Opening Address By Ms Low Khah Gek, CEO/ITE at the Sustainable Built Environment Seminar 2025

Mr Kelvin Wong, CEO,  Building and Construction Authority

Dr Sussie Ketit, President, Singapore Institute of Building Limited

Mr Frank Ngoh, President, Singapore International Facility Management Association

Mr Clement Tseng, Deputy CEO and Commissioner of Buildings,  Building and Construction Authority

Mr Mark Tung, Regional Sales Director, Trimble

Eminent Seminar Speakers

Distinguished Industry Partners

ITE Colleagues and Students

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.            It is my pleasure to welcome you to this Sustainable Built Environment Seminar 2025. Gathered here are thought leaders, professionals, practitioners and academia from across the built environment industry. In this room, we also have the future talent pipeline, our students, for this industry.

2.            As Singapore strives to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, the built environment industry will play a critical role by having sustainability, low carbon, low energy, low water and low waste considerations at every stage, from designing to constructing to managing. Digital tools, IoT sensors, data analytics and AI will be needed to enhance optimisation, conduct predictive maintenance and overall reduce energy and water usage, and waste. 

3.            Today’s seminar theme, ‘Embracing Digital Transformation in the Built Environment’, is thus apt and timely. Earlier, we had the privilege to officially open ITE’s Sustainable Built Environment Hub. It spans 2,000 square metres, and is purpose-built for the training of advanced skills for the built environment industry, including the use of technology, digital tools and AI.

MOU Partners

4.            To support ITE in nurturing talents for the built environment industry, we are collaborating with four strategic partners:

·           Building & Construction Authority (BCA) – we co-develop certification pathways to provide structured training for Lift & Escalator workers.

·           Two trade associations: Singapore Institute of Building Limited (SIBL) and Singapore International Facility Management Association (SIFMA) – we co-deliver training, collaborate on real-world projects and solutions to enable the facility management industry players to adopt digital technologies and upskill their employees. 

·           Trimble Solutions SEA Pte Ltd – ITE is able to use Trimble’s advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) tools and Geospatial technologies to enhance our students’ learning and projects and enable them to be the new-generation built environment workers, ready to contribute and create value for their respective employers.

5.            These partnerships are powerful examples of how education and industry can come together to nurture a highly skilled workforce and accelerate digital transformation across the built environment sector.

Seminar Speakers

6.            This morning, we are honoured to welcome four eminent speakers, each with a unique perspective, to share with us their experience, insights as well as thoughts about the future of the built environment.

·           Our keynote speaker, Dr Teo Ho Pin, is the Senior Advisor to Surbana Jurong Pte Ltd, Adjunct Professor at NUS and SUSS and Visiting Professor at SUTD. Dr Teo has over 30 years of experience in township management in Singapore and he is speaking on the topic: ‘Visioning Tomorrow – The Future of Sustainable Built Environment’. He will take us on a journey into the future—exploring how sustainability is reshaping the way we design and build. From climate-conscious planning to green innovations, his session will challenge us to think long-term and act responsibly.

·           Dr Eugene Seah, CEO, DLS Consultancy Pte Ltd will speak on ‘Gen AI in Building Design and Construction’. He will guide us to dive into the world of Generative AI and discover how artificial intelligence is transforming design workflows, enabling architects and engineers to create smarter, faster, and more adaptive solutions.

·           Mr Deric Tay, Asia Regional Director, Trimble Solutions (SEA) Pte Ltd, will speak on ‘Digital Solution in Construction’. He will bring us to the construction site—where digital tools and technologies are making a real difference.

·           Mr Matthew Yan, Senior VP, CPG Facilities Management Pte Ltd will speak on ‘Challenges and Solutions for Sustainable Facility Management’. He will show us how to provide for the long-term care of our buildings. Besides highlighting the challenges faced by facility managers, he will elaborate on the digital solutions that help keep buildings safe, efficient, and sustainable. It is a reminder that sustainability does not end at construction, but it should continue into operations and maintenance.

Conclusion

7.            I am sure we can all look forward to exciting and inspiring presentations by all four speakers. Our appreciation goes to our guest-of-honour, Mr Kelvin Wong, for gracing the seminar and opening the new training hub. Our appreciation also goes to the four MOU partners and all industry partners who have supported ITE and our students.

8.            Thank you all for being here. I wish you an inspiring and fruitful time ahead.