Celebrating knowledge and empowering students through education and play

Immerse yourself in an enriching festival over three weekends at Raikan Ilmu@Heartlands. 

With the right guidance, one can excel beyond what they thought possible. For 14-year-old Rhea Irdyna Irman, this support comes from her loving parents and Yayasan MENDAKI (Council for the Development of the Singapore Malay/Muslim Community). 

A Secondary Two student at Springfield Secondary School, Rhea receives support through the MENDAKI Tuition Scheme in Mathematics and English and benefits from the Education Trust Fund School Assistance Scheme.

Rhea diligently pursues her studies while taking on significant roles as a student councillor and floorball player. On the court, her skills and tenacity have earned her a reputation as a formidable defender. She has represented her schools in several competitions and was part of the team that secured third place for her primary school in the 2022 National School Games.  

That same year, while preparing for the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE), Rhea faced challenges balancing her studies with floorball commitments. Despite these competing demands, she earned an A at Foundation Mathematics for PSLE, an achievement recognised at MENDAKI’s Joint Tuition Awards 2023. “It felt great to be acknowledged and to know my hard work had paid off,” Rhea shared. 

PLAY, LEARN, EXPLORE AND MORE

Rhea’s passion for learning mirrors that of many students across Singapore. This drive is celebrated during Raikan Ilmu, the Malay/Muslim community’s flagship movement held annually to promote knowledge and lifelong learning as cultural values. This year, in collaboration with community, public sector and private sector partners, MENDAKI is launching Raikan Ilmu on Jun 29.

In collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), MENDAKI Tuition Programme (MTP) students are putting their skills to the test in the Dreambot Showdown. This competition challenges students to programme a virtual robot to navigate a maze as quickly as possible. From now till July, SUTD volunteers are facilitating training sessions with MTP students online and at MTP centres. These sessions introduce coding, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, giving students a head start in these fields. Additionally, the Dreambot Showdown is open to the public, providing an opportunity for wider engagement with the future of technology.

Also organised by SUTD and MENDAKI, Physical Robokick: The Smorphi Soccer Competition will be held at Our Tampines Hub on Jun 29, from 9am to 2pm. The competition involves teams of students from upper primary, secondary and tertiary levels programming robots to play football. 

The month-long festival includes key events such as the MENDAKI Symposium for researchers and academics, as well as the Masyarakat Gemilang Conference for youth and student bodies. MENDAKI will also organise networking sessions such as YOUth@M³ for youth and their parents and #MakingConnections for professionals, alongside Raikan Ilmu@Heartlands.

Raikan Ilmu@Heartlands is set to unfold over three weekends at three locations: Our Tampines Hub from Jun 29 to Jun 30; Jurong Point from Jul 15 to Jul 21; and Kampung Admiralty from Jul 27 to Jul 28. Each venue will host an exciting array of over 80 activities. At Our Tampines Hub and Jurong Point, Mediacorp Warna DJs like AB Shaik, Mariam Masod, TG and Aura Shai will be onsite to enliven the atmosphere.

Raikan Ilmu@Heartlands will showcase four themed pavilions at each location – Creativity, Innovation, Discovery and Wellness – that incorporate elements of play, learning and exploration. 

The Creativity Pavilion is designed to stimulate young minds through hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) activities. These include robotics, coding and even learning how to write their names in Arabic – all tailored to spark creativity

Over at the Innovation Pavilion, cutting-edge technologies like AI and virtual reality take centre stage. Visitors can look forward to an interactive tech playground with an AI avatar demonstration by the BELLS Institute of Higher Learning and an immersive flight simulation experience courtesy of aviation academy Aeroviation.  

The Discovery Pavilion aims to provide insights into various training and job opportunities in growth sectors like sustainability. Additionally, Berita Mediacorp will host a mini studio where visitors can try their hand at newscasting. 

Meanwhile, the Wellness Pavilion focuses on mental health, underscoring the importance of healthy relationships and family togetherness for personal well-being. Complimentary basic health screenings, including body composition analyses and memory tests, will be available onsite. 

AN ALL-ROUNDER STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE

When it comes to mental well-being, Rhea credits her parents with fostering her determination to succeed: “They are incredibly motivating and their encouragement helps me be my best self.” 

At school, her confidence in embracing new learning opportunities has helped her approach her leadership role with enthusiasm. 

“As a student councillor, I aim to set a positive example. I actively engage with parents during parent-teacher meetings and open house events, introducing them to our school activities,” she shared. “This involvement is an effective way to make a difference in our community.” 

Rhea has also found the right balance between her floorball activities and keeping up with her studies. “I am a firm believer in time management and staying focused. I create a list of subjects or chapters to revise, which helps me stay organised and make the most of my study time,” she said. 

Beyond achieving good grades, Rhea feels that learning offers broader benefits. She encourages her peers to see learning and play as interconnected, which captures the spirit of Raikan Ilmu. “For example, when I learn a new move in floorball, it not only improves my game, but it also inspires me to perfect it and impart the skill to my teammates,” she explained.  

Ignite your curiosity and head down to Raikan Ilmu@Heartlands for an enriching blend of knowledge and fun.