Press Release - ITE Honours Outstanding Graduands from Class of 2019

ITE Graduation 2019

ITE Honours Outstanding Graduands from Class of 2019
Top 11 Graduates to receive honours from Minister for Education, Mr Ong Ye Kung

The Graduating Class of 2019 will celebrate their achievements at the ITE Graduation 2019 to be held on Wednesday 17 July 2019, 3.30 pm, at the Tay Eng Soon Convention Centre at ITE Headquarters, 2 Ang Mo Kio Drive. Minister for Education, Mr Ong Ye Kung, will officiate at the Ceremony.

2                    Of the 14, 781 graduating students, 765 will receive the Certificate of Merit (COM), and 224 will be awarded Course Medals for topping their respective courses.

3                    ITE will also accord the highest accolades to 11 top graduands who have distinguished themselves with a flawless academic record while sustaining a balanced campus life. They will receive the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal, Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal, the Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal, the e2i Gold Medal, and IES Engineering Award. These outstanding graduands have inspiring stories about overcoming the odds and through sheer determination, have achieved beyond expectations and labels.

4                    Brief on the Awards is attached at Annex A. The Ceremony Programme is attached at Annex B.

Nursing is a Work of Heart

5                    Siti Nurhajah Bte Haron, winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and Valedictorian for Class of 2019, has seen her fair share of setbacks in life. But she goes on to prove that  nothing can inhibit an ambitious mind. Siti was thrilled when she successfully enrolled into ITE’s Nitec in Nursing in 2012. However, she had to give up her studies prematurely to become her family’s breadwinner when her father left his job due to medical reasons. As the eldest of four children, Siti felt responsible to provide for her family and ensure her siblings continued their education. Fast forward to 2017, with the sisters faring well independently, Siti re-enrolled in ITE’s nursing course, at the age of 23. Cherishing the second chance, she did exceedingly well in her studies and led an active campus life. She received numerous testimonials from patients and their families whose lives she touched through her professional and compassionate service during her hospital internship. Siti does not regret the sacrifices she had to make to reach this point. She would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, she feels her journey has strengthened her resolve to realise her dreams in pursuing a career in Nursing, where her heart truly resides.

Advocate of Motivation

6                    Chloe Wen Qian Michaud, winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal, moved to Singapore from Switzerland at the age of seven. The new environment and language were too much for her to take on at that time. Moreover, it was at the same time she was diagnosed with dyslexia. Naturally, Chloe struggled academically in school, and not everyone understood the challenges she faced. But she decided to block out the negatives and focus on the positives in her life – she turned to sports, which she excelled in. Winning made her feel good and built up her self-confidence. She also discovered an interest in current affairs. Spurred by a growing sense of self-belief and a thirst for knowledge, Chloe learned to look beyond her dyslexic condition to chart her own path to success. Today, at ITE, Chloe is a success story that many are inspired by. Besides excelling in her studies, as the Vice President of the Student Council and President of the School of Business and Services Club, she has shown her strong leadership abilities by leading various community service projects and school events. Through her personal experiences, Chloe creates more awareness on the challenges faced by students of special needs, a cause she aspires to champion in the long run.

Engineering Success

7                    Nathaniel Neo Jun Siang, winner of the IES Engineering Award, can solve a Rubik’s Cube in a little more than 20 seconds. A puzzle lover since young, Nathaniel has always liked Science. However, shuttling to and fro to accommodate his father’s overseas work posting meant he was never grounded to one place long enough to feel home, let alone to explore his true passion or identity. When he was eventually enrolled into a secondary school in Singapore, at 15 years old, the unfamiliarity and bottled emotions manifested in rebellious behaviour and waywardness. Fortunately, it was short-lived. Nathaniel transformed from a weak student to becoming the top Normal (Technical) student in his secondary school. At ITE, he took up Electronics, Computer Networking & Communications and found himself enjoying school as he got to solve problems, design, create and build stuff from scratch. Nathaniel also revealed that ITE has helped him find his passion and discover his potential. His flair for engineering had emerged when he tackled a series of projects that he later showcased at several competitions. Additionally, his active involvement in community work made him realise he could use his skills to give back to the community while pursuing a career in the industry he loves. It’s a perfect marriage of skills and passion, and Nathaniel is glad that he found it at ITE.

8                    Profiles of the other Top 11 graduates can be found in the Graduation 2019 Top 11 Medallists Write-up.

9                    For further information and arrangement for media interviews and photography, please contact:

Ms Josephine Lefort
Head/Corporate Events
Tel: 6590 2030
Mobile: 90607515
Email: Josephine_Lefort@ite.edu.sg

Annex A

Brief on Top ITE Graduation Awards

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) holds its Graduation Ceremony each year, to mark the graduation of ITE students and to recognise graduates who have performed well in their courses. At the ITE Graduation 2019, Top Graduate Awards will be presented to ITE graduates who have excelled in their studies.

Top ITE Graduate Awards

The top awards that will be presented at ITE Graduation 2019 are:

1. Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal (3 recipients)Donated in 1999 by the then Senior Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, from the sale of his memoirs, the Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) Gold Medal is awarded to the top ITE graduate of each ITE College, who has excelled in his or her course of study and co-curricular activities, and has made contributions to the community or in enriching College life. He/she will receive the LKY Gold Medal and $600 cash.

2. Tay Eng Soon Gold Medal (3 recipients)The Tay Eng Soon (TES) Gold Medal was introduced in 1994, following the establishment of the TES Scholarship Fund to promote technical and polytechnic education. The Fund was established in 1993 through donations from companies, individuals and staff of ITE and the polytechnics in memory of the late Dr Tay Eng Soon, former Chairman of ITE, and Minister in- charge of polytechnic and technical education (1988 – 1993). One outstanding ITE graduate from each ITE College, who has achieved excellent course performance, participated actively in co-curricular activities and contributed to the well-being and development of his or her college, will receive the TES Gold Medal and $600 cash funded by the TES Scholarship Fund.

3. The Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal (3 recipients)Introduced in 2018, The Ngee Ann Kongsi (TNAK) Gold Medal is awarded to top graduates from the three Colleges for their outstanding course performance, active participation in co- curricular activities and contributions to the Colleges. Founded in 1845 to look after the religious and welfare needs of Teochew immigrants in Singapore, The Ngee Ann Kongsi has since evolved to become a significant contributor towards the enrichment of Singapore society. The foundation is actively involved in educational, cultural and welfare activities in Singapore. The recipient of the award will receive TNAK Gold Medal and $600 cash.

4. e2i Gold Medal (1 recipient)The e2i Gold Medal was introduced in 2016 to promote lifelong learning among adult learners, to increase their employability, and to motivate and give recognition to ITE Continuing Education & Training (CET) graduates for their upgrading efforts and achievements. The top ITE CET graduate(s) will receive the e2i Gold Medal and $600 cash, donated by the Employment and Employability Institute.Introduced in 2013, the IES Engineering Award is awarded to a top graduate for outstanding performance in an Engineering course and contributions in Engineering-related projects and activities. The IES Engineering Award is sponsored by the Institution of Engineers, Singapore. The top Engineering graduate will receive a Plaque and $600 cash.

Other Awards

The ITE Course Medals are awarded to the top Certificate of Merit graduates in each course. Recipients will receive the Gold, Silver or Bronze Course Medal and a cash quantum of $300, $200 and $100 respectively. Course Medals awards are donated by relevant trade/professional associations and companies.

5. IES Engineering Award (1 recipient)

Annex B

ITE GRADUATION 2019

Wed 17 Jul 2019 3:30pm

Auditorium, Tay Eng Soon Convention Centre, ITE 2 Ang Mo Kio Drive

Programme