Abu Dhabi: The architect of Singapore's education system told a Ramadan majlis on Monday night his country was ready to share know-how with the UAE and support it in its pursuit of a knowledge-based economy.
"Singapore will be quite glad to share know-how with the UAE and support implementing its vision to make universities world-class institutions and cornerstones of excellence in education, research and development," Dr Tony Tan, chairman of Singapore's National Research Foundation and International Academic Advisory Panel, told the majlis of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
In his lecture, Tan said the UAE will have to position itself as a preferred hub for the exchange of value-added information and knowledge if it is to carve a niche for itself in the new millennium.
He reviewed Singapore's economic growth over the last 50 years and the evolution of its education system with particular reference to general education including teacher training, technical and university education, as well as the role of science systems in a knowledge-based economy and the initiatives adopted by Singapore.
The key message from Tan was that developing countries that fail to transform effectively into knowledge-based economies will fall further behind more advanced countries, widening the disparities between developed and developing economies. To succeed in this increasingly competitive and global economy, countries must have advanced information technology infrastructure, a highly educated workforce, dynamic research and innovation programmes, and supportive regulatory environment.
As Minister of Education, Tan reformed Singapore's education system. He set up independent schools, and introduced pastoral care and career guidance in schools. Tan has been a consistent advocate of the crucial role of education and research for wealth creation in a knowledge-based economy, particularly as Singapore underwent economic restructuring in the 1980s and '90s.
Tan, who has been the force behind the globalisation of Singapore's university sector, also spoke of new initiatives in research and innovation.
"Singapore is working on Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise (CREATE). It is a bold experiment to attract world-class research universities and be a magnet for worldwide research talent. It will bring together top universities to work on major global challenges," he said.
He added the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has established the first research centre in CREATE and the UAE's Masdar Institute of Science and Technology will open another research centre there.
In conclusion, Tan advised the UAE in the transformation of its education system should think globally and act locally. "Education is always a work in progress, it is in constant evolution."
