Keechiu spoke at the Straits Times Education Forum.
5 hrs ·
3 major forces shape our long-term vision for education:
- Half-life of technology is shrinking and skills and knowledge will become obsolete faster than before.
- A more connected world creates more opportunities, but also greater inequality of opportunities and outcomes.
- We are seeing a world that risks becoming more fragmented and polarised geopolitically, ideologically, culturally and even technologically.
At the
The Straits Times Education Forum today, I spoke on the importance of 3 Cs in determining Singapore’s continued success amidst these forces:
Continual Learning
We need to jettison the concept that education frontloading will prepare us for life. The pace of skills and knowledge acquisition must intensify to keep up with the pace of technology and evolving job demands. Instead of focusing on producing a cohort of 30k to 40k students each year, we should create opportunities for about half a million adult learners to learn, unlearn and relearn skill sets to remain current and relevant throughout their lives.
Connections and Collaboration for Value Creation
Our IHLs must continue providing opportunities for our young to deepen their connection with the world and our community, even as
#COVID19 wears on, so that we may value add through our ability to bridge divergences. Having close ties with the industry will also allow faculty to have the necessary expertise to ensure that our students are ready for the future.
Confidence Building
In a world of contesting ideas, ideologies and values, we must have the confidence to chart our own destiny based on a pragmatic and disciplined search for what works best in context, for our people and ourselves. While we can learn from others, we must have the confidence to develop our own solutions to our own unique challenges, while recognising the need to never stop learning and improving. Our universities have a responsibility to nurture such values in our people - young and old.
As we forge ahead in an uncertain world, I hope that the lifelong pursuit of learning, wisdom and contributions to society beyond oneself will always be at the heart of our education system. May our young lead with conviction, excel with confidence and overcome challenges with tenacity and in unity.
[
:
Singapore Management University]