MINDEF Saves $222.9m through Innovation and Productivity

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen giving his speech at MINDEF PRIDE Day 2013 Award Presentation Ceremony.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) PRIDE (PRoductivity and Innovation in Daily Efforts) Day 2013 awards presentation ceremony held at SAFRA Toa Payoh this morning. A total of 123 awards were presented to individuals, groups and units from MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in recognition of their outstanding and innovative projects. Through their innovations and work improvement ideas, a record total savings of $222.9 million was achieved in the last financial year.

Speaking at the awards presentation ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted the importance of continuous innovation, noting that "As Singapore progressively develops and our organisations mature, the next phase of improvements, generally, must come from innovation-led productivity." Dr Ng also reaffirmed the importance of the individual's commitment to the PRIDE movement, as "to improve further, we will need (the individual's) creative ideas and new approaches…to sharpen our processes because there are always possibilities, there are always avenues to achieve our goals in better ways."

The MINDEF PRIDE Movement has been promoting a culture of organisational excellence, innovation and productivity across MINDEF and the SAF since 1981. PRIDE Day is held annually to recognise the outstanding efforts and contributions by participants of the MINDEF PRIDE Movement. This year's theme, "Our PRIDE, My Commitment", reflects the importance of the individual's commitment and contributions towards building an organisation that constantly strives for excellence.

The public is invited to visit the MINDEF PRIDE Day 2013 Exhibition, which will be held at the atrium of SAFRA Toa Payoh from 5-7 Sep 2013, 1030am to 9pm. The exhibition showcases a range of innovative projects contributed by individuals and teams from MINDEF, the SAF, ST Engineering and Defence Science & Technology Agency.

Dr Ng giving out the prestigious Minister for Defence Award to ME6 Teh Chong Ann, Commander of the Force Readiness Squadron.

Dr Ng (centre), with Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman viewing one of the projects on display at the PRIDE Exhibition.

More Resources

Fact Sheet: MINDEF PRIDE Day 2013 Award Winners