Our History
Discover how Millennia Institute grew from the merger of two pioneering institutes to become Singapore's only Centralised Institute, shaping students into well-rounded leaders since 2004.
Millennia Institute (MI) was established in 2004 with the merger of Outram Institute (OI) and Jurong Institute (JI). It became the only Centralised Institute in Singapore, offering a 3-year GCE A-Level course and the Commerce stream, on top of the Arts and Science streams.
OI, the first Centralised Institute to offer the 3-year GCE A-Level course, was founded in 1987, followed by JI in 1989. The merger of JI and OI sought to synergise the resources and expertise of both Institutes to enhance the delivery of a holistic education for students. Between 2004 and 2006, MI operated from two separate campuses at Toh Tuck (former JI campus) and Bartley (former OI campus). MI was relocated to its new single, purpose-built campus at Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 in December 2006.
MI’s mission is to nurture students’ talents to achieve diverse definitions of success beyond the academic. Its signature MI.World Programme equips MI students with a global perspective and cross-cultural skills. Students are also trained in Design Thinking to drive the spirit of innovation. MI Mart, started in 2005, provided opportunities for the real world application of innovation and entrepreneurship potential and eventually evolved into the MI Social Bazaar in 2017. Additionally, self-directed learning programmes, such as the student-led Values in Action, GAP Week, Job Experience and MI SkillsFuture Programme, were introduced to instil in students a sense of autonomy, mastery and purpose in learning for life. These school-wide leadership development opportunities and other co-curricular programmes collectively foster self, team and community leaders of character and values to serve our nation and beyond. MI’s Amethyst Talent Programme further supports the holistic development of students by nurturing those with academic aptitude and talents in sports and the arts.
In 2015, the school vision was refined to ‘A Forward-looking Community of Learners, Thinkers and Leaders’ to reflect the school’s focus on preparing students for a world that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. MI marked its 15th Anniversary in 2018 with a celebration of its unique position as a place of opportunity and an alternative education pathway to the university.
PAST PRINCIPALS OF OUTRAM INSTITUTE
MRS LIM HAN SOON (1987 – Mar 1991)
Peak performers are not born but made. They are successful because they have set goals for themselves and have planned well their mission in life and they look forward to the future with optimism and hope. Let us be encouraged by their examples and continue to uphold the Institute motto “Towards Excellence.”— MRS LIM HAN SOON
MRS LAM-KAN KIM SWEE (April 1991 – 2003)
We will provide a wide range of educational opportunities to enrich the learning experience, and also make the environment conducive to learning. And more importantly, I believe in inculcating socially desirable values and attitudes in our students, not only for higher education and work, but for life.— MRS LAM-KAN KIM SWEE
PAST PRINCIPALS OF JURONG INSTITUTE
MDM LAU KAN HOW (1989 – 1990)
JI’s pioneer principal, Mdm Lau Kan How, had her first office in a container amidst bulldozers and cement mixers. But overseeing the physical construction of JI was a small task compared to the more daunting challenge she faced, of moulding the JI identity. With the conception of the motto ‘Justice and Integrity’, Mdm Lau set about creating opportunities for bonding. From a concept, JI became an entity.— MDM LAU KAN HOW
MR TAN THIAM HOCK (1991 – 1993)
As principal of JI, I had three objectives. First, to help the students excel in their academic studies. Second, to train them well in ECA, and third, to instill moral uprightness. I must say that we managed to make good headway in all three areas.— MR TAN THIAM HOCK
MRS GOH SOO GEEM (1994 – 1997)
I feel proud because I had a good team of teachers who were willing to go the extra mile. I feel especially proud of the students we helped, who grew and blossomed in JI, overcoming personal problems.— MRS GOH SOO GEEM
MDM MAK LAI YING (1998 – 1999)
I am proud to say that the Institute has been very successful in fostering strong ties with students. Our ex-students visit their teachers often at the Institute.— MDM MAK LAI YING
MRS ONG-OOI GIOK TIN (2000 – 2003)
We have come this far and farther we will venture. As we consolidate our resources and build on our strengths, we enter the next phase of our journey, to provide a whole new learning experience complete with innovation, entrepreneurship, accreditation and academic excellence.— MRS ONG-OOI GIOK TIN
PAST PRINCIPALS OF MILLENNIA INSTITUTE
MRS ONG-OOI GIOK TIN (2004 – 2005)
All students who pass through the portals of Millennia Institute must be resilient in overcoming challenges and moving in uncharted waters, respect self and others, take responsibility for self, others and the environment, and above all, be persons of integrity.— MRS ONG-OOI GIOK TIN
MR TAN CHOR PANG (2005 – 2013)
Our strategic plan is to ensure that you are skilful beyond just content knowledge, so you can strive and achieve as global citizens, with a sense of rootedness to Singapore. We want MI to be a familial home where you feel a sense of belonging, because you are accepted, you are heard and you can grow from the opportunities offered to you.— MR TAN CHOR PANG
MRS TAN WAN YU (2014 – 2023)
MI prides itself as a place of opportunity that provides diverse learning experiences designed to develop students into antifragile and agile learners. Only those who continue to seize every opportunity to learn throughout life can achieve their aspirations in a world that is increasingly more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous; more diverse and disrupted. When the journey gets tough and turbulent, the institute’s core values of Integrity, Responsibility, Respect and Resilience will be their internal compass.— MRS TAN WAN YU
