BRANDED CONTENT
Empowering future innovators: How teens are taught to shape the future with technology
Marking its fifth year in Singapore, JPMorganChase’s GenerationTech programme has helped over 800 young people develop real-world skills through hands-on problem-solving and teamwork
Over 200 students from secondary schools, junior colleges and ITE colleges across Singapore came together for JPMorganChase’s GenerationTech 2025, marking five years of the bank’s flagship youth programme.
PHOTO: JPMORGANCHASE
Follow topic:
Last month, vibrant energy filled the JPMorganChase technology centre in Changi Business Park. Over 200 teenagers, each brimming with ideas about using technology to tackle global challenges, gathered for the bank’s annual technology flagship youth programme, GenerationTech.
GenerationTech was established to spark interest in technology among young people worldwide, especially girls who are under-represented in Stem fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
It was also set up to provide a platform where young talent can take what they have learnt in the classroom and apply it to real-world challenges. This helps them develop important skills like creativity, teamwork and problem-solving, as well as the confidence they need to make a real difference.
Building a pipeline of technology talent
Starting out five years ago in 2021 with 60 participants, Singapore’s edition of the GenerationTech programme has since grown rapidly, positively impacting over 800 students and helping some to embark on exciting journeys, pursuing technology-related courses at universities and other institutes of higher learning.
GenerationTech two-time winner and this year’s panel speaker Raashi Singh (left) says the programme played a key role in inspiring her technology journey – one that led her to pursue a double degree in computer science and business at NTU.
PHOTO: JPMORGANCHASE
Ms Raashi Singh, who took part in 2021 and 2022 and was a member of the winning team both times, was a panel speaker at this year’s edition.
“GenTech made every participant understand how technology can make a real-life impact. It played a very significant part in making me want to study computer science,” says the 20-year-old, who is currently pursuing a double degree in computer science and business at Nanyang Technological University.
“A lot of innovation is backed up by the combination of technology and business, which is why I decided to specialise in these two disciplines,” she adds.
Raashi’s journey reflects the broader goals of GenerationTech, which goes beyond coding or honing technology skills. Ms Wai Mei Hong, the firm’s Senior Country Officer for Singapore and head of Global Corporate Bank for Singapore, told participants that the programme is also about broadening horizons and building connections.
“We want to provide this platform so young talent can network with other people who are interested in technology, to share ideas and discover new possibilities,” she said.
Finding their confidence through technology
From returning participants to first-timers, these students share what they learnt – and loved – about being part of GenerationTech, be it overcoming pressure or discovering new passions.
Learning to cope with pressure
First-time GenerationTech participant Huang Yuxin (standing) says GenerationTech taught her how to work under pressure and strengthened her passion for solving real-world problems with technology.
PHOTO: JPMORGANCHASE
Huang Yuxin, 16, who’s currently pursuing a Higher Nitec (National ITE Certificate) in business information systems at ITE College East, says GenerationTech provided an incredible opportunity for her to learn from industry professionals and connect with like-minded students from other schools.
The first-time GenerationTech participant and her team worked on a project centred on gender equality, and the fast-paced challenge taught her how to think on her feet, collaborate under pressure and turn ideas into solutions – all within a tight timeframe.
Yuxin hopes to get a job in IT after finishing her studies. “After I started learning data analytics, I realised that technology is more than just programming. It’s about solving real-world problems and driving business innovation.”
Technology runs in the family
Through the programme, first-time participant Alysha Banu Abdul Shariff (seated, centre) discovered new confidence in technology, where the one-day project taught her the value of time management and opened her eyes to future possibilities in the field.
PHOTO: JPMORGANCHASE
Also a first-timer at GenerationTech was Alysha Banu Abdul Shariff from ITE College East. The 17-year-old likes writing and poetry but chose to take up a Higher Nitec in cyber & network security with encouragement from her father. She also has an older sister who is pursuing a Higher Nitec in business information systems.
“I never imagined myself studying technology. I always found it fascinating, but I didn’t think I had the skills or ability to understand it. Learning about tech has opened my eyes to new opportunities, and I’m excited to continue growing, learning and making an impact in this field,” she says.
Alysha’s key takeaway from GenerationTech, where her team’s project also involved gender equality, was the importance of time management. “We had two hours to create a prototype website from scratch to raise awareness about gender equality. It was hard but we managed to pull it off.”
Chasing her passion
Avani Moye (centre) returned to GenerationTech to reconnect with her love for coding and teamwork, this time tackling clean energy solutions with her peers.
PHOTO: JPMORGANCHASE
Avani Moye, 17, first attended GenerationTech in 2022 when she was a student at Cedar Girls’ Secondary School. Now in Victoria Junior College, she signed up a second time because she wanted to relive her experience of meeting like-minded girls and learning from the volunteers at JPMorganChase.
“I first developed an interest in tech when my dad encouraged me to learn basic coding during Covid-19,” she says. “He directed me to the free Khan Academy website where I learnt JavaScript and created basic animations. I’ve been inclined towards tech ever since.”
When she is not coding or playing with her computer, Avani loves travelling to new places, trying different cuisines and dancing, especially to Bollywood music. She also helps at a soup kitchen in her free time, packing and distributing food to elderly people.
Fostering inclusion and creativity
This year’s event saw students work in teams of six or seven to propose solutions aligned with three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: responsible consumption and production; gender equality; and affordable and clean energy.
Helped by mentors from JPMorganChase’s technology team, this year’s GenerationTech winning ideas included: using drones to monitor water levels and control irrigation at farms; creating a safe space app where individuals can seek professional help if they are feeling stressed or facing problems at work or in their personal lives; and an app aimed at helping consumers reduce their energy consumption, featuring a chatbot assistant and a leaderboard that tracks and rewards eco-friendly behaviour.
Beaming with excitement, the winning team of GenerationTech 2025 celebrates their drone innovation – an idea that uses tech to support smarter, more sustainable farming.
PHOTO: JPMORGANCHASE
Guest of honour, Minister of State for Social and Family Development Sun Xueling, said she was heartened that this year’s presentations on gender equality considered the challenges faced by both men and women.
“We want to reach out and also embrace the men and the boys around us because Singapore, and all societies, flourish when both genders, both sexes, are able to reach their fullest potential,” she said.
In a move to further broaden participation, this year’s GenerationTech also welcomed students from ITE colleges.
“At JPMorganChase, our technology teams include individuals from all educational backgrounds, and we’re committed to supporting that,” says Ms Irene Lim, APAC Chief of Staff for Group Chief Information Officer & Technology Center Manager, who has been involved as a programme sponsor in GenerationTech since its inception.
As in the previous year, GenerationTech also included students from Career Connect, another JPMorganChase global initiative to inspire young women, especially those from underserved communities, to pursue Stem-related careers.
Learn more about Tech for Social Good here
