Continual focus on design important: Heng Swee Keat

SINGAPORE: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said Singapore’s continual focus on design is important as the country pushes towards a more knowledge—intensive and innovation—driven economy.

He said this at the launch of the Design Think Tank Exhibition on Tuesday.

"If you think about the future of jobs in Singapore, many of those jobs will involve creative elements, which allow us to transcend the regional competition," said Mr Heng.

"So the more we understand users’ needs, the more we exercise imagination to meet those needs, and the more we have the courage to experiment and try, I think the better it is for all of us."

The exhibition showcased a range of locally—designed products and services, many of which have been exported overseas.

Launched at the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC), the exhibition will also travel islandwide to places like Eastpoint Mall, Bukit Panjang Plaza and Funan Digitalife Mall.

There was also the signing of a memorandum of understanding between SDC and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

This arrangement will enable SDC to be the venue of choice for ITE to send its students for national education—related programmes over the next three years.

It will also open up internship places for ITE students at the centre — in areas such as event management.

— CNA/xq