Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How highlights the importance of innovation at the IGNITE Innovation Symposium 2024.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr. Heng Chee How underscored the crucial role of innovation in maintaining the operational readiness and success of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) during his speech at the IGNITE Innovation Symposium 2024 (IIS24) this morning. Heng presented awards to thirteen recipients of the Minister for Defence Award (MDA) and recognized a total of 121 individuals, teams, and units from across MINDEF and SAF for their innovative contributions and work improvement efforts.
Heng congratulated the award recipients and emphasized that the spirit of innovation is vital for overcoming challenges and achieving success in MINDEF and SAF. He stated, “To win the battle, we must always have people who can think or do things differently, to change the rules of the game as they were, and to gain an advantage. The side that possesses persons with such aptitude has great advantage and the side that cannot adapt to changing or challenging circumstances will likely lose… Therefore, across MINDEF and the SAF, we must keep up this spirit of innovation. In this way, we keep our organisation nimble, sharp and quick to adapt, crucial tools that will help us overcome security challenges that will continue to arise.”
Heng highlighted the success of nurturing innovation within the organization, citing examples such as the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Maritime Security Unmanned Surface Vessel, set to be fully operational later this year, and the Singapore Army’s increased use of micro-unmanned aerial vehicles. He stressed the importance of fostering innovation from both top-down and bottom-up approaches, mentioning the Digital and Intelligence Service’s CyTEC Metaverse, which provides a realistic digital training environment.
IIS24 aims to recognize the achievements and contributions of units and personnel in innovation, provide a platform for sharing innovative projects, and bolster the spirit of continuous learning and improvement within the organization. The theme, “Reimagine Endless Possibilities,” embodies the spirit of creativity and experimentation, reflecting MINDEF/SAF’s commitment to breaking free from conventional thinking and exploring uncharted territories.
The awards presentation ceremony was attended by Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr. Chan Heng Kee, Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, and senior officials from MINDEF and SAF.
Source – MINDEF
