Address by Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee at the Pre-University Seminar 2025 Closing Ceremony

Introduction

1.Good morning, everyone.

1. It is a pleasure to join you at the Pre-University Seminar. I was delighted to join many of you outside at the exhibition, to see the energy that you had when you presented your proposals and ideas. What I really liked was the fact that all your teams are so diverse; from different institutions, different schools. And if there is one thing you can take away from the Pre-U Seminar, I hope you take these friendships and build them to last life's journey with you, because the friends that you make at Pre-U Seminar, when you start your career, when you proceed in life, these friendships will carry along with you.
2. Let me start by congratulating all of you for the passion, for the energy and the creativity that you've brought to this seminar. Before this, I mentioned earlier that I went around the Exhibition Booths and got to meet some of you. You shared with me your projects, and I could see the thoughtfulness that went into your solutions and your proposals.
3. I would also like to thank Mr Sin Kim Ho, Principal of Tampines Meridian Junior College, and his team for organising this year's Pre-U Seminar and making it a meaningful and memorable experience for our students.

2.The reason why this year's Pre-U Seminar is extra special is because, this year, we're celebrating SG60 - it means that we are celebrating 60 years since Singapore became an independent nation, despite the significant odds stacked against us.

3.I would say most of us in this room were not around in the year 1965.

1. But we are blessed that many of our pioneers are still around and had experienced - first-hand - what life was like during the turbulent early years of our nationhood.
2. I hope that this year, you can take the opportunity to speak to pioneers like them, or for that matter, speak to your grandparents or great-grandparents, and ask them to share with you what life was like then; what dreams, fears, and aspirations they had at the time, and what changes they've seen in Singapore over the past 60 years.
3. Many of us meet our grandparents, grand uncles and aunts, and we talk about school, work, and family. But take this opportunity to ask a bit about their past, and give them the opportunity to remember what it was like then, and allow it to be a valuable learning opportunity for you. Don't let it pass.
4. I know that there are AI tools that can generate 'life-like' videos of life in the past, such as the video on TikTok showing Sir Stamford Raffles and William Farquhar having satay in a hawker centre, or for that matter, a reporter interviewing a person living in the Tudor period in England between 1485 - 1603. And some of you might say, let's generate an AI video of what life is like in the past; but I guarantee you that this is not quite the same as hearing directly from those who lived through those times, face to face!

4.But SG60 is not just about looking back. It is also an important time to take stock and look forward.

1. And that is what this year's Pre-U Seminar theme, "re-imagiNATION," is all about.
2. You are the future leaders, who will bring Singapore to SG100 and beyond.
3. You have the opportunity, to imagine a better Singapore, and to shape it, work on it, and make it a reality.

A Changing World

5.Recently, I met some young Singaporeans (mostly in university, poly, or ITE; some were working adults) at a Friendzone chat. They invited me to drop by for a while, and I joined some of their discussion groups. They shared with me their concerns, largely centered around the idea of 'adulting' - getting ready for adulthood; big decisions about further studies, about the skills that they needed to do well in life and at work, their careers, their relationships, housing, and so on.

1. Many of you here have similar questions and views; some maybe not immediately, but in due course. You might, at some point, be thinking about job opportunities, about mental wellbeing, about the cost of living, about housing, about sustainability, and about Singapore's future.
2. And you are doing so in a world that is changing in very profound ways.

6.Take AI, for example, which will transform how we work, how we learn, and how we play. Can I have a show of hands - how many of you already make use of ChatGPT or DeepSeek? If you do, then you know what I mean when I say that AI is unlocking new possibilities, and we are just at the beginning of this journey.

1. But these advancements also come with implications - especially on livelihoods, and on the way of life.
2. We see these tensions acutely in certain fields; for example, in healthcare, AI can help discover new drugs, new treatments, and even enhance medical decision-making. This can lead to better outcomes for people and ease pressures on our healthcare system.
3. But some do worry that AI could reduce the need for certain jobs, even professional ones, or whether we are right to allow AI to take over certain roles and tasks from people - if we are inadvertently surrendering important moral decisions to algorithms and technology.
4. So we must ask ourselves: how can we use AI to support what we do and support how we learn, without letting it do the thinking and deciding for us altogether?

7.Next, our external environment is becoming more and more uncertain.

1. Many of you would be following the news on US tariffs and global trade tensions, because of what has been happening. Trade between countries has been affected; companies are considering if they need to shift their operations or restructure their supply and production chains; some bosses and boardrooms are even contemplating whether to continue hiring or to let people go.
2. Singapore has prospered as a small, island city-state in the era of free trade and globalisation over the last few decades. But now, that global environment is fast changing, and this has major implications for us.
3. These might sound abstract or distant, but they certainly impact our future in very real and personal ways.
   1. Consider the recent actions by the U.S. administration, which sought to revoke Harvard University's ability to take in international students. This may have created confusion and anxiety, for some of you who may be interested in studying in the US.

8.Amidst all of this, there is also climate change. If not seriously and properly addressed globally, it will threaten our lives, our homes, and our future.

9.So in short, while change is a constant, the ground beneath us is shifting even more rapidly, and there is no easy solution to these difficult issues. The future might sound rather pessimistic, but it does not have to be so if we plan ahead. There is no better time to start thinking about these issues and about the future, than right now.

Uncertainty, but also Opportunities

10.Allow me to share with you some of my thoughts on how we can navigate this new, uncertain world that we are all stepping into.

11.When we are confronted with uncertainty and change, it is natural to feel a sense of being unsettled, uneasy, unsure. But it is also in these moments of upheaval and change that new opportunities emerge, for us to seize and to do well. So either you see the challenges and say, too daunting for me; or you say, yes, they are daunting, but what are the opportunities that we can seize on, exploit, and turn a difficulty, turn an intractable challenge into an opportunity. How do we do that?

12.One way I think about this is by going back to some of our basics, to something simple - your five senses. They help us understand the world around us, and they can also guide how we grow, connect, and thrive in uncertain times. Think of them as your sensory map to navigate change.

13.First, let's start with our eyes. Look at the world with fresh perspectives. In a world that never stands still, you must constantly ask questions. Challenge the status quo. Don't stick to the old ways just because of precedent, or just because it has worked well all these times. Challenge old assumptions, expand our field of vision, and help us see beyond the obvious.

1. This Pre-U Seminar has provided a platform for you to widen your perspectives and work together with fellow students from different institutions on issues that matter to you.
2. For example, Group 12A did just that. They were trying to design climate-resilient neighbourhoods in Singapore, given the growing occurrence of extreme weather. Instead of relying on conventional infrastructure, they proposed something unconventional - vertical green walls in HDB corridors to cool our homes, store rainwater, and bring back biodiversity in our neighbourhoods and estates.
3. They reimagined benches and playgrounds to adapt to floods, turning risks into opportunities for play and for learning. Their proposal reminds us that innovation begins when we dare to reimagine familiar spaces through completely new lenses. Can I ask Group 12A to wave your hands and be acknowledged?

14.Second, beyond vision, there is the sense of taste - savour all that the world has to offer you. Be daring, be bold. Go for different tastes.

1. Singapore has thrived by staying connected to the diverse region and the diverse world, learning from other cities and countries, and bringing relevant insights back home to adapt.
2. For Singapore to continue to thrive in a fast-changing world, we must continue to engage the world - pay attention to global trends, adapt quickly.
3. Be curious about the world. Read widely, explore other cultures and immerse yourself in them, follow international developments closely and thoughtfully.

15.Third, with our hands, we reach out and touch the world, connect with other people, and take action. Don't be afraid to experiment, to build, to fail, and then to try all over again. Innovation and good ideas do not come from having the answers all at once, but from rolling up your sleeves, getting your hands dirty, and learning by doing. At TCEF, we learnt about productive failure - how to turn failure into a learning opportunity, master what you've learnt, and then build back better.

1. I'll give you an example. This young lady called Mandy. At the age of 19, she chose to take a gap year after JC, not to take a break or a vacation, but to build something of her own. She knew nothing about product design, but she just had an idea for a better travel bag. So she began prototyping and experimenting.
2. Her journey wasn't always smooth. Some of her experiments failed, her savings dried-up, and there were moments where she struggled with self-doubt. But she kept going. Eventually, her first product was fully funded on Kickstarter in just three days.
3. Today, I'm told that Mandy is studying at university while running her own business. Her journey reminds us that real learning often begins with rolling up your sleeves and figuring things out along the way, and not fearing to fail and then try.

16.Fourth, as you develop your bold and novel ideas, remember to use your ears; listen.

1. Listen to the people by your side - your family, your teachers, your mentors, and more - who are really there to support you, cheer you on, guide you. They can help to sharpen your ideas, connect you to the right people, or be an honest sounding board for you.

17.And, fifth, let's not forget our nose - to smell the roses and enjoy the journey through its ups and downs. But also, to be discerning, and learn to tell whether some things pass the smell test or not, to sense when something just doesn't feel quite right.

1. Learning isn't a race. Explore your strengths and walk your own path.
2. We know that all of you have different talents, different interests, different aspirations. There is no one fixed path to success, and indeed our education system has evolved over the decades to reflect that.
   1. Through Full Subject-Based Banding, we want to let you take subjects at different levels based on your strengths and your interests, and to adjust it along the way, without force-fitting you into artificial moulds.
3. We are also supporting pathways that may once have been thought to be unconventional
   1. For example, if you have a passion for sports, you can pursue it through dedicated pathways or enroll in programmes at the Singapore Sports School, or in our polytechnics with strong sports science offerings.
   2. If your interests lie in the arts, there are more avenues than ever before, in NAFA, in LASALLE, and now, the new University of the Arts Singapore (UAS).
4. We know that with more customizability comes more complexity. We want to help you navigate this better, so you can pick the most suitable pathway for yourself.
   1. Why? Because ultimately, we want to help you discover your strengths, build confidence, and find your place in a more complex and changing world.

18.I have talked about the five senses that can help you navigate a future of growing uncertainty. But, indulge me as I add one more tool into your toolkit - which is the heart as your moral compass.

19.Even as the world changes, let your heartbeat guide you - connect with others, and always look out for one another as well as others who are more vulnerable.

1. We have already seen how young people like yourselves can lead with purpose and with compassion. For example, our Catholic Junior College students stepped up when a charity called Xin Yuan Community Care faced an unexpected funding setback. They couldn't raise enough funds and had difficulty serving the communities that were vulnerable. So CJC students stepped up. They are organising a donation drive, rallying the Toa Payoh North community to lend a hand.
2. It was also evident in Group 5B's project. One of the group members said that when they went to SGH, he observed, and he saw our seniors, especially those with mobility challenges, finding it difficult to make that last mile navigation to the clinics for their appointments. And so they challenged themselves: How can we make Singapore's hospitals global models of accessibility? They looked beyond infrastructure - beyond ramps and lifts, and reimagined the entire healthcare experience. Their proposal combined AI-guided CareBots, smart navigation tools, LED projected floor guides, and decentralised services at MRT stations next to the hospitals.
3. And what they presented was more than a technical solution. I wasn't just listening to them; I was trying to feel them, feel the passion, the energy, the sense of conviction and purpose. And what they had was a vision of a healthcare system where every person, regardless of age or ability, can navigate independently, confidently, and with dignity. A system enabled by design, powered by technology, and deep-rooted in care.
4. Can I ask Group 5B to wave and be acknowledged?

20.When I talk about the heart as a moral compass and caring for others around you, you don't have to look very far either. It's about caring not just for the community, but also for one another. This includes building deeper empathy for those with different learning needs, sometimes in your own classrooms, or less visible disabilities, and showing kindness to friends who may be going through a difficult patch or struggling silently with a mental well-being challenge.

Call to action

21.I have said quite a lot already. But actually, these are not new for Singapore. In fact, over these past 60 years, we have had many bold ideas, shared dreams, and most importantly, the ability to make them real.

22.So when we talk about re-imagining Singapore amidst all these uncertainties, we are really not starting from scratch. We are continuing a DNA and a mindset that has brought us from mudflat to metropolis, from trading port to a distinctive global city, even when our future was never guaranteed.

1. Our challenge now is to apply that same imagination, sense of purpose, and resolve, to the issues of our generation and beyond.

23.So let the end of this Pre-U Seminar be the start for you to do even more, with the ideas you have developed over the past few days. Build on these ideas - don't let them go, tap on the connections you have forged - not just amongst yourselves and your teachers, but also with your resource panels, re-ignite the commitment to act, and translate them into positive change for Singapore.

Conclusion

24.Now, I've just joined MOE, not yet two weeks, and I have been listening and learning from many people - from my colleagues, from our teachers, from students, from partners, from parents, and more - and I will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months ahead of us.

25.The conversations we have, the ideas you share, they all contribute to the ongoing evolution of our education system that seeks as a steward to prepare our next generation, for the generation in front of them and for the journey in front.

26.Broadening our definition of success, supporting diverse pathways, customising education for diverse abilities, pursuing lifelong learning, developing and growing our teachers, working closely with our parents and stakeholders, industry and the community, and more - all these are part of our efforts to ensure that we can prepare you - our students, our future leaders - for a changing world.

27.All of you are the authors of Singapore's future, and we have every confidence that the next chapter will be one of opportunity and progress.

28.So when we look to the future, I know it is natural to feel a mix of emotions - it is natural to feel some concern about the unknown, anxiety about change; but also excitement and hope for what comes next.

29.I hope you will remember that in great uncertainty lies great opportunities. And the future of our nation belongs to those who dare to re-imagine it.

30.Thank you.