http://www.todayonline.com/pda/139867ag.htm
Think big, dream beyond our size: Minister to youth
Friday September 1, 2006
Tor Ching Li
DON'T let the small size of Singapore limit the scope of your
dreams that was the rallying call from Minister of Manpower Ng
Eng Hen to about 450 undergraduates at the annual Kent Ridge
Ministerial Forum last night.
"We need Singaporeans to think big, take calculated risks and
succeed big. We are in need of more real examples of Singaporeans
who achieve dreams beyond others' imagination. In all fields
business, science, academia, sports we need to produce our own
world-class icons," said Mr Ng at the forum, on the theme "Standing
Tall in a Shrinking World".
He cited "water queen" Olivia Lum, chief executive of water
treatment company Hyflux, as someone who had fulfilled her dreams
in Singapore. The 46-year-old entrepreneur, who is worth US$240
million ($377 million), was ranked 17th on Forbes Asia's Southeast
Asia list of 40 richest businesspeople.
"If she could do it, why not you?" said Mr Ng.
Ms Lum had a good idea that made the seemingly improbable selling
water in a region with torrential rains become possible and, more
importantly, she had the drive to succeed. Mr Ng recounted how Ms
Lum, a former Malaysian who came to Singapore at age 16, peddled
her water filters and softeners from Jurong to Batu Pahat in
Malaysia.
Mr Ng noted that while Singaporean graduates have the advantage of
an "established international brand" renowned for intellectual
rigour, they are also perceived as being less adept at dealing with
"fuzzy situations" and "less daring".
"We have already realigned our educational system to train students
to better handle ambiguity, to think and speak on their feet and to
manage people, but this is still very much work in progress. Our
universities will and must evolve new pedagogical styles to bring
out these skills in students," he said.
Another weakness is the unwillingness of Singaporean graduates to
work their way up.
"Singaporean graduates should realise that industry practices have
changed," he said.
Mr Ng also warned the students they would have to face up to
increasing competition from local and overseas graduates.
"Ultimately, it will not be your paper qualifications which
differentiate you, but your skills and attitudes," he said.
During the question and answer session, one student asked
how getting more foreign talent could be reconciled with
nation-building goals. Mr Ng replied that perceptions that
foreigners stole jobs from locals would have to be managed. Foreign
talent were part and parcel of creating more opportunities for
Singaporeans.
To a query about dual citizenship, Mr Ng said "soft solutions",
such as family ties, were needed to make mobile Singaporeans feel
rooted here. It was not something one could solve just by allowing
dual citizenship.
Singapore is well poised to benefit from the rise of India and
China. Domestically, it has set the stage for local talent to
shine, in sectors such as research and development, digital media
and tourism.
"The opportunities are there for you and the decisions you make in
the next 10 years will decide your trajectory and zenith. The world
is literally at your feet, with the possibilities limited only by
your grit and imagination," said Mr Ng.
