Singapore student exchange initiative to develop a new generation of Indian-focused leaders
The Confederation of Indian Industry Young Indian chapter in Singapore, popularly known as CII Yi, will scale up a student exchange program to 300 young people every year in an endeavor to create a new generation of leaders who have a deeper understanding of Indian culture and economy.
This was announced on Tuesday by CII Yi Chairman Mohamed Irshad, a day after holding the inaugural "Yi-India Singapore Youth Summit" in Singapore.
"We have to develop a profound understanding of Indian culture and economy as a long-term plan so we can build on a century of historical links between the two countries," he said.
"To date, 40 students from universities have gone on exchange and immersion programmes to India, including the 'India Talent Read Programme', through the Ministry of Trade Industry as well as the state-owned agency Enterprise Singapore and the National Youth Council," said Irshad, 36, leader of the one- here.
Some forty students from India's institutes of higher learning came for an exchange program in Singapore this year.
CII Yi plans to exchange 300 students every year in order to get a comprehensive understanding of Indian civilization, especially tier 2 and tier 3 cities. This is to establish a base of young people in Singapore who are interested in the Indian market and to cultivate relationships.
The CII Yi platform would also include the Indian population residing in Singapore, especially professionals in the financial industry, Irshad said.
"We are building on the partnership and illustrious historical linkages," said the youth leader of Indian descent, who was also nominated to the Singaporean parliament.
He stressed that, to further bilateral relations, it is important to cooperate with the comprehensive and strategic partnership initiated by Singapore and India's governments.
A minister from Singapore called the India-Singapore Youth Summit a turning point that would lead to close interaction between people of both countries, especially professionals, entrepreneurs, and students.
"Students have also been able to explore India through the India Experience Immersion Programme between CII and the Institute of South Asian Studies, a think tank at the National University of Singapore," said Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State in the Ministries of Culture, Community and Youth, and Manpower.
"The future of the India-Singapore partnership will be shaped not just by industry leaders but equally by young professionals, entrepreneurs, and students who will define the next chapter of our shared story," declared Avnish Patnaik, Chief Representative and Head of CII in Singapore, at the summit. This is a unique platform, I think. It sets an environment wherein an undergraduate student, a professor, and a CEO can exchange knowledge.
