Some 160 students from
secondary schools, junior
colleges, ITEs, polytechnics,
IP (Integrated Programme)
schools and universities engaged
with Minister S Iswaran at the
inaugural “In Dialogue with Youth”
Forum. This is the first outreach
to youths at the SIEW 2012.
During the dialogue, the
students took the opportunity
to asked Minister Iswaran
on issues ranging from the
government’s role in changing
public attitudes towards energy
usage to achieving greater energy
sustainability and security of
energy supply to the region.
Minister Iswaran spoke on the
government’s various initiatives,
such as the BCA Green Mark
scheme that encourages the
construction of environmentallyfriendly
buildings, and the Energy
Label scheme which promotes
energy efficiency in appliances. He
also emphasised the need to price
energy right and avoid subsidies that
will result in wasteful consumption.
"LIVE" Poll on Energy!
The students participated in a
"live" poll, reflecting their views
on many energy-related issues.
Here are some interesting findings
of the poll…
- On Singapore’s Energy
Trilemma – Energy Security,
Economic Competitiveness,
and Environmental
Sustainability
50 percent of the students
rated Environmental
Sustainability as most
important to them. 31 percent
chose Energy Security while
19 percent opted for Economic
Competitiveness.
- On the Future of Energy… 36 percent of the students
were concerned with the
depletion of energy resources,
while 26 percent feared the
growing tensions among
regional countries over energy
supplies. Students also raised
their concerns about rising
temperatures, global warming
and the damage wrought on
the environment in search for
more energy sources.
- A Career in the Energy
Sector?
Yes – 43 percent
No – 17 percent
Neutral – 40 percent
Clean energy – primarily solar,
wind and biomass, emerged as
the most popular sector where
half of the students polled were
most interested to join. On the
other hand, 19 percent of the
students were interested in
energy trading and financing
while 17 percent chose energy
efficiency management. Fewer
than 10 percent of the group
chose the oil and gas sector,
while less than 5 percent picked
power generation and utilities.
Responding to the results,
Minister Iswaran shared with the
students that oil and gas, and
power generation and utilities,
though perceived as "less sexy,
were critical industries in the
energy field."
Minister Iswaran also shared
with the students that a degree
programme in power engineering
would be launched in 2013. The
two-year full-time course, brought
together by the Singapore Institute
of Technology (SIT) and the UK’s
Newcastle University would target
primarily diploma-holders seeking
to upgrade themselves.
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