Pursue your passion, Singapore minister tells Sikh students

0
3158

| Singapore | 9 Nov 2015 | Asia Samachar |

Singapore acting Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung (centre) at the Sikh Graduates Tea Reception on 7 Nov 2015.
Singapore acting Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung (centre) at the Sikh Graduates Tea Reception on 7 Nov 2015.

Pursue your passions even if it takes several attempts to succeed, advises Singapore’s new acting Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung.

Speaking at the Sikh Graduates Tea Reception on Saturday (7 Nov 2015), he also emphasised the importance for these graduates to identify suitable role models in their lives who they may be inspired by and therefore look to emulate.

At the event – organised by the Young Sikh Association, Singapore (YSA) and the Central Sikh Gurdwara Board’s Sikh Centre – saw Ong presenting plaques to close to 40 graduates from the Sikh community.

At a similar event last year, the guest of honour was Minister of State for National Development and Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman.

SEE ALSO: YSA Singapore honours graduates

Speaking to the graduates, YSA president Malminderjit Singh emphasised on three points: the significance of them pursuing their passions, rather than choosing careers based on prestige or benefits; the importance of them facing challenges and handling failures positively as well as the need for them to contribute back to society.

“I urge you to be open to new opportunities and experiences that come your way and be ready to seize it when the time arises,” he said.

“While many of you may be eager to hit the ground running over the next few months, I would like for all of you to seek out your passions and find fulfilment and purpose in the careers you set to build. It makes life more rewarding and you’ll find yourself fully immersed in the projects and tasks you undertake.”

One of the graduates, Gurpreet Singh, who graduated with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the INSEAD Business School, shared his thoughts on the trials graduates today have to endure to ensure that they get the best possible outcome out of their higher education.

He shared the idea of multi-potentialites, who have a lot of different interests and advised graduates to consider combining two or more of their passions and creating something new out of it.

With the ability to combine interests and passions, he added, graduates will not feel like they have not achieved their goals while ensuring that they are more adapt to the ever-changing global environment.

The annual presentation ceremony is aimed at recognising the academic achievements of Sikhs, including those who pursue post-graduate studies and continuous learning.

It is an important platform to engage Sikh graduates and to impress upon them the need for them, as educated individuals and professionals, to contribute to the Sikh community and the Singapore society, according to a statement from YSA. It is also an opportunity for them to develop networks with their fellow graduates and professionals.

Singapore acting Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung ]at the Sikh Graduates Tea Reception on 7 Nov 2015.
Singapore acting Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung ]at the Sikh Graduates Tea Reception on 7 Nov 2015.

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]

 

RELATED STORIES:

Kehar battled malaria, Sars in Singapore (Asia Samachar, 3 Nov 2015)

Amarjeet’s war crimes court stint captured in Singapore book(Asia Samachar, 1 Nov 2015)

Balli Jaswal shortlisted for inaugural Epigram Books Fiction Prize (Asia Samachar, 29 Oct 2015)

Davinder named Singapore’s best dispute lawyer (Asia Samachar, 26 Sept 2015)

Sikhs can’t expect ticket in every Singapore polls (Asia Samachar, 4 Sept 2015)

Four Sikhs in Singapore polls 2015 (Asia Samachar, 2 Sept 2015)

Minister Shanmugam on Singapore’s future at YSA dialogue (Asia Samachar, 29 Aug 2015)

MP Inderjit to call it quits (Asia Samachar, 25 July 2015)

Singapore army pioneer Daljeet Singh in parade (Asia Samachar, 10 Aug 2015)

Singapore’s first liver transplant patient turns 50  (Asia Samachar, 6 Aug 2015)

Singapore appoints Karan Thakral as ambassador to Denmark (Asia Samachar, 31 July 2015)

Sikhs pay tribute to Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew (Asia Samachar, 25 Mar 2015)

Singapore honours armed forces veterans at Khalsa Week (Asia Samachar, 14 Apr 2015)

NO COMMENTS