Speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean At the National Education Gaming Championship (NEGC) Opening Ceremony

Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon.

National Education and DefenceNational Education is integral to our efforts to build a strong sense of community and national identity. National Education embraces many aspects of Singapore, from our history, governance and national ethos, to future challenges and opportunities. When National Service (NS) was first introduced in 1967, we had to ensure that all Singaporeans understood the rationale behind NS, and that our recruits were personally convinced of the need to play their part. To achieve this, MINDEF set up a National Education branch in 1971, to engage and educate Singaporeans on the importance of defence and NS.

Today, this department, now known as Nexus, also coordinates National Education at the national level. Geopolitical circumstances are ever-changing, and we have to face new non-traditional security threats. While Singaporeans are now economically better off, and enjoy peace and stability, we need to guard against complacency. One particular group we need to engage are young Singaporeans, so that they have a well-founded confidence in our future and are motivated to contribute. Reaching out to the youth - National Education and gamingMINDEF and the SAF continue to explore innovative ways to reach out to young Singaporeans. We have supplemented seminars and lectures with experiential programmes such as visits to SAF units and Open Houses. More recently, SAF units have also collaborated with schools to co-organise meaningful activities around National Day to enrich their National Education experiences. Our approach towards National Education has also been transformed, as we find ways to engage Singaporeans actively through discussion and self-expression. For Total Defence Day in 2009 and 2010 Singaporeans were encouraged to articulate in their own unique way what they would defend and take ownership of Singapore's defence through a web video competition.

New media platforms allow MINDEF to engage the public directly through our cyberpioneer connections on YouTube, Facebook, Flickr and Twitter. In the short span of one year, the number of unique views we received on our cyberpioneer Youtube channel has multiplied from around two hundred thousand to more than two million today. Within 6 months of setting up our Facebook page, we have attracted more than 4000 fans. Singaporean youths, in particular, have been very receptive to our new approaches and media platforms. Students and schools actively participate in producing one-minute animated clips that express their views on an National Education related theme for our annual N.E.mation! contest, which is entering its 5th season next year. The National Education Gaming Championship (NEGC) is MINDEF's first foray into the area of gaming, and marks a new way to engage young Singaporeans. The National Education Gaming Championship is based on the training simulation software, Virtual Battlespace 2 or VBS2, which is used by the SAF and the US, Australian and other militaries worldwide. We have set this game against the backdrop of the SAF Murai Urban Training Facility in Lim Chu Kang, and features weapons and systems currently used by our SAF soldiers. VBS2 allows players to experience how the SAF operates as an integrated network-centric force. Commanders, soldiers and weapons are all linked on the same network, allowing information and battle decisions to be communicated seamlessly. Soldiers and their commanders can thus work together and plan their tactics to defeat the enemy. While off-the-shelf commercial games usually require teams of 5 to 8 players, this game requires 19 players per team so as to simulate the dynamics of a full platoon in action. Each team member is assigned a specific role such as the platoon commander, combat medic or gunner. The participants experience the entire battle sequence and learn about weapon capabilities, tactics and teamwork in a challenging and realistic setting. The National Education Gaming Championship is thus a great way for young Singaporeans to find out more about the Third Generation SAF and its capabilities, and hopefully, adjust better to military life when they eventually enlist for National Service. The feedback from students and teachers has been enthusiastic. Participants are proud to be able to represent their schools. The male students, in particular, recognise that it is useful to learn a little more about the Army and what to expect during NS. Teachers see the value as their students learn to strategise and strengthen their communication, planning, teamwork and leadership skills. The National Education Gaming Championship has also developed a sense of camaraderie within the teams and provided opportunities for students to make friends with students from other schools. Within just seven weeks, the National Education Gaming Championship Facebook page has garnered more than 1,200 fans as students rally their friends and families to support them, thus allowing more to learn about the Third Generation SAF and the importance of defence.

Conclusion

I am glad that a total of 64 teams - with more than 1200 students from 38 different secondary schools, Polytechnics and ITEs - have signed up for the Championship. The teams have battled hard during the preliminary rounds over the past few months to earn their places here. I am sure the next few days will be most exhilarating. I wish you good luck in the finals of the Championship. May the best team win!