SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM BURNS BRIGHT IN MINDEF

"Volunteerism takes many forms and volunteers themselves come from all walks of life. Whatever form it assumes, the spirit of volunteerism is centered on making a contribution with no expectation of any personal gain. MINDEF (Ministry of Defence) and SAF are grateful beneficiaries of this spirit of volunteerism".

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean said this on 22 Jul at the Crowne Plaza Hotel where he hosted a dinner to express his thanks to more than 100 volunteers for their service to MINDEF.

Mr Teo said that a wide range of expertise and knowledge was required to keep the SAF at the forefront of defence and that volunteers were an "invaluable contribution" to the pool of resources that exists in MINDEF and the SAF.

The volunteers come from all walks of life - from the fields of engineering, defence, science and technology, medical, legal as well as financial domains - playing a key consultative role in ensuring that MINDEF remains plugged in to the views of Singaporeans.

Among the volunteers is Professor Lee Sing Kong, who is currently serving as a member of the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD).

As Director of National Institute of Education (NIE), Professor Lee said that his experience in education, coupled with being a volunteer at ACCORD, enables him to act as a "bridge" to link MINDEF and the community.

"My experience as a volunteer has given me a clearer understanding of the mechanisms put in place in order to defend our country. As a result, I have a greater awareness of Singapore's defence direction and capabilities," he told cyberpioneer.

"In addition, my role as an educator leaves me well-positioned to communicate this knowledge to fellow educators and society as a whole."

Professor Lee cited an example of how he invited 40 of his colleagues to a tour of the Air Force Museum after an ACCORD visit to Paya Lebar Air Base.

"When I was shown the Air Force Museum, I knew at once that this could be an excellent educational opportunity for my fellow academic colleagues and students about national defence," he explained.

"It was especially educational and eye opening for my female colleagues and students as they have never served national service before."

As for Dr Eugene Darianathan, an Associate Professor from NIE who has been serving as a Music and Drama Company (MDC) supervisory board member since 2003, his motivation for volunteering is in uncovering talents with potential.

"I love grooming young people at MDC. It is an added pleasure when I discover talented individuals studying music or drama at NIE and find that they have honed this interest in MDC during their national service," he said.

When probed about what was most rewarding about being a volunteer in MINDEF, Dr Dariatnathan said he found immense satisfaction in watching the way performers at MDC have developed over the years.

"I am extremely honoured to have been able to play a part in the growth of MDC," he added.

"I find that being immersed in its activities has also allowed me to grow together with it as an individual."