Union Minister for Education and Skill Development Dharmendra Pradhan recently embarked on a three-day visit to Singapore, where he met with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to discuss and strengthen the existing cooperation between the two nations. The discussions primarily focused on deepening engagements in the sectors of technical and vocational education, highlighting the importance of skill development and bilateral cooperation in this field.
The visit proved to be fruitful, with both ministers exchanging ideas and exploring avenues to enhance collaboration in skill development. Singapore, known for its robust educational system and emphasis on vocational training, provided a valuable platform for India to learn from its experiences and explore opportunities for mutual growth.
The High Commission of India in Singapore expressed satisfaction with the discussions, highlighting the productive nature of the talks. The officials emphasized the need to strengthen existing cooperation between India and Singapore, particularly in skill development and technical and vocational education.
During his visit, Minister Pradhan engaged with key ministers of the Singaporean government, including Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, and Education Minister Chan Chun Sing. These meetings aimed to foster collaboration and explore potential areas of partnership between the two countries.
Additionally, Minister Pradhan visited several prestigious educational institutions in Singapore, including Singapore Spectra Secondary School, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Institute of Technical Education and Educational Services (ITEES), and Singapore University of Technology & Design (SUTD). These visits allowed him to gain insights into Singapore’s educational ecosystem and explore possibilities for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
The minister’s itinerary also included interactions with Skills Future Singapore (SSG), the nodal agency responsible for driving the implementation of the SkillsFuture Movement in Singapore. This interaction provided an opportunity for Minister Pradhan to learn about Singapore’s best practices in lifelong learning and skills development.
Furthermore, the visit encompassed meetings with members of the Indian Diaspora, the Odia Association, and alumni from esteemed Indian institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) in Singapore. These engagements aimed to strengthen cultural ties and foster networking opportunities among professionals and experts in the field of education and skill development.
India and Singapore have a longstanding partnership in the field of skill development, and Minister Pradhan’s visit signifies a renewed commitment to strengthening this collaboration. By leveraging Singapore’s expertise in technical and vocational education, India aims to enhance its own skill development initiatives and equip its workforce with the necessary capabilities to thrive in the future of work.
Minister Pradhan’s visit to Singapore has paved the way for increased cooperation between the two nations in the fields of technical and vocational education. The discussions held and the interactions with various stakeholders have provided valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration, ensuring that India and Singapore continue to work together towards building a skilled and capable workforce for the future.