On September 30, the Second SSA Student Peace Lecture was held at the SSA Headquarters where 850 participants, including some 50 guests from various youth organisations, tertiary institutions and schools attended.
The topic of the lecture was “Education – The Singapore Perspective”, with speaker Professor Cham Tao Soon, former President (1981-2002), University Distinguished Professor of Nanyang Technological University. Chairing the lecture was Professor Leo Tan Wee Hin, Director of National Institute of Education. This event received the endorsement and support of the National Youth Council through a Youth Development Fund Grant.
Mr Tan Chwee Seng, Head of Department of the School of Visual Arts from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, shared, “This is an interesting lecture that focuses on very real educational issues. The SGI’s motto of peace, culture and education is inspiring. We can learn a lot from your organisation that we sometimes can’t learn in school, and this is a truly beneficial to young people!’
In his lecture, Prof Cham quoted President Ikeda’s speech at Peking University in 1990 that “It is people who will pave the way towards the future of our world, and there is no greater influence in the development of an individual than that of solid human-centred education. Learning is the fundamental force that builds society and shape our age. It nurtures and tempers the infinite potential in all of us, and it directs our energies towards the creation of values.”
At the event, three SSA Friendship Awards were presented to speaker Professor Cham Tao Soon, Chairperson Professor Leo Tan and Professor Lim Chong Yah, Albert Winsemius Chair Professor of Economics and Director, Economic Growth Centre, Nanyang Technological University.
[This is the second in a series of annual student lecture initiated by the SSA Student Division since 2005. It seeks to provide a platform to promote greater understanding of the purpose of education, especially in the context of complex societal changes and challenges. It also aims at promoting a greater awareness of the importance of education in bringing forth students’ potential and in inspiring inner-motivated autonomy for youths to lead a more meaningful and fulfilling lives, and be of service to society.
The speaker for the inaugural Student Lecture held on February 5, 2005 was Associate Professor Agnes Chang Shook Cheong, Psychological Studies Academic Group, from National Institute of Education (NIE). She lectured on the topic “Education for Global Citizenship”. Guest of Honour was Minister of State for Education; Mr Chan Soo Sen, who gave a keynote speech.]
(SSA Times issue 247)
