From Graduation to Greatness

As the IACT College Class of 2024 gathered to celebrate their achievements, Raja Singham, Co-Founder and Chief Future Officer of the BAC Education Group, delivered more than just a traditional graduation speech. With passion and foresight, he challenged graduates to look beyond the boundaries of their degrees and step boldly into the world as polymaths— curious, versatile, and ready to shape the future.

The Polymath: Master of Many, Not Just One

A polymath, Raja Singham explained, is someone who cultivates a broad range of knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines. Unlike specialists who possess deep expertise in a single field, polymaths excel by drawing connections between seemingly unrelated areas, crafting innovative solutions to today’s complex challenges.

In today’s rapidly shifting world, this ability to think and act across domains is not a luxury - it is a necessity.

Why Becoming a Polymath Matters More Than Ever

Raja Singham went on to lay out four compelling reasons why the polymath mindset is crucial for the modern graduate:

1. Adaptability in an Uncertain World

With McKinsey forecasting that automation and AI could displace up to 800 million jobs by 2030, adaptability is essential. Polymaths are better equipped to navigate the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of the modern workplace, seamlessly shifting between roles, industries, and technologies.

2. Living Life to Its Fullest

Leading a life tied to a single function or role may offer comfort, but it rarely offers fulfilment. Embracing new pursuits, whether learning an instrument, exploring a new language, or dabbling in a different profession, adds vibrancy and purpose to everyday life.

3. A More Enriched Life

The polymath lifestyle ensures that no two days feel the same. Those who nurture multiple interests, from music and technology to photography and entrepreneurship, live more enriched, meaningful lives. There is always something new to learn, to try, and to master.

4. Innovative Problem-Solving

History’s greatest changemakers have been polymaths. Leonardo da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk - these individuals defied traditional boundaries and created revolutionary change by combining knowledge from various fields. Today’s challenges, too, will require such multifaceted thinking.

How to Develop the Polymath Mindset

Raja Singham also shared six guiding principles for anyone aspiring to become a polymath:

1. Be Curious

Quoting Albert Einstein, “I have no special talents. I am just passionately curious,” he emphasised the importance of asking questions and exploring the unfamiliar as every new interest is a doorway to growth.

2. Embrace Lifelong Learning

Whether it’s picking up a new skill or diving into an entirely different field, he urged IACT's graduates to keep learning, always.

3. Connect the Dots

He also encouraged the graduates to "See beyond the silos and recognise how law, technology, business, art, and human behaviour are all interconnected."

4. Stay Adaptable

Citing Charles Darwin, "It’s not the strongest or the smartest who survive, but those most adaptable to change," he reminded graduates that in the age of AI, adaptability is their superpower.

5. Maintain Consistency

Raja Singham encouraged graduates to set aside dedicated time and stay disciplined, reminding them that while progress may not happen overnight, it comes through consistent effort.

6. Be Unique

Finally, he reminded graduates that while their degree has equipped them with essential skills, it’s now up to them to carve out their own path. Instead of following the crowd, they should discover their own voice, pursue their passions, and create a journey that reflects who they truly are. Along the way, they’ll naturally find their tribe - those who share and support their purpose.

A Final Word - Believe in Yourself

In his closing remarks, Raja Singham offered a heartfelt reminder, "Never doubt your potential. Never underestimate the strength of your friendships. The people you’ve met here, classmates, lecturers, mentors, are part of your story."

He urged the graduates to "Remember, those who’ve guided you - your teachers, your college, your community - celebrate your success as their own. We feel your victories. We share in your joy. We are proud of you."

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! The future belongs to those who connect the dots.