Latest news with #Tharman
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
60 years of relations between Singapore, France have benefited both peoples: President Tharman
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a state banquet in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife held at the Raffles Hotel on May 30. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG 60 years of relations between Singapore, France have benefited both peoples: President Tharman SINGAPORE – The past 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and France have delivered tangible benefits to both peoples through economic cooperation, innovation and the 'cultural brew' they create together, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He was speaking at a state banquet in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife held at the Raffles Hotel on May 30, hours after the launch of a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries where they agreed to deepen collaboration in areas such as defence, security, artificial intelligence and nuclear power. Mr Tharman said: 'We are expanding our ties and making something substantive, something unique and certainly mutually beneficial, something to be treasured in an increasingly troubled world.' Speaking to a crowd that included members of both countries' Cabinets, Mr Tharman said: 'Your presence in Singapore and your upcoming address at the Shangri-La Dialogue underscores the growing engagement between our regions. 'We share the same fundamental belief in the importance of an open, stable and rules-based global system.' Mr Macron, in a speech following Mr Tharman, emphasised the long and beneficial relationship between the two countries. 'After 60 years, we can say that we understand each other... 60 years of discussions, visits, common events. 'In a few decades, your city-state has seen exceptional growth, and today it's a major hub of exchange and progress at the heart of South-east Asia, and I have to say that Singapore is clearly a source of inspiration and admiration.' A long and fruitful history Mr Macron's state visit to Singapore marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but the relationship goes back much further, Mr Tharman said. He raised the examples of French missionary and educator Father Jean-Marie Beurel who helped found several schools including St Joseph's Institution, and French naturalists Alfred Duvaucel and Pierre-Medard Diard who arrived in the 1800s and whose collection of specimens, notes, and drawings captured the evolution of Singapore's natural history. He said: 'Our more recent history has seen layer being added on layer of French-Singapore ties.' France was in 2012 the first European nation with whom Singapore established a strategic partnership, Mr Tharman noted. French firms now make up the largest number of European companies registered in Singapore, he added. There are more than 2,600 of these. He said: 'Companies like CMA-CGM, TotalEnergies, and Alstom are leveraging on Singapore's ecosystem to grow their footprint in the Asia-Pacific. 'Singapore's investment firms GIC and Temasek are significant investors in France, and leading enterprises such as CapitaLand and ComfortDelgro are stepping up their presence.' French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and his wife Ms Brigitte Macron (second from right) with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from left) and his spouse Ms Jane Ittogi on May 30. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG French expertise is also helping to shape Singapore's urban infrastructure, he said. RATP Dev is working together with Singapore operationalise the upcoming Jurong Region MRT Line – the first foreign operator to be involved in the Republic's rail industry, Mr Tharman noted. Mr Macron also emphasised the long relationship between the two countries. He said in response to Mr Tharman: 'You referred yourself to Pierre-Médard and Alfred Duvaucel, who drew up a list of the islands' fauna and flora at the end of the 19th century, but since this moment, even before your independence, our relationship is based on this exchange between our institutions.' Today, 200 French researchers live in Singapore, and its National Center for Scientific Research has four research labs here, he noted. Mr Macron said: 'In those 60 years (of diplomatic relations), France and Singapore have never stopped advancing together, in particular in the field of science, where we have worked on building a fruitful partnership for many years.' Referencing the role founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had in the genesis of this bilateral relationship, Mr Macron said: '10 years after his death, France has not forgotten what it owes to Lee Kuan Yew on many topics, the tireless instigator of our bilateral cooperation project, and today we acknowledge the fruit of his labor, as seen in the exchange of students, researchers and entrepreneurs between our two countries, nourishing our friendship.' More to come Looking forward, Mr Tharman said the new CSP reflects both countries' commitments to 'expand and deepen collaboration with a sharper focus on areas that matter for the future.' These include emerging and frontier technologies in sustainability, defence and security, he said. Mr Tharman said: 'President Macron and Prime Minister Wong also witnessed the conclusion of wide-ranging bilateral agreements, each opening new possibilities, and they witnessed the renewal of a roadmap for deeper collaboration in artificial intelligence, online safety and quantum technology.' In response, Mr Macron said: 'We have such a range of cooperation which is totally unique. Our defence cooperation, shared support of multi-lateralism and joint investment in breakthrough technologies are all paving the way for future generations.' He added that the agreements are not just a statement of intentions but a tangible roadmap to 'invent together' in those fields. He said: 'It is a promise we are making to the generations that follow so that we can tackle together the next 60 years with the brave spirits of the pioneers and your founding fathers.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Business Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Business Times
President's Challenge 2025 to support 52 organisations, with focus on longer-term funding
[SINGAPORE] The President's Challenge 2025, which was launched on Wednesday (May 28) by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, will support 60 programmes by 52 organisations. Although this is fewer than the 88 programmes supported in 2024, the initiative aims to focus on more significant and longer-term funding for beneficiaries. The refreshed President's Challenge this year received applications from 272 programmes – more than twice the number in 2024. In a doorstop interview with the media, Tharman said: 'The happy problem we face is that we've had a lot more applications for this new President's Challenge. And we could therefore afford to be selective, choose programmes which we felt had the greatest potential, and yet cover a broad ground.' Six selected programmes that have established track records will receive a higher tier of funding of S$715,000 to S$1.25 million over five years. The other 54 programmes will receive funding of S$105,000 to S$300,000 for each programme over three years. One of the six programmes is Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore's (RDA) equine-assisted activities. Meanwhile, one of the 54 programmes is Playeum's Open Minds, Open Doors programme. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up RDA currently runs therapeutic riding sessions for persons with disabilities, as well as the Ground Programme, in which beneficiaries can get involved with activities such as horse care. Gerard Sivalingam, general manager of RDA, said: 'We use horses as a form of therapy… (The beneficiaries) see joy in what they are doing. What we offer them is a hobby and something that's not easily accessible.' He added that the funding from the President's Challenge is vital in keeping the programmes free of charge, especially amid rising costs. Meanwhile, one of the 54 programmes is Playeum's Open Minds, Open Doors initiative, which has been ongoing since 2019. It is a community play programme for children with disabilities. Charlotte Goh, executive director of Playeum, said: '(Open-ended play) enables social and emotional skills and 21st century skills like critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication, self-regulation and self-awareness.' As part of the programme, Playeum also runs workshops for parents to learn about children's holistic development and family bonding through play. It has developed manuals that can be used by both parents and educators. Tharman added: 'All the programmes we're supporting aim not just at meeting immediate needs, but uplifting people, by discovering talents and developing their potential.' In addition, the S$250 million SG Gives Matching Grant announced at Budget 2025 will provide dollar-for-dollar matching by the government for all donations to the President's Challenge. New fellowships This year's President Challenge includes new fellowships, which will cover three tracks. The first track, called Civil Action, offers one or two-year sabbaticals to those who have a minimum of five years of work or active volunteering experience. It is supported by Quantedge Foundation, Singapore Management University and Singapore University of Social Sciences. Tharman said: '(This track) is to enable people who are engaged in the social sector – in social work, social services, youth work, and even active volunteers from other professions – the time and opportunity to reflect, do some research, network and develop new ideas for social impact.' The second track, called Springboard, supports individuals who have faced challenges in life and are ready to enter the workforce or become an entrepreneur. The selected fellows can choose between employment and upskilling programmes either for employment or entrepreneurship. Springboard is supported by the Singapore Institute of Management and Temasek. It aims to help individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, ex-offenders, women facing vulnerable circumstances, and more. The third track is ITE Inspire, which recognises alumni from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) who have made strides in their career and can act as role models for the younger generation. ITE Inspire is also supported by Singapore Business Federation Foundation. ITE will shortlist and select up to five awardees. These awardees will organise programmes such as mentoring, learning journeys and industry visits in Singapore and/or overseas, and workshops or fireside chats to benefit the ITE community. More opportunities in arts and sports The President's Challenge has also partnered the National Arts Council (NAC) and Sport Singapore (SportSG) to broaden opportunities for beneficiaries in the arts and sports sectors. The Enabling Sports Fund aims to expand community-initiated disability sports and support early identification of talents among young persons with disabilities. Under the partnership, the President's Challenge will also enhance access to sports for all via SportSG's academies and clubs, as well as more inter-school sports competitions and carnivals. It will also help NAC and SportSG expand their scholarship offerings.
New Paper
4 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
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Use AI to keep jobs, boost healthcare, curb climate change to maximise good: President Tharman
SINGAPORE - Artificial intelligence (AI) can enable displaced workers to find new meaningful jobs in other sectors and not resort to 'flipping burgers' after their previous jobs are disrupted by rapid technological developments, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Speaking at the opening gala for Singapore's 5th annual tech conference Asia Tech x Singapore on May 27, Mr Tharman noted the need for systematic training involving governments and the industry to level up displaced workers' skills. 'If there are some people displaced in one sector because of creative disruption, how do they get deployed, not just into flipping burgers, but into new jobs in other sectors,' said Mr Tharman, urging the audience to think about productivity more broadly. 'It's productivity for the workforce at large... to maximise our potential to create good jobs for everyone who wishes to be in the workforce,' he said. Speaking at the Fullerton Bay Hotel, Mr Tharman said that AI is driving productivity in factories, call centres and banks, but the progress is not necessarily translating into more jobs that ensure the workforce is productive, such as to create new jobs. Productivity for human society is one of three areas he cited where global consensus can be attained to maximize the good of AI, and minimise the risk of AI harms. In his half-hour speech to policymakers, tech leaders and industry guests, Mr Tharman said the other two areas are in healthcare and climate change. Specifically, AI can aid in early disease detection and easing pressures on healthcare systems. AI also has the potential to improve energy efficiency to curb climate change. Organised by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the conference is expected to host 3,500 attendees from around the world who will attend panels and discussions on AI governance and innovation in the technology sector between May 27 to 29. Executives from major tech companies like OpenAI, Microsoft and Google are also scheduled to attend panel discussions that address pressing issues in tech. Mr Tharman highlighted opportunities where AI can improve healthcare, such as to spot and treat diseases and support healthcare systems. He said: 'We need to take it much, much further and ensure that safety is ensured through regulation of AI in healthcare.' Tougher regulation is necessary to bring AI's impact on the healthcare sector further, so that trust in healthcare systems is preserved, said Mr Tharman, citing Singapore's efforts to introduce guidelines in healthcare for developers and users. For instance, developers are obliged to gather feedback from clinicians and patients on their apps, to build confidence in using such systems. Humanity's fight against climate change, too, stands to gain from AI innovation, even as intensifying AI use requires high amounts of water and energy to support its computing. Yet, AI is key to monitoring the levels of environmental degradation and to improve energy efficiency across the economy, such as to enable more productive food systems so that resources in forests are not depleted unsustainably, said Mr Tharman. In spite of the advantages that AI can bring, there are risks that society must come together to address. Mr Tharman said that among the risks is the use of AI-generated content, together with social media platforms and rogue actors, to spread disinformation that can erode trust in democracy. Mr Tharman said: 'They are forcing people into bubbles and hardening divisions within society… We do not yet have a solution to this but it is a dangerous problem .' He also warned that AI risks transforming warfare for the worst - an urgent issue that the United States and China, in particular, must discuss to find ways to control the use of AI in war. To achieve these objectives, industries must start to act sectorally to use AI to address issues within each field, such as to address the needs and spur innovation within agriculture, healthcare and climate change, Mr Tharman said. He suggested developing multilateral governments and coalitions among policymakers, scientists, tech players and civil society who can iron out guidelines and common standards for AI. Momentum for coalitions in the tech industry is building, said Mr Tharman. Scientists and members of the global tech sector gathered here for the Singapore Conference on AI in April to discuss the priorities for global AI safety research, which Mr Tharman described as a good example of what it takes to work together. Mr Tharman said: 'We need some form of calibration, of consensus-based guidance. Some way in which coalitions of the willing come together so that we can maximize the good and minimise the risk of the worst. We can't leave it to the jungle.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
President Tharman, SM Lee send condolence letters to Vietnam after death of former president
Vietnam's former president Tran Duc Luong died on May 20 at the age of 88 after an illness. PHOTO: AFP President Tharman, SM Lee send condolence letters to Vietnam after death of former president SINGAPORE - President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong sent condolence letters to Vietnam's leaders on May 26, following the death of the country's former president Tran Duc Luong. Mr Luong died on May 20 at the age of 88 after an illness, reported Viet Nam News . He served as Vietnam's president from 1997 to 2006 . 'On behalf of the people of Singapore, I would like to offer my deepest condolences on the passing of former president Tran Duc Luong,' President Tharman wrote to his counterpart, President Luong Cuong. Mr Tharman noted that Mr Luong had 'served his country with steadfast determination during a time of profound transformation for Vietnam'. He added that the late Vietnamese leader had helped to steer his country in the aftermath of Doi Moi, or a series of market reforms in 1986, seeing Vietnam through the Asian financial crisis of 1997, and 'its integration into Asean's structures' after it became a full member in 1995. 'His contributions were immense, and will be remembered,' said Mr Tharman. SM Lee wrote to Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, remembering his introductory visit to Vietnam in December 2004 where he met Mr Luong as then Prime Minister of Singapore. 'President Luong was a statesman who devoted his life to serving his country,' said SM Lee. 'Under his leadership, Vietnam advanced steadily along its reform path and deepened its engagement with Singapore and the rest of the region. He played a crucial role in laying the foundation for the enduring trust and friendship between our two countries. His legacy will be remembered.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
