MDDI 演讲稿 · 2019-08-31
易华仁部长在智慧国奖学金颁奖典礼上的开幕致辞
Opening Remarks by Minister S Iswaran at the Smart Nation Scholarship Award Ceremony
要点
- • 今年是「智慧国奖学金」第二年——14 名获奖人——分别加入 GovTech、IMDA、CSA。今年申请数几乎是去年的 3 倍——超过 600 份。
- • Iswaran 引用 Arthur C. Clarke：「足够先进的技术与魔法无异」——但他认为「真正的魔法不在技术本身，而在那些用技术造福他人的人」。
- • 新加坡愿景：每一家企业被数字赋能、每一位员工有数字技能、每一位公民被数字连接——之上还有安全可信的网络空间。
- • 本地培养管道：「Code for Fun」（小学高年级 10 小时课程）+ 高校 ICT 课程与奖学金 + IMDA 的「TechSkills Accelerator」（针对在职专业人士）。
- • 需求侧：2018–2020 年信息通信专业人士需求预计增长 28,500。
完整译文（中文）
MDDI 英文原文译文 · 翻译日期：2026-05-03
本文已从早期版本的网站迁移过来——格式可能有不一致之处。
IMDA、CSA 与 GovTech 的同事们；
奖学金获得者，与各位家长、家人；
各位女士、先生：
各位早安。让我先向所有「智慧国奖学金」（Smart Nation Scholarship）获得者——以及今天到场的、为之自豪的家长、老师、校长——表达最诚挚的祝贺。这一奖学金是一个里程碑——标志着你们生命下一阶段的开始——开启高等教育之旅、并随之踏上公共服务这一令人激动的职业。它也是对——你们父母、家人、老师所给予的巨大支持——的认可——这些支持把你们带到今天。祝贺你们抵达这一里程碑——也共同祝福你们在公共服务的未来职业中——一切顺利。各位，做得好！
在「数字常态」时代帮助新加坡蓬勃
著名科幻作家 Arthur C. Clarke 爵士曾言——「足够先进的技术与魔法无异」。今天——我们正活在过去的科幻里。我们口袋里的智能手机——计算能力远超 50 年前 NASA 把人送上月球的计算机。我们点一下鼠标或一个按钮——就能访问人类知识的浩瀚体——数字化带来巨大好处。通过社交媒体——我们能与朋友家人分享回忆、随时随地保持连接。借助在线平台——我们的企业能触达远方市场、探索新机会。对政府而言——数字技术能让公共服务更易获取、更顺畅——以增强公民生活。
我们有一项有意义而激动人心的使命——帮助新加坡在这个新「数字常态」时代取得成功——技术与生活深度交织——数字转型成为常态。我们的愿景是什么？
我们要构建一个包容且蓬勃的「智慧国」——一个数字经济——每一家企业都被数字赋能、每一位员工都有数字技能、每一位公民都被数字连接。其下——是安全可信的网络空间。各位代表着未来——并将在实现这一愿景中——扮演关键角色。
我们已置身下一波数字革命——大数据、人工智能、机器人、量子计算等——已经上线。随着我们「数字足迹」的扩大——新型网络安全威胁会出现——攻击我们的网络与数据。这些技术的汇流——既会创造新工作与机会——也会从根本上改变工作、社交习惯与休闲。在我们继续在这场数字革命中寻找新增长领域时——前景强劲——因为「信息通信专业人士需求」预计在 2018–2020 年间增长 28,500。
为「智慧国」构建强大的人才管线
问题是——我们如何为新加坡兑现「数字化、连接、且安全的世界」的承诺？我们需要——具有创造力与想象力、对新加坡有献身与承诺的创新者——领跑「智慧国」雄心。我们的学生与年轻人——确实是「数字原住民」——他们在「互联网就在指尖、智能手机随时在手」的环境中长大——非常适合在新加坡的数字转型旅程中领跑。
「智慧国」机构——CSA、GovTech、IMDA——正在投资并培育公共部门与更广义生态中的顶级科技与工程人才。我们与公司、学校合作——确保他们推广并培养数字经济所需的技能。所有小学高年级学生——都将参加 10 小时的「Code for Fun」项目——学习计算思维与新兴技术。在高校层面——更多 ICT 课程与奖学金正在被推出。希望「获取新技能以应对快速变化的数字格局挑战」的在职专业人士——也能从 IMDA「TechSkills Accelerator」（SkillsFuture 计划下的倡议）中受益。
「智慧国奖学金」是我们更长期的倡议之一。今年是我们颁发该奖学金的第二年——为公共服务培育与培养科技人才与领导者。毕业后——奖学金获得者将加入 CSA、GovTech 或 IMDA 的「人才项目」——在那里——他们将开辟自己的职业路径——并把技术应用于公共利益。
我很高兴看到——今年「智慧国奖学金」的申请数几乎是去年的 3 倍——超过 600 份——来自具有强劲学术成绩、技术技能、多元背景的学生。这是「新加坡数字生态中的机会」获得越来越多认知与吸引力的明证。
今年——我们把「智慧国奖学金」颁给了 14 名获奖者。他们经过精心挑选——不只看学术成绩与技术技能——还看他们「以技术应用为同胞做出差别」的热情。
作为「智慧国奖学金」的持有者——你们代表着新加坡下一批科技架构师与领导者。你们将在「智慧国」旅程中——扮演关键角色——
a. 易菁（Yi Jing）、耶迪迪亚（Jedidiah）、温斯顿（Winston）、合昆（He-Kun）、浩玮（Hao Wei）——你们将在政府科技局（GovTech）开启职业。家姨（Jia Yi）、婷威（Ting Wei）、文斌（Wen Bin）——已在大学，已经接受了「中期奖学金」。你们将一起——驱动公共部门的数字转型——并通过技术赋能公民、企业与社区。我们的「战略国家项目」——如「人生时刻」（Moments of Life）与「国家数字身份」——以及其他重要的「智慧国」倡议——如 Parking.sg 与 MyResponder——已经在产生正面影响。我期待你们与利益相关方共创的下一波创新「智慧国」倡议。
b. Darren、约翰娜（Johanna）、彭翰（Penn Han）——你们将在「资讯通信媒体发展局」（IMDA）开启职业。你们将有机会——主导跨行业的数字转型——发展与塑造「资讯通信媒体」（ICM）格局——并增强新加坡的 ICM 基础设施。你们将帮助培育这样一个生态——本地公司与人才能与世界最具创新力的公司一道——为 ICM 行业开发「下一个大事件」。你们也将帮助公民把技术整合进生活——构建一个「连贯且让所有人在『智慧国』中受益」的数字社会。
c. 西拉斯（Silas）、瑞安（Ryan）、馨茹（Xin Ru）——你们将在新加坡网络安全局（CSA）开启职业。如最近经验所示——网络空间是动态而被博弈的。网络威胁在「规模与精密度」上持续增长——新加坡仍处在「资源充足、决心坚定的攻击者」的瞄准镜里。我们成长中的连通性——数百万部智能手机与物联网设备——构成不断扩大的「攻击面」——这些攻击者会瞄准与利用。我们需要最优秀的网络安全专业人士——构建一个安全可信的网络空间——使「智慧国」得以运行——并赋予人们对它的信心。
无论你们走的是什么路径——在公共服务里——都能期待具挑战性、有意义的职业。会有许多激动人心的机会——去贡献、学习、发展技能。在你们与公共服务同行的旅程中——我也希望你们成长为各自社区中的「示范者」——以身作则——激励周围的人——同行的科技人、产业建设者、网络防御者——把技术的好处带给所有新加坡人。
结尾
你们作为「智慧国奖学金」获得者的旅程——今天开始。在你们开启学业时——我鼓励你们——在所在教育机构内外——寻找发展与学习的机会。培养来自世界各地的友谊——寻找新的学习与导师机会——围绕能惠及新加坡与世界的创新想法协作。当然——别忘了——一路上——也要乐在其中！
我也想借此机会——向支持你们教育旅程各阶段的——父母、老师、校长——表达感谢与认可。你们对他们的致敬很有意思——我想这是承认——「没有人独自卓越」。社会提供的机会——以及那些与我们最亲近的人的支持与指导——帮助我们追逐梦想、实现志向。所以——为你们的成就感到自豪——但永远记得——感激那些一路帮助与支持你们的人——并找到机会——回报社会。
最后——我相信——Arthur C. Clarke 爵士所说的「魔法」——那种让技术成为我们生活中如此「赋权」的因素——在我看来——并不是技术本身——而是来自那些「梦想、创新、协作、并最终为更广义的善使用这些技术」的人。
祝大家学业顺利——我也期待——看到你们「施展魔法」——塑造新加坡「智慧国」之旅的下一阶段。再次祝贺各位。
谢谢。
英文原文
MDDI 官网原始记录 · 抓取日期：2026-05-02
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Colleagues from IMDA, CSA and GovTech
Scholarship Recipients, Parents & Families,
Ladies & Gentlemen,
A very good morning to all of you. Let me begin by offering my heartiest congratulations to all our Smart Nation scholarship recipients, and their proud parents, teachers, and principals who are with us today. This scholarship is a milestone that marks the next phase in your lives as you commence your journey of higher education, and thereafter, an exciting career in the public service. It is also an acknowledgement of the tremendous support that you have received from your parents, family and teachers to bring you to where you are today. Congratulations to all of you on this milestone and accomplishment, and we want to collectively wish you the very best in your future careers in the public service. Well done to all of you!
HELPING SINGAPORE THRIVE IN A “DIGITAL-AS-USUAL” AGE
Renowned science fiction author, Sir Arthur C. Clarke, once observed that “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. Today, we are living the stuff of science fiction of the past. The smartphones in our pockets contain more computing power than the computers NASA used to put men on the moon 50 years ago. We can access the vast body of human knowledge at the click of a mouse or the tap of a button. Digitalisation has brought about tremendous benefits. Through social media, we can share memories with our friends and family and stay connected – always and everywhere. Leveraging online platforms, our businesses are able to reach out to distant markets and explore new opportunities. And, for Government, digital technologies help to enhance the lives of our citizens by making public services more accessible and seamless.
We have the meaningful and exciting mission of helping Singapore succeed in this new “digital-as-usual” age – where technology is deeply intertwined with our lives, and digital transformation is the norm. What is our vision?
We want to build an inclusive and thriving Smart Nation: a digital economy where every business is digitally-empowered, every worker is digitally-skilled, and every citizen is digitally-connected. And, undergirding this, a secure and trusted cyberspace. All of you represent the future and you will play a key role in realising this vision.
We are already in the midst of the next digital revolution with many new technologies – such as big data and artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum computing – already coming online. As our digital footprint increases, new cybersecurity threats will emerge to target our networks and our data. The confluence of these technologies will create new jobs and opportunities but also fundamentally change jobs, social habits and recreation. And, as we continue to seek out new areas of growth in this digital revolution, our prospects are strong because we know that the demand for infocomm professionals is expected to grow by 28,500 from 2018 to 2020.
BUILDING A STRONG TALENT PIPELINE FOR SMART NATION
So the question is, how will we deliver the promise of a digitalised, connected and secure world for Singapore? We need creative and imaginative innovators who are dedicated and committed to Singapore, to spearhead our Smart Nation ambitions. Our students and youth – who are indeed, digital natives, who grew up with the Internet at their fingertips and smart phones– are well placed to lead in Singapore’s digital transformation journey.
Our Smart Nation agencies – CSA, GovTech, and IMDA – are investing in and nurturing top-tier technology and engineering talent, both within the public sector and the broader ecosystem. We are collaborating with companies and schools to ensure they promote and develop skillsets that are needed in the digital economy. All upper primary school students will go through a 10-hour “Code for Fun” programme, where they will learn more about computational thinking, and emerging technologies. More ICT courses and scholarships are being offered at the tertiary level. Working professionals who want to acquire new skills to meet the challenges of the fast-moving digital landscape can also benefit from the TechSkills Accelerator, a SkillsFuture initiative by IMDA.
The Smart Nation Scholarship is one of our longer-term initiatives. This is the second year we are offering the Smart Nation scholarship, to develop and nurture technology talents and leaders within the public service. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients will join CSA, GovTech, or IMDA’s talent programmes, where they will forge their respective career pathways, and apply technology for the public good.
I am very glad to see an almost three-fold increase in the number of Smart Nation scholarship applications this year. We received more than 600 applications, from students with strong academic qualifications, technical skills, and diverse backgrounds. It is testimony to the growing awareness and attractiveness of the opportunities available in Singapore’s digital ecosystem.
This year, we have awarded the Smart Nation Scholarship to 14 recipients. They have been carefully selected, not only on the basis of their academic results and technical skills, but also their passion to make a difference in the lives of fellow citizens through the application of technology.
As Smart Nation Scholarship holders, you represent the next cohort of Singapore’s technology architects and leaders. You will play a key role in shaping Singapore’s Smart Nation journey.
a. Yi Jing, Jedidiah, Winston, He-Kun, and Hao Wei - you will be starting your careers with Government Technology Agency (GovTech). Jia Yi, Ting Wei, and Wen Bin, who are already in university, have taken up mid-term scholarships. Together, you will drive digital transformation within the public sector, and help to empower citizens, businesses and communities through technology. Our Strategic National Projects, such as Moments of Life and the National Digital Identity, together with other important Smart Nation initiatives, like Parking.sg and MyResponder, are already having a positive impact. I look forward to the next wave of innovative Smart Nation initiatives that you will co-create with our stakeholders.
b. Darren, Johanna, and Penn Han - you will be starting your careers at the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). You will have the opportunity to champion digital transformation across multiple industries, develop and shape the infocomm media (ICM) landscape, as well as enhance Singapore’s ICM infrastructure. You will help foster an ecosystem where local companies and talent can work alongside the world’s most innovative companies to develop the “next big thing” for the infocomm media industry. You will also help our citizens integrate technology in their lives, to create a cohesive digital society that will benefit all in our Smart Nation.
c. Silas, Ryan, and Xin Ru, you will be starting your careers at the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). As our recent experiences have shown, cyberspace is dynamic and contested. Cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication, and Singapore remains in the crosshairs of well-resourced and determined attackers. Singapore’s growing connectivity – with our millions of smartphones and Internet-of-Things devices – represents a growing attack surface that these attackers can target and exploit. We need the best and brightest cybersecurity professionals to build a secure and trusted cyberspace that enables, and imbues confidence in, our Smart Nation.
All of you can, regardless of pathway you pursue in within the public service, can look forward to a challenging and meaningful career in the public service. There will be many exciting opportunities to contribute, learn, and develop your skills. In this course of your journey with the public service, I hope that you will also grow to become exemplars in your respective communities, so that you can lead by example and inspire those around you – your fellow technologists, industry builders, and cyber defenders – to bring the benefits of technology to all Singaporeans.
CONCLUSION
Your journey as Smart Nation scholarship recipients begins today. As you embark on your studies, I encourage you to look within and beyond your educational institutions for opportunities to develop and learn. Nurture friendships from around the world, seek out new learning and mentorship opportunities, and collaborate on innovative ideas that can benefit Singapore and the world. And, of course, along the way, remember to have fun!
I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise the contributions of your parents, teachers, and principals who have supported you in all stages of your education journey. You had an interesting tribute to them, and I think it is in recognition of the fact that no one excels on their own. It is the opportunities offered by society, and the support and mentorship of those who are near and dear, that helps us to follow our dreams and to realise our aspirations. So, be proud of what you have accomplished, but always remember—be grateful to those who have helped and supported you every step of the way, and find an opportunity to give back to society.
Finally, I believe that the magic that Sir Arthur C Clarke refers to – the seemingly magical spark that makes technology such an empowering factor in our lives – in my opinion, is not the technology per se; rather, it is brought about by the people who dream, innovate, collaborate, and ultimately use these technologies for the greater good.
I wish you every success in your studies, and I look forward to watching you work your magic, in shaping the next phase of Singapore’s Smart Nation journey. Once again, congratulations to all of you.
Thank you.