Mr Wee Heng Tin, Advisor to MOE, Chairman, Board of Governors, NUS High School

Professor Lai Choy Heng, Vice Provost (Academic Personnel), National University of Singapore

Professor Lai Yee Hing, Principal, NUS High School

Distinguished Guests

Teachers, Parents, Students

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Afternoon

INTRODUCTION

1.                  I am privileged to be the Guest-of-Honour at the first Speech Day of NUS High School of Mathematics and Science. I am excited because I see great things in store for this premier school.

2.                  More on this later, but allow me first to congratulate the students, both local and foreign, for being chosen to be the pioneer batch of this prestigious school.  I understand that the selection process was rigorous, and that only those who excelled were successful. I am sure that your parents must be very proud of you, and with good reasons too.

3.                  I would also like to extend  a warm welcome to all the international students at NUS High from China, India, Vietnam and Malaysia. I am confident that as you grow and learn together with your Singapore counterparts, rich and lasting bonds of friendship will be formed. I sincerely hope that Singapore will be your second home as you form attachments to your fellow students and their families, to teachers and mentors at NUS.

POSITIONED FOR SUCCESS

4.                  I believe that the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science is positioned for success and that we should expect to see higher peaks of excellence achieved through this school. Let me share with you three reasons for my optimism.

SINGAPORE’S STRENGTH IN MATH AND SCIENCE

5.                  First, the general standard of Maths and Science among Singapore students is ranked very high internationally.  The latest Trends in International Maths and Science Study, administered by the International Association for Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), an international organisation of national research institutions and governmental research agencies, ranked our students consistently among the top, if not at the top in various categories. Last year, our Primary 4 and Secondary 2 students topped both Maths and Science.

6.                  There are a few reasons why our students lead the world in Maths and Science assessments. Parental support and encouragement play a large role as Asians revere scholarly achievements. Another important reason is that we have learned to teach these subjects well. Teachers in other countries have noticed this too. Our textbooks are used in developed countries such as the United States, where more than 200 schools use our Mathematics textbooks.

7.                  With the establishment of NUS High School, a Specialised Math and Science School, we hope to move one step further in providing an environment where we can nurture students who exhibit potential to be exceptional in Mathematics and Science, creating higher peaks of excellence.  Russel A. Hulse, a Nobel Prize Winner in Physics 1993, cited both strong home support and being in a specialised Science school, which emphasized what he found interesting in life, as the key reasons for developing his passion in Science. Likewise, all of you can aspire to be Singapore’s foremost scientists, mathematicians, engineers, medical personnel, or researchers in whatever discipline that you choose to pursue. 

MORE INDIVIDUALISED LEARNING

8.                  The second reason for my optimism is that we are adopting different approaches for NUS High as a Specialised School. Over the years we have learned new and better ways to prepare our young to meet the challenges of a fast-growing global landscape of an innovation-driven future. We have evolved different techniques to expose them to a variety of educational experiences to help learning.  This will better cater to the different interests and talents of our students and bring out their full potential. 

9.                  For example, NUS High School’s curriculum will be based on a modular system, similar to that in the Universities. The modular system will allow this school to exercise more attention to each student by providing greater choice and flexibility in learning.  Those with an aptitude for accelerated learning can go further.  The success of the school in implementing such a modular curricular will bear important learning points for other schools in Singapore.

10.             NUS High also believes that bright students need role models – mentors - to help stretch and mould them to achieve their full capacity. And what better mentors than the world-class professors at the NUS who have availed themselves as mentors?  For example, Prof Chong Chi Tat, Professor in Mathematics, is currently providing guidance to one student for four hours a week. These leading academicians, many who themselves were child prodigies, are investing their time because of the excitement in nurturing bright young minds to fruition. 

11.             Students from NUS High School will be able to benefit from learning visits to the laboratories at NUS, and to know more about current research activities undertaken at the University.  Exposure to cutting edge research at a young age will no doubt inspire you to greater heights when you enter the University.

EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS SUCCESSES

12.             My third and final reason for optimism is that similar schools in other countries have succeeded. In the US for example, specialised schools in Mathematics and Science offer a highly enriched environment and programmes to maximise the potential of their students and in nurturing Mathematics and Science talent. One noteworthy example is the Bronx High School of Science in New York whose alumni include six Nobel Prize Winners and five Pulitzer Prize winners, in addition to receiving numerous awards in Science. Within its first 12 years, Bronx Science graduated four of its five Nobel Prize winners. This is an astounding achievement, and it shows Singapore what can be achieved if we put our collective energies into this school.

MOVE TO NEW CAMPUS IN 2006

13.             I am sure you must be looking forward to the move to your new campus at the end of this year.  The new campus will boast an observatory, a wireless campus, technologically advanced laboratories to support the school’s curriculum and, not neglecting the need to also keep your body fit - a full-sized sports field.

STRONG ALUMNI AND MOE SUPPORT

14.             Besides the strong support of NUS, you also have the support of the NUS alumni, who through the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) and the NUS Faculty of Science have generously donated $100,000 and $15,000 respectively to your school’s newly set-up Endowment Fund.  I am pleased to announce that MOE will be giving a dollar for dollar matching for donations to your Endowment Fund up to $1 million.  

15.             I hope that by now, you would have understood why I am confident that NUS High will scale new heights. What remains now is for you as the pioneering group of students to fulfil your destiny. Every one of you, teachers, students, parents, and other stakeholders, can work together towards this common vision, of seeing NUS High School recognised both locally and internationally as a school of distinction.  

CONCLUSION

16.             The Ministry of Education will continue to work hand in hand with the National University of Singapore to ensure that NUS High School receives the best possible support it needs to achieve its goal of being a premier Math and Science High School in Asia.

17.             Change and advancement in any society can only come about when there are those who dare to go beyond the well trodden path.  Do not be constrained by what has been done before.  Being in NUS High School allows you to move away from having to take the ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels so that you will not be constrained by current syllabi. 

18.             Hence, I urge each one of you to pursue your dreams.  Despite being in temporary premises this year and only having just celebrated your 100 days last Tuesday, I am confident that you are off to a good start.  The dedicated and passionate teachers, staff and principal are here to guide you to achieve your best potential.

19.             The setting up of NUS High School has been possible only with the efforts and hard work of many.  I would especially like to express my thanks to the members of the JC/Upper Secondary Review Committee, Mr Wee Heng Tin, Professor Shih Choon Fong and Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, staff at NUS and MOE, as well as the Principal and Staff of NUS High School for their efforts and support in the starting up of NUS High School. 

20.              On the occasion of your first Speech Day, I would also like to take the opportunity to wish NUS High School every success in grooming Math and Science talents in Singapore.

21.             Thank you.