MM Lee sees poly's diverse talent

NANYANG Polytechnic (NYP) student Eileen Leow, 20, studies animation design but dreams of becoming a fashion designer.

Yesterday, her ambitions got a boost from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who asked his press secretary to pass her the e-mail address of Paris-based Singapore designer Andrew Gn, whom he had met two years ago.

Industrial design student Sara Leow, 19, whose parents own a furniture design business, also got a tip from the elder statesman. 'Why don't you join Ikea and pick up their techniques?' he suggested.

Touring NYP in Ang Mo Kio yesterday - his first official visit to a polytechnic in 30 years, Mr Lee dispensed advice, cracked some jokes and listened to project presentations. But what was clear was his interest in the students themselves, as he asked probing questions about their family background, and why they chose their courses.

His last visit to a polytechnic was in 1979, when he opened Singapore Polytechnic's Dover Road campus.

Speaking to the media later, Mr Lee said these students are a crucial part of the diverse talent pool that Singapore needs particularly today.

'It's diversity that we now require. We have to become a more diverse economy, and we have to provide students with more different outlets that fit their particular strengths and profile.

'So it's not just scoring in examinations that would bring you a good life...Some people are good with their hands, some are good with thinking out problems, and an economy needs all kinds of talented people.'

And so these students include those who 'do not necessarily do well in universities but will do well in life'.

'That's a concentration (to) which I think we should give,' he said.

The numbers speak for themselves -  while about 25 per cent of each cohort go to universities, more than 40 per cent are in polytechnics, he noted. 'So you have to go in that direction,' he said.

Mr Lee's comments come as Singapore's five polytechnics are enrolling students for the new academic year.

Originally intended for academically weaker students, the polytechnics are getting increasing applications from students with grades good enough to enter university. Last year, a record 19,800 students were given places at the polys.

Their growing popularity stems from a job market in which hands-on education is more relevant.

In NYP alone, over 90 per cent of its students in the last four years found jobs on graduation. Many have notable experience: Among other things, NYP students helped to make a simulator for racers during the recent Formula One race and invented a device that magnifies text for the visually impaired.

Meanwhile, Mr Lee also got some lessons - in robotics. Electronics engineering student Chowdhury Mohammed Nazmus Sakib, 21, demonstrated how a mobile robot navigates a maze.

How can this technology be applied in the real world, Mr Lee wanted to know. It can be used in a robot to clean a house, responded Mr Chowdhury.

To laughter, Mr Lee gave this rejoinder: 'Ah, so you have a vacuum cleaner, and you set it free in the house. What happens if you have expensive vases?'