Address by Mr Chua Soon Guan, DCE/ITE, at the Student Achievers' Awards 2026 Presentation Ceremony

Award Recipients and Parents, ITE Colleagues and Students, Ladies and Gentlemen

1.      When we speak about student success, we often think of grades, awards, and achievements. But today, I invite us to pause and reflect - what does it truly take for a student to rise and grow?

2.      At ITE, our mission has always been to elevate - not just results, but our students. Because true elevation fosters not only expertise but builds character and resilience. Today, we celebrate students who have distinguished themselves not only academically, but also in leadership, service, innovation, arts and sports.

3.  As artificial intelligence and automation reshape our world, information is more accessible and skills can be acquired faster, but they also become obsolete faster. What endures are human qualities — the ability to learn, to connect, to lead, and to empathise. It is the heart of our ITE Elevate strategic plan to nurture Future and Life Skills - traits that empower our students to contribute meaningfully to society. Ultimately, success is measured not only by what our students know, but by who they become and their contributions to our society.

4.  Allow me to share three stories that bring this to life.

4a)  Rahimah Binte Mohamed Rais – ITE College East  

(Lee Kuan Yew Model Trainee Award)

(i)        The Lee Kuan Yew Model Trainee Award recognises individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and service. This year’s recipient, Ms Rahimah Binte Mohamed Rais, demonstrated exceptional determination to achieve these qualities.

(ii)       A mother of two, she is a nurse who made the bold decision to return to school in her forties through the Work‑Study Diploma in Nursing at ITE College East.

(iii)      She discovered her calling in healthcare as a young girl, after witnessing healthcare workers save her grandmother’s life. She pursued a Nitec in Nursing at ITE and began her career in her 20s, while raising her children. Now, with the children grown, she made a courageous decision to return to school through the Work-Study Diploma—earning while learning, supporting her family, and progressing beyond her current role.

(iv)     Balancing work, studies and family was not easy. By day, she cared for patients in a hospital; by night, she studied and cared for her children. There were moments of exhaustion — but she pressed on with purpose.

(v)       Her determined efforts earned her the Sengkang General Hospital You Sparkle Award (Gold) for outstanding patient care and teamwork. She also co-led a project to help patients better understand their medications and was recognised at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Quality & Innovation Day.

(vi)     Rahimah’s journey reminds us that learning is lifelong, and growth is possible at every stage. Her aspiration is to continue empowering others, and one day, to serve as an Advanced Practice Nurse.

4b)  Justus, Toh Junyi – ITE College West (Lee Kuan Yew CCA Award)

(i)        If Rahimah’s story is one of determination, Mr Justus Toh Junyi’s story is one of leadership. A student from Higher Nitec in IT Systems & Network at ITE College West, Justus will receive the Lee Kuan Yew CCA Award this year. His name, Justus, echoes “justice” — and he lives by a simple principle: “If I can help, why not?” He sees leadership as a responsibility to uplift others.

(ii)       Raised by a single mother and his grandparents, Justus grew up navigating challenges. For a time, his direction was unclear. But education became his anchor — and a means to uplift others.

(iii)     A simple encounter with a hydroponics setup in school sparked his interest in sustainability, which was strengthened through his part-time job at Gardens by the Bay, where he studied the plant collections, learnt about conservation efforts, and deepened his knowledge of orchids.

(iv)     As President of the Green Ambassador Club, Justus mobilised over 70 students in national initiatives, working with partners to create real impact. Despite having to balance studies and part-time work, he has excelled, earning recognition at international sustainability competitions.

(v)      Beyond these, he has also coached seniors in digital literacy, mentored underprivileged students, and led a 160-kilometre fundraising walk for cancer patients.

(vi)     With the guidance of Ms Janice (CCA teacher-in-charge) and Mr Samuel (class advisor), Justus received opportunities and candid feedback that helped him reflect, stay grounded, and grow as a leader.

(vii)   From a young man once uncertain of his path, he has become a leader with clarity and purpose. Today, he aspires to study law and contribute to a more just society. Justus’s journey reminds us: Elevation is about the responsibility we embrace, and the courage to step forward and ask — “If I can help, why not?”

4c)   Cleanroom Chemical Safety VR Learning Package –

        ITE College Central (Lee Kuan Yew Technology Award)

(i)        At ITE, we also celebrate how our students apply their skills to solve real-world challenges through industry collaboration.

(ii)       Learning extends beyond the classroom — we create opportunities for students to develop real-world solutions, sharpening their technical skills.

(iii)     Students from Higher Nitec in Electronics Engineering at ITE College Central, led by Mr Abdul Syafiq, partnered STMicroelectronics to develop a Cleanroom Chemical Safety Virtual Reality (VR) Learning Package.

(iv)     Seeing that training on chemical handling is often limited, time-consuming and unsafe, the team drew inspiration from simulation-based learning to create a safe and immersive learning environment. Their VR package enables trainees to practise procedures in a realistic, risk-free setting, with guided learning and assessment. Designed for both VR and web platforms, the solution improves flexibility and effectiveness in the teaching and learning process and can reduce training time by up to 90%.

(v)      We are happy to know that it is now used by STMicroelectronics. The team hopes it can go beyond the semiconductor industry to benefit others working and training in hazardous environments.

(vi)     This is what ITE stands for — learning that is applied, purposeful, and impactful.

5.  Congratulations to all 429 recipients of the 2026 Student Achievers’ Awards. We are happy and proud of how far you have come — rising through challenges and growing in strength and character. Cherish this moment and thank all the people who have helped you and journeyed with you – your parents, your teachers and your friends. I recently was reminded by an experienced industry trainer, “The future is not what will come, but what you make out it.” As you go forward, stay curious, keep learning and connected, uplift yourselves and others, and make a difference.

I wish you all the best! Thank you.