Why I joined IAL: A Passion for People, Learning, and the Future of Work

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1. Welcome aboard IAL! Could you share why you decided to join us as Deputy Executive Director?

IAL’s mission brings together key elements of my previous work on education, skills and employability at the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Manpower and other public agencies. This is an area close to my heart. Hence, I saw it as a natural fit when I was given the opportunity to join IAL.

2. You've written extensively about Singapore's unique challenges and strengths. What are your thoughts on the role of continuing education and training (CET) in securing Singapore's future?

Singapore’s success has always been based on human capital. Our future will likewise depend on the ability to equip citizens with skills to contribute to the economy and society. CET is central to this, particularly given how quickly technology and jobs are changing.

3. As IAL’s Deputy Executive Director, what are your plans for IAL to continue serving our workforce and adult educators effectively?

IAL must continue to develop as a centre for excellence – developing expertise in adult learning through research, innovation and practice, and translating these into programmes and interventions to advance the adult learning ecosystem. It is particularly important for IAL to harness technology in our work and equip adult educators to use technology effectively. A key priority in the coming years is to strengthen the professional competencies of adult educators through continuing professional development.

4. With the advent of AI, particularly generative AI, there is growing concern over job security. How can IAL play a role in ensuring an optimistic future amidst these changes?

While generative AI can take over various tasks performed by people, it can also complement human workers in several ways. It can take over mundane or repetitive tasks, freeing people to focus on other, more human aspects of their job. It can “democratise” work such as coding and writing by making complex tasks more accessible to those without specialised skills. It can also make skilled workers even more productive. Such complementarity can enhance both human productivity and job satisfaction. IAL can help by employing AI in our course development and training, and then equipping adult educators, training providers and other organisations with the awareness and skills to harness AI in their work.

5. Some may feel that adult educators are only a very small and niche pool of professionals and may not be able to see the relevance of adult educators in their lives. What would you say to that? 

The quality of continuing education and training depends critically on the skills and competencies of adult educators, just as the high quality of education in our schools can be attributed to teacher quality. Given the amount that Singapore is investing in lifelong learning, it must be a priority to build up a pool of excellent adult educators.

6. What do you think are the most important attributes of an effective adult educator?

I think an adult educator must be able to manage a diverse group of adult learners who may come with different subject matter knowledge and work experience. The idea is to pitch the content at a level where everyone in the class can keep up, while at the same time allowing everyone, including the more advanced participants, to take away useful insights. One way is to give opportunities for the participants to learn from one another.

I often say that the collective experience of the class is far more extensive than my own work experience. I see one of my roles as an adult educator to draw out this collective experience in order to enrich learning. This can be done through structured discussions or class activities, sometimes in small groups. However, it requires planning and time to be set aside in class.

7. Besides your full-time work, you also devote time to contribute opinion articles and write books. Why?

I enjoy writing as a means of communicating ideas on issues important to Singapore. For Singapore to adapt and thrive in a time of rapid change, we need to encourage discourse on public policy and the strategic choices we face. I hope that my writing can make a small contribution towards this end.

8. Tell us more about yourself outside work.

I try to read and to keep learning or improving my skills. For instance, I take piano lessons every other week. When I had time over the past few years, I also attended classes conducted by other faculty members at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

I am also a dad with two young children whom I spend much time with, whether it’s taking them on excursions or helping with their daily activities. My daughter will be turning 10 this year, and my son will be turning 8. They are beneficiaries of the reduced focus on academic performance in schools, but I hope they will acquire good learning habits and self-discipline that will set them up for life.

9. What inspirational parting message would you like to leave to our readers?

Life is more exciting as a learner! You live, you learn…