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New Paper
6 days ago
- Business
- New Paper
Successful ITE graduates to be recognised as part of 3 new fellowships in President's Challenge 2025
A new fellowship to recognise Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates who have had outstanding career achievements was among three tracks launched under the refreshed President's Challenge on May 28. The ITE Inspire Fellowship recognises those who have achieved success following a technical education background so as to enlist them to serve as role models and mentors to motivate others. The fellowship was introduced by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a visit with Netball Singapore, an organisation receiving funding this year under the President's Challenge. The President's Challenge was established in 2000 by then President S R Nathan to raise money for and support various social causes. It has provided funding for many social service agencies to run their programmes. The other two fellowships launched in 2025 are the Civic Action and Springboard fellowships, which aim to develop new approaches in the social sector, and support individuals who are bouncing back from major setbacks respectively. The Civic Action Fellowship will be open to social sector professionals and allow them to deepen their expertise and develop new approaches for the sector through full-time and part-time sabbaticals that span one to two years. The Springboard Fellowship will help those bouncing back from adversity and provide them with education, skills and entrepreneurship training so they can embark on new career paths. The three fellowships will tap partners like Quantedge Foundation, Singapore Institute of Management, Singapore Business Federation Foundation, Temasek and ITE for their resources and networks. Applications for the Civic Action and ITE Inspire tracks will be open from June 3 to July 18 via the President's Challenge website. Nominations for the Springboard track in the first year will be sought through agencies in the social and civic sector. Speaking to media at the event, Mr Tharman said the fellowships aim to broaden the "canvas" of leadership in society. "We want more catalysts and role models for social change, and they come from different walks of life," he said. He said he wanted the Springboard Fellowship, which helps people bouncing back from adversity, to be part of the President's Challenge to show that it is important to recognise that there are many paths in life. And very often, the path involves a setback along the way. Singapore is at a stage of development as a country where intangibles matter greatly, Mr Tharman said, adding that the ultimate objective of the President's Challenge is intangible - to build a community of respect. He said: "Developing that community of respect - where we respect everyone, not just respecting our differences, but respecting the effort, skill, and contribution that everyone brings - is what creates unity. But it's more than that; it's actually one of the most powerful ways in which we uplift ourselves. "It is how we motivate and uplift each other. Recognising the very different life circumstances that we each have, putting ourselves in someone else's shoes, realising the obstacles they face, encouraging and motivating them to overcome those obstacles, and developing friendships and relationships with one another that are respectful." In 2025, the President's Challenge will support 60 programmes from 52 organisations, including six initiatives that will receive more funding. These programmes will receive funding ranging from $715,000 to $1,250,000 over five years, enabling them to scale their impact. These include a therapeutic horseback riding initiative for those with disabilities run by the Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore, and a community patrol initiative that engages youth facing adversity by Shine Children and Youth Services. New Life Stories' Family Strengthening Programme is also one of the six that will receive significant funding this year. The programme, which helps inmates and their families, supported more than 650 families in 2024. "The funding will not only help us increase the number of families that we support, but also allow us to go further in-depth with each family and improve the quality of service we provide so we can make really deep, meaningful impact in their lives," said chief executive of New Life Stories Saleemah Ismail. The initiative helps incarcerated parents connect with their children through open visits and special activities like letting the parents write storybooks in prison that their children can read. Another programme that will receive extra funding this year is Women At Work, an initiative by Yayasan Mendaki to help unemployed Malay-Muslim women get back into the workforce. Programme lead Zuria Yusope said the programme helped 200 women in 2024, 54 per cent of whom attained a job within six months. "With this sustained funding over five years, we will be able to reach out to even more women and increase the number of sessions that we hold to improve their employability," she said. This year's grant call attracted applications from 272 programmes, more than twice that for 2024. One of the three key shifts the President's Challenge has made in 2025 is to ensure the programmes it funds do not just support immediate needs, but also uplift people and develop their potential. It also expanded to the arts and sports sectors, and made a move towards sustained funding instead of on a year-by-year basis. Other than the six initiatives receiving extra funding, the President's Challenge will also support 54 other programmes with funding of $105,000 to $300,000 each, spread over three years. This includes Netball Singapore's Netball Rising programme - a new initiative to provide regular coaching and competitive opportunities to potential athletes aged 12 to 17 from underprivileged backgrounds. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam throwing a netball at the Kallang ActiveSG Netball Centre on May 28. Looking on are President Tharman's spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi (right), members of NorthLight School's netball team and their coach Liew Hin Joon (foreground). ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The President's Challenge 2025 expanded its scope to include support for arts and sports. The National Arts Council (NAC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) will act as partners to the President's Challenge and help with talent discovery, especially among those from less advantaged backgrounds. Under its partnership with SportSG, the President's Challenge will support the Enabling Sports Fund to expand community-initiated disability sports and support early identification of talents among young people with disabilities. Support will also be given to NAC's and SportSG's scholarships, to empower more individuals to develop their aspirations in the arts and sports. The logo for President's Challenge was also changed this year after a logo competition was opened to polytechnic, ITE, and University of the Arts Singapore students. The winning design among 153 entries was by Xandrea Alfie Isa from Temasek Polytechnic.
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Successful ITE graduates to be recognised under a new fellowship in President's Challenge 2025
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi, posing for photos with Women At Work programme lead Zuria Yusope (right) and beneficiaries Nuruljannah Sehab (left) and Norsuryani Abdul Jamal during the launch of the President's Challenge 2025. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG Successful ITE graduates to be recognised under a new fellowship in President's Challenge 2025 SINGAPORE - A new fellowship to recognise Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates who have had outstanding career achievements was among three tracks launched under the refreshed President's Challenge on May 28. The ITE Inspire Fellowship recognises those who have achieved success following a technical education background to serve as role models and mentors to motivate others. The fellowship was introduced by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a visit with Netball Singapore, an organisation receiving funding this year under the President's Challenge. The President's Challenge was established in 2000 by then-President S R Nathan to raise money for and support various social causes. It has provided funding for many social service agencies to run their programmes. The two other fellowships launched in 2025 are the Civic Action and Springboard fellowships, which aim to develop new approaches in the social sector as well support individuals who are bouncing back from major setbacks respectively. The Civic Action Fellowship will be open to social sector professionals and allow them to deepen their expertise and develop new approaches for the sector through full-time and part-time sabbaticals that span one to two years. The Springboard Fellowship will help those bouncing back from adversity and provide them with education, skills and entrepreneurship training so they can embark on new career paths. The three fellowships will tap partners like Quantedge Foundation, Singapore Institute of Management and Singapore Business Federation Foundation for their resources and networks. Applications for the Civic Action and ITE Inspire tracks will be open from June 3 to July 18 via the President's Challenge website. Nominations for the Springboard track in the first year will be sought through agencies in the social and civic sector. Speaking to media at the event, Mr Tharman said the fellowships aim to broaden the 'canvas' of leadership in society. 'We want more catalysts and role models, and they come from different walks of life,' he said. He said he wanted the Springboard Fellowship, which helps people bouncing back from adversity, to be part of the President's Challenge to show that it is important to recognise that there are many paths in life. And very often, the path involves a setback along the way. Singapore is at a stage of development as a country where intangibles matter greatly, he said, adding that the ultimate objective of the President's Challenge is intangible - to build a community of respect. 'This intangible respect for all is how we motivate and uplift each other, recognising the very different life circumstances we all have, putting ourselves in someone else's shoes and realising that they face obstacles, and encouraging and motivating everyone to overcome those obstacles.' In 2025, the President's Challenge will support 60 programmes from 52 organisations, including six initiatives that will receive more funding. These programmes will receive funding ranging from $715,000 to $1,250,000 over five years, enabling them to scale their impact. This includes a therapeutic horseback riding initiative for those with disabilities run by the Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore, and a community patrol initiative that engages youth facing adversity by Shine Children and Youth Services. New Life Stories' Family Strengthening Programme is also one of the six that will receive significant funding this year. The programme, which helps inmates and their families, supported more than 650 families in 2024. 'The funding will not only help us increase the number of families that we support, but also allow us to go further in-depth with each family and improve the quality of service we provide so we can make really deep, meaningful impact in their lives,' said chief executive of New Life Stories Saleemah Ismail. The initiative helps incarcerated parents connect with their children through open visits and special activities like letting the parents write storybooks in prison that their children can read. Another programme that will receive extra funding this year is Women At Work, an initiative by Yayasan Mendaki to help unemployed Malay-Muslim women get back into the workforce. Programme lead Zuria Yusope said the programme helped 200 women in 2024, 54 per cent of whom attained a job within six months. 'With this sustained funding over five years, we will be able to reach out to even more women and increase the number of sessions that we hold to improve their employability,' she said. This year's grant call attracted applications from 272 programmes, more than twice of that for 2024. Other than the six initiatives receiving extra funding, the President's Challenge will also support 54 other programmes with funding of $105,000 to $300,000 each, spread over three years. This includes Netball Singapore's Netball Rising programme – a new initiative to provide regular coaching and competitive opportunities to potential athletes aged 12-17 from underprivileged backgrounds. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam throwing a netball at the Kallang ActiveSG Netball Centre on May 28. Looking on are President Tharman's spouse, Ms Jane Ittogi (right), members of NorthLight School's netball team and their coach Liew Hin Joon (foreground). ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG The President's Challenge 2025 expanded its scope to include support for arts and sports. The National Arts Council (NAC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) will act as partners to the President's Challenge and help with talent discovery, especially among those from less advantaged backgrounds. Under its partnership with SportSG, the President's Challenge will support the Enabling Sports Fund to expand community-initiated disability sports and support early identification of talents among young people with disabilities. Support will also be given to NAC's and SportSG's scholarships, to empower more individuals to develop their aspirations in the arts and sports. The logo for President's Challenge was also changed this year after a logo competition was opened to polytechnic, ITE, and University of the Arts Singapore students. The winning design among 153 entries was by Xandrea Alfie Isa from Temasek Polytechnic. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
18-05-2025
- Straits Times
Upgrading of ITE campuses: Reimagining classrooms as an open gym and aircraft engine workshop
The Fitlab is among the latest spaces that have been upgraded at ITE's main campus in Ang Mo Kio. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN Upgrading of ITE campuses: Reimagining classrooms as an open gym and aircraft engine workshop SINGAPORE – Stepping into the newly set up Fitlab at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio feels like entering a professional gym. Once a traditional classroom space, the new open-concept facility spanning 450 sq m now allows the 560 students in the Higher Nitec in Sport Management course to learn in a gym setting that is up to date with fitness industry trends and technology. Refurbishment of the space began in July 2024 and wrapped up in March 2025 . Mr Alif Hafiz Masnor, 37, sports studies lecturer at the campus, said: 'With this new upgrade, we are able to meet the current dynamic trends with this high-end equipment.' The aim is for students to be immersed in practical learning, from leading circuit training exercises to analysing posture and movement through an AI-driven motion capture system – commonly used in professional sports and rehabilitation to track and assess body movement. Another feature in the gym is InBody scanners, which professional trainers use to conduct health assessments for their clients. 'All these are also available in gyms outside. So we want our students to be able to interpret this real health data and then apply it during their internships,' said Mr Alif. The Fitlab is one of the latest spaces that have been upgraded at the Institute of Technical Education's (ITE) main campus in Ang Mo Kio. Two others are a laboratory for students studying electronics and information and communications technology (ICT) and a facility for learning about aircraft engineering and maintenance. In the last of a three-part series, The Straits Times takes a closer look at how ITE campuses have refreshed their facilities to keep up with industry needs and deepen student learning. Since becoming fully operational in April, the Fitlab has been used to conduct both theory and practical lessons. ITE students in a Zumba session at the newly refurbished Fitlab at ITE College Central. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN ITE student Malcolm Voong said those in the Higher Nitec in Sport Management course typically already like doing sports. But learning how to use these high-tech machines gives them a more in-depth understanding of the human body. 'Getting better in sports is not just about training, but also what your body needs. Every body is different, so this is a very fun part of learning,' said the 19-year-old, who will be completing the three-year course at the end of 2025. The space is also stocked with standard gym equipment such as kettlebells and dumbbells, as well as all-in-one trainers with multiple uses – leg press, cable pulley, pull-up bar and more. Real-world training in aircraft engine maintenance ITE work-study diploma students Anderson Lim and Siti Sauhana using the polishing robot arm at the new Onboarding@Skill facility at ITE College Central. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN What better way to prepare students for a career in aircraft engine maintenance than to provide them with a workshop on campus that mirrors one in the real world? With the launch of Onboarding@Skill on May 15, students learn about key engine maintenance processes as well as smart technologies currently used in the industry. Spanning 200 sq m, the space at ITE College Central was refurbished in collaboration with ST Engineering from January to March, and caters for over 380 students and trainees annually. They comprise those enrolled in the Higher Nitec in Aerospace Engineering course, and trainees in two ITE work-study diploma courses related to aircraft engine maintenance. Lecturer Mr Wong Kok Weng (second from left) with his students at the Onboarding@Skill facility. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN Mr Wong Kok Weng, 49, an ITE aerospace technology lecturer, said that previously, the space consisted of standard lab facilities, and the assembly and maintenance of engine components were taught in silos. 'We were learning piece parts, in a way. But this new facility is a ramp-up as it allows students to have an overview of the engine overhaul process,' he said. Comprising three gates, the space allows students to see how aircraft engine maintenance is done from start to finish. At the first gate, aircraft engines arrive for maintenance. Components in need of maintenance and repair are removed from the engine after inspection and transported by an automated mobile robot to the second gate. After repairs and checks are completed, the engine is reassembled at the third gate and undergoes final testing before being cleared for service. New in the space is a polishing robot arm, which plays many vital roles. It is able to achieve high-quality surface finishes on engine components, saves up to 102 man-hours per engine, and improves workplace safety by minimising exposure to harmful metallic dust. 'This space is very aligned to industrial practices and the latest trends in this field. So we are very close to what the industry needs,' said Mr Wong. As a trainee in ITE's work-study diploma course in aircraft engine maintenance since 2023, Ms Siti Sauhana, 23, spends 70 per cent of her time learning and working in the assembly line area at ST Engineering. The remainder of the course is spent at ITE. She said of Onboarding@Skill: 'They have captured the whole set-up for the industry, because the three gates are also what we learn about at work. So this shows students what we can expect when we go to the working site.' Cutting-edge software and robots for learning Since April 2024, students enrolled in three Higher Nitec courses at the School of Electronics and Info-Comm Technology have been able to tinker with humanoid robots and use state-of-the art software. This is thanks to the Universal Omniverse Experience Centre, a facility that was built over a period of 15 months and became fully operational in July 2024. More than 1,000 students learning about topics like artificial intelligence applications and IT systems and networks use this space for lectures, practical sessions and project work. Students in the Higher Nitec in Immersive Applications and Game course with their lecturer, Ms Cheryl Lye (centre), at the Universal Omniverse Experience Centre at ITE College Central. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN Before it was upgraded, the space was used for teaching, storage and as a showcase for visitors, said Ms Cheryl Lye, 35, an ICT lecturer at the campus. It now houses state-of-the-art servers, called the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). 'If the computer specifications on my students' laptops are not the most updated, they can access the VDI by launching a browser within their devices,' said Ms Lye. This allows students to access more demanding software that requires higher performance to run immersive applications and game programmes. The space also has humanoid robots that are used in care homes and schools in Japan for various healthcare purposes. Ms Lye said students are eager to tinker with these robots and see how skills they learn can be applied in real life to help people. 'When we teach, we don't want to just talk at them. So we use real examples to excite them,' she said. Higher Nitec student Brenda Angela with servers at the Universal Omniverse Experience Centre. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN Brenda Angela, 17, a second-year student in ITE's Higher Nitec in Immersive Applications and Game course, said she can now see how game-based elements can be used in non-gaming contexts, such as education. 'I did not know you could use virtual reality to create a package to teach how to do spray-painting on a ship,' she said, referring to a project done by ITE students and staff two years ago that is now displayed at the showcase area in the upgraded space. 'I had a very narrow mindset. But this new environment helps me explore other viewpoints. I can be more creative when I see the possibilities of what can be done.' Elisha Tushara is a correspondent at The Straits Times, specialising in Singapore's education landscape. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Application for direct school admission to secondary schools, JCs open from May 7
Students applying for DSA must still sit their respective national examinations. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Application for direct school admission to secondary schools, JCs open from May 7 SINGAPORE - Students who wish to apply for direct admission to secondary schools and junior colleges (JCs) may do so from May 7. Those who wish to apply for early admission to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) can start doing so from May 20. Applications for early admission to polytechnics start on June 2. The Ministry of Education (MOE) said on May 6 that the Direct School Admission (DSA) allows students to enter secondary schools and JCs based on their interests and aptitudes, beyond their performance at the national examinations. Students will be considered by the respective schools they have applied for. Schools can admit up to 20 per cent of their students through the DSA, said MOE. According to checks by The Straits Times, 142 secondary schools and 20 JCs will be participating in the DSA exercise. Students applying for DSA must still sit the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) or O-level examinations. If a DSA offer is made to them by the selected school, students have until the indicated deadline to accept the offer, which will be before the release of the national examination results. For students moving on to secondary school, they will be guaranteed a place in their selected school, provided they accept the offer and their PSLE result meets the minimum requirement for a posting group that the school admits students from. MOE posts students to secondary school through three posting groups: G1, G2 or G3 . G1 will roughly correspond to today's Normal (Technical) standard, G2 to Normal (Academic) standard, and G3 to Express standard. Similarly, those who applied to JCs will be guaranteed a spot provided that their O-level results meet the minimum requirements for admission. Once students accept a DSA offer, they will not be eligible to participate in the S1 posting exercise or Joint Admissions Exercise . They will also not be allowed to transfer to another school after obtaining their examination results. Primary school pupils and their parents may submit DSA applications via from 11am on May 7 to 3pm on June 3 . Applicants need to fill in only one online form , and can select up to three choices of school and talent area offered by the school. Applicants can indicate the same school up to two times in their application. Students applying for DSA to JCs can go to for more information, or visit the JCs' websites for the application period, procedures and selection criteria, as these vary between schools. Early admissions into ITE and polytechnics The Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) is applicable for those wanting to further their education in an ITE or polytechnic. Under the EAE, applicants are considered based on their aptitude and interest in a specific course, as well as relevant work experience for working adult applicants. Applicants may need to submit portfolios or undergo interviews and take aptitude tests as part of the selection process. Graduating secondary school students who would like to enter ITE can go to for more information on the application procedure and entry requirements for the courses they are interested in. Applications will open from May 20 to 26. Meanwhile, graduating O-Level students who would like to enter polytechnic can submit their EAE application from June 26 to July 2 , while final-year ITE students can submit their EAE application from June 12 to 18. Applicants can find more information on the application procedure and entry requirements at Those successful will be given an offer by the chosen ITE or polytechnic before receiving their final examination results. They must meet the Minimum Entry Requirements for the selected course in order for the offer to be confirmed. Those who accept a place via the EAE cannot participate in other ITE or polytechnic admission exercises. Working adults can also apply for EAE to enter ITE or a polytechnic. They must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents , and have at least two years of relevant work experience. EAE applications for working adults into ITE and polytechnic will open from May 20 to 26 and June 2 to 29 respectively. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
