DISTINGUISHED FELLOWSHIP CONFERRED ON FORMER US OFFICIAL

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean conferred the Singapore Defence Technology Distinguished Fellowship on Dr James Tegnelia, the former Director of the United States Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), on 23 Feb at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

Established in 1996, the fellowship recognises individuals who have contributed significantly to the development of Singapore's defence technology capabilities. The award was given to Dr Tegnelia for his outstanding contributions towards the enhancement of DTRA's and MINDEF's collaboration in combating the threat of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), as well as for fostering defence technology cooperation, notably in the area of research and development, between Singapore and the US.

A framework for the exchange of information in WMD threat reduction technologies between DTRA and MINDEF was set up under his leadership. This pioneered the start of further exchanges and projects which have strengthened Singapore's ability to deal with such threats.

When Dr Tegnelia was DTRA's director, he also co-chaired the bilateral forum between DTRA and MINDEF from 2005 to 2008. Interactions such as those detailed above have expanded the defence technology cooperation between the two countries.