Speech by Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong, at the Singapore Armed Forces-Nanyang Polytechnic MOU Signing Ceremony

Introduction

Principal and CEO Nanyang Polytechnic, Mr Chan Lee Mun, Distinguished guests and Fellow SAF Officers, ladies & gentlemen,

Let me first thank you for being here to witness the signing of the SAF and Nanyang Polytechnic MOU.

This afternoon, I will like to touch on two points. First is to share the SAF's vision of being full spectrum, adaptive and resilient. Second, to emphasise the importance of working with partners on education.

Full Spectrum Adaptive & Resilient

In the early years of the SAF, the main pre-occupation was on building and training a conventional force. Since then, we have found ourselves in peace support operations like the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) contributing air lift and medical support, enhancing homeland security measures post 911, leading operations in civil contingency of SARS pandemic in 2003, assisting our friends in Indonesia with air-lift and logistical support, medical and other essential supplies when Indian Ocean Tsunami struck Aceh.

Today, we envision the 3rd Generation SAF as a full-spectrum force, not only having advanced conventional capabilities, but expected to conduct a wide range of operations. However, it is not possible to anticipate every situation or even understand all emerging situations. Thus, the SAF has to be adaptive, nimble in our ability to think and act as well as be resilient in the face of more complex and challenging environment.

The SAF will require our people to have the intellectual capacities for better sense and decision making. We require our Warrant Officers and Specialists to be competent leaders, skilled warfighters and professional military trainers. Our Military Domain Experts are professionals in their respective fields of knowledge, military equipment, weapon systems and system of systems.

Work with Partners in Education

Given this context, SAF servicemen have to be well trained with the skills to maximise the effectiveness of our advanced technologies. Our people will also have to be well educated with the knowledge, the mental agility and adaptability to work in different operating environment and contexts.

Our partnership with education institutions will enable us to tap their academic expertise. The signing of the MOU to establish such a partnership with Nanyang Polytechnic marks yet another significant milestone in our education efforts.

The MOU is built on the strong, multi-faceted education partnership that exists between the SAF and Nanyang Polytechnic. Since 1995, Nanyang Polytechnic has conducted 41 professional military and continuing education courses over 250 course runs for close to 7,800 SAF servicemen, leading to various professional certifications and diploma qualifications. This MOU will pave the way for more forms of education collaboration in providing multiple and flexible pathways for SAF servicemen.

Marking the beginning of this journey, 27 SAF Warrant Officers and Specialists have just commenced on a 2-year full-time Diploma in Business and Management Studies under the Continuous Learning Academic Sponsorship Scheme, or CLASS Diploma sponsorship introduced in February 07. They are among those who successfully completed the bridging Certificate in Business Management programmes conducted over the past one year.

With the signing of the MOU, the SAF and Nanyang Polytechnic would extend the customised bridging certificate and diploma programmes to include engineering fields relevant to the SAF. The partnership will also explore opportunities for our servicemen to accumulate credits as they attend SAF courses, and have them recognised for academic courses at Nanyang Polytechnic.

At this point, I would like to commend the staff of Nanyang Polytechnic and the SAF for their efforts in building this partnership over the years and for formalising them into one over-arching MOU for stronger collaboration. I am confident that we will continue to find more opportunities for our SAF servicemen to enhance their professional military knowledge and seeking continuing education opportunities required for the 3rd Generation SAF.

Thank you very much.

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