SINGAPORE'S Institute of Technical Education (ITE) was pronounced winner of the global IBM Innovations Award in Transforming Government, beating contenders from Canada, the US and Georgia.

Mr Tharman: Says the award is a recognition of Singapore's educational approach

The ITE was selected as one of eight winners by IBM and the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University's John F Kennedy School of Government. Judges spoke of its successes to date, creative practices, and scope as well as the potential for global replication.

ITE will receive a cash award of US$100,000.

Minister for Education, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, described ITE as the jewel in Singapore's education system. He said: 'This global award is external recognition of ITE's efforts to advance the opportunities of its students with its unique and successful 'Hands-on, Minds-on and Hearts-on' learning. It is also recognition of our educational approach that builds on Singaporeans' diverse aptitudes and talent.'

Before the inception of ITE as a post-secondary institution in 1992, student attrition was at a high of nearly 40 per cent, while students who did manage to graduate were armed with only rudimentary technical skills.

Since its 10-year reform plan that was launched in 1995, the collective efforts of the ITE board of governors and senior management team, together with Singapore's Ministry of Education as well as industry experts and community leaders, have resulted in student enrolment numbers doubling and a 33 per cent rise in graduation rates. ITE has also contributed significantly to keeping youth unemployment low in Singapore.