Singapore Cooperation Enterprise Commences Information and Communications Technology Capacity Development Programme for Students from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil
Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) has organised an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) capacity development programme for the young students called “Mineiros” from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil from 21 July – 14 August 2009. This four-week exchange programme in Singapore is jointly planned and organised with the State Secretariat for Economic Development, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Called “The Young Mineiros Citizens of the World Students Programme”, it is tailored for 20 third-year ICT university students to learn about the developmental experience of Singapore, specifically in the areas of ICT.
The “Young Mineiros Citizens of the World Students Programme” is an initiative by the State Government of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was first implemented in October 2007 by the Vice-Governor of Minas Gerais, Mr. Antonio Augusto Junho Anastasia with the goal to provide the young mineiros an opportunity to experience different business environments, centres of excellence, universities and government institutions overseas, through various immersion training programmes. Its fundamental idea is to stimulate the young talents to be adaptable in today’s competitive global markets.
The objective of the programme in Singapore is to share with the young mineiros Singapore’s experience in the fields of ICT learning and development and latest technology. SCE is working with partner, Republic Polytechnic and various major Singapore ICT companies for the delivery. The programme will provide the young mineiros a holistic learning experience on Singapore’s ICT industry and also how ICT is taught to students in Singapore. There will be dialogues, focus group discussions and experiential site visits for the young mineiros to interact and exchange ideas with their Singapore counterparts.
Mr. Luiz Antonio Athayde, Undersecretary of the State Secretariat for Economic Development said,
“This initiative is a milestone regarding the relationships between Singapore and Minas Gerais. I believe that, one of the most relevant investments that the state can do, is to get involved in the preparation of generations of young talents to face challenges in the global economy. This is the first programme) of this kind in Brazil. This edition has as main sponsors SCE and, on the side of Minas Gerais state/Brazil, the Federation of the Industries of Minas Gerais – FIEMG, Emirates Airlines and TAM Airlines. This initiative will pave a better understanding between Singapore and Minas Gerais and strengthen ties between our people.”
Mr. Alphonsus Chia, Chief Executive Officer of SCE said,
“SCE welcomes the young mineiros to Singapore. We hope that through this specially customised capacity development programme that SCE has prepared, we are able to offer these young talents the opportunities to acquire the relevant ICT knowledge and become champions of the “Young Mineiros Citizens of the World Students Programme”. We also hope that this collaboration will further encourage the deepening of relationships between Minas Gerais and Singapore.”
Issued by SCE
