COMING OUT ON TOP OF THE MILITARY MASTER'S PROGRAMME

Military education is a different kind of upgrade that seldom makes the news. After all, stories about fighter jets, warships and machines of war are way more exciting.

For Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Chan Kwai Kiong, his quest for such an upgrade meant juggling his time among four children, overseas deployments and day-to-day operational duties.

That did not seem to slow him down. He graduated in the top 20 percent band of his graduating cohort, earning himself a spot on the dean's honour list.

This year, 46 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Officers received their master's degrees through the Continuing Education (CE) Master's programme jointly run by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Nanyang Technological University.

"I like it when things pick up (speed); I thrive in a high tempo environment," said LTC Chan, when asked if he ever thought of giving up during the three and a half years it took to obtain his master's. He graduated with a master's degree in Technology Management.

"It also sets an example to my men and my children that when you want something, it can be done with the right effort," said LTC Chan, who is in the Republic of Singapore Air Force. In order to spend time with his family, he used to hit the books until 2am each weekend.

He joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1993 with a Diploma and took up an SAF sponsorship for a three-year part-time bachelor's degree programme in 2010 before starting on his master's in mid-2013.

The CE master's programme is exclusive to the SAF and puts senior SAF Officers and invited foreign military officers through full or part-time studies after they complete courses at the Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College.

For fellow graduand and dean's lister LTC Han Heng Siew, the CE Master's programme was a chance to fulfil his aspirations to learn. "Our course mates were mostly working professionals who had very current knowledge.

"Our discussions were always interesting and it made me see things from many perspectives," said LTC Han, a naval officer.

Like LTC Chan, he graduated with a master's degree in Technology Management. "I'm also very thankful that the SAF has given me the opportunity (to study)."

Another stellar performer was Major (MAJ) Chandran s/o Nadarajoo. For him, it was the opportunity to sharpen analytical skills, which aid his job as a staff officer in the Signals Formation, that drew him to the SAF-NTU CE Master's programme.

He received the UOB Gold Medal for being the most outstanding student in his field of study. This prestigious award is only given when a sufficiently exceptional student is identified.

He took up Strategic Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. "Any soldier would want to be privy to military history and strategic thinking."

"The ability to sharpen my cognitive thinking and look at one issue from multiple perspectives is definitely applicable to my work."

And it is not only the officers who benefit from CE opportunities within the SAF. For warrant officers and specialists, the Continuous Learning Academic Study Scheme (CLASS) Degree sponsorship gives them the opportunity to pursue degree, diploma and certificate studies.

2nd Warrant Officer Vijaikumar is one of those who have benefited from CLASS. He will graduate with a 2nd-Upper Honours degree in Sports Science and Management on 4 Aug.

"There are more and more SAF soldiers who want to upgrade themselves and transfer the knowledge back to their in the SAF.

"These programmes address the needs and aspirations of SAF men and women."