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GRADUATIONGrooming the Next Generation ofLeaders and ManagersBy Kamsina Alfia Jumari, Public, International & Alumni RelationsOn 29 July 2008, the second cohort of 130 Management andLeadership in Schools (MLS) participants graduated from thefour-month programme. The graduation ceremony, which was heldat NIE, was graced by Dr Koh Thiam Seng, former Director of theEducational Technology Division, Ministry of Education (MOE). Dr Kohis currently Deputy Director, NIE.The MLS programme is designed by NIE’s team of experts andprofessionals in consultation with MOE and is managed by NIE’sGraduate Programmes and Research Office. It prepares head ofdepartments (HODs) to be exemplary people managers as well asexperts in teaching and learning.The MLS programme focuses mainly on team learning andcurriculum innovation, and places special emphasis on collaborativelearning. It aims to develop mid-level leaders to expand their rolesbeyond departments and take on direct leadership for teaching andlearning. The programme also addresses issues and technologiesimpacting education.Ms Adila Ong Kim Luan of Pasir Ris Primary School, who won the DrRuth Wong Medal for demonstrating the best overall performance inthe MLS programme, shared that the MLS programme had certainlybeen ‘a learning journey of discovery’. She stressed that the wealthof wisdom that she had learnt from the course would certainly notend with the graduation ceremony. “Let this wealth of wisdom leadus on as we serve as leaders and contribute as educators. I amconfident that our wealth of wisdom will be further enriched withmore reflection, imitation and experience as we continue our lifelongjourney of learning, re-learning and un-learning with each passing day.”First batch of LEAP PGDE studentsLeaders & Educators InAsia Programme (LEAP)By Ms Zoelyn Choy, Assistant Head, Strategy & ProjectDevelopment, Foundation ProgrammesIn July this year, 14 student teachers from thePhilippines were selected to receive the LEAPPGDE Award sponsored by Leaders & Educators inAsia programme (LEAP). Recipients got to attendthe Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) atNIE, and also received campus accommodationand cash awards of $4,000 each.Launched in January 2008, LEAP aims toencourage growth and innovation in education, andestablish a strong network of leaders andeducators. Funded by the Temasek Foundation andin partnership with NIE, the programmecollaborated with Ateneo de Manila University toenhance the teaching capacity in nine schools inManila’s Quezon City.On PGDE, student teacher Angelo Unay feels thatthe ‘PGDE programme is interesting’. Meanwhilecampus life for him has been fulfilling. “I foundSingaporeans to be friendly and caring and alreadymade friends with a lot of them.”For Sabrina Ongkiko, she felt blessed to be giventhis learning opportunity. “What I am learning frommy teachers, classmates and fellow Filipinosinspires me to become a better person and a betterteacher to serve my country.”Upon graduation, the teachers will return to teach inone of the nine LEAP schools in the next threeyears to share their knowledge and experienceswith fellow teachers.Graduates of MLS 2008NIE news17