SAF-NTU MASTER'S PROGRAMME FOR CSC STUDENTS

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in June 2008, SAF officers who have completed the Command and Staff Course (CSC) and a customised continuing education programme, can go on to pursue a joint Master's degree.

Officers attending the 40th CSC will be the pioneer cohort to benefit from this momentous tie-up and during the opening ceremony on 22 Jan, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Desmond Kuek urged the students to look to acquiring new knowledge in preparation for the evolving security paradigm.

"Training is not only about winning the war, but also about building and keeping the peace. To do all these well will require a different training and education emphasis in cultural knowledge, civil-military relations, media operations and comfort with interacting with non-governmental and international organisations," explained LG Kuek.

"New military leadership competencies will need to be grown to prepare for these."

He added: "Together with the leadership development process, and the professional military education that CSC is a part of, the SAF's nurturing thrust will include a new element continuing academic education."

"The programme affirms the professional rigour of the SAF training and education system, and enables our people to be accredited with the strong academic reputation of NTU; and you can go on to attain a post-graduate degree that is benchmarked with the industry's best."

For the 122 officers attending the 40th CSC, the year-long programme will expose them to the latest ideas and practices in fields beyond their current jobs and appointments. The syllabus includes courses in education, science and technology.

Schools from NTU such as the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, the Nanyang Business School and the National Institute of Education, will also be co-conducting five training modules in war and security studies, as well as leadership training.

For officers who choose to pursue the joint Master's programme in its entirety, the remaining modules must be completed within a maximum of seven years after their CSC.

Naval Observer Lieutenant Commander Daryl Robinson of the Australian Navy, one of the 15 international officers attending the course, feels that the course would give him a better insight of the SAF.

He also felt very privileged to be the only Australian officer to be given the opportunity to participate in a course that would endow him with the option to attain a Master's degree upon its completion.

For Major Bryan Tan, an SAF Armour officer, he expressed his delight at the chance to learn how to better the world around him.

"When you start off, you want to be the best. But as you mature, you want to be the best for others. Through its rigour and depth, this course will help me do just that," he told cyberpioneer.

With the support of one of Singapore's foremost educational institutions and its diverse body of students, the 40th CSC looks set to embark on a path to success.