Principal’s Welcome Address 

Mr Nick Chan
Principal, School of Science and Technology, Singapore

It is with great pride and pleasure that I welcome all delegates, educators, and distinguished guests to the fourth edition of the Global Alliance of Leading Edge Schools for Sustainability (GALESS) TiltShift Challenge. We are especially honoured to host this special edition in Singapore and at the School of Science and Technology, Singapore (SST), where real-world, applied learning is at the heart of our mission.

The TiltShift Challenge brings together a global community of young changemakers and educators who share a common commitment — to examine complex societal issues through the lens of innovation, sustainability, and empathy. This year’s theme, Empty Pocket, invites us to reflect on poverty not just as a matter of economic hardship, but as a multifaceted issue encompassing capability deprivation, dignity, and social inclusion. It challenges us to think more deeply and to act more boldly.

We are delighted to welcome participating schools from across continents: Bina Bangsa School (Indonesia), Montgomery Bell Academy (United States), Wiedner Gymnasium (Austria), Dillmann Gymnasium (Germany), and our local partner, Anglican High School, who joins us with a project developed for the previous GALESS conference in Vienna. Each brings with them a unique voice shaped by their local contexts and shared global aspirations.

Over the past months, students have investigated poverty using the Multidimensional Poverty Index, engaged in deep research, applied STEM-based problem-solving, and navigated complex ethical dilemmas. Their work culminates in the presentations, discussions, and exchanges that will take place over the course of this challenge. These are not just academic exercises. They are authentic demonstrations of what it means to be globally minded, ethically grounded, and solution-oriented.

SST is deeply committed to supporting such platforms for purposeful learning. As a school rooted in STEM and the applied humanities, we believe that education must equip students not only with knowledge and skills, but also with the empathy, courage, and resolve to make a difference. The TiltShift Challenge embodies these ideals.

This event would not be possible without the dedication and support of many. I wish to thank the GALESS Advisory Council, our keynote and opening speakers, our international panel of judges, and the many staff who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes.