Thursday, September 15, 2005

Singapore has adequate talent

I often hear the remark, "Singapore is short of talent".

I disagree. We have adequate talent. However, they are not well used.

We have many well educated people. Look at the number of graduates, including those who have pursued university degrees on their own. We have many MBAs.

The problem is: are they able to apply their knowledge well? The answer is, "many people are over-educated and under-utilised".

If they learn how to apply their knowledge effectively, we will have more than sufficient talent.
Posted by at

6 comments:

tinkertailor said...

and we often forget that we have very talented people, who aren't that highly-educated.

September 15, 2005 5:09 PM
Mickell said...

So can people without university degrees still be considered as talented? I believe being highly educated and talented are 2 separate matters. Afterall, not many singing and acting talents are highly educated right?

September 15, 2005 5:51 PM
Mickell said...

Is there anyone who is under-educated but over-utilised?

September 15, 2005 5:52 PM
K.S. said...

I disagree with the statement "many people are over-educated and under-utilised".

My take is simple. Our educational institutions did not prepare the graduates well enough for them to undertake the tasks of the job they are working on.

In simpler term, our education system advocates theory without much thought to practicality. There is such thing call "apprenticeship" in Europe. This is something that we are lacking here in Singapore.

We are simply having a system that want to show the world that each and every institution is the best because the students scored as such.

What did we achieved? We produced tons of Roman generals, none an Alexander the Great or Hannibal of Carthage!

September 15, 2005 10:15 PM
sharon tay said...

Hi K.S.,

“In simpler term, our education system advocates theory without much thought to practicality. There is such thing call "apprenticeship" in Europe. This is something that we are lacking here in Singapore.”

I think our education system does not pale in comparison to that in Europe. There are internships available in Singapore for people to put into practice what they have learnt.

I did my Masters in London.
While that is a good exposure, I do not think that apprenticeship opportunities are more plentiful in Europe. The quantity may be more but let’s not forget that the competition is proportionately stiffer.

Mr. Tan has accurately pointed out that there lies a gap between talent and its effective application. There is definitely a need to optimally utilize the existing knowledge in order to fully tap into the talent pool.

October 06, 2005 12:26 PM
Kenneth Yeo said...

I believe everyone has its strength. It's only that they are unable to bring the strength out inside them. Somehow, if they are able to do that, Singapore will have a larger pool of talented people. So, do not underestimate people who are around you. Who knows one day, they might be able to assist you be it in terms of work or personal life.

October 13, 2005 11:50 PM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Blog Archive