Bold statement: A Singaporean student exchange initiative aims to mold a new generation of leaders with a deep grasp of India’s culture and economy, expanding beyond current programs to impact hundreds each year. But here's where it gets controversial: should young people spend large blocks of time in another country to develop leadership, or should emphasis stay on local opportunities? This rewrite preserves the core information while presenting it with fresh wording and clarity.
Singapore’s Confederation of Indian Industry Young Indian chapter (CII Yi) in Singapore is planning to scale its student exchange program to 300 youths per year. The goal is to cultivate future leaders who possess a thorough understanding of Indian society and its economy, reinforcing a long-standing cultural and economic bridge between the two nations.
CII Yi Chairman Mohamed Irshad shared the vision on Tuesday, the day after hosting the inaugural Yi – India Singapore Youth Summit in Singapore. He emphasized the need to cultivate a deep comprehension of Indian culture and the economy as part of a long-term strategy tied to a century of historical ties between Singapore and India.
Singapore already serves as India’s premier foreign direct investment hub. To date, 40 university students have participated in exchange and immersion programs in India, including the India Talent Read Programme, facilitated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Enterprise Singapore, and the National Youth Council. Irshad, 36, leads the one-year-old CII Yi chapter in Singapore.
Similarly, 40 students from Indian higher education institutions have taken part in comparable exchange programs to Singapore this year.
Looking ahead, CII Yi plans to exchange 300 students annually to gain a comprehensive understanding of Indian society, including experiences in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The initiative aims to foster long-term relationships and establish a base of Singaporean youths with a focus on the Indian market. The Indian community in Singapore, particularly professionals in finance, will be invited to participate in the CII Yi platform, Irshad noted.
“Irshad, an Indian-origin youth leader who has also served as a nominated member of Singapore’s parliament, stressed the importance of building on the partnership and the illustrious historical linkages between the two countries.” He highlighted collaboration with India’s and Singapore’s strategic partnership as a forward path in bilateral relations.
In parallel, a Singaporean minister described the India-Singapore Youth Summit as a key milestone that will strengthen ties among youths—from students to professionals and entrepreneurs—in both nations. Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, and Manpower, pointed to the India Experience Immersion Programme as another avenue enabling Singaporean students to explore India, in collaboration with the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.
Avnish Patnaik, Chief Representative and Head of CII in Singapore, stated that the future of the India-Singapore partnership will be shaped not only by industry leaders but also by young professionals, entrepreneurs, and students who will define the next chapter of the shared narrative. He described the platform as unique, offering a space where a CEO, a professor, and an undergraduate student can learn from one another.
Approximately 100 delegates from Singapore and India attended the day-long summit in Singapore.
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