Dr Wu Longkai Speaks on Developing Diverse Skillsets in Students

Dr Wu Longkai, Research Scientist at the Office of Education Research, spoke at two webinars in India on how to develop diverse skillsets in students in order to cultivate 21^st century competencies.

On 18 July 2020, Dr Wu spoke on “The Role of the Interest-Driven Learning Paradigm in Acquiring Life Skills for K-12 Education” as part of a week-long international webinar series organised by the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University. Dr Wu drew from his study—Bridging School-Based Formal and Informal Learning Spaces: A Case of Advancing Interest-Driven Education in Singapore Schools—to explain how interest-driven learning can nurture the development of life skills in students.

Additionally, Dr Wu gave the presidential address for a webinar programme on “Soft Skills and Personality Development”, organised by the Bharathiar University (Department of Education), on 24 July 2020. His speech addressed how, with the rise of automation, more aspects of jobs are automated and correspondingly, the demand for soft skills in the workplace has risen. To prepare students for the challenges of the future, he said, soft skills are essential to help them adapt to a fast-changing world. 

The two webinar speeches attracted a turnout of around 700 participants from universities and schools across India.