SAFTI, CSC SIGN PACT TO BOOST LEADERSHIP TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

On 18 Nov, a year-long journey came to fruition with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) inked between SAFTI Military Institute (SAFTI MI) and the Civil Service College (CSC).

Through this partnership, both organisations aim to strengthen leadership and management development by conducting joint research and forums for networking and the exchange of personnel and ideas.

"We can trace our footsteps to September last year when the Permanent Secretary (Public Service Division), Ms Yong Ying-I, led a team from CSC to the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) Centre for Leadership Development (CLD) to better understand our work as well as to gather insights for mutual learning ," said Commandant SAFTI MI Brigadier-General (BG) Benedict Lim on the beginnings of the MOU.

Mr Khoo Boon Hui, the director of CSC's Institute of Leadership and Organisation Development (ILOD), added: "We (the CSC and SAFTI MI) realised that we had similar missions and aims in building up leadership (development)... Both have a long tradition (in this) and are very keen to learn from each other and collaborate to increase the levels of expertise in leading people."

BG Lim shared the same sentiments, saying: "There is a certain commonality between public servants and the people in uniform... When it comes down to the core and the purpose (of what we do), it's the same: we serve Singapore and Singaporeans."

"And in all organisations, we need leaders, whether they're wearing civilian clothes or uniforms... That's what brings us together in this MOU."

On how the pact will set the foundation for a deeper level of cooperation between SAFTI MI and the CSC, Mr Khoo said: "I think that if we collaborate, we will be able to find areas whereby we can learn from each other... For example, values-based leadership is an area in which I think we are likely to find new insights."

He explained: "Most people have the impression that military leadership is only meant for the armed forces, but having spoken to senior officers and observing for myself, I realised that the SAF has expanded their scope and looks into many areas of leadership which are applicable to the public sector as well as the private sector."

At the same time, the civil service is also looking into areas which we find some congruence with the military doctrine of leadership, especially with regards to values.

"In the military, you can't be a good leader just based on your skills - you must be rooted in your values. And that's what we find is increasingly required not only in the public service but also the private sector."

With the MOU in place, SAFTI MI and the CSC will explore further opportunities to conduct joint research on topics such as case studies on leadership and management theories, ethics and values, and doctrine. Members of both organisations will also attend and participate in conferences, seminars, and workshops relating to leadership, values and management hosted by the other.