Address by Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister Of State, Ministry Of Education & Ministry Of Digital Development And Information, at the Launch of the DBSF x ITE

Mr Lim Him Chuan, Country Head of DBS Singapore,

Mr Ho Tian Yee, Chairman of DBS Foundation,

Mr Andrew Chong, Chairman, ITE

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1.               Good afternoon.

2.               Thank you for inviting me to this afternoon’s Impact Beyond Dialogue event, and the launch of the DBS Foundation x ITE Career Readiness Programme.

3.               I enjoyed listening to the views and ideas on ageing, and how we can do better as a country and society that is growing grey hairs rapidly.  Every discussion about ageing reminds us to treasure our youth. Not our own youth, because we are clearly no longer young. But the youths we have in Singapore now, all the more precious because we have fewer of them these days.

4.               This is why I am encouraged to hear about DBS Foundation (DBSF) and ITE’s efforts to support our young ones.  Our education system is built on the firm belief that every child deserves a chance to succeed and realise their full potential.

5.               This goal is not achieved through government efforts alone, but also through the compassionate and tireless support of community partners, such as DBSF. Each partner brings something special, whether it is expertise, resources or a shared vision, to create a powerful network of support. Together, we can give our youths a lot more confidence, that no matter where they start, they can rise, grow, and shape a future full of promise.

6.               I am pleased to announce a partnership between DBS Foundation and ITE, as they launch a new Career Readiness Programme.

         a.    Under this programme, I am very grateful that DBSF will commit $14.5 million to support 8,000 lower-income students annually over three years. This will go some way to relieve the stresses that the students face over their finances, and allow them to focus their time and energy on their studies.

         b.   Beyond financial support, DBS staff will also mentor Work-Study Diploma trainees, and provide them with advice on career guidance and financial planning.

7.               And as much as this programme is about giving, I also have a hope for what the DBS staff and mentors will gain from this journey. My hope is that through supporting and mentoring these students, more of you will experience the power and joy of shared growth - both for the students you mentor and for yourselves.

8.               Mentoring is a two-way street, and I wish that more Singaporeans will have the chance to feel the impact of extending kindness, patience, and understanding to others. Those of us here who have had the privilege of being mentors will understand, that mentoring someone else actually teaches us a lot more about life. It gives us the chance to find new perspectives. It deepens our own sense of empathy, and often it gives us a renewed sense of purpose in our own careers. So I hope that everybody who gets to volunteer to be a mentor, or who gets arrowed to be a mentor, will see how much you learn and grow from the process of being one.

9.                This partnership between DBS Foundation and ITE embodies what Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called a "We First" Singapore – using our resources and expertise to support others, instead of just looking out for our own self interests.

10.         I would like to extend my appreciation again to DBSF for your close partnership with ITE over the years and for starting the Career Readiness Program. I believe that this collaboration can make a lasting difference, and will help our students reach their fullest potential.

11.         To the rest of us here today, I would also like to encourage all of you to consider how you and your organisations can join hands with each other and the Government. Let us all work together towards building a Singapore where every individual, regardless of background, age, and gender, has the opportunity to succeed and contribute to society in a meaningful way.

12.         Thank you.