Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean officiated at a ceremony to rename the Singapore Command and Staff College (SCSC) to Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC) at SAFTI MI this evening. The renaming is in honour of Singapore's first Minister for Defence, the late Dr Goh Keng Swee, and recognises his significant contributions to the building up of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Dr Goh served two terms as Minister for Defence over 11 years, from 1965 to 1967 and from 1970 to 1979.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Teo noted that Dr Goh would be remembered for the significant role he played in Singapore's development, as well as how he built up the armed forces from scratch and laid the foundations of the modern SAF. He said: "Dr Goh believed firmly that Singapore needed to be self-reliant in defence, and should not have to depend on others for our own security. With this goal in mind, Dr Goh set about establishing a strong defence force for Singapore." Mr Teo also highlighted Dr Goh's emphasis on developing quality leadership in the SAF, and how Dr Goh's efforts in creating a thinking SAF set a strong basis for the SAF's subsequent transformation into a 3rd Generation force. He said: "Dr Goh believed that, without "steel in their] soul", officers would falter when making hard decisions in the heat of war, endangering not only the lives of their men, but the safety of the entire SAF and of Singapore itself."

During the ceremony, Mr Teo also opened the 42nd Command and Staff Course (CSC) and 12th National Service Command and Staff Course (NS CSC). He urged students of the 42nd CSC and 12th NSCSC to continue to be guided by the principles and military values which Dr Goh stood for, as they remain important and relevant to the SAF particularly in today's complex and uncertain security landscape. Mr Teo noted: "It is our hope that all those who pass through the halls of this prestigious college will take guidance from the principles and military values that Dr Goh espoused, and endeavour to become exemplary leaders as you take on higher responsibilities in your military careers." Established in 1970, the College is the premier training institute of the SAF and conducts courses to equip senior SAF officers with the necessary knowledge and competencies to lead in the 3rd Generation SAF. The 41-week CSC and 32-week NS CSC, which prepare officers for senior command and staff appointments in the SAF, are the highest level of formal military education offered in Singapore for regular and NS officers respectively.

Guests present at the ceremony included Permanent Secretary for Defence Chiang Chie Foo and Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong, along with past and present senior officers from the SAF.