Mr Lim Hng Kiang at the Official Opening of DigiPen Institute of Technology Singapore

SPEECH BY MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT OFFICIAL OPENING OF DIGIPEN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE ON FRIDAY, 4 JULY 2008 AT THE DIGIPEN SINGAPORE CAMPUS

Her Excellency Ms. Patricia Herbold, US Ambassador to Singapore

Mr. Claude Comair, Chairman and President, DigiPen Institute of Technology

Mr. Tad Leckman, Director of Training, Lucas Film Animation Singapore

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning. I am delighted to join you this morning for the opening of DigiPen’s Singapore campus. We are honored that DigiPen has chosen Singapore to establish its first international campus. This move represents a significant milestone for not just one, but two key sectors in Singapore: the media and digital entertainment sector, and the education sector.

The global animation and games development industry has grown tremendously in recent years. Last year, nine games were sold per second worldwide, every day. The video game market will be worth S$67 billion by 2011, and is the fastest growing segment within the global entertainment industry.

It is in this exciting space that DigiPen plays. DigiPen has been a major player in the astounding growth of the game and animation industry in North America, which has flourished from just seven game-related companies in 1996 to more than 150 companies today.

Singapore too is developing a burgeoning digital media space. EDB is working with the Media Development Authority and other agencies to grow Singapore into a vibrant global media capital. They target to help generate 10,000 new jobs by 2015. EDB has been working hard to attract the top international companies here. These include industry heavyweights such as Lucas Film Animation Singapore and Electronic Arts Asia Pacific, both of whom established their presence in Singapore in 2005. Earlier this year, Ubisoft announced the setting up of a 300-man game development studio here. Singapore is also home to a stable of innovative local game and animation companies, such as Mikoishi and Scrawl Studio.

Talent is the heart and soul of these companies and talent is the key driver of their success. As the first top foreign institution in Singapore offering courses in games and animation, DigiPen Singapore will play an integral role in addressing the digital media industry’s manpower capability needs. DigiPen Singapore will also work closely with these animation and games companies, forging partnerships for research and the development of new techniques and tools. DigiPen Singapore’s location at one-north will facilitate the nurturing of close ties with animation and games companies located here. One-North's dynamic, vibrant community will also promote a stimulating environment to support a culture of interaction and learning.

DigiPen Singapore’s campus is a valuable addition to the foreign institutions established in Singapore under our Global Schoolhouse vision. We aim to develop Singapore into an education hub offering a diverse and distinctive mix of quality education services to the world. Singapore has proven to be a compelling location for schools wishing to establish an overseas presence. Establishing a presence in Asia can help to bring an Asian perspective to schools’ curriculum, research and student work. To date, our success under this initiative has already resulted in a broader and deeper range of choices for local and international students alike in our educational landscape. Schools which now proudly call Singapore home include the likes of INSEAD, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The Global Schoolhouse vision will attract a diverse talented group of students to study in Singapore, who can trust that they will receive high quality education from our schools. In addition, the high quality of life, diversity of cultures and employment opportunities in Singapore appeal strongly to students and faculty. Schools with a base in Singapore can tap on a pool of students from around the world, in particular, the Asia-Pacific region. We hope that more bright students from around the world will choose to study in Singapore, and take advantage of the myriad job opportunities to continue working and living here following their graduation.

I thank DigiPen for your confidence in choosing Singapore as your partner. DigiPen Singapore is a significant contribution towards Singapore’s drive to grow our digital media industry and to be an education hub. I would also like to conclude by congratulating DigiPen on this landmark venture. We are certain that the Singapore campus will enhance DigiPen’s position as a global leader in its field. I wish DigiPen Singapore every success in your endeavor.

Thank you.