Encouraging Young Singaporeans to Pursue Overseas Immersions

The following question stood in the name of Ms Sun Xueling –

To ask the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) (a) in the last three years, what has been the take-up rate for the Young Talent Programme and the SkillsFuture award for internationalisation; (b) how can the Ministry work more with the Institutions of Higher Learning to encourage young Singaporeans to pursue work and immersion experiences overseas; and (c) what have been the qualitative feedback from young Singaporeans on overseas immersions.

Mr Speaker, Sir, IE Singapore's Young Talent Programme (YTP) aims to provide students at our Autonomous Universities, Polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) opportunities for overseas exposure and market immersion to prepare them for future global careers. Since 2015, the programme has benefited about 1,900 University students and more than 1,100 Polytechnic students and 200 ITE students after its expansion to include this group of youths.

IE Singapore's SkillsFuture Study Award for International Business is targeted at Singaporeans with at least three years of working experience in a global role. It aims to deepen skillsets essential for navigating and overcoming the complexity of overseas markets. Since its launch in October 2015, a total of 432 study awards have been given out.

MOE recognises the benefits overseas stints bring. These experiences help young Singaporeans develop a global perspective, a healthy respect for other cultures, greater independence and adaptability to new environments. Beyond the YTP, all our Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) facilitate a range of overseas exposure for interested students, including academic exchanges with foreign partner universities, community service projects and internships or industrial attachments.

Today, more than a quarter of ITE students, nearly half of Polytechnic students and close to two-thirds of university students choose to participate in an overseas programme during their course of study. The IHLs actively grow their overseas networks to expand the opportunities for their students. MOE also works with the IHLs to identify and address potential difficulties in gaining access to countries that may be of interest to their students.

Feedback from students on their overseas stints has been positive. Their exposure to different cultures and working environments abroad has challenged and enriched them immensely.