Page 51 - NYAA Annual Report 2024

Thinking Hands - Kenya
During the visit to rural Nairobi, the ED and Deputy ED had the opportunity to observe Kenyan craftsmen
who embody the concept of “thinking hands.” These artisans possess extraordinary skill, transforming raw
wood into intricate and beautiful art pieces without computer design or modern machinery, relying solely
on their memory and manual dexterity. Each handcrafted item takes two to three hours to complete. The
visit revealed a concerning trend: most skilled artisans are over 60 years old, as younger generations opt for
factory jobs with air conditioning and cleaner environments. There is a growing concern that this traditional
craft may fade away and be replaced by machine-made products as the older artisans retire.

Visit by the Chinese Students’ Delegation from Harbin City
The NYAA successfully coordinated the visit of 109 students and teachers from the Attached Middle High
School of the Harbin Institute of Technology. Despite the busy January period, which included new student
intakes, Bedok Green Secondary School and CHIJ Toa Payoh Secondary School graciously accepted the
Executive Director’s invitation to host the visiting Chinese students.

This exchange program was crucial in showcasing Singapore’s education system to the international community,
furthering NYAA’s commitment to fostering global educational collaboration.

International Summit on Education
The Ministry of Education hosted the 14th International Summit on the Teaching Profession from 22 to 24
April 2024 at the Raffles City Convention Centre. The summit facilitated exchanges among Education Ministers
and thought leaders worldwide on strengthening the teaching profession.

The NYAA ED participated actively, engaging with Education Ministers from Europe and Asia. A highlight was an
invitation to dinner with Finland’s Education and Culture Minister. This engagement allowed the ED to explore
Finland’s innovative approaches to preparing students for the future, building on insights gained during a visit
to Finland in May 2023. The discussions underscored potential opportunities for NYAA to collaborate with
Finland, fostering mutual learning and growth.

Meeting with the Swiss Ambassador to Poland
The NYAA Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director were honoured to meet His Excellency Fabrice
Filliez, Swiss Ambassador to Poland. Ambassador Filliez served as the Swiss Ambassador to Singapore from
2018 to 2022.

During his tenure in Singapore, Ambassador Filliez was pivotal in fostering collaboration between Switzerland
and the NYAA. They jointly organised numerous impactful Swiss-NYAA community projects, many of which
involved the Gold Award Holders’ Alumni (GAHA). His enduring commitment to promoting bilateral ties and
youth engagement left an indelible mark on the NYAA programme.

In a testament to his dedication, Ambassador Filliez made a special journey from Warsaw, Poland, to St. Gallen
to meet with the NYAA Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director.

Before he departed from Singapore to Poland, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat hosted a farewell lunch
to honour Ambassador Filliez’s significant contributions to Singapore-Switzerland relations. His unwavering
support for the NYAA programme and his efforts to strengthen the friendship between the two nations will
always be remembered.

Singapore and Switzerland remain steadfast partners and close friends, united by shared values and a
commitment to cooperation.

Swiss Week 2024
The ED and Deputy ED participated in the opening of Swiss Week 2024 as honoured guests of the Swiss
government. The event featured the premiere of Bonschuur Ticino, a highly acclaimed documentary from
Switzerland. The film explores the social and cultural chaos following a referendum mandating a single
national language, highlighting Switzerland’s commitment to democracy, diversity, and multilingualism. The
documentary underscores the significance of culture and language in shaping national identity, emphasising
the need for sensitive handling of these elements. The ED and Deputy ED enjoyed an enriching evening hosted
by H.E. Frank Grütter, Ambassador of Switzerland to Singapore.

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