“But out of limitations comes creativity”- Debbie Allen
This journey begins 15 years ago when rapid developments of new information and communication technologies have contributed to far-reaching social changes. ‘Uncertainty ’is cited as being a characteristic of this age: a state in which individuals find it impossible to attribute a reasonable definitive probability to the expected outcome of their choices.
Education was the Worst Hit by these developments. Yes, Worst Hit because it became merely a money making business leaving behind the focus on learning. This had implications for schools and teachers, because it questions the relevance and effectiveness of ‘traditional methods’ and current means of instruction embracing ‘fill the empty vessel’ type pedagogies.
But there was a man who was looking at this situation from a different lens unlike other people. He knew computers and technology are closing gaps and moving to the future at a rapid pace. So why not we may as well embrace them and divert it to the classroom and bring a revolution in school education which will make his dream come true to transform the so called money making business into learning. A dream of making a Technology driven school for the NextGen full of advance IT system and infrastructure to keep students’ up to the pace that the world is moving.
His disinterest colleagues felt that in expensive city Singapore and time driven it is an unmanageable task. But he followed his instinct and started on his dream project. He identified experts in technology, education and infrastructure as his team members and conceptualised his idea.
In 2017, the students entered the world of a GIIS SMART Campus - where student-centred pedagogy met a digitally powered learning environment to create a whole new education experience. Here, latest teaching tools made learning a fun and interactive affair for the students to help achieve higher educational outcomes. 42 SMART innovation labs, Wi-Fi enabled classrooms, Sports Analytics fields, the digitally-savvy GIIS SMART Campus became an epitome of new age learning.
3 years later, when the covid-19 pandemic shattered lives, disrupted markets and exposed the competence of governments, leading to permanent shifts in all the ways that will become apparent only later. The world was faced with a situation on how to keep the schools working so that student learning does not get affected. On the other hand, GIIS SMART campus was well prepared to deal with this crisis. When all the educational institutes were scrambling and drawing upon plans to conduct virtual classes, GIIS SMART campus had already started its virtual classes for its students. There was no disruption for the teachers and students in all parts of the world to complete their syllabus due to SMART class approach which comprises of a strong IT infrastructure and high speed internet facility.
He always had an attitude of staying ahead in the race with a vision of rapid development in technology needs a similar advancement in education field. Now when the world has realized that SMART Campus is the next choice in the times to come, he is already a conqueror in this space and looking towards refinement of SMART Campus and further contribute to the society.
Lessons Learned
- Building process capability is 1st step followed by employee empowerment in achieving overall sustainability
- Leaders set a vision for the organization and demonstrate clear and visible organizational values
- Agility leads to success in today’s ever-changing and globally competitive environment
- Understanding today’s student requirements and anticipating future desires and marketplace potential to make a sustainable organisation is vital for business
- Intelligent risks and innovation are the key to success.