The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) last week recognised
18 outstanding individuals and organisations for their significant
contribution to the high quality of education in Singapore.
Held at
the Raffles Hotel Jubilee Hall, the 2009Singapore Education Awards
presentation ceremony was officiated by Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of
State for Trade and Industry. Over 300 guests, comprising key members of
the education industry, attended the event.
The key objectives of the
awards are to recognise the exceptional contributions of members of the
Singapore education industry in entrenching Singapore's position as a
quality education hub and global schoolhouse, and to establish
benchmarks for service excellence in the various areas of education
services provision.
The awards also recognise individuals and
organisations that have enhanced the lives of the international students
living and studying in Singapore, particularly in advancing their
assimilation into the local community. Now in its third year, the
Singapore Education Awards 2009 drew 2,000 nominations, a record number
which marks a 50% increase over 2008.
At the macro level,
Singapore’s status as an education hub has grown considerably over the
years. In 2008, Singapore saw the arrival of about 97,000 international
students from 120 nationalities, an increase of close to 13%
from 86,000 in 2007.
Addressing the guests at the awards ceremony, Mr
Lee Yi Shyan, Minister-of-State for Trade and Industry, lauded the
resilience of the Singapore education industry amid the current economic
downturn, and urged the education industry partners to band together and
strive towards higher quality standards.
"Even more important than
quantitative growth, is qualitative growth. In terms of raising the
quality of education in Singapore, the journey to excellence is an
unending one. Towards this end, we all must work together. Our education
providers must continue to invest in content development, pedagogy
research and industry exchanges to enhance the total learning experience
of the students. Our agencies: STB, SPRING Singapore and IE Singapore
offer programmes in new capability development, staff training, facility
upgrading and support for international collaboration and student
exchange programs. Our Global Schoolhouse vision is a long-term
undertaking. It requires our commitment and continual investments," said
Mr Lee Yi Shyan.
Echoing Mr Lee Yi Shyan’s views, Mr John Gregory
Conceicao, Director of Education Services, STB said, “A high quality
global education, in a country known for its cultural affinity for
students from the region, reputation for safety and
cost-competitiveness, has enabled us to firmly establish ourselves as
the choice destination for international students seeking a world-class
education. As we move forward, it is imperative that we uphold the high
standards that have defined Singapore Education, and together with our
industry partners such as the Association of Private Schools & Colleges,
continue to set new benchmarks and provide even more value-add to our
international students.”
The winners of the Singapore Education
Awards 2009 are:
1. Friend of International Students – Ms Boey Suit
Yim 2. Best Educational Event Organised by a Public Educational
Institution – National University of Singapore High School of
Mathematics and Science 3. Best Enrichment Programme – Lorna Whiston
EAL School (Interactive English for Young Learners) 4. Best Host for
International Students Studying in Singapore - Schools – Singapore
Management University 5. Best Host for International Students
Studying in Singapore - Hostels – Prince George’s Park Residences,
National University of Singapore 6. Best International Marketing
Effort by a Private Educational Institution – SIM Global Education 7.
Best International Marketing Effort by a Public Educational Institution
– NUS Business School 8. Best Media Coverage for Singapore Education
- Print – Ms Vandana Ramnani of Hindustan Times Horizons (The Global
Schoolhouse) 9. Best Media Coverage for Singapore Education -
Broadcast – Mr Hwang Joon Sung of EBS, Korea Educational Broadcasting
System (Education on site!) 10. Best Singapore Education Specialist
Agency (International) – RV! CENTRE International (Vietnam) 11. Best
Singapore Education Specialist Agency (China) – Chengdu Huaying
Consulting & Service Co. Ltd. 12. Best Singapore Education Specialist
Agency (Indonesia) – Universal Services 13. Best Singapore Education
Specialist Agency (Korea) – SingaRo Yuhak 14. Best Singapore
Education Specialist Agency (Malaysia) – Studylink Sdn Bhd 15. Best
Singapore Education Specialist Agency (Myanmar) – RV! CENTRE Yangon
16. Best Singapore Education Specialist Agency (Vietnam) – RV! CENTRE
International (Vietnam) 17. Best Singapore Education Specialist
Agency (Thailand) – Regency Travel & Education Co. Ltd. 18. Best
Singapore Education Specialist Agency (India) – IMTP Consultancy
Ms
Boey Suit Yim, winner of the Friend of International Students category
stresses the importance of welcoming international students. “Greater
awareness of the challenges faced by international students is needed.
Language barriers and loneliness can affect studies and emotional
well-being,” said the senior officer of International Relations &
Industry Services at Temasek Polytechnic. “I am honoured to receive this
award – a product of the students’ love and blessings – and do so on
behalf of the Fellowship of Overseas College and University Students
(FOCUS), RSVP Singapore, Temasek Polytechnic staff, alumni and students.
Their efforts have also helped shape a more balanced environment,
enabling the students to cope and assimilate better.”
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