THIS year some 1,400 Institute of Technical Education students went abroad on student exchange programmes, work attachments and to help the poor communities. By 2010, ITE hopes to double the number.

The ITE, along with the polytechnics, will get some help through the $25 million Khoo Teck Puat Education Fund, part of which will go to helping needy students meet the costs of such overseas school trips.

Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam who received the cheque on Tuesday from the late Mr Khoo's daughter, Ms Mavis Khoo, said about 3,500 ITE and polytechnic students will be among those who will benefit from the 'substantial gift'.

Yet another part of the fund will be used for the training of English Language teachers from Vietnam and following that, other regional countries.

This latest gift is among the several educational causes that have been supported by the estate of the late banker and hotelier who died in February 2004.

The late Mr Khoo, who left behind an estimated fortune of more than US$5 billion, is known for his charitable contributions.

Ms Khoo said education was close to the heart of her late father. 'He felt everyone must be equipped with knowledge in order to overcome the challenges in life,' she said, adding that these programmes will make a difference in the lives of individuals who can in turn pass on what they have learned.

Mr Tharman said the gift is an excellent example of how private philanthrophy can work hand in hand with the public sector. He said the donation complements MOE's efforts to provide more opportunities for students to gain international exposure.

He said overseas stints, even short ones, are a valuable part of the education that schools and tertiary institutions provide.

'It all adds up to developing a sense of comfort with people from other parts of the world, a certain cultural flexibility that will hold Singaporeans well in future,' said the minister.

ITE student Tan Yi Hang, 18, who studies multimedia technology, agreed that there is much to gain from the trips abroad.

Yi Hang who went to Germany on a student exchange programme and to Hong Kong to attend a student seminar said it opened his eyes to how competitive other nations are.

He said he was only able to go on the tip because of the subsidy from the ITE. He also worked part-time to earn some money.

Said Yi Hang, whose father is the sole breadwinner: 'Everyone, including the poor students have much to learn by going abroad, so if possible, they should receive some help. I could not have gone if not for ITE helping to pay part of the costs.'