Welcome Address by Director-General, at Make Your Mark! 2006 Grand Finals 2006

Welcome Address by Director-General at Make Your Mark! 2006 Grand Finals 2006 on 21 Apr 2006

Distinguished Guests
Teachers
and Students

I am delighted to be here this afternoon to witness the grand finals for Make Your Mark! 2006. This year is the 4th year that we are organising the trade marks competition. We are very pleased that since its inception in 2003, this unique competition has spurred several budding entrepreneurs to pursue their intellectual creations and make them a reality.
We are very honoured to have some very established brand owners here with us today. Their presence greatly motivates and inspires everyone here to work towards our aspirations and make our dreams come true. Later this afternoon, we will be hearing from Mr Adrin Loi of Ya Kun and Mr Daniel Tay of Bakerzin on how they have made a mark for themselves, not just in Singapore, but across the globe. I eagerly look forward to learning about their experiences.
Also amongst the audience here today are the winners of the secondary school section of last year’s Make Your Mark!, Ivan and Keith. These students are undeniably exemplary models for our aspiring student-entrepreneurs. After participating in Make Your Mark! 2005, they realised their interest and potential in operating a business and are now wearing two hats being both students and businessmen. And they are not the only ones who have taken their idea one step further after the competition. Another team from Meredian Junior College, who unfortunately are not present today, have transformed their imaginary café into a real café set up right in their JC. We are indeed very thrilled that Make Your Mark! has made an impact on the participants’ lives. We look forward to seeing more graduates of Make Your Mark! establish a mark for themselves.
On next Wednesday, 26 April, we celebrate World Intellectual Property Day. The World Intellectual Property Organization has set “Ideas” as the theme for this year’s World IP Day. Ideas are, without a doubt, the seed of all creations. When developed, they shape the world and the way that we live. Creativity should therefore be nurtured and rewarded. Through Make Your Mark, we hope that students will become more aware of the power of their ideas and the various forms of protection available for their creations.
I take this opportunity to congratulate all 46 teams who took part in this year’s competition. I have been told that the competition this year is very intense as all of you have submitted work of high quality. Because you have taken a first step to develop an idea and moved on to give it an identity in the form of a brand name and trade mark, you are already winners in your own right. Let us give a round of applause for the effort put in by all 46 teams!
I would also like to thank the participating schools for your support of Make Your Mark, in particular the respective teachers-in-charge who encouraged, advised and helped your students throughout this learning journey. We hope that you would share this positive experience with your principals and peers and encourage more of your students to take part in next year’s competition.
I would also like to thank the supporters of this competition, namely Ngee Ann Polytechnic School of Business and Accountancy for co-organising this competition, and NOKIA for their kind sponsorship of prizes. I also thank Cold Storage Singapore Pte Ltd, Monclue & Christine, TAKA Jewellery Pte Ltd and Khong Guan Biscuit Factory Singapore Pte Ltd for their contributions to making the Finals of Make Your Mark! 2006 an event to be remembered.
Also, thank you, Judges, for assisting with today’s Finals. I am certain the finalists and every one of us here will benefit from your expert advice.
To all Principals and Vice-Principals who are present today, thank you for your kind attendance. We look forward to your continued support in moulding a generation of IP-savvy citizens. And to our partners present this afternoon, we look forward to future co-operation in spreading the goodness of IP protection.
Thank you all and good luck to the finalists.