A strong personality, exceptional intelligence and a heart-warming smile - all these come together to describe one of India@aps@s greatest presidents, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

Dr Kalam launched GIIS@aps@ 10th Year celebrations at GIIS East Coast Campus in 2011

Global Indian International School (GIIS) mourns the loss of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who passed away in Shillong, India on 27 July 2015. GIIS shares a special bond with Dr Kalam who visited GIIS campuses in Singapore in the years 2011, 2008, and 2006. His passion for teaching and grooming students for the future was immense. He elevated young minds to love the country and to love other human beings.

To pay tribute to Dr Kalam, GIIS Queenstown, GIIS East Coast and GIIS Balestier campuses organised a special assembly on 28 July 2015 where students remembered Dr Kalam’s achievements and his visionary thoughts, which will continue to inspire them going forward. GIIS students have had the opportunity to interact with him on several occasions.

In 2011, Dr Kalam launched the school’s 10th Year celebrations at GIIS East Coast Campus to mark GIIS’ entry into a decade of commitment to education excellence. Also, present at the event were 40 students from the Anglo Chinese School (International) and Bedok Green Primary School and students from all three GIIS campuses.

Dr Kalam greeted by GIIS Balestier students in 2008

In his address to students during this visit, he said, “Education gives you wings to fly. Achievement comes out of fire in our sub-conscious mind that ‘I will win’. So, each one of you assembled here, will have ‘Wings of Fire’. The Wing of Fire will indeed lead to knowledge, which will make you to fly as a doctor, or an engineer, or a scientist, or a teacher, or a political leader, or a bureaucrat or a diplomat or anything you want to be. If you want to achieve what you desire then you should identify the inner potential that is unique in you.” He struck a close rapport with the students by shedding light on several issues and giving his honest opinion.

During the inauguration ceremony of GIIS Balestier Campus in 2008, Dr Kalam said, “I am delighted to participate in the opening of new campus of GIIS in Singapore and interact with the students of GIIS from different campuses. I am happy that GIIS apart from running many schools in Singapore and Malaysia are working on tribal development projects in Gujarat, a state of India, through their “flip a generation” project with an aim to empower the Adivasi children with education. My congratulations to all of you.”

Dr Kalam interacted with students during his visit to GIIS East Coast Campus in 2011

Dr Kalam’s visit to GIIS Queenstown Campus in 2006 was a historic moment for the school. The then President of India introduced himself to the students, in a language befitting the age of his audience. His simple yet powerful words on speaking the truth inspired all students of different age groups. He also spoke about the importance of education.

Dr Kalam believed in shaping the vision of young students to inspire their thinking and actions. To honour his contribution in the field of science, GIIS named its Inter-school HiQ Science Quiz Science competition trophy after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in 2008.