Guest of Honour, Director of the Centre for Research in Child Development (CRCD), Professor Tan Oon Seng with NIEC Director Mrs Loke-Yeo Teck Yong, Temasek Polytechnic Principal Peter Lam, Temasek Polytechnic Director of School of Humanities & Social Sciences Mr Ben Lim, and Registrar Mr Daniel Yeow. Professor Tan presented medals (sponsored by NTUC First Campus Co-operative) to the following winners: Charlotte Ang (Bronze Medal), Iman Jaber Yousef Aljayousy (Silver Medal) and Davina Lek Sze Hui (Gold Medal).
Over 200 students from the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC Temasek Polytechnic) attained their Diploma in Early Childhood Studies and celebrated their graduation ceremony online on 10 May 2021.
Professor Tan Oon Seng, Director of the Centre for Research in Child Development (CRCD), who graced the ceremony as Guest of Honour (GOH), exhorted the graduands with his GOH address. Citing research on the role of early childhood teachers in influencing and impacting the future of children, he spoke about the importance of “C-A-R-E”, a mnemonic emphasising the need to Care for each child as unique individuals, Affirm the child’s capabilities to learn and grow, establish Routines that enable children to thrive, and to Encourage fellow professionals.
He also reminded the graduands to always make children feel belonged in their classes, and to be creative in building rituals that symbolise values and collaborations.
As a token of appreciation, one of the graduands Ms Juni Iffah presented Professor Tan with her book “Louella”. The book is about the gift of friendship. Ms Juni had overcome physical illness to graduate successfully with the help of her peers and family.