Speech - Address by Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO/ITE, at the Ignite Skills Challenge Finals, at ITE College Central on 20 May 2025

Introduction

1            We have just concluded this year’s IgnITE Skills Challenge. Before we announce the winners, I must first congratulate all the finalists present today. Only one in four teams from the preliminary round can advance to the Finals. This means, you, the finalists, have already proven your superior skills and you are all winners in your own right. Well done to all of you!

2            ITE started the IgnITE Skills Challenge in 2016 and nine years later, it continues to attract impressive participation from the secondary schools and inspires the secondary students to master new skills and apply them creatively. This year, 589 teams from 63 secondary schools participated and the total number of competitors is 1,767 — a very high number of sign-ups. This strong interest reflects how much students value the opportunity to master new skills and pitch their skills against each other as they strive for excellence.

Building Future-Ready Skills

3            Indeed, the ignITE Skills Challenge is more than just a competition. It is an invaluable opportunity for students to learn and then to apply their knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios. Participants had to tackle challenges, craft solutions, or develop innovative products.  This year’s ignITE Skills Challenge is organised around three key themes that are aligned with Singapore’s future development plans:

• First, Smarter Innovations encourages the use of Artificial Intelligence and technology, harnessing their power to drive efficiency and progress. 

• Second, Greener Future focuses on sustainability as we inspire the next generation of changemakers to champion a cleaner and healthier planet. 

• Third, Bolder Dreamers inspires entrepreneurship by seeding and nurturing business acumen and creative thinking among the young.
  

Sixteen Skills Challenge Areas

4            Sixteen skills challenge areas fall into the above three themes. Each challenge is also linked to courses offered at ITE. Our hope is that through these challenges, every participant takes a step closer to discovering your passion, understanding your strengths, and shaping your future.

5            As I toured the skills challenges earlier, I am heartened by the creative solutions and products from students as well as their enthusiasm and zeal. Let me briefly mention four examples:

• Under ‘Greener Future’, I saw The Eco-Racers: Generative Design for Sustainable Transportation Challenge. Students designed and constructed solar-powered race cars using recycled materials and they leveraged Gen AI tools to enhance the performance, optimise the design and refine the programming.   

• Under ‘Smarter Innovations’ where AI and technologies are used, a key concern is cybersecurity. Try Hack Us Challenge is a “Capture-the-Flag” cybersecurity competition and students had to identify online threats, and apply strategies to mitigate or remove the threats. Speed is important in this challenge. 

• Under ‘Greener Future’, students participating in the BreadCycle Challenge used their creativity to reduce food waste by repurposing a day-old bread. They transformed surplus bread into non-food products. 

• Under ‘Bolder Dreamers’, at The Business Enterprise Challenge, students took on the role of the management team of a new start-up. They developed business plans, made profit and loss projections, and created marketing materials.
  

6            All the students took on their respective challenges with a can-do spirit and despite the competitive atmosphere, they were able to enjoy themselves. This is great! I applaud your mindset of embracing challenges, your ability to think outside the box, and most importantly, your focus on the journey and not just on the destination. Whether you win or not, the skills and experiences you have gained here will stand you in good stead for future success.

Conclusion

7           In conclusion, I would like to thank all the secondary school Principals, teachers and students for your participation in this year’s ignITE Skills Challenge.  A big ‘Thank You’ also to my ITE colleagues for organising this challenge, executing the training workshops over the last few months, and facilitating today’s competition.

8            Once again, my congratulations to all participants and best wishes for all your future endeavours.

Thank you.