On Sunday, 24th March 2024, One World International School and Global Schools Foundation were delighted to welcome His Excellency Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, for a vibrant interaction with members of the Indian diaspora in Singapore. The exclusive event took place at the Quantum Arena in our newly opened One World International School Digital Campus in Punggol.
In a vibrant Q&A session with an audience comprising industry leaders, businessmen, community members and students of GSF schools, Dr Jaishankar spoke at length on topics ranging from India-Singapore relations, to the political landscapes of the world, and diaspora contributions to the nation.
Students from OWIS and GIIS, our sister school, asked questions on a range of topics, including multiculturalism, sustainability as well as work-life balance. In one of his responses to these questions, Dr Jaishankar emphasised the importance of embracing a globally interconnected education system.
He said, “In the future, education would be much more transboundary than it has been before, which I think should be good news. GSF can think of itself in a way as a pioneer of this trend, but it actually signifies something much bigger, which is the idea of the world as a global workplace, because in many ways, there will be demands for talents and skills in different parts of the world.”
Mr James Sweeney, Head of School, OWIS Nanyang and Suntec, who attended the session said, “It was insightful to listen to the perspectives of a nuanced diplomat such as Dr Jaishankar. His words on the future of education and the global workplace emphasised the importance of equipping students to excel in an increasingly diverse and multicultural world. At OWIS, we are proud to champion this vision of international education, by fostering an environment where students can develop the cross-cultural competence and adaptability needed for success in the global workplace.”
Mrs Angela Henderson, Principal of Lower School, OWIS Digital Campus, said, “The unveiling of the new auditorium, the Quantum Arena at OWIS Digital Campus, was a momentous occasion and made even more special by the attendance and conversation with Dr. S. Jaishankar. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as we marvelled at the state-of-the-art facility. With its modern design and cutting-edge technology, the auditorium promises to be a hub for creativity and inspiration for years to come.”
