220 Senior Leaders Graduate as SAFTI turns 50

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented certificates to graduands at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC) Command and Staff Course (CSC) 2016 Graduation Ceremony held at the Istana this evening. This year's ceremony marked the completion of the 47th CSC, 17th CSC (National Service), as well as the 6th and 7th CSC (Executive). The 220 graduands comprised 118 regular officers, 34 military experts, two warrant officers, and 50 National Service (NS) officers from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), one officer from the Singapore Police Force, and 15 international officers from eleven countries - Australia, Brunei, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Dr Ng also presented awards to seven top graduands: Major (MAJ) Poh Tze Yuen Danny, MAJ Lee Jan and MAJ John Nehemiah Samuel, who received the Top Army, Navy and Air Force Graduate Awards respectively in the 47th CSC; MAJ (NS) Goh Jia Yong and MAJ (NS) Ong Hup Lee Albert, who received the Top Army and Navy Graduate Awards in the 17th CSC (National Service); as well as MAJ Goh Tan and MAJ Chng Woei Chng Kenneth, who topped the 6th and 7th CSC (Executive) respectively. The CSC, CSC (National Service) and CSC (Executive) prepare officers for senior command and staff appointments in the SAF, and are the highest level of formal military education offered in Singapore for Regular and NS officers.

Acknowledging the evolving nature of threats faced by Singapore, Dr Ng highlighted to the graduands that good leaders would ensure the country's continued progress. He said, "Whatever the challenges, as long as we have good leader-servants, in Government, in civil service, in the SAF, in the Home Team, whose sole aim is to do what is right for Singapore and Singaporeans, even when there are difficulties and sacrifices required, I believe this nation will continue to blossom. Our birthing experience was an arduous one but made Singapore healthy. Our founders left us good values and fundamentals upon which to build this nation. Each of us has that capacity and privilege to initiate another virtuous cycle. I want to leave that thought to you as leaders and as graduands of the various courses because you will be in a position of influence and change. Congratulations again to each of you on your graduation from the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College. Lead well and keep Singapore safe and secure." 

Dr Ng also launched the SAFTI Golden Jubilee Book at the graduation ceremony, marking the culmination of the year-long SAFTI 50th anniversary celebrations. Dr Ng reflected on SAFTI Military Institute (SAFTI MI)'s 50 year journey, and its continued relevance in developing SAF leaders from different service backgrounds and levels of seniority. He said, "Tonight's dinner is indeed an appropriate occasion to reflect on what SAFTI MI has achieved and the way forward. And I laud the organising committee for the publication of SAFTI Golden Jubilee Book to mark this Golden Jubilee. As graduands, all of you form part of that continuing journey that began 50 years ago and join an alumni which I hope will extend far into the future. And like any family, being part of SAFTI MI shapes your values and outlook in life. We have a number of schools in SAFTI MI.  The Specialist Cadets, Warrant Officers, and OCS. And they come in younger. And that effect is particularly strong, I imagine for those who enter in their 18s or early 20s. But I think even you as mature adults, you know, you shared the stories of many of the participants who have children, who have to juggle with family and commitments too. But even as mature adults in the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College, I believe that your interactions with the staff, with each other over these past few months; listening to perspectives of officers from foreign militaries and the Singapore Police Force (SPF)  shape your views and perspectives about leadership and life in general."

The SAFTI Golden Jubilee Book, signed by Dr Ng, will be displayed in the SAFTI Heritage Centre as a reminder of the trust that MINDEF and the SAF have placed on SAFTI MI in developing leaders for the SAF and for our nation.

More Resources

Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen for the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College Command and Staff Course 2016 Graduation Ceremony 2016

Fact Sheet: SAFTI Golden Jubilee Book