Ong Ye Kung
Singapore
“The Ministry of Health (MOH) recently enhanced the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) dental subsidies, which are tiered by income, for common preventive and restorative procedures.”
“Healthier SG GP clinics may also refer their enrolled patients to Active Ageing Centres and Community Health Posts to fulfill their social prescriptions and for subsidised services, such as medication management.”
“Public hospitals, such as the National University Hospital, the Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, have deployed robotic-assisted surgical (RAS) systems for minimally invasive soft-tissue surgeries.”
“The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) welcomes drug producers to choose Singapore as part of their first-wave filings. As long as a pharmaceutical product is approved by at least one regulatory agency, such as China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), it would also qualify for the abridged route.”
“A decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with diabetes can be due to multiple reasons. Doctors will first investigate the underlying cause before determining whether the patient should be referred to a specialist. Some causes are reversible and cause transient reduction in renal function.”
“Information on the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) cannot be made visible on the National Electronic Health Record system as it is protected under the Mental Capacity Act. Such information may only be disclosed by the Public Guardian to specified persons upon satisfactory submission of evidence(s) required under the law.”
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“The Bill also introduces other timely updates to MAS' mission statement and amendments to achieve greater operational efficiencies within MAS. Mdm Speaker, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] 4.34 pm Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Mdm Speaker, the amendments proposed in the MAS Bill are timely as banks must be governed with the highest standards. In this age of wild volatility, we must ensure that our FIs can withstand the shocks. Certainly, we do not have to look much further into the past to recognise the need for prudence. Back in 2008, Lehman Brothers investment bank, which was supposed to be a solid institution, filed for bankruptcy, dragging their clients and, subsequently, the rest of the markets with them. We were fortunate to be able to cushion the fall-out. Today, more Singaporeans are turning to financial investments to grow their savings and retirement fund, and the move by MAS would certainly go a long way to give them comfort. It will also strengthen our standing as a strong financial hub in this region. I welcome the move to require pertinent FIs to have in place Recovery and Resolution Planning (RRP). I believe MAS would carefully scrutinise this RRP to ensure that they are as foolproof as possible and take in different scenarios. However, whatever the framework for the RRP may be, I hope MAS would ensure that these plans are regularly updated to reflect new challenges in the financial market. How often are RRPs to be reviewed by the banks? Will there be a special unit in MAS to keep abreast of the best RRP practices in the global financial market? What is the cost to the banks to have this RRP in place in terms of manpower and other logistics?”
“The fund is used to support the development of the financial services sector in Singapore, such as training of professionals in the sector and funding of platforms to spur innovation and productivity. Since 1999, MAS has been submitting to the President a summary of FSDF's financial statements, together with MAS' financial statements and annual reports. However, the submission of FSDF's statements is not required under the Constitution. Article 22B of the Constitution requires statutory bodies, such as MAS, to submit their financial statements to the President because these bodies hold reserves that are protected under the Constitution. This does not apply to FSDF, which is a statutory fund that is separate from the funds of MAS and does not hold any protected reserves. The Bill sets out that FSDF's audited financial statements and annual report shall be submitted to the Minister-in-charge of MAS. MAS is operationally responsible for FSDF and, since FY2014, AGO has already been providing a standalone audit report on FSDF's financial statements for enhanced accountability. The amendments will also allow the Managing Director to delegate his power – in relation to signing documents which require the MAS common seal and witnessing the affixing of the seal – to an MAS officer who holds the appointment of Deputy Managing Director or its equivalent. Such documents include powers of attorney and those relating to the issuance of sukuks. This is to enhance operational efficiency. Mdm Speaker, this Bill introduces important enhancements to the resolution regime for FIs in Singapore, which will help MAS to resolve distressed institutions in an orderly manner.”
“The first amendment allows MAS to revise the level of its paid-up capital, but subject to the approval of the Government and the MAS Board. MAS' paid-up capital can be increased if MAS evaluates that there is a need to strengthen its balance sheet. It can then seek the Government for a capital injection. Conversely, if MAS' capital is significantly higher than its needs, the excess paid-up capital can be returned to the Government, providing the Government with greater flexibility to manage its assets. The second amendment sets the condition under which MAS can return profits to the Government. MAS' profits are channelled into a general reserve fund. Currently, MAS can only return profits to the Government if its general reserve fund is at least half of its paid-up capital. This was put in place to facilitate MAS building up its capital. It is no longer necessary today, as MAS now has a sizeable paid-up capital of S$25 billion. Under the amended Act, MAS will be able to return profits to the Government so long as its general reserve fund is positive. In determining both the appropriate level of MAS' paid-up capital and the amount of profits to be returned on an annual basis, the MAS Board will ensure that MAS' capital and reserves remain adequate for MAS to carry out its principal objects and functions. The Financial Sector Development Fund (FSDF) was established in 1999 under the MAS Act, following the demutualisation and merger of the Stock Exchange of Singapore, the Singapore International Monetary Exchange and the Securities Clearing and Computer Services to form today's Singapore Exchange (SGX). Proceeds from the listing of SGX were then paid into FSDF.”
“The current principal objects of the MAS are (a) to maintain price stability conducive to sustainable growth of the economy; (b) to foster a sound and reputable financial centre and to promote financial stability; (c) to ensure prudent and effective management of the official foreign reserves of Singapore; and (d) to grow Singapore as an internationally competitive financial centre. The Bill introduces a new provision that explicitly states that when carrying out its functions and duties, MAS' development objective of growing Singapore into an internationally competitive financial centre is subordinate to its supervisory objective of fostering financial stability. This makes explicit in the Act a principle that has, in fact, been observed by MAS all along. It is in line with one of the recommendations from the IMF's Financial Sector Assessment Programme in 2013. Since the merger of MAS and the Board of Commissioners of Currency Singapore (BCCS) in 2002, backing for the currency in circulation through a separate Currency Fund has not been necessary. This is because the currency in circulation is effectively backed by the full financial strength and assets of MAS, which is much larger than the Currency Fund. As at 31 March 2017, MAS' assets, close to S$400 billion, were more than seven times larger than the assets of the Currency Fund of about S$55 billion. The proposed amendment will merge the Currency Fund with the other funds of MAS and streamline MAS' operations. The Government's support for the currency in circulation, as set out in the Currency Act, remains unchanged. The Bill introduces two amendments to provide more operational flexibility relating to MAS' financial arrangements with the Government.”
“The framework will apply only when MAS exercises powers to effect a compulsory transfer of business or shares to, say, a bridge entity, or effects a compulsory restructuring of share capital or a bail-in, or when MAS recognises similar foreign resolution actions. To determine the amount of compensation payable, valuations will be performed by a valuer appointed by the Minister-in-charge of MAS. The compensation amount will be payable out of a Resolution Fund, which I will elaborate on next. Timely access to funding is key to the successful and orderly resolution of a distressed FI. It is also in the interests of the private sector to ensure this and to limit any contagion effect. MAS' preferred approach is a private sector solution that does not require the injection of public funds. But it would be unwise to assume that private funds would always be readily available at the time of resolution. The Bill, therefore, proposes to put in place Resolution Funding Arrangements to support the implementation of resolution measures. MAS, as the central bank, will first provide a temporary loan to the Resolution Fund for its immediate operating needs. Withdrawals from the Resolution Fund will subsequently be recovered from the industry via ex-post levies. MAS will be consulting the industry on the methodology for determining such levies. The proposed Resolution Funding Arrangements do not have any implications on Singapore's reserves, since the funds used will be fully recovered from the industry. Mdm Speaker, let me now turn to the other amendments to the MAS Act.”
“The bail-in tool can help recapitalise distressed FIs and reduce the risk to depositors and reliance on public funds to "bail out" distressed FIs. For now, the bail-in tool will be applied to locally-incorporated banks and bank holding companies. The scope of bail-in will be limited to unsecured subordinated debt and loans, contingent convertible instruments and other existing instruments that already have bail-in clauses. The statutory bail-in regime will be complemented by regulations to provide greater certainty that instruments governed by foreign laws can be bailed-in by the MAS. A coordinated approach towards resolving FIs that operate in multiple jurisdictions is important for safeguarding financial stability across home and host jurisdictions. The Bill introduces a statutory framework for MAS to recognise resolution actions taken by a foreign resolution authority on FIs in Singapore. But such recognition will be subject to conditions, such as that it must not prejudice domestic financial stability, result in inequitable treatment of Singapore creditors and shareholders, run contrary to Singapore's national or public interest, or have material fiscal implications. In general, liquidation is more disruptive than a resolution because the former means the FI basically ceases to operate. The aim of resolving an FI is to minimise the impact from the FI's failure on financial stability and ensure, as far as possible, that the FI's critical services and function can continue to be provided. In the event of a resolution, the Bill introduces a compensation framework for creditors who are more adversely affected in a resolution than they would have been in a liquidation.”
“Today's MAS (Amendment) Bill 2017 introduces additional powers and tools to enhance Singapore's resolution regime and bring it up to date with these international developments. The Bill also introduces legislative amendments to address other MAS operational matters. Mdm Speaker, I will now go through the main amendments proposed in the Bill. In 2015 and 2016, MAS consulted the industry and the public on the proposed enhancements to the resolution regime for FIs. MAS has taken in the feedback in finalising the enhancements. The Bill introduces explicit powers for MAS to require FIs to prepare recovery plans and submit such information to MAS for resolution planning. This is necessary because robust and credible recovery and resolution plans can reduce the risks that a distressed FI poses to the stability of the financial system. They help to ensure the continuity of critical functions and services to the economy and allow distressed FIs to regain their financial strength, restructure or exit from the market in an orderly manner. MAS will apply recovery and resolution planning requirements to FIs that are systemically important or that maintain critical functions in Singapore. The Bill also introduces legal provisions for MAS to temporarily block counterparties' rights to terminate contracts with an FI in resolution. These provisions are necessary to ensure orderly resolution of the FI. Nevertheless, certain counterparties, such as central banks, payment systems, approved or recognised clearing houses and depositories, will not be subject to these powers. The Bill introduces a statutory bail-in regime to enable MAS to write down or convert an FI's debt into equity.”
“Mdm Speaker, on behalf of the Minister-in-charge of MAS, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time". The basic aim of MAS' regulatory regime is to ensure that the financial system is sound and resilient, especially in relation to external shocks. Our methods have been broadly effective, as Singapore has withstood tumultuous episodes, such as the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 and Global Financial Crisis of 2008. The IMF, in its last Financial Sector Assessment Programme of Singapore in 2013, concluded that Singapore's regulatory and supervisory regimes for its financial system are amongst the best globally. Notwithstanding, we need to update our laws and regulations that deal with resolution, so as to ensure effective handling of a financial institution (FI) that gets into serious trouble and especially to avoid contagion or a loss of confidence in the system. Our entire supervisory system is geared to reduce the risk of an FI in Singapore failing, but it is not possible to rule out such an eventuality, especially as our financial system is closely integrated with the global financial system. In 2013, MAS introduced a resolution regime for FIs in Singapore, with the provision of resolution powers in the MAS Act, the Banking Act and the Insurance Act. These included powers to restructure the share capital of an FI, and to transfer the shares or business of an FI to a bridge entity. International standards and good practices have since evolved. The Financial Stability Board (FSB) updated the Key Attributes of Effective Resolution Regimes for Financial Institutions in 2014 and has since issued further guidance on its implementation. MAS has been an active participant in shaping an international consensus on these guidelines.”
“In the past three years, the proportion of Primary 1 cohort admitted to polytechnics and junior colleges (JCs) has been about 47% and 28% respectively. The proportion of polytechnic graduates gaining admission to local universities has been increasing, in tandem with the expansion of university places to raise the university cohort participation rate. As a number of polytechnic graduates enlist in National Service after graduation, or choose to work before furthering their studies, we would not have the latest years' figures on the proportion of the cohort that gained admission into university until a few years from now. However, if we compare the number of university places taken up by polytechnic graduates and the size of the polytechnic graduating cohort in a given year, this ratio was 25 polytechnic graduates in the universities to 100 polytechnic graduates, up from 23 to 100 in 2014. The profile of students admitted to the universities will continue to depend on student interest and quality. Whether you take the JC or polytechnic route, admissions to universities are based on merit and open competition among students.”
“These programmes help mid-career adults to undergo skills conversion and move into new occupations or sectors that have good prospects and opportunities for progression. We will continue to build on SkillsFuture efforts to enable Singaporeans to learn through life and continually upgrade their skills. We encourage Singaporeans to make the best use of the various programmes and initiatives.”
“To help Singaporeans better prepare for the future, we will be focusing on three areas within the SkillsFuture movement. First, we will increase the range of training programmes available for workers to stay employable. The Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs), namely, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics and Autonomous Universities (AUs), include lifelong learning as part of their core mission and have developed more flexible, bite-sized and industry-aligned modules targeted at adult learners. This is in addition to the efforts of private training providers. Later this year, we will also launch the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace programme to equip Singaporeans with foundational digital literacy skills in key areas, such as understanding of data, technology and cybersecurity, as well as cultivating a mindset for change and innovation. Second, we are enhancing our efforts in education and career guidance to help Singaporeans make informed decisions regarding skills development, training and jobs. Specifically, we will launch two initiatives, namely, MySkillsFuture and the SkillsFuture Engage. MySkillsFuture is a one-stop online portal offering a suite of tools and resources that will enable Singaporeans to understand labour market information, search for jobs and training programmes, and chart their skills development and career pathways. Under SkillsFuture Engage, we will deliver career and training advisory to Singaporeans at the community level, including guiding them to use MySkillsFuture portal, and choosing the right training programmes and careers. Third, PSEIs are working closely with the Ministry of Manpower and Workforce Singapore to expand the Professional Conversion Programmes.”
“PSEIs are also increasingly moving towards aptitude-based admission that takes into account the students' strengths and interests. MOE also requires all our PSEIs to measure employment outcomes of their graduates annually and publish the results. This helps students make informed choices and focus the PSEIs on the industry relevance of their courses. From this year, the requirement will be extended to private education institutions offering degree qualifications. Students are also encouraged to continually upgrade their skills, even after graduation, to stay responsive to a rapidly changing workplace. PSEIs are expanding the range of short, skills-based courses they offer. Together with the programmes offered by private training providers, these broaden the learning opportunities for working adults to upgrade and deepen their skills. Collectively, these initiatives contribute to an education and training system that is responsive to industry needs and ensure that individuals remain relevant to the future economy.”
“Across the post-secondary education institutions (PSEIs), graduate employment outcomes continue to be strong, with around nine in 10 graduates securing employment within six months of their graduation. This is because the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the PSEIs work closely with industries to regularly update curriculum and pedagogy to ensure that students are equipped with relevant knowledge and skills when they enter the workforce. In terms of curriculum, PSEIs frequently engage industry representatives to stay abreast with the latest development in industries. PSEIs engage industry practitioners to undertake a good part of the teaching. They are also involved in the work of the Sectoral Tripartite Committees, which drive the development and implementation of Industry Transformation Maps. In terms of pedagogy, there is an increased emphasis to balance acquisition of academic knowledge and practical skills, especially through learning by doing. For instance, a large majority of PSEI students already go for internships. We have also rolled out the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme and the Work Study Degree Programmes, which are modelled upon work-learn apprenticeship programmes in countries like Germany and Switzerland. The employability of students is very much related to their competence which, in turn, reflects their aptitude and enthusiasm for the discipline they have chosen. PSEIs have also strengthened education and career guidance (ECG) efforts to support students in making informed decisions on their career aspirations. Students have access to a wide range of resources, such as information on industries and growth prospects, as well as ECG counsellors or career coaches, to guide students on career preparation and skills upgrading opportunities.”
“University places are planned first and foremost for Singaporeans, in line with the cohort participation rate target of 40% by 2020. A small proportion of places are then provided for international students as they add diversity and vibrancy to the university and enhance the educational experience for Singaporean students. Over the past five years, international students have formed not more than 15% of the undergraduate intake at our publicly-funded universities. Permanent Residents have comprised about 5% of the intake. In 2016, the numbers stand at around 10% and 5% for international students and Permanent Residents respectively. At the postgraduate level, the nationality profile of students is not planned for, unlike undergraduate programmes, but depends on applications. On average, 32% of the intake across the various postgraduate programmes each year were Singaporeans. Permanent Residents and international students comprised another 5% and 63% of intake respectively.”
“Over the last five years, an average of 5% of each polytechnic cohort have withdrawn from their course. Should these students like to return to their course of study, polytechnics adopt a case-by-case approach to understand the student’s situation and reasons for course withdrawal before evaluating each case. For students who wish to pursue another course of study, they may do so via the Polytechnics' Direct Admissions Exercise. On average over the past five years, around 950 students who had formally withdrawn from their courses apply for re-admission to the polytechnics through this route every year. About 40% of these students are successful. As part of the admission process, polytechnics assess these students on their aptitude and interests, allowing them to gain admission by demonstrating their commitment to their new chosen fields. Apart from providing opportunities for students to return to study, we recognise that students do well and stay engaged when they understand their own interests and aptitudes and pursue courses that they are passionate about. Besides enhancing education and career guidance to help students understand their strengths and aspirations, the polytechnics have also expanded aptitude-based admissions to assess students beyond their academic scores.”
“There are many SkillsFuture programmes and initiatives in place. The significant ones, including those structured as SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programmes, or training that lead to jobs, are delivered by reputable partners, such as post-secondary education institutions, and reputable private training providers, such as 3dsense Media School Pte Ltd in digital animation, Air Transport Training College in aerospace, Hua Mei Training Academy in social work, and so on. Soon, SkillsFuture Singapore will be launching the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace Programme, a two-day foundational skills programme to help workers adjust to a digitally rich working environment. In rolling out the course, SkillsFuture Singapore worked with seven training providers which it has strong working relationships with. For all these programmes, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) works closely with training providers to ensure course fees are reasonable. But as SkillsFuture is also an inclusive movement, there are over 650 private training providers that are part of the SkillsFuture Credit scheme. For these, competition between the training providers helps to keep a check on course fees. In addition, SSG scrutinises the proposed course fees using industry benchmarks to ensure they are reasonable when compared to other similar courses. SSG will also enforce against any practice of profiteering. Since 2016, SSG has suspended 17 organisations from SSG funding for serious breaches of SSG funding rules, such as false declarations of trainee eligibility or course fees.”
“Once again, I thank Members for their support of the Bill and look forward to their continued support for SkillsFuture and lifelong learning. Mr Deputy Speaker, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. (proc text)] [(proc text) The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Mr Ong Ye Kung.] (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. (proc text)]”
“If the training is packaged under a Professional Conversion Programme, the subsidy will be even higher. Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked about the process by which UniSIM moved from being a private entity to being under MOE's jurisdiction and an AU. This is the process. After a period of discussion with MOE, the formal proposal to restructure UniSIM into an AU was raised with the SIM Governing Council and UniSIM's Board of Trustees in 2016. All parties then agreed that the restructuring would be a positive and logical next step in the development of UniSIM. The process for restructuring was then kickstarted following an Extraordinary General Meeting on 10 November 2016, where SIM members voted in support of the proposal. The legal changes needed to effect this were then completed earlier this year, and this Bill represents the last step in the transformation of the university into an AU. As MOE has been providing subsidies for students pursuing their undergraduate programmes in UniSIM since 2008, the university is already subject to similar checks and balances as the other AUs, such as the Quality Assurance Framework for Universities. But with its transformation into an AU, SUSS will also be working with MOE on new policy and performance agreements that outline a mutually agreed vision and direction for the university and corresponding KPI and success indicators. These will focus on areas, such as student engagement, quality of teaching, quality of student experience, employment outcomes, their know-how in lifelong learning, know-how in applied learning, the relevance and standing of social sciences as a discipline, the impact and relevance of research.”
“Assoc Prof Randolph Tan and Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked about financial assistance for working adults and sought clarification on the level of subsidy for part-time versus full-time programmes. Today, the main criterion for financial assistance is gross per capita monthly income of the household, which actually is a neutral measure whether the student is a young full-timer or a working adult. In addition to Government-supported schemes, many of the universities have their own schemes to support their students. We understand that SUSS also has existing schemes, and MOE will be happy to work with the university to explore ways to further support working adults. The cost structure for part-time programmes is different from that of full-time programmes, which makes it quite difficult to compare the two. But both courses under an AU are significantly subsidised, and the fees that a student pays for a part-time course is often less than that of a similar full-time course after subsidies. Ms Denise Phua asked whether adult learners who wish to pursue full-time studies to retool for the future can be funded for more than one qualification. Because budget is always limited, we need to ensure it can benefit as many Singaporeans as possible. Hence, students are currently only eligible for tuition grant for one qualification at the undergraduate level. But having said that, adult learners can consider a range of other subsidised training options under SkillsFuture. These training options can lead to statements of attainment, certificates, diplomas, graduate diplomas or specialist diplomas. Under SkillsFuture, there is no limit to attending such programmes where the fees are subsidised.”
“It adopts a unique "funnel approach", for example, allowing adult learners who may not fully meet the academic requirements, to take three or four modules first, with admission to the rest of the undergraduate programme to be decided based on the performance in these first three or four modules. So, to Mr Desmond Choo's question, there is always a place for workers and mid-career entrants at SUSS. Also, in response to Mr Ang Hin Kee and Mr Saktiandi Supaat, entry requirements, as practised today, will not change. Let me now touch on the issue of fees. Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef asked if students at SUSS will have access to the same scholarships, bursaries and study awards as the other AUs. Mr Louis Ng asked whether there will be a reduction in programme fees since MOE is now providing funding. MOE has been providing subsidies for students pursuing part-time undergraduate degree programmes at UniSIM or SIM University since 2008, and full-time undergraduate degree programmes since 2014. Students on these subsidised programmes have the same access to Government-supported financial assistance schemes, such as bursaries, tuition fee and study loans, as their peers in similar programmes at the AUs. Hence, we do not expect a significant change in the level of the current subsidised fees. And in response to Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef, SUSS will also continue to charge fees based on the number of credits a student wishes to take in a semester. But we intend to improve the resourcing of the university to further strengthen its capabilities in delivering quality education and training to adult learners and fresh school leavers, so that SUSS, as Ms Denise Phua said, can become the best in its field, especially with regard to lifelong learning.”
“I hope that SUSS will submit good proposals pertinent to our society, innovative, even unprecedented, and can potentially be impactful. As Assoc Prof Daniel Goh mentioned, we will urge universities to submit interdisciplinary, or even inter-university research proposals. We must recognise that innovation and deep insights often occur in the intersections of disciplines. Big universities like NUS and NTU may have less motivation and incentive to have inter-university collaboration. But actually, small universities have a strong motivation to do so. So, today, between SMU and SUTD, there has been a lot of collaboration, and, certainly, MOE will encourage more of this. The third unique proposition of SUSS is that it will retain its focus on lifelong learning and support the education and upgrading of adult learners. And adult learners must mean people older than 29 years old, and all ages, in fact. SUSS currently takes in about 4,000 students into its full-time and part-time programmes. The majority of SUSS' intake, or more than three quarters, are adult learners admitted into part-time programmes. They are all working and juggling studying and working. It is important to keep this aspect of SUSS, because catering to the learning needs of adults is an entire discipline in itself and we want SUSS to be an authority in this field. Take the admissions requirement, for example. I think Mr Ang Hin Kee raised this. To cater to the adults, SUSS has taken a holistic approach to evaluating applications, taking into account not just previous academic grades, but also career accomplishments and experience.”
“Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked several questions relating to research, that applied and academic research should co-exist and complement each other, that research should be measured by impact rather than just publications, ensure that we can attract world-class talent for research. I agree with all his viewpoints. However, starting off as an applied university, SUSS, just like SIT, will not be a research-intensive university, unlike NTU or NUS. So, in answer to Ms Denise Phua, it cannot compete in global university rankings, which are driven very much by research. Which is why the research today at applied universities, such as SIT and SUSS, are largely done in collaboration with, or even commissioned by, companies or Government agencies. Perhaps, this is why it raised the concern and perception that we need to safeguard the autonomy of research from policymakers, a point raised by Assoc Prof Daniel Goh. I am sure Assoc Prof Daniel Goh will also appreciate that this is not the case in research-intensive universities like NUS. For these universities, as he pointed out, the challenge sometimes is the opposite − to ensure that research is grounded and relevant to and can positively impact our communities, society and economy as well. That should also include empirical social science research relevant to Singapore. MOE will work with the AUs to take steps to encourage this. SUSS, however, can tap on the Social Science Research Council funding for their applied research. It has recently awarded about $21 million in grants, and the second grant call has recently been issued. As some members may know, under the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), we take a bottom-up approach. So, SUSS, as well as other universities, are free to propose quality projects with good impact.”
“These are very important aspects of applied learning. Another important aspect is collaboration with industries and employers. SUSS already partners the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCI) to deliver various programmes. I am glad Mr Saktiandi Supaat raised this. Today, they co-deliver a Diploma in Employment Relations. And there is a good opportunity there for SUSS to strengthen that collaboration with OTCI, as well as the National Trades Union Congress, and become an AU that contributes strongly to Singapore's unique institution of tripartism. As suggested by Asst Prof Mahdev Mohan, it will certainly also expand its offering of professional development programmes, which are not necessarily at the degree level. SUSS has already introduced around 200 of such modular courses. These programmes are created often in collaboration with industries and other organisations, or targeted at professional development in specific fields. And, in time to come, if they grow it enough, perhaps they can consider forming a professional academy. Moving forward, SUSS will continue to work closely with the relevant Government bodies and industry to develop degree programmes and modular courses that have strong industry relevance, as suggested by Mr Desmond Choo, too. For applied learning to be effective, SUSS' faculty must have good representation of experts in their respective industries. This is a point raised by Mr Ang Hin Kee. SUSS' faculty today consists of a large number of associates drawn from industry, many of whom are practitioners and experts in their own fields. SUSS will continue to build upon its teaching staff's capabilities to ensure that its course content is industry-relevant.”
“So, I think the Board of Trustees of SUSS had all these generic qualities in mind when they decided on the name, and it applies to all disciplines. Mr Louis Ng also raised a question about SUSS' name in Chinese. The issue of name is one of the hardest things to settle. The full Chinese name, as he pointed out, is “新跃社科大学”. The name is actually already registered. So, it is not so easy to change. The university went through much deliberation and decided on this name rather than "新加坡社科大学", which is a direct translation of SUSS. Why “新跃”, the first two words, is really because “新跃” was in SIM University's Chinese name for many years. As we restructure it, it would be good to recognise the legacy of SIM University and retain the words “新跃”. I know that a name is always subjective. Not everybody will be happy with it. But I think, for this purpose of remembering the contribution of SIM University, I seek everyone's understanding and support that we would like to keep “新跃” in the Chinese name of SUSS. Despite the change in name, degree certificates issued in UniSIM's name in the past and SUSS's name now and in the future will be considered of equal standing. So, in response to Assoc Prof Daniel Goh, SUSS has made arrangements for degree certifications to be re-issued for alumni. The degree certifications can be re-issued in SUSS's name. The university will release further details later. There is no condition that you must take an extra module. The other uniqueness of SUSS is that it will focus on applied learning. As pointed out by Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef and Mr Saktiandi Supaat, SUSS will retain and develop its existing strong culture in service learning, including local and overseas experiential learning, as well as project work.”
“Mr Desmond Choo, Mr Louis Ng and Ms Thanaletchimi also asked if business and engineering programmes at SUSS would be disadvantaged because of its new name. Let me assure the Members they will not be. The naming and the actual courses in a university are never neat. That is the reality here as well as all over the world. If we look across the university landscape, NTU also offers arts and social science disciplines; London School of Economics also offers law, international relations and accountancy; SMU offers IT courses. It is, hence, common for universities to offer quality programmes beyond what their names imply. The term "Social Sciences" in the name of SUSS thus reflects more than just social science disciplines that the university will build, but also its approach to incorporate a social focus in all its other disciplines. In response to Mr Louis Ng, there will, therefore, be no change to the range of programmes offered by the university just because of the name change. I hope that by restructuring SUSS into an AU, we can raise the prestige of all graduates, past and present, across all disciplines. SUSS will broaden its range of offerings, as suggested by Mr Ang Hin Kee and also Mr Saktiandi Supaat, and we can grow the prestige of the discipline, as suggested by Assoc Prof Daniel Goh. And since we are on the topic of its name, let me address Ms Thanaletchimi's question about whether we can have a generic name rather than "SUSS" referring to Social Sciences. I went online and checked out the definition of SUSS − "suss" as a verb, means to realise or grasp; as a noun, it refers to knowledge and awareness of a specified kind; and, as an adjective, it means shrewd and wary.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank all the Members who have spoken in support of the Bill. There are many suggestions for SUSS −more professional development programmes, forming an academy, inter-university collaborations, collaborations with industries, research direction. All these paint a very exciting picture and future for the SUSS team. It will be an exciting and busy time for them ahead. All these we will take in while we plan out what they will do for the future. The whole intention is to raise SUSS to a much more prestigious level and bring social sciences and social development courses to a much higher level in Singapore. In this whole process, SUSS, I think, will get busier, it will expand, it will not contract. Courses will not be closed down. Let me assure the House that the livelihoods of staff members, none of them will be affected. Let me first address the issue of positioning of the university, which was raised by Mr Desmond Choo, Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef, Ms Denise Phua and Asst Prof Mahdev Mohan. This actually is the most important aspect of this exercise. I mentioned earlier that SUSS is a unique AU in three ways. First, it has a strong social focus; second, applied learning; third, lifelong learning. On the focus on social sciences, Mr Desmond Choo asked if the discipline is sustainable in the long run. I think this is not something we need to worry about. So long as the Singapore economy remains diverse and vibrant, it will need talents of all kinds. As an illustration, today, successful tech companies do not just hire coders and engineers. They are hiring anthropologists, psychologists and other social scientists as well.”
“Our society needs to evolve, such that all occupations, crafts and trades, whether the skills are acquired through a degree education or not, are respected and recognised. We have come so far in uniting all segments of the society for a common purpose. Let us all continue to do our part to underscore and spread the message of inclusiveness, unity, celebrating and embracing all manners of achievements and successes. Deputy Speaker, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“The issue of university cohort participation rate has received some attention in the past few days, arising from a panel discussion I participated in at the 47th St Gallen Symposium. I would like to make three points. First, degrees, like most things in life, can become obsolete. We live in a world where information and knowledge can be googled and are available online. Skills are what carry a premium now, and skills need to be honed throughout our lifetime. So, let us not be overly fixated with how many percentage of each young student cohort moves on to attend universities, because all of us, 100%, need to keep learning and deepening our skills throughout our lives. The second point I would like to make is that degrees do not earn us a living, and do not make our dreams come true. We do. Our ability to keep pace with the changing needs of the economy is what helps us earn our keep. It is the dedicated pursuit of a discipline that makes dreams come true. We must, however, recognise that because our dreams and aspirations are diverse, the needs of economy are diverse, the path for upgrading must also be diverse and multitudinous. They should include academic upgrades, yes, but also applied qualifications, apprenticeships, industry certifications, modular and frequent skills acquisitions, overseas exposures or simply gaining work experience and making for yourself a name in the industry or in your respective fields. It will truly be "unimaginative" to confine ourselves to university academic education as the only way to fulfil our full potential. Last, degrees do not define us individually or as a society. I believe most of us agree that we do not want a society that defines success as simply having a degree.”
“Second, it empowers the Government to better guide the strategic development of SUSS towards meeting national objectives in education as well as economic and social development. Third, it permits the Government to provide resources to SUSS and monitor the performance and finances of the institution in order to ensure accountability for the use of public funds. Let me now highlight the key clauses in this Bill. Clause 3 sets out the function of SUSS, which includes conferring and awarding degrees, diplomas and certificates. Clauses 5, 6 and 8 allow the Government to guide the strategic development of SUSS and to appoint, remove and replace members of the SUSS Board of Trustees and ensure moneys provided by Parliament to SUSS may only be applied or expended by SUSS based on its public mission spelt out by the Act. [Deputy Speaker (Mr Lim Biow Chuan) in the Chair] Clauses 4 and 9 allow the Government to monitor the performance and finances of SUSS through an accountability framework, including scrutiny of the accounts and financial statements of SUSS. Clause 12 provides for consequential amendments to the Private Education Act, Chapter 247A, to provide that the Act will not apply to SUSS. It also amends the Legal Profession Act and Singapore Academy of Law Act, to replace the words "SIM University" with the "Singapore University of Social Sciences", and lastly, the SkillsFuture Singapore Agency Act to include SUSS in the list of universities. Sir, this Bill embodies the Government's vision for SUSS to play an important role in providing opportunities for all Singaporeans, to upgrade their skills and pursue lifelong learning. In this regard, I would like to end my speech today with some comments on the meaning of a university education.”
“This is increasingly important, as we need to balance economic growth with social development, and globalisation with a strong sense of community and nationhood. Hence, in SUSS' full-time programmes, there is a compulsory service learning component which requires students to initiate, conceptualise, and execute a social project and champion a cause. This is also why, as host of Singapore's third law school, SUSS focuses on criminal and family lawyers. Third, SUSS will continue to develop the applied degree pathway. In this regard, SUSS will complement SIT, each with its own domain focus. There will be strong interlacing of theoretical knowledge with real-life application, and the two universities will strengthen the nexus between institution and industry. As SUSS prepares to take its next steps forward, I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge SIM for its role in establishing and supporting the development of the university over the past 12 years. In recognition of SIM's contributions to the setting up and development of SUSS, an endowment fund will be set up in SUSS, named the SIM Endowment Fund. The Fund will be used to build SUSS' capability, support the activities of the university and ensure that individuals continue to have access to lifelong learning opportunities through scholarships, sponsorships and study awards. It will be a fitting legacy to the good work of SIM. SUSS, like our other AUs, will be governed by an Act of Parliament. This is to safeguard public interests and use of public funds. The SUSS Bill thus aims to serve three key functions. First, it signals the Government's support for SUSS and assures the public of SUSS' credibility and standing.”
“As an AU, SUSS will become a permanent fixture in our higher education landscape, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the other five AUs. Students will continue to enjoy substantial Government subsidies for the cost of their education in SUSS. They will have access to Government-supported financial assistance schemes for those who require more help with the cost of their studies. The pathway that SUSS provides will be clearly differentiated from the other AUs. It is unique in three ways. First, SUSS will be a champion of lifelong learning. Since its inception in 2005, the university has been providing quality learning opportunities to adult learners. To date, it has produced over 27,000 graduates, many of whom are working adults who had to juggle their studies with other work and family commitments. For this reason, the university has continually sought to improve the structure and delivery of its programmes, including leveraging information and communications technology (ICT), in order to better support working students. It will continue to refine its teaching model as learner, industry and societal needs evolve. SUSS will also expand its programme offerings for adult learners. It will work with SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and sector agencies to develop industry-relevant courses and create new content that will support the upgrading of our industries. Second, SUSS will deliver programmes that have a strong social focus. SUSS will champion disciplines that positively impact society and its development. Part of this is to build a strong niche in the social sciences, such as social work, early childhood education and HR management. In addition, it will infuse the mission of social development into other disciplines.”
“Throughout this development, the great majority, around 90% of graduates from AUs, continue to find jobs within six months of their graduation. This is not the case in many countries where there is severe graduate unemployment because of an over-supply of graduates. We must guard against this. With the passing of this Bill, we will set up a sixth AU, the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). SUSS will be a unique AU, clearly differentiated from the existing AUs, adding further diversity and choice to our university landscape. SUSS is built on the foundation of an earlier partnership between the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), a private society. In 1992, MOE turned to SIM to help develop programmes that would offer its non-graduate teachers an opportunity to deepen their knowledge in their teaching subjects. The Open University Degree Programmes grew out of this MOE-SIM collaboration. SIM eventually established the SIM University in 2005 to deliver these part-time degree courses. In 2012, the Government selected SIM University to develop full-time programmes under the applied pathway as well, in addition to its mainstay of part-time degree programmes. In 2013, it was selected to host the third law school in Singapore. SIM University did very well. It offered full-time degree programmes in human resource (HR) management, social work and other areas, and were distinguished by its modular and flexible structure and novel opportunities for learning by doing. From an intake of 200 in 2014, the university now takes in about 580 students and its numbers are still growing. The Government has decided to restructure SIM University into an AU, and renamed it SUSS.”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." At the Committee of Supply debate earlier this year, I had spoken about the need to transform Singapore's higher education landscape. The change and expansion are driven by two key factors. First, as our economy grows in size and sophistication, we need more talent from wider fields of expertise. Second, as our society progresses, aspirations rise. Every parent wants his child to do well and have meaningful careers. Every child has a dream. Many want to go to university, but each dream is different. We must have a system that best fulfils that. The two are interdependent and act in a certain cycle. As the economy deepened and expanded, it enabled more students to attain higher levels of education and secure good jobs. And a stronger pool of talent made us more competitive and fuelled further growth. Because of that, since year 2000, the university cohort participation rate has increased progressively, in tandem with our economic development. From 20% in 2000, to 25% by 2010, 30% by 2015. It stands at 35% this year and will be further raised to 40% by 2020. At the same time, the talent emerging from our universities becomes increasingly more diverse. Today, we have five autonomous universities (AUs) − NUS, NTU, SMU, the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). NUS and NTU are comprehensive universities. SMU and SUTD were set up in 2000 and 2011 respectively. SMU focused on business and related disciplines. SUTD's emphasis is on technology and design. SIT was conferred AU status in 2014 to pioneer the applied pathway, for specialised fields in science and technology.”
“There are also schemes within the TechSkills Accelerator, an initiative driven by Infocomm Media Development Authority, which provides support for employers to develop their existing employees in the relevant information and communications technology skills. What I have outlined today are just some of the examples of what is being done to embrace technology in the financial sector and enhance collaboration with fintech players. Financial institutions in Singapore are making good progress in fostering a culture of innovation and a spirit of enterprise.”
“Second, facilitate and encourage innovation and collaboration between financial institutions and fintech players. Last year, Singapore staged the world's largest Fintech Festival. Fintech companies around the world, and in Singapore, participated actively, because they wanted to collaborate with established financial institutions. Today, more than 20 global financial institutions have set up innovation labs or research centres here, specialising in areas, such as data science, machine learning, user experience and design thinking. As our financial institutions harness new technologies to improve their services, it is important to ensure that our financial sector workforce is building competencies in tandem with these changes. MAS is working closely with the Institutes of Higher Learning to shape curriculum and engender greater alignment between what is being taught in the institutes and the skills needed by the financial industry. The industry is cognisant of the need for skills upgrading, too. The Financial Information Technology Academy has developed a digital transformation programme for mid-career professionals that includes topics, such as data analytics and agile development. The Institute of Banking and Finance (IBF) will also be offering new learning modules on data science, human-centric design, agile thinking and cybersecurity awareness. Through the Financial Training Scheme and IBF Standards Training Scheme, MAS provides funding to support professionals in acquiring specific expertise and competencies in the financial sector.”
“Financial technology (fintech) is transforming the financial services industry in an unprecedented way. Disruption is happening and gathering pace. A growing number of fintech players are offering a range of financial services, either to take over business from financial institutions or to work together with them. But financial institutions in Singapore are not sitting still. They have been investing heavily in developing their own fintech capabilities. At the same time, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has been strongly supporting the development of fintech and is regarded internationally as one of the most progressive regulators in this aspect. In 2015, MAS laid out a vision for a Smart Financial Centre, where innovation is pervasive and technology is widely used. MAS does not have to choose between financial institutions and new fintech players. We take an even-handed approach, encouraging established and new players to compete, collaborate and innovate. There is a natural synergy here: fintech solutions present financial institutions with opportunities to enhance their product offerings, while collaboration with financial institutions enables fintech players to broaden their reach. In this regard, MAS promotes fintech in two broad ways. First, update policies and provide regulation that is conducive to innovation. For example, last year, MAS issued new guidelines on the use of cloud computing services by financial institutions to give them confidence to adopt new fintech solutions hosted on the cloud. MAS has also introduced a regulatory sandbox for financial institutions and fintech players to experiment with new technologies while limiting the potential consequences of product failure.”
“This is a school question, but the other Minister can also answer. Even with a reduced cohort pathway and merging of JCs, JC eligibility criteria remain the same, at 20 points. At or below 20 points, you are eligible to enter JC. The pathway of JC remains intact. I think we need to understand that when cohort sizes fall, it is relentless. It affects everyone. Every pathway will shrink accordingly but, as I mentioned earlier, the fact that it is smaller, it means that we have to put in even more effort to make sure it is more diverse, so that everyone can fulfil their potential. You look at cinemas now. It is getting smaller and fewer. But each cinema is showing a lot more titles. So, I think it is the same logic. Falling cohort sizes and increasing diversity are not incompatible notions.”
“Mdm Speaker, cohort sizes coming out of secondary school will fall by about 20% over the course of this decade. It will affect both the number of GCE "A" level, as well as polytechnic students and graduates going to the universities. But this impact will be cushioned by the increase in cohort participation rate from 35% now to 40% in 2020. In 2017, this year, we expect to admit about 19,000 students into locally funded universities. This will likely fall by around 10% to 12% by 2025. But there is no issue of losing critical mass in our universities and institutions, because we only have five autonomous universities, or six, if the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) Bill is passed by this House later in the day. Because university education is more specialised, there is also less need for critical mass. The Singapore University of Technology and Design, for example, is doing very well as a university with a unique focus on design, admitting only 500 to 600 students a year. In fact, despite falling cohort sizes, we should expect more diversity in pathways at the university level. Expanding our higher education pathways is not incompatible with decreasing cohort sizes. In fact, as our manpower and talent base decreases, it is even more important to uncover everyone's potential to the fullest through more diverse education pathways. In addition, our universities have taken on the mandate of lifelong learning, and I expect the university landscape to become more variegated and vibrant over the years.”
“I have to seek the Member's understanding that because this concerns a security issue, I would rather not comment about how we have identified the perpetrator and who it can be or who it is. For the second question, the information lost is basic, which are National Registration Identity Card, telephone numbers and dates of birth. No passwords were lost and I do not think that with this information, they can conduct further hacking.”
“If the perpetrators can be identified and are locally situated, we will make sure that we take them through the process of law. Often, they are not. Having said that, prosecution and punishment are just one way. We have to do a lot of other things. Technologically, as I have mentioned, various sensors can be put at critical nodes which will help us detect such intrusions. The system architecture is important, which is why MINDEF had separated the I-net system from the more confidential systems. That helped a great deal. In this case, the perpetrator went through the window but could not access the house because the house is separated. The Civil Service is doing likewise. More importantly, the weakest link is often the human factor. A lot more education is needed because we can have the most sophisticated cyber defence system, but if we do not have the discipline and we plug an external device into our office network, it can be infected. All these are things that we would have to do.”
“Each new change can potentially introduce vulnerabilities. It takes about 120 days, on average, for industry players to develop a patch. Cyberattackers exploit this window of vulnerability by evading the most commonly used commercial sensors and anti-virus signatures. Industry reports cite an average of about 150 days, five months, before a breach is discovered in any computer system. For example, the hacking into the US Government's Office of Personnel Management began in November 2013 but was only discovered in March 2014. That is about a four-month lapse. This breach resulted in the loss of up to 18 million personal data records. More recently, hackers breached the email servers of the Democratic National Committee in mid-2015 and this was detected only in April 2016, almost a year later and, by which time, all of their emails and chats had been stolen. The breach of MINDEF's I-net system was detected on 1 February 2017 and the affected server was taken offline. Forensic investigations on the I-net system showed that the breach had occurred weeks before detection. The modus operandi was consistent with a covert attack, with means used to mask the perpetrator's actions and intent. Our investigations are ongoing but findings will be kept confidential for security reasons. Other relevant Government agencies were also informed about the breach, and the 854 personnel, whose personal information was stolen, were contacted to take the necessary precautions. As part of ongoing initiatives to strengthen our cyber systems, MINDEF/SAF will develop better assessment tools, data analytics and content scanning engines to enhance our response to cyberattacks. We will also review the storage of personal data on our Internet systems to minimise risks of cybertheft.”
“Because computer systems are designed to facilitate connectivity, they are inherently vulnerable to cyberattackers from any location motivated by mischief, criminal theft or national interest, at varying levels of sophistication. This is a global phenomenon. Symantec, a global cybersecurity company, recently reported more than 430 million new pieces of malware in just one year. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) systems are no different and, on a daily level, experience hundreds of thousands of cyber intrusion attempts ranging from simple probes to sophisticated cyber espionage efforts. The latter include covert attacks by highly-skilled operators who mask or obfuscate their actions by routing through multiple countries to hide their real point of origin. MINDEF/SAF adopts a multi-layered, risk-based approach to cyber defence, which balances between connectivity and speed on one hand, and security on the other. On one extreme are networks which contain sensitive military information, which are physically separated from the Internet and further protected with encryption and access controls. On the other extreme are systems, like I-net, aimed to facilitate connectivity and ease of use with limited security features which require some personal information of users for access. The I-net system contains no classified information and is designed to allow National Service (NS)men on In-Camp Training to access the Internet for civilian work and personal matters when in camp. However, across all MINDEF/SAF networks, multiple sensors, intrusion detection systems and firewalls are placed at critical nodes to detect intrusion attempts and activities. Computer systems globally are updated consistently with new applications.”
“On Statutory Boards, many of them have come forward, as I have mentioned earlier, in providing "learning by doing" programmes. As to whether they will recognise modular training, I think we have to strike a balance. On one hand, we do not want Statutory Boards and employers to only look at formal qualifications. We also want to look at the interests and skills of the person. On the other hand, we also cannot swing all the way to say that we accept every modular training and e-learning because there are so many. We can learn a lot of things now just by watching YouTube videos, going on Coursera and Udemy. So, I think we need a balance point. We want to move away from just purely looking at qualifications but not swing all the way. That is a continuous process. On SkillsFuture Credit, if I remember correctly, as of the last update, 55% of the claims were by women, so I think women do use the credits very actively. Lastly, whether we should have scholarships for females for STEM, by and large, I am not in favour of putting gender-based quotas of any sorts, including for scholarships. Our women are capable of doing very well in a range of fields even though they have to manage family responsibilities and parental responsibilities. My view is that we should support women in their multiple responsibilities, and I am sure that they can do very well in many, many fields.”
“I thank the Member for clarifying his question. If it costs $5,000 to $6,000, my sense is that it is probably not even subsidised in the first place. I think we support a programme, on the supply side, if it really does help the worker raise their skills, find better jobs or become more employable. If it does not, then we should avoid funding them. We do get a fair amount of pressure, different people wanting different kinds of courses, even though we know that those courses are not so useful. The pressure is always there, so we are quite selective. But in this case, if it is really a useful course, we should look at whether we should subsidise it. And if we subsidise it, it becomes more affordable and then maybe we do not even need a loan. Because if you look at a Diploma now, it costs about $2,000 to get a part-time Diploma. People do part-time Diplomas because they are also working at the same time and, therefore, they can afford the subsidised fee. I would say, for this particular instance, we should look at whether we should subsidise it. I would be happy to look at it.”
“I am really happy the Member realised the challenge because SkillsFuture Credit has generated so much excitement. On the supply side, one of the problems − and it is for a valid reason − is that we tend to work with partners, be it industry associations, e2i and NTUC and so we also let them brand it. Take, for example, PCP. It rides on the tools of SkillsFuture. The programme is actually a SkillsFuture programme, but MOM takes it, brands it as PCP and delivers it to workers to help them convert their careers. Individual implementation agencies have their own branding, but SkillsFuture is behind it. So, maybe we are a little bit like Intel. In many computers, there is "Intel inside". So, there is SkillsFuture inside every programme.”
“The new ITE Technical Diploma is for ITE students graduating with a Nitec or Higher Nitec. It is specifically for this group to upgrade to a Technical Diploma. As for the GCE "O" and "N" Level groups that the Member has mentioned earlier, if they work for a few years, I think the upgrading pathways for them is perhaps an ITE Nitec or Higher Nitec. It can be done part-time or full-time. We should be open for such workers to come into the system to learn again.”
“There is a second question, Madam, by Dr Intan.”
“I thank the Members for the three questions. I will talk about mindset change. "Mindset change" is a description, not a prescription. We cannot say that we are going to solve today's problems or improve today's system through a mindset change. I do not think it works that way. What we can do is to give enough speeches, change enough policies, re-allocate resources, structures, come up with new programmes, build, configure and scale and, over time, bring about that mindset change. We have seen how mindsets have changed over 20 years, over one generation. This is something we have to continuously work towards. Likewise, for schools of the future. It is also not just a school, but a mindset leap into a different kind of school. I do not think we can change it overnight. Neither do we say, "Oh, the system is doing well, so, tweak around the edges". Then, you will never reach the school of the future. So, it is to have a balance between the two; not to tweak too little, not to burn things down, but make enough policy steps that, over time, we will have a school of the future.”
“No one wants graduates who come out of the university and cannot find jobs. But in this new era, our children have new ideas, too. They do not want to be on a treadmill, constantly chasing after good grades. Many people are like Kirsten, who wants to express herself through film-making and can make a good living doing that because she is very good at it. So, our PSEIs today have an additional mission which is to uncover and develop diverse talents and help our young realise their dreams. But I am sure that when our children grow up and they become parents, they will believe in multiple paths towards success. They will want their children to go through an education system that recognises their individual strengths. But by then, times will have changed further and their children will have different ideas and they will be saying that their parents have very fixed mindsets. Every generation that comes of age will transform and remake the society it lives in. That is how we progress, and education is there to help us along. That is why MOE's mission is to mould the future of Singapore. Today, perhaps, we are at the starting line of a time of change and transformation. It is up to us today to create these multiple paths and new opportunities which will take us to many different places but arrive at a common future − a Singapore of many talents, on a united yet multifaceted journey of one people and one country. [Applause.]”
“As Minister Ng Chee Meng had said, it is about the joy of learning, entrepreneurial dare, moral grounding and holistic development. It is not easy. We cannot tear the system down. It will not change overnight but we are making important adjustments, even at the school level, to catalyse this change. Second, employers must likewise do the same. Hire based on interest, skills and cultural fit, not just based on qualifications and grades. Because MOE can say all we want about dialing back from an over-emphasis on academic grades, but our message will ring hollow unless employers demonstrate that good jobs need not necessarily come only from good grades. Third, society needs to recognise and celebrate a wide range of successes, not just managers and leaders but also entrepreneurs, craftsmen, technicians, sportsmen, artists. Step by step, we are getting there. Let me put into context these mindsets that we inherited that are so hard to change. Forty years ago, for every Primary 1 cohort, about 5% of students went to university, about 60%-65% of them passed the PSLE. The university's mission at that time, if I may put it starkly, and at the risk of some caricature, was to make sure that we produced as many university graduates as possible to support our economic growth. That was a pragmatic generation, which had to fight for collective survival. They realised the importance and critical need for education and hoped that their children would achieve good grades and obtain good qualifications. And to a large extent, for this current generation of parents, many of them still think that way. Today, times have changed. For a Primary 1 cohort, over 98% pass their PSLE, 33% go to AUs and graduate. Make no mistake, our goal must be still to fit graduates to an economic purpose.”