Are you the next YouTube?

Source: The Straits Times, 29 Jan 07, page 1
"Wanted: S'poreans to develop the next YouTube or Skype" by Neo Hui Min

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minsiter for Community Development, Youth and Sports, says that Singapore needs more individuals with briht ideas who can develop the next YouTube or Skype.

Given the right amount of resources and support, Singapore can develop itself as an IT hub where our own locals are constantly on the move to design innovative products and programs. For example, local brand Creative has successfully positioned itself as a stiff competitor to the most selling mp3 player, Apple's ipod. The company has won many fans over for its originality and simplicity in its products, and despite eventually making huge losses last year, it has managed to portray Singapore as an enterprising IT hub that is capable of competing with foreign companies overseas..

I believe the key to future successes depend a lot on how much funding is available for extensive research and development. In a technologically advanced world, Singapore has many innovative youths who are able to churn out interesting ideas. This year, we see an increasing number of courses in polytechnic catering to information technology disciplines, in an attempt to attract more youths to join the tech-savvy workforce. In addition, we even have local reality programmes like 'I-whiz' where locals win challenges by designing small experiments to attract the judges.

Can Singapore develop the next YouTube or Skype? I think it's a tall order, but it''s certainly a feat within our reach in the coming years.