Welcome Address by President Halimah Yacob at Virtual Opening Ceremony of the 33rd IOI

A warm welcome to everyone at the virtual 33^rd International Olympiad in Informatics. A special greeting also to our international friends participating online. Unfortunately, this year’s event cannot be a physical gathering in Singapore. Nonetheless, I hope you will enjoy the online virtual tours we have prepared for you, including that of the Istana grounds.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation of societies, including Singapore. In many ways, it has enabled us to innovate and accomplish much more during this challenging period. Being able to successfully bring this Olympiad online is testament to how adaptable we have been, and the tremendous effort we have made to stay connected globally despite the constraints brought on by this pandemic.

With crisis, comes opportunity. The pandemic has highlighted the crucial role technology plays in today’s world. In the realm of education, COVID-19 has forced many countries to quickly adopt online teaching models so that students can continue learning safely. Video conferencing has allowed real time lessons to continue, and teachers to still get some form of ‘facetime’ with their students. Teachers can also use online collaboration tools to break the boundaries of a physical classroom, allow each student to have a voice and make their thinking visible. Technology has become an important enabler. But equally important, we should make sure that no one is left behind in this journey.  As technology transforms the way we live and work, we need to ensure that it remains accessible to everyone. The vulnerable segments of our society must also be able to benefit from digitalisation.Technology should also be a social leveler, as we continue to uplift our societies.

The contest over the next few days will be a platform for all participants to showcase your skills and talents. But beyond this contest of abilities, I urge all of you to also give some thoughts on how you can contribute towards the creation of a better digital world for all of us, especially those who are disadvantaged. I hope this Olympiad will strengthen interest in informatics and computing across the globe, nurture future thought-leaders and build strong cross-cultural friendships. I wish you and your families well. All the best for this competition.