11 July 2017
The student of today has to learn material and master skills that are vastly different compared to just a generation ago. This is due to our rapidly evolving technological society, and the fact that the way we conduct business itself has changed drastically.
Some say that we are on the verge of the fourth industrial revolution, with enormous disruptions due to occur. It will be era driven by technology and smart systems, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and material science.
Minister-in-charge of Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative Dr Vivian Balakrishnan highlighted these recently at the opening ceremony of the 6th Singapore International Science Challenge (SISC). He said that it has become necessary for educational institutions to prepare students for jobs that have yet to exist.
“You honestly cannot predict what jobs you will do, five to 10 years from now. I don’t think anyone of you will be doing one single job for the rest of your life,” said Dr Balakrishnan.
Singapore remains well positioned as its education system provides a strong foundation to get students ready for a technology-rich world, but there is now a need to venture beyond the normal school curriculum, and embrace lifelong learning.