Speaking to the media later, Mr Lee said these students are a crucial part of the diverse talent pool that Singapore needs particularly today. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
NANYANG Polytechnic (NYP) student Eileen Leow, 20, studies animation design but dreams of becoming a fashion designer.
On Monday, her ambitions got a boost from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who asked his press secretary to pass her the email address of Paris-based Singapore designer Andrew Gn whom he had met two years ago.
Industrial design student Sara Leow, 19, whose parents own a furniture design business, also got a tip from Singapore's elder statesman. 'Why don't you join Ikea and pick up their techniques?' he suggested.
Touring NYP in Ang Mo Kio on Monday - his first official visit to a polytechnic in 30 years, Mr Lee dispensed advice, cracked some jokes and listened to project presentations.
But what was clear was his interest in the students themselves, asking probing questions about their family background, and why they chose their courses.
His last visit to a polytechnic was in 1979, when he opened Singapore Polytechnic's Dover Road campus.
Speaking to the media later, Mr Lee said these students are a crucial part of the diverse talent pool that Singapore needs particularly today.
Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.
