Speech - Address by Ms Low Khah Gek, Chief Executive Officer, ITE, at MOU Renewal Signing Ceremony between ITE and Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd on Wednesday, 24 July 2024, at the Royal Albatross

Mr Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Finance

Mr Peter Pela, Managing Director and CEO, Tall Ship

Adventures Pte Ltd

Distinguished Guests

Industry Partners from Tall Ship Adventures

ITE Staff and Students Ladies and Gentlemen

Tall Ships and Founding of New Lands

It is my pleasure to be here on board the Royal Albatross to celebrate and renew ITE’s partnership with Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd. 

‘Tall ships’ have played a significant role in history and founding of new lands in Asia. Marco Polo went to China in a tall ship in 1269; Vasco de Gama arrived in Kerala, India in a tall ship in 1497.  Sir Stamford Raffles came to Singapore in 1819 in a tall ship called Indiana. It was anchored at St Johns Island before landing in an area by the Singapore River where the current Parliament House is today. 

Being on board The Royal Albatross, Asia’s only luxury Tall Ship, fills us with a deep sense of awe and adventure. 

Tall Ship Adventures and The Royal Albatross

Tall Ship Adventures Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based company, dedicated to delivering a world-class experience on-board the Royal Albatross. The Royal Albatross has won multiple prestigious Singapore and global awards. Trip Advisor has ranked The Royal Albatross as ‘Best of the Best’, Top 1% of global attraction and luxury experience!

ITE’s collaboration with Tall Ship Adventure began in 2014 when 17 Higher Nitec in Passenger Services students embarked on the Tall Ship Scholarship programme, came on board The Royal Albatross for training and received two certificates: i) Royal Yachting Association Certificate of Competent Yacht Crew and ii) Tall Ship Passenger Management Certificate. The ITE students are equipped with industry training and experience as well as relevant certifications to launch their careers in the superyacht industry.

ITE Tall Ship Scholarship Beneficiaries

Over the past ten years, more than 100 ITE students have benefited from the Tall Ship Scholarship. The industry attachment has inspired many to pursue further education related to maritime, hospitality and tourism industry. Let me share the reflections of two Tall Ship scholarship recipients, Yuvashri and Priscilla.

Yuvashri said, “My internship experience at Tall Ship was immensely rewarding and educational. I was actively involved in handling customers and this honed my interpersonal and communication skills. The internship provided me professional development and a hands-on experience in a dynamic and customer-focused environment. I am pursuing further education and continuing with Tall Ship through part-time work. 

Why I enjoy working at Tall Ship? 

• Firstly, the supportive and collaborative work environment makes each day enjoyable and fulfilling. The team at Tall Ship is like a close-knit family, always ready to assist and share knowledge. 

• Secondly, the nature of the job, with its variety of tasks ranging from customer interaction to logistical management, keeps the work interesting and engaging. 

• Thirdly, the opportunity for continuous learning and professional growth is a significant motivator. 

• Fourthly, the culture at Tall Ship. I feel valued and appreciated in my role and this inspires me to stay with the company.”
  

Priscilla Pang is a recent graduand from ITE. She has seamlessly transitioned from an intern to a fulltime Reservation Executive at Tall Ship. She has made the deliberate choice of giving up her polytechnic place to work at Tall Ship. This is an exceptional decision and I asked my staff to interview Priscilla to understand her thought process. 

Priscilla felt there are industry sectors that offer good career prospects and opportunities without the need for a diploma. She compared the impractical, longdrawn academic life with the abundant authentic, practical and hands-on learning experience offered by Tall Ship. She relished the opportunity to flourish in the fun and nurturing working environment at the Sales and Reservations Department of Tall Ship.

She emphasised, “What is most important is to work in a place where I feel happy and being able to love what I do!” I am sure Tall Ship will treasure Priscilla and develop her and I am sure Priscilla will know she has made the right decision. 

New MOU

ITE is excited to renew our partnership with Tall Ship Adventures. As a progressive and dynamic business company, you have responded to new demands and opportunities. You have expanded your business and services. ITE students can look forward to additional training and industry attachment opportunities across a wider range of job roles. ITE students will be your talent pipeline and you will lead them to chart interesting and adventurous careers in the luxury yacht and cruise industry. 

In closing, I would like to express my deep appreciation to Mr Pete Pela and the entire team at Tall Ship Adventures for your unwavering support for ITE. We thank you for your belief in the potential of ITE students and the unique training opportunities you provide them. I am confident we will enjoy a highly successful partnership and collaboration. Together, we will enable many ITE students to chart successful careers.

Thank you.