[AN EVENT JOINTLY ORGANISED BY NLB AND THE SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES (SUSS)]
1 OCTOBER 2022 (SAT), 10.00 AM, VIA ZOOM WEBINAR
Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, and National Development,
Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, President of SUSS,
Distinguished Speakers,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
INTRODUCTION
Good morning, and a very warm welcome to the Time of Your Life Celebration 2022.
1 NLB is very happy to be able to collaborate once again with the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to bring this event to you. We share a common purpose, in wanting to provide ample opportunities for seniors to continue learning and thriving, and having the Time of Our Lives!
2 One library patron who benefits from this is Ms Tan Yen Kim, a former enterprise and IT consultant, who is also with us today. Ms Tan has always been curious about 3D printing, ways to age actively and healthily, as well as how she can contribute to Singapore’s green efforts. However, work and family commitments in the past kept her from pursuing her interests. When she found out about the digital, wellness and sustainability programmes that NLB offers in-person and digitally, she readily signed up for them. The programmes were free and the digital ones could be accessed from the comfort of her own home. Ms Tan has been continuing to discover the range of resources and programmes that we have, and I invite those of you who have not already done so to also check out the many programmes we have on our LearnX website.
TOYL CELEBRATION 2022 – “CONNECTIONS”
3 Like Ms Tan, many seniors appreciate the extra time available to pursue their interests. In taking up such pursuits, we make connections on several levels. First, we stay connected to the learning ecosystem that is around us that will keep us mentally active. Second, we discover connections to communities where like-minded peers are around to exchange ideas in topics we are curious about. Last but not least, we connect into the future with new skills and knowledge that we discover.
4 This year’s theme of “Connections” is therefore very apt. You will find a rich array of programmes throughout the entire month of October. For instance, you can check out a Tech Bazaar which will have talks, workshops and a showcase on the latest technology that you can learn about and consider trying out in your daily lives. We also have Thinker+ Play (pronounced as “Thinker plus Play”): The Great Singapore Trivia, which will help you connect with the past. Through the exciting quiz and learning from fellow participants, you will be able to enhance your understanding and appreciation for Singapore’s heritage and identity.
EMPOWERING SENIORS THROUGH LAB25
5 The Time of Your Life series of programmes is a signature initiative under LAB25, or the Libraries and Archives Blueprint 2025, where we want to provide lifelong learning opportunities for seniors. Since last October when LAB25 was launched, we have organised more than 4,300 programmes for seniors in areas such as Digital, Wellness, Arts, Sustainability, and Reading, which attracted more than 34,000 participants. The feedback has been encouraging, and we look forward to doing more such programmes. We also welcome your suggestions on programmes we can organise for you, just like how we managed to offer Ms Tan something to take up.
CONCLUSION
6 I would like to take this opportunity to thank SMS Tan for taking the time to grace our opening ceremony. I would also like to thank SUSS, and the various programme partners for joining us to contribute your knowledge and efforts to make this event possible.
7 I wish you all the Time of Your Life!