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Speech by Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Second Minister for Education, for Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Convocation

Published Date: 28 September 2023 01:00 PM

News Speeches

Ms Low Sin Leng, Chairman of the NAFA Board,

Mrs Tan-Soh Wai Lan, President of NAFA,

NAFA's Board Members,

Distinguished guests, parents, and graduands,

Introduction

1. A very good morning to everyone. I am very delighted to be here with you today to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2023.

  1. First, to our graduands, my heartiest congratulations to all of you on completing your diploma and degree programmes.
  2. I would like to commend you for your tenacity and hard work over the past two to three years, as well as the discipline and effort you have put in to pursue excellence in your craft.
    1. Most of you would have embarked on your studies at NAFA during the COVID-19 pandemic and experienced various challenges. It must not have been easy to adapt to virtual lessons, resulting in fewer chances to interact with and learn from your friends and peers in person. Some of you also had to perform with masks on.
    2. Despite the difficulties, you have proven your mettle by overcoming these challenges. The resilience you have demonstrated will serve you well in life.
    3. Today is also a day of celebration for the people who have supported you on this journey. Let us take this opportunity to thank your family, teachers, and friends who have walked alongside you.

NAFA's Achievements Over the Past 85 Years

2. In 2023, 751 graduands will join the NAFA alumni.

  1. This year is particularly special as we see the pioneer batch of students from the NAFA Foundation Programme complete their diplomas, and
  2. the first cohort graduate from the new degree programmes NAFA launched in 2021 in partnership with University of the Arts London and the Royal College of Music.

3. This year, as you heard earlier, we also celebrate NAFA's 85th Anniversary.

  1. NAFA has come a long way since it was founded in 1938.
  2. As Singapore's pioneer arts institution, NAFA has groomed generations of artists who have excelled in their various artistic pursuits and contributed to the vibrant local and international arts and cultural scene.
    1. One notable alumnus is Goi Ywei Chern, who won the prestigious International Antonin Dvorak Composition Competition in the senior category this year. He is the first Singaporean to do so. Ywei Chern was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 11 but did not know about his condition until he was 19. He persevered through multiple difficulties and eventually attained First Class Honours in NAFA's Bachelor of Music Programme. Today, Ywei Chern is pursuing his doctorate in music composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
    2. Khairuddin Bin Hori received the NAFA Distinguished Alumni Medal in 2016. He is an internationally renowned Singaporean curator recognised for his multidisciplinary and unconventional approach. Khairuddin has served stints at the Artistic Programming at Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the largest contemporary arts centre in Europe, as well as the Singapore Art Museum and the National Heritage Board.
    3. Today, Isyana Sarasvati will be receiving the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Medal. A multi-instrumentalist who graduated from NAFA's Bachelor of Music programme in 2015, Isyana has won multiple awards including the Rolling Stones Awards 2016, Best Asian Artist in Indonesia, and Best Composer of the Year 2017 at the Mnet Asian Music Awards. She was also featured in Forbes Indonesia's 30 under 30 for two years running. On top of her stellar music career, Isyana also actively participates in social outreach programmes and charity events around Indonesia.
    4. NAFA boasts many other outstanding alumni, including 13 Cultural Medallion winners and 15 Young Artist Awardees.

4. These impressive achievements by NAFA's alumni bear testament to NAFA's excellent programmes over the years and how our arts practitioners have taken opportunities to go abroad and found success beyond Singapore's shores. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate NAFA on its 85th anniversary, and commend NAFA for helping many students achieve their potential over the years. I am confident that NAFA will continue to develop many more exceptional arts practitioners.

Evolution of the Local Arts Scene

5. The flourishing of the arts and cultural landscape in Singapore is also testament to the efforts made to develop a vibrant arts scene here.

  1. Today, many more arts and cultural initiatives are being organised, such as the Singapore Art Week and Arts in Your Neighbourhood. Singaporeans' participation in such events has also increased.
  2. The contribution of the arts and cultural sector to Singapore's economy has also increased over the years. In 2018, the nominal value-add from the arts and culture stood at over 1.8 billion dollars, an increase from around 1.1 billion dollars in 2008. This translates into a contribution of about 0.4% to our GDP in 2018, which is comparable to the Sports sector. As the economy steadily recovers from the pandemic, we expect the value of the arts sector to continue growing.
  3. To further strengthen the development of our local arts scene and local artists, the National Arts Council has recently announced Our SG Arts Plan, a new roadmap with initiatives to infuse art into everyday life, and a new skills framework to help arts practitioners build up their skills and competencies.

6. The Government is committed to continue supporting our arts and cultural sector, so that everyone can enjoy the arts, and local artists can tap on myriad opportunities in the creative economy.

7. This includes the setting up of the University of the Arts Singapore, or the UAS. The new university is built on an alliance that augments the strengths of two established arts institutions in Singapore, including NAFA. I am hopeful that UAS will become a leading institution in the creative arts to better Singapore and the region.

Importance of Arts Education

8. Different segments of society also recognise the value of bringing in arts graduates who demonstrate, among other traits, courage, perseverance, creativity, and empathy.

9. These qualities have allowed many of you to excel in various disciplines.

  1. Nuraishah Binte Rashid, a Fine Art degree graduate, showed courage in pursuing her dreams. The young Singaporean ventured to Solo, Indonesia, for an arts residency at Studio Plesungan, where she produced her first film "Leluhurku", or "My Ancestors". Nuraishah attained the Mendaki Youth Promise Award and NAFA's Make an Impact Award. Today, she will also receive the Best Graduate Award for NAFA's Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fine Art.
  2. Chen Chi, today's Best Graduate for Diploma in Dance, is a fine example of someone who is not afraid to step outside her comfort zone. Hailing from Taiwan, she overcame her fear of being in an unfamiliar environment. With the support of her peers and lecturers, Chen Chi secured scholarships and received awards at several international competitions, including the Contemporary Solo 4th Place Award at the Taiwan Grand Prix International Ballet Competition 2022, and the Mayor of Cheonan Prize at the Korea International Contemporary Dance Competition 2020.

10. Beyond excelling in your artistic pursuits, I am also heartened that many of you took time to give back to the community.

  1. One example is this year's recipient of the Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal, Lee Wen Xiang. Wen Xiang graduated with a Diploma in Music, and later, Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Instrumental & Vocal Teaching. His lecturers inspired him to teach and pass on his love for music to others. He also performs at public hospitals, the National Cancer Centre and in charity events such as the Samaritans of Singapore 50th Anniversary Charity Gala Dinner.

11. These are just a few of the inspiring stories from the Class of 2023. As all of you graduate today, I am confident that your education at NAFA has prepared you well for your journey ahead. I believe that you will propel the arts scene in Singapore to even greater heights, make an impact in the larger community, and help make a distinctive city out of Singapore.

Closing

12. In closing, I urge you to tap on the skills, knowledge and values acquired here at NAFA to positively impact the world around you. Your graduation today marks the start of the next stage of your lives. I hope you will remain curious, humble, and resilient as you embark on the road ahead, and seize the exciting opportunities that await you in Singapore and beyond.

13. Once again, to the Class of 2023, my heartiest congratulations on your graduation! I wish you happiness and success in your future endeavours.

14. Thank you.