A tip to students: Be driven about causes

Apart from grades, idealism and passion are important too
Kor Kian Beng, Straits Times 16 Sep 09;

IT IS not all about grades, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told undergraduates at the end of a dialogue yesterday.

They should also be charged up about other issues and causes, like their counterparts in the United States, India or China, he added.

'If you look at the best students in dynamic societies such as the US, India or China, they are not just bright, they are passionate, idealistic, driven, out to change the world for the better and to make a mark for themselves.'

He described these students as full of energy in pushing causes and promoting projects, ranging from helping disadvantaged families to promoting green energy.

'Our students should similarly be charged up,' he added.

The PM gave the Nanyang Technological University students several tips on it: pursue causes they believe in; volunteer and serve in the community or in non- governmental organisations; venture into many fields, including politics.

He said at the end of his 45-minute speech: 'Dare to dream, surprise yourself with what you achieve and create a better future for all of us.'

His hope is that younger Singaporeans will do more than just be a factor of production that contributes to the economy.

While the Government will try to create the preconditions for Singapore to stay competitive in the long term, he said it will rely on the new generation to push the boundaries.

'Make the society more vibrant and interesting while maintaining our cohesion and harmony, and breaking new ground to make Singapore a different and a better place,' he urged them.

In school, Singaporeans have to compete with foreign students in such areas as grades, scholarships and hostel rooms, he noted.

Friction between them is inevitable as a result of frequent interaction, he said.

But, he argued, that it is critical for local universities to bring in international students, in the same way other prestigious universities, such as Harvard and Cambridge, are already doing.

'This will help raise our standards, and create a stimulating environment for our own students.

'This will also provide opportunities for local students to build networks and prepare them to engage Asia.'

He urged both Singaporean and international students to make greater efforts to know one another better.

Universities too need to organise joint activities to foster integration between them, he said.

During the dialogue, an Indonesian student asked if foreigners were being brought in to make up for Singaporean students' lack of soft skills in such areas as critical thinking, complex problem-solving and communication.

Replying, PM Lee said Singapore is not doing badly in these areas but 'we can do a lot better'.

Foreigners will help improve them because they will give the Singaporean students 'a different stimulus'.

However, what will make the difference is when Singaporeans live overseas and are exposed to a different environment, he said.

'You see how other people live, and you cope with the different circumstances, and from that we hope you get new tools in your toolbox to solve problems.'