SAF MAKES IT TO THE TOP IN KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN ASIA

For its knowledge-based and organisational learning approaches to achieve effectiveness within the organisation, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has been ranked top among 16 winners who received the Asian Most Admired Knowledge Enterprises (MAKE) Award at the 11th World Knowledge Forum in Seoul, South Korea.

Brigadier-General (BG) Lee Shiang Long, Head Joint Communications and Information Systems Department, received the MAKE Award from Chairman Maeil Business Newspaper and TV, Mr Chang Dae Whan , at the awards presentation ceremony on 13 Oct.

Said BG Lee: "The SAF is honoured to receive the Asian Most Admired Knowledge Enterprise 2010 award. This is possible because of a strong culture of teamwork to always look for knowledge-based and organisational learning approaches to improve operational and management effectiveness."

The MAKE Award (Asia) 2010 winners were chosen from among 78 nominees based in Asia by a panel of Asian Fortune 500 senior executives and internationally-recognised knowledge management and intellectual capital experts.

Established in 1998, the annual MAKE Award is a prestigious knowledge management award which recognises knowledge-driven organisations that outperform their peers by growth in intellectual capital and shareholder value (for profit organisations), or societal value (for non-profit or public organisations).

Sharing on the SAF's knowledge management initiatives at the presentation, BG Lee said that the SAF, through the support of the Ministry of Defence, had introduced advanced technologies, including sophisticated sensor and communication equipment to connect its forces and increase mission effectiveness.

He cited examples like "establishing communities of practice for various functions in the SAF; designating a senior colonel to lead in doctrine development to grow, retain, organise and disseminating critical domain knowledge in the SAF's various formations and arms; and supporting self-directed learning networks with a technology platform named eSILK, a versatile and flexible platform designed to support continuous learning, training, collaboration, knowledge and information sharing".

BG Lee said: "As the SAF continues on its 3rd Generation transformation journey, we will continue to seek out new tools and approaches to support knowledge management, learning and innovation needs."

Other organisations which received the MAKE Award (Asian) this year included Toyota (Japan), LG Electronics (South Korea), Samsung SDS (South Korea), Tata Steel (India) and Infosys Technologies (India).

Last month, the SAF received a Platinum Award for the effectiveness and impact of its knowledge management initiatives in the annual Knowledge Management Excellence Awards.