Youtheme Online Launching - Speech By Dato' Patrick Teoh Seng Foo

Speech by Dato’ (Dr) Patrick Teoh Seng Foo, President of SEG International Bhd at the Launch of Youtheme, 23^rd July 2007, 10.00am to 12.00noon


Good morning

• Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting, Minister of Housing and Local Government
• Yang Berbahagia Datin Linda Ngiam, Executive Director and Group Chief Operating Officer of Star Publications (Malaysia) Berhad
• Yang Berbahagia, Dato’ Clement Hii, Group Chief Executive Officer of SEG International Bhd
• Mr. Adrian Chai, Chief Executive Officer of Youtheme Online Sdn Bhd
• Mr. Lee Kok Cheng, Chief Operating Officer of SEG International Bhd and Principal of SEGi College, Malaysia
• Ladies and Gentlemen:

First of all, I would like to welcome all of you to our newly opened SEGi College Malaysia campus for witnessing the launch of Youtheme Online School & Youth Community, a project aiming to produce a connected school and youth portal to accommodate school ICT needs, youth aspiration, expression, actualization and youth creativity. I strongly believe, this project will support the government's plans to obtain the status of a developed nation by the year 2020 and to gain a competitive edge with other developed countries in the global economy.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Building online youth community and bridging internet technology to schools require not only an effective model, but also having adequate financial resources to sustain it. Similarly, in Malaysia, we only have few initiatives to train and support locals such reform. Therefore, business leaders of today have much opportunities and could contribute to the effective use of technology in school and for youth development.

SEGi, as one of the largest institutes of higher education in Malaysia, is constantly striking a fine balance between business and corporate social responsibilities, we have made it our business in making higher education accessible to all and are always on the lookout to find ways to reach out to youths, particularly secondary school students, to inform them of higher education opportunities. Youtheme Online School and Youth Community project offers us the great opportunity to achieve these objectives.

SEGi is favourable with Youtheme’s concept of benefiting education and the students’ communities to increase learning opportunities and employ-ability, and bridging the digitally divided by providing fully subsidized technology such as School Information Management System, e-Learning tools, and collaborative web portal. Their objectives and goals are very much in line with SEGi’s in helping today’s youths.

As such, SEGi is proud to be a National Sponsor of Youtheme under our Corporate Social Responsibility Program, sponsoring RM2million in its cause to reach out to today’s youths. This sponsorship is to assist schools in IT implementation and students in obtaining higher education. Everyone is welcome to apply for the scholarships regardless of gender, race and background.

Technology is not the answer, but it is an important tool. With technology, our youth can reap more fruits than we used to; without technology, the world will pass them by. The scarce resource is corporate leadership. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage other corporate leaders to support this program, as we owe it to our children to provide that.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have here today the latest school to join Youtheme family of 20 pilot schools, SMK La Salle PJ attending today’s event. Students, most of you will soon be sitting for the SPM examinations. It is time now to think of your future and what programme you are interested in to achieve your dream career. SEGi has over 100 programmes, and on top of that, millions worth in scholarships to be given out to deserving students. SEGi has for years played a role in making dreams come true, by providing scholarships and loans that assist many who thought it impossible financially to achieve their degree. This is an opportunity for all of you to consider higher education.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

To end my speech today, I would like to thank Youtheme for partnering SEGi Group of Colleges in the school outreach programme. I would also like to express our gratitude to Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting, for taking the time to be here today in support of higher education for everyone.

Thank you.