Mr Bob TAN Beng-hai has been Chairman of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) since 2007. Well-known for his strong commitment towards education and training for youths, Mr Tan’s openness and foresight in developing future talents have benefited the Singaporean community and inspired fellow educators globally. Mr Tan has led ITE in pioneering new learning opportunities for youths and has forged many international partnerships, all with the aim to develop students’ global mindset and workplace competencies.

With Mr Tan at the helm, ITE’s partnership with VTC has grown from strength to strength. Since 2007, numerous new developments, which have had lasting impact on the students in both institutions, have emerged from the ITE-VTC partnership. These key initiatives, mooted by Mr Tan and VTC Chairman, include the biennial International ITE-VTC Student Seminar (since 2007), the annual culinary and cultural exchange, ‘Hong Kong Nite’ in Singapore, and ‘Singapore Nite’ in Hong Kong (since 2015), and A Taste of Two Cities, an ITE-VTC cookbook featuring delectable dishes prepared by staff and students from both institutions.

To date, ITE and VTC have facilitated cross-city exchanges involving more than 4200 students and 720 staff from both cities.

Under Mr Tan, ITE presented VTC with the ‘ITE Distinguished Partner Award’ in 2017 during ITE’s 25th Anniversary celebrations. This was in recognition of VTC’s close partnership and strong support in enhancing global learning opportunities and developing staff and student capabilities. That same year, ITE and VTC also marked 20 years of friendship by pledging to bring this partnership to greater heights.