3. This year, a total of 654 teams and over 1,900 students have participated — a testament to how meaningful and exciting this challenge is. To every single one of you — welcome, and well done for making it this far. Earlier, I had the opportunity to tour some of the challenge stations, and I was genuinely impressed by the energy and creativity on display.

Igniting Skills for the Future

4. The overarching theme for 2026 is "Igniting Skills for the Future" — equipping our youths with agility, creativity, resilience and purpose, and preparing them for an evolving and uncertain future. I think this theme is very timely.

5. Furthermore, this year’s challenges are organised around three forward-looking themes. Under Agility IgnITEd, challenges are centred on human science and wellness innovation. For example, the Pasta & Egg Challenge and Biomechanics in Motion showcased how foundational skills in culinary arts and sports science were applied with precision, and adaptability. These highlight the importance of human-centred innovation, where technical competence is balanced with resilience and problem-solving.

6. In the area of Sustainability IgnITEd, challenges are centred on greenovation and sustainable design. For instance, Wild Wild Water and Re-ignITE Our Community Lah! demonstrated how students repurposed waste, designed with sustainability in mind, and reimagined inclusive community spaces — reflecting a strong sense of environmental responsibility and social consciousness, traits vital for the next generation of innovators.

7. For Technology IgnITEd, challenges look into the technology and intelligent systems. For example, X-Bots Extra illustrated how students applied robotics and coding to solve real-world problems — preparing our youths not just for Industry 4.0, but for a future where technology must be applied creatively, but responsibly.

8. These are examples of the skills that today's dynamic workplaces demand. Together, these themes encourage students to think holistically — not just about what they create, but why they create, who they design for, and how their solutions can improve lives and communities. That is a human-centred way of thinking, and one that will serve you well long after today, even in the age of AI.

9. As participants in these challenges, you have demonstrated your mastery of technical skills in the areas of human science & wellness innovation, greenovation & sustainable design, and technology & intelligent systems. But beyond the technical skills, the soft skills you displayed — creativity, critical thinking and teamwork – are equally, if not more important, as skills that are critical in the workplace. The value of this experience lies not in the final outcomes, but also in the process — the way you experimented, adapted to constraints, collaborated as teams, and learnt from failures. I hope you will continue to stay curious, keep learning, and make the most of opportunities like this as you explore your interests and aspirations.

Conclusion

10. Finally, an event of this scale is only possible through strong partnership, and I want to thank all the secondary schools, teachers and partners for your dedication and support. ITE plays a key role in our education system by providing students with a hands-on learning pathway, equipping them with work-ready skills and a strong foundation for future upgrading — supporting the diverse strengths and aspirations of our students. To the ITE team behind this event — thank you for ten wonderful years of ignITE.

11. And to all our participants and finalists — congratulations, and all the best. The future is yours to ignite! Thank you.