As an economy, Singapore has long enjoyed the fruits of a successful East-plus-West formula that blends the best of both traditions. It is a place that encourages its people to be the best they can be, an environment where talents, investments and businesses can thrive. But other countries in the region - buoyed by abundant natural resources, lower costs and rapid turnaround time - are seeking to replicate this strategy and close the gap.

To move a step ahead, Singapore now needs an “East-plus-West plus” approach, according to Mr Teo Chee Hean, Defence Minister and Minister In-charge of the Singapore Civil Service. Speaking at the opening of the International Advisory Council meeting in April 2007, he explained that the World•Singapore concept builds on the nation’s existing East-plus-West strengths, and strives to even better engage all stakeholders - the private and public sectors, general public, overseas friends and citizens - towards national growth.

“World•Singapore, founded on the attributes of Trust, Knowledge, Connected and Life, is our formula for the future,” explained Mr Teo. “To put it in simpler terms, Trust is why people come to us. Knowledge will be why they work with us. Connected is why people team with us. And Life will be why they stay with us.”

Multi-lingual, multi-cultural policies

More than just an economic strategy, World•Singapore is a vision that takes into account changing societal needs, including the way people think, work and play.

In many ways, MOE has long been preparing students for such a future that is inextricably linked to the world at large. The Malay and Chinese Special Programmes and the upcoming Regional Studies Programme complement the education system’s bilingual policy. Students who graduate from Singapore schools will be competent in not only two or more languages, but will also come to understand different cultures and societies so that they are better able to engage their overseas counterparts .

With MOE’s focus on Teach Less Learn More, infocomm technology and transmitting of skills such as entrepreneurship, Singapore schools are well on the way to developing multi-lingual, multi-cultural talents who are IT-savvy, international in outlook, confident, hardworking and capable.

Many aspirations, no one single pathway

Singapore is also becoming a global education hub with a plethora of renowned educational and executive programmes conducted in schools and tertiary institutions as well as online. With public and private school systems that rival the world’s best, we are forging ahead to strengthen global linkages and further diversify the learning landscape. And by 2017, Singapore will be home to four - maybe even five or more - publicly-funded universities, catering to MOE’s targets for 25 per cent of each Primary 1 cohort to enter university by 2010, and 30 per cent by 2015.

With so many changes in the pipeline, families will have a vast number of choices in education, such that there will probably be no ”typical” educational route as such. Still, what characterises the country would be its dedication to this vision, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

World•Singapore is that vision, and each and every Singaporean can play a part to realise it.