Malay/Muslim community’s annual celebration of knowledge, lifelong learning to run from June 29
SINGAPORE – Artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and the digital economy have the potential to boost productivity, create new industries, and improve people’s quality of life.
But these innovations, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on June 29, place new demands on everyone to adapt and acquire new skills to remain relevant.
DPM Heng added that to adapt to these major shifts, one must focus not just on grades, but on skills and continuous learning.
He was speaking at Our Tampines Hub during the launch of Raikan Ilmu – an annual and month-long series of events and engagements organised by Yayasan Mendaki to celebrate knowledge and inspire a love for lifelong learning.
The Malay/Muslim community’s flagship initiative is held from June 29 to July 28 this year.
DPM Heng noted that today, almost every Malay student successfully completes 10 years of education in primary and secondary school. At the tertiary level, eight in 10 Malays aged 25 to 34 have post-secondary or higher qualifications.
A range of pathways are available at the Institutes of Technical Education, polytechnics, and universities, which cater to a variety of interests and aptitudes, he said.
The Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Social Sciences offer applied degree programmes which blend academic knowledge with real-world experience. Work-study degree and work-study diploma programmes are also jointly offered with employers to better support continued training and skills upgrading at all institutes of higher learning, Mr Heng added.
A strong foundation in education leads to better job prospects. The proportion of Malays in professional, managerial, executive and technical (PMET) jobs increased to 40 per cent in 2020, up from 30 per cent a decade ago.
Many of these jobs are in growth sectors with good prospects, including health and social services, information and communication technology, and professional services including finance and insurance, DPM Heng said.
The Government has introduced initiatives like the Industry Transformation Maps or ITMs across 23 sectors, with jobs and skills as a priority in each ITM to help workers adapt and level-up.
“Our refreshed ITM for the Information and Communications sector is a good example,” he said. “Under this ITM, we aim to achieve average growth of 5 to 7 per cent per annum, and generate around 80,000 well-paying jobs in sectors like software, IT services, and telecom services by 2025.”
The movement’s principal offering - Raikan Ilmu@Heartlands – will travel to Tampines, Jurong and Admiralty over three weekends starting on June 29.
More than 80 activities organised with 40 national, community and corporate partners will be held at Our Tampines Hub on June 29 and 30, Jurong Point on July 20 and 21, and Kampung Admiralty on July 27 and 28.
Offerings include AI-related activities, robotics competitions, craft and wellness activities as well as skills upgrading and career opportunities.
Other signature events include the Mendaki Symposium and YOUth@M3 Networking Sessions.
Further details are available at https://www.mendaki.org.sg/raikanilmu.