Mr S Iswaran at the Signing Ceremony Between S'pore Institute of Technology, Newcastle University and Nanyang Polytechnic

​OPENING REMARKS BY MR S ISWARAN, MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE AND SECOND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN SINGAPORE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY AND NANYANG POLYTECHNIC ON TUESDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2012, INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL SINGAPORE

Professor Tan Chin Tiong, President of the Singapore Institute of Technology,

Professor Ella Ritchie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, United Kingdom,

Mr Chan Lee Mun, Principal and CEO of Nanyang Polytechnic,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen.

It is with great pleasure that I join you this afternoon to commemorate the commencement of this partnership between the Singapore Institute of Technology, Newcastle University and Nanyang Polytechnic.

A week ago at the inaugural youth dialogue held during the Singapore International Energy Week, I shared with the audience the launch of this new degree programme dedicated to the training of professional power engineers in Singapore.  Today, we witness the formalisation of the partnership between your institutions.

The power sector plays a critical role in sustaining Singapore’s economy and the high standard of living we enjoy.  The sector has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, and is expected to continue evolving rapidly, with new generation plantings coming on stream, and opportunities arising from new areas such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and renewable energy.  The Energy Market Authority works closely with the industry to achieve greater efficiencies in conventional power generation technologies, and in our transmission and distribution system.  We also seek to integrate smart energy technologies into our grids to allow consumers to make more informed decisions in managing their energy consumption and costs.  

These developments within the power sector present exciting opportunities in the coming years. Over the next 10 years, the power sector is expected to require approximately 2,400 new technical professionals, including power engineers.  As we continue to invest in the hardware and infrastructure of the power sector, it is equally important for us to consider means to enhance the software, in particular the capacity and capability of our manpower. 

In March this year, the government formed an industry-led Power Sector Manpower Taskforce (PSMT) to identify and recommend key strategies to ensure that the manpower needs of our power sector continue to be met in the medium to long term.  The PSMT is looking into areas of talent attraction and retention, and personnel development, and will be submitting its recommendations to the government by the end of the year.

Alongside the work of the PSMT, EMA is working with industry players and the Ministry of Education (MOE) to offer scholarships to deserving students who are interested in pursuing a career in the power sector.  This year, five industry scholarships were awarded to the power sector under the Singapore Industry Scholarship programme.  EMA is also working with industry players to facilitate plant visits and internship opportunities.  These initiatives will give aspiring students a glimpse into the work that goes on behind the scenes, as well as hands-on experience working with professionals in the sector.

Importantly, the electrical power engineering degree programme creates another educational pathway for interested students, while complementing our ongoing manpower development efforts.  Polytechnic students in related fields will have the opportunity to upgrade their skills and to pursue a professional degree in power engineering.  This programme is an essential component in our efforts to build up much needed expertise in the field of electrical power engineering.

Once again, I would like to congratulate SIT, NU and NYP on your partnership and I strongly urge our students to take full advantage of this opportunity and apply for the programme.  I am confident that graduates of the programme can look forward to fulfilling jobs with good career prospects in a resilient and dynamic sector.

Thank you.