2025 SEAB Seminar: Empower and Elevate

The SEAB Seminar represents a cornerstone event in SEAB's yearly corporate schedule and forms an essential part of our strategic planning process. Each June, all SEAB staff gather to receive Senior Management's sharing on the organisation's short- and long-term priorities, the opportunities and challenges that SEAB faces, and a dialogue for staff to discuss issues that matter to them.

The 2025 SEAB Seminar was held on 27 June, with the theme “Empower and Elevate”. “Empower” reflects our commitment to nurturing a culture where SEAB staff grow together, gain confidence, and find purpose and joy in their work. “Elevate” represents our collective ambition to scale the next S-curve, advancing the frontiers of educational assessment. This year’s programme blended learning journeys, expert insights, practical skills, and meaningful conversations — equipping staff with the knowledge, tools, and cultural momentum to turn vision into action.

Learning Journeys

In the days leading up to the Seminar, staff took part in learning journeys to three different organisations, offering fresh perspectives on innovation, transformation, and people-centric growth.

GovTech (25 June) – SEAB staff learned about GovTech’s strategic transition towards Digital Government Blueprint (DGB) 2.0 and Digital Excellence & Products Division (DXD)’s objectives to produce user-centric digital solutions for Ministry of Education (MOE). The visit concluded with a tour to the Smart City Technology Division, with stations that feature practical applications of emerging technologies developed at GovTech.

Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) (27 June) – At the Singapore City Gallery in the URA Centre, SEAB staff explored interactive exhibits on Singapore’s urban transformation, from land optimisation strategies to heritage conservation. The large-scale island model and immersive displays gave participants a deeper appreciation of the challenges and innovations in sustainable urban development.

Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) (27 June) – SEAB staff discovered PSA’s transformation journey and how it leverages technology to remain at the forefront of the maritime industry. Hands-on simulation activities at PSA University were a highlight, alongside insights into PSA’s people-centric approach and commitment to employee upskilling.

Across all three venues, participants valued the opportunity to see how different organisations empower their people and elevate their capabilities through innovation. Special thanks go to our hosts for their warm hospitality and for curating such rich and engaging experiences.

SEAB staff at the engaging learning journeys at GovTech, URA and PSA

Keynote Sharing by GovTech: AI in the Future of Assessment

The afternoon seminar opened with Mr John Soh, Lead Data Scientist, DXD, and Ms Irene Lam, Deputy Director, DXD, from GovTech, who spoke on “Rethinking Exams: How Artificial Intelligence Can Shape the Future of Assessment.” They outlined the latest AI trends and demonstrated tools such as Authoring Co-pilot, which reduces human effort in the initial authoring of questions, and iMAT (Instant Message Analyzer Tool), which identifies inquiry patterns and generates actionable insights. By reducing repetitive workload, these innovations empower assessment officers to focus on higher-value work that demands human judgment and expertise. The session concluded with a forward-looking prose on how AI could elevate assessment practices and enable SEAB to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving assessment landscape.

Speakers Mr John Soh and Ms Irene Lam from GovTech sharing about the use of AI

Hands-on AI Sessions by Research and Development Division

The spirit of “Empower and Elevate” continued with two concurrent hands-on sessions by colleagues from the Research and Development Division (RDD), giving staff the opportunity to experience practical AI applications.

“No Typing Required” introduced voice commands and screen captures as alternative ways to interact with AI tools. Participants learned how to draft emails, generate content, and solve problems without touching a keyboard, empowering them to work more intuitively and efficiently.

“Transforming Work through AI Applications” showcased how AI chatbots, ChatGPT, Pair Chat, and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) automation can simplify administrative tasks and provide instant, accurate information to staff and stakeholders. By making automation accessible to all, the session elevated the possibilities for improving workflow and responsiveness, regardless of technical background.

“See, no need to type!”

SEAB staff learning to use AI chatbots

Culture Traits Engagement

Following the AI sessions, the HR Department led an engagement exercise on SEAB’s evolving culture traits. HR recapped SEAB’s Vision, Mission, Values, and strategic thrusts, and shared findings from earlier 2025 survey and leadership retreats.

Two key insights emerged: SEAB’s values are timeless and remain our guiding pillars, but our culture traits must adapt to the way we work today and in the future. SEAB staff identified the traits they believed would empower individuals and teams to work more effectively and elevate SEAB’s ability to scale the next S-curve. The inputs were then consolidated for management’s decision of the refreshed cultural traits.

Staff engaged in discussions about SEAB’s cultural traits

Reflection and Dialogue with Senior Management

In the final segment, SEAB staff reflected on the day’s insights and posed questions for senior management. The questions — spanning Career Growth & Development, People & Leadership, Processes & Workflow, Resourcing & Tools, and Workplace Environment & Well-being — reflected the collective desire to elevate the organisation’s impact and shape a workplace that cares for its people. The key questions were addressed by senior management which reinforced a shared commitment to listening, learning, and adapting together.

Senior management answering various questions posed

The Seminar concluded with group photos, marking the end of a purposeful afternoon. The conversations, skills, and ideas shared at the 2025 SEAB Seminar were not meant to stay in the room — they are a call to action. As we move forward under the theme “Empower and Elevate”, SEAB staff are encouraged to apply new tools, embody our evolving culture traits, and work together to advance SEAB’s mission with confidence and ambition.

Grateful for another successful run of the seminar!