Volunteers of different ages and backgrounds were treated to a night of fun at the Waterworld at Universal Studios Singapore in appreciation of their contribution to make a difference to the lives of others. Organised by Sport Singapore (SportSG), the event aims to recognise the efforts of sports volunteers and further cultivate the spirit of volunteerism in Singapore.
Tuesday, 24 February 2015
Monday, 23 February 2015
Every soldier a leader
Some are natural-born leaders, while others, like these specialists and officers, grow into effective commanders through personal experience and hard work.
Lead yourself; lead others
3SG NUR HAFIZUDDIN BIN RAHIM, 19
3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards (3 Gds)
Former rifleman
Before enlisting, 3SG Hafizuddin was a banquet server at Marina Bay Sands. Despite having over a year of experience, he never took the initiative to guide new staff. Why bother? After all, he was just a part-timer. "I let the manager do everything," recalled the 19-year-old who had dropped out of the Institute of Technical Education.
Lead yourself; lead others
3SG NUR HAFIZUDDIN BIN RAHIM, 19
3rd Battalion, Singapore Guards (3 Gds)
Former rifleman
Before enlisting, 3SG Hafizuddin was a banquet server at Marina Bay Sands. Despite having over a year of experience, he never took the initiative to guide new staff. Why bother? After all, he was just a part-timer. "I let the manager do everything," recalled the 19-year-old who had dropped out of the Institute of Technical Education.
Tuesday, 10 February 2015
4 shifts in Singapore's approach to healthcare, outlined by PM Lee
With changing demographics and disease patterns, Singapore has made four shifts to its approach to delivering good healthcare, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the Universal Health Coverage Ministerial Meeting on Tuesday (Feb 10).
"In Singapore, we face the same challenges and difficulties as other societies in delivering good healthcare, because these trade-offs are intrinsic to healthcare delivery. Given these difficulties, we have developed our own approach, and it works reasonably well for us," he told the audience, which included World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Margaret Chan and Singapore Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.
"In Singapore, we face the same challenges and difficulties as other societies in delivering good healthcare, because these trade-offs are intrinsic to healthcare delivery. Given these difficulties, we have developed our own approach, and it works reasonably well for us," he told the audience, which included World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Margaret Chan and Singapore Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.
North Korea, Singapore discuss bilateral cooperation
Ministers from Singapore and North Korea on Tuesday (Feb 10) discussed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international developments.
North Korea’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Ri Gil Song called on Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The issues they discussed included the importance of lowering tensions and maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Mr Ri will be in Singapore from Feb 9 to 12, and he is set to meet senior officials from the MFA. The minister is on a regional visit to several Southeast Asian countries.
North Korea’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Ri Gil Song called on Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Masagos Zulkifli at Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The issues they discussed included the importance of lowering tensions and maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.
Mr Ri will be in Singapore from Feb 9 to 12, and he is set to meet senior officials from the MFA. The minister is on a regional visit to several Southeast Asian countries.
Sunday, 8 February 2015
Collective action key to global stability and progress, Dr Ng
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen underscored the need for the region to work collectively to avoid perils and reap promises in the Asia-Pacific security landscape, at a panel discussion at the 51st Munich Security Conference (MSC).
Held from 6 to 8 Feb this year, the MSC is an annual high-level security conference attended by heads of government, defence and foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders and security experts from around the world.
Held from 6 to 8 Feb this year, the MSC is an annual high-level security conference attended by heads of government, defence and foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders and security experts from around the world.
Saturday, 7 February 2015
Strong hiring demand for returning Singaporeans
More than 200,000 Singaporeans are based overseas. And there is increasing demand for them as their experience abroad makes them attractive to employers in Singapore's globalised economy.
Human resource consultancies said the returning Singaporean has the advantage of international exposure as well as knowledge of the local business culture. And it is estimated that employers are willing to pay a premium of up to 30 per cent - in industries where the experience is relevant.
Human resource consultancies said the returning Singaporean has the advantage of international exposure as well as knowledge of the local business culture. And it is estimated that employers are willing to pay a premium of up to 30 per cent - in industries where the experience is relevant.
Wednesday, 4 February 2015
PM Lee on religious harmony, new citizens and the South China Sea conflict
In a wide-ranging interview with German publication Süddeutsche Zeitung on Tuesday (Feb 3), Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke about integrating new citizens, religious harmony and the South China Sea conflict.
Mr Lee is in Germany for an official visit to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Germany, and to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Here are some excerpts from the interview:
Mr Lee is in Germany for an official visit to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Germany, and to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Here are some excerpts from the interview:
CPF system review: More flexibility proposed
The Central Provident Fund (CPF) Advisory Panel, chaired by Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, on Wednesday (Feb 3) submitted its first batch of recommendations to the Government on ways to enhance the CPF system to better meet the needs of Singaporeans in their retirement years.
There were a total of nine recommendations submitted, including the introduction of a Basic Retirement Sum, an additional lump sum withdrawal point when the member is 65 years old, and allowing members to defer their payout starting age.
There were a total of nine recommendations submitted, including the introduction of a Basic Retirement Sum, an additional lump sum withdrawal point when the member is 65 years old, and allowing members to defer their payout starting age.
Tuesday, 3 February 2015
New scholarship for Singaporeans pursuing careers in academia
Young Singaporeans keen to pursue a career in academia will now be able to apply for a new scholarship to bring them closer to their goal. Education Minister Heng Swee Keat announced this at the inaugural Raffles Dialogue on Monday (Feb 2).
The Ministry of Education-Autonomous University (MOE-AU) Scholarship will be offered to students who are about to pursue or are in the midst of pursuing their undergraduate studies. About 10 to 15 scholarships will be offered each year to those who demonstrate a high level of proficiency, motivation and interest in a particular field.
The Ministry of Education-Autonomous University (MOE-AU) Scholarship will be offered to students who are about to pursue or are in the midst of pursuing their undergraduate studies. About 10 to 15 scholarships will be offered each year to those who demonstrate a high level of proficiency, motivation and interest in a particular field.
A strong armed force, a strong nation
Fifty years of nation building, fifty years of national defence. As the country celebrates five decades of independence, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) celebrates its golden jubilee too. We look at how the men and women of the SAF have helped to build a formidable armed force over the years.
It is no coincidence that the history of the SAF is closely intertwined with that of Singapore's independence.
Back in 1965, the SAF was established to protect the young and vulnerable nation-state as she embarked on her journey as a sovereign state. As Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, "The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin."
It is no coincidence that the history of the SAF is closely intertwined with that of Singapore's independence.
Back in 1965, the SAF was established to protect the young and vulnerable nation-state as she embarked on her journey as a sovereign state. As Sun Tzu wrote in The Art of War, "The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin."
Sunday, 1 February 2015
Positive outlook for Singapore in immediate future: Lim Hng Kiang
With a strong pipeline of investments, the overall outlook for Singapore looks positive in the immediate future, said Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang.
However, he also cautioned that Singapore faces some challenges in the immediate one to two years - these include an ageing population and the task of matching Singaporeans' aspirations.
Mr Lim was speaking during a visit to the Braddell Heights ward on Sunday (Feb 1) - his first visit in 20 years. During a dialogue with residents of the ward, he was asked for his take on Singapore's future economy and population.
Citing a 2011 World Bank study of 101 middle-income countries, Mr Lim noted that Singapore was one of just 13 countries that managed to move from middle- to high-income, over a period of 50 years.
But he stressed that Singapore still has to be cautious: "What it means for us as we celebrate 50 years is - number one, it is not very easy to become a high income country; and number two, it is also not very easy to stay there.
"There is a lot of competition and if you mismanage like some countries - for example Greece - you can drop very quickly and the drop need not be gradual, it can be a very severe drop over a period of five years. As we look after Singapore and we look to our future, let us be careful and reinforce those things which make us successful. Let us also be careful not to fall down the slippery slope and end up with such problems."
With investments coming into Singapore and local companies investing overseas, Mr Lim said he is confident that the country will be able to maintain steady growth of between two and four per cent. This is because of Singapore's strong pipeline of investments, the Economic Development Board still being able to attract investments to Singapore, and Singapore companies investing overseas - which allow them to generate good jobs with their headquarters in Singapore to look after their overseas subsidiaries.
However, he cautioned that there may be some ups and downs. One challenge is the slowdown in Europe, China and Japan's economic engines.
"We have to find new opportunities for our companies. But overall, we are still optimistic that we can generate the jobs and the big challenge now is how to match Singaporeans with these jobs," said Mr Lim.
"HUMAN RESOURCE IS THE BEST AND ONLY RESOURCE WE HAVE"
Thus the need for Singapore's focus on education and training. "Human resource is the best and only resource that we have. Other resources, like land and energy, will face greater constraints. If you look at what we've achieved in the last 50 years and look ahead to the next 50 years, there's optimism we can do more," said Mr Lim.
He cited how in 1966, only half of Singaporeans continued education past the primary six level. This is reflected in a high percentage of the current workforce having primary and secondary level qualifications.
But Mr Lim noted that this demographic has changed - more than 50 per cent of those who are under 30 and entering the workforce are now graduates. Another 30 per cent are polytechnic graduates, with less than 15 to 20 per cent having primary or secondary school qualifications.
He said that while an increasingly educated workforce is welcomed, this poses challenges as well and the economy has to adapt: "If your restaurants depend currently on the older workers with less education to be serving them - 10 to 15 years from now, these people will not be in the workforce. Your new workforce are polytechnic diploma holders and graduates. Therefore, you have to restructure your service industry to cater for this new profile of workers.
"In MTI and MOM, we are very concerned and we study all these statistics very carefully... The objective given to us is to make sure we are able to restructure the economy, make sure we can generate good jobs that satisfy and meet the aspirations of our new workers."
About 280 people attended the dialogue, which lasted for over an hour. Questions ranged from Singapore's education system, to changing consumer habits and the Central Provident Fund. One participant also asked what the role of SMEs looks like in Singapore's future. Mr Lim said that moving forward, it will be key to have a strong pipeline of startups and SMEs, and to facilitate local SME tie-ups with big companies and foreign SMEs.
However, he also cautioned that Singapore faces some challenges in the immediate one to two years - these include an ageing population and the task of matching Singaporeans' aspirations.
Mr Lim was speaking during a visit to the Braddell Heights ward on Sunday (Feb 1) - his first visit in 20 years. During a dialogue with residents of the ward, he was asked for his take on Singapore's future economy and population.
Citing a 2011 World Bank study of 101 middle-income countries, Mr Lim noted that Singapore was one of just 13 countries that managed to move from middle- to high-income, over a period of 50 years.
But he stressed that Singapore still has to be cautious: "What it means for us as we celebrate 50 years is - number one, it is not very easy to become a high income country; and number two, it is also not very easy to stay there.
"There is a lot of competition and if you mismanage like some countries - for example Greece - you can drop very quickly and the drop need not be gradual, it can be a very severe drop over a period of five years. As we look after Singapore and we look to our future, let us be careful and reinforce those things which make us successful. Let us also be careful not to fall down the slippery slope and end up with such problems."
With investments coming into Singapore and local companies investing overseas, Mr Lim said he is confident that the country will be able to maintain steady growth of between two and four per cent. This is because of Singapore's strong pipeline of investments, the Economic Development Board still being able to attract investments to Singapore, and Singapore companies investing overseas - which allow them to generate good jobs with their headquarters in Singapore to look after their overseas subsidiaries.
However, he cautioned that there may be some ups and downs. One challenge is the slowdown in Europe, China and Japan's economic engines.
"We have to find new opportunities for our companies. But overall, we are still optimistic that we can generate the jobs and the big challenge now is how to match Singaporeans with these jobs," said Mr Lim.
"HUMAN RESOURCE IS THE BEST AND ONLY RESOURCE WE HAVE"
Thus the need for Singapore's focus on education and training. "Human resource is the best and only resource that we have. Other resources, like land and energy, will face greater constraints. If you look at what we've achieved in the last 50 years and look ahead to the next 50 years, there's optimism we can do more," said Mr Lim.
He cited how in 1966, only half of Singaporeans continued education past the primary six level. This is reflected in a high percentage of the current workforce having primary and secondary level qualifications.
But Mr Lim noted that this demographic has changed - more than 50 per cent of those who are under 30 and entering the workforce are now graduates. Another 30 per cent are polytechnic graduates, with less than 15 to 20 per cent having primary or secondary school qualifications.
He said that while an increasingly educated workforce is welcomed, this poses challenges as well and the economy has to adapt: "If your restaurants depend currently on the older workers with less education to be serving them - 10 to 15 years from now, these people will not be in the workforce. Your new workforce are polytechnic diploma holders and graduates. Therefore, you have to restructure your service industry to cater for this new profile of workers.
"In MTI and MOM, we are very concerned and we study all these statistics very carefully... The objective given to us is to make sure we are able to restructure the economy, make sure we can generate good jobs that satisfy and meet the aspirations of our new workers."
About 280 people attended the dialogue, which lasted for over an hour. Questions ranged from Singapore's education system, to changing consumer habits and the Central Provident Fund. One participant also asked what the role of SMEs looks like in Singapore's future. Mr Lim said that moving forward, it will be key to have a strong pipeline of startups and SMEs, and to facilitate local SME tie-ups with big companies and foreign SMEs.
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