DPM Heng Swee Keat at the 32nd International Olympiad in Informatics 2020 Closing Ceremony

Dear participants of the International Olympiad for Informatics, 

Computer science as an academic discipline is only seven decades old, but in this short time, computers have transformed our lives. While Moore’s Law seems to have slowed down in recent years, there is no doubt that digital technologies will continue to revolutionise the way we live, work and play.

Even before COVID-19, the momentum of change has been gaining pace. While the virus poses many challenges for humanity, it also opens our eyes to many new possibilities. The pandemic has also accelerated digital transformation. We must do our part to ensure that change improves the lives of our people; change does not leave anyone behind; change does not worsen existing divides or create new fractures.

I hope participating in this Olympiad in the midst of a crisis has inspired you to make a difference in your country and to the world. You have a bright future ahead of you. You are at the forefront of a field that will be critical in a post-COVID world. You have the potential to make the world a better place, and you must remember to do so for the better. Each and every one of us can make a difference. And working together with your friends, school mates and future colleagues in your country and around the world, will enable you to make a bigger difference.

I understand that this edition of the Olympiad has gone digital. I congratulate the organisers for pulling off a successful virtual competition.

Congratulations to all our medal winners and to all participants. Completing this virtual Olympiad is an achievement in itself. While you were not able to travel to Singapore, I welcome you to visit and explore new opportunities here once the crisis is over.

In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy and keep learning.