One-stop command centre to manage building facilities the way to go: Desmond Lee By Angela Teng J-Ops Command Centre, one of the first command centres set up for facilities management in Singapore, taken during the Launch of the Real Estate Industry Transformation Map (REITM) and Commissioning of J-Ops Command Centre at The JTC Summit on Feb 8, 2018. Photo: Koh Mui Fong/TODAY SINGAPORE – Since implementing smart technologies in its buildings’ facilities management two years ago, JTC has saved some S$400,000 in its utilities bill, and notched 15 per cent in savings in productivity and energy costs. Housed in a single command centre with functions such as building and estate operations, the smart facilities management (FM) systems allow the company to centrally and remotely monitor, and optimise the performance of its buildings, including its air conditioners, lifts and pump systems. There is also an estate monitoring system that has integrated customised video analytics to alert of potential security breaches. The pilot project of its three buildings, JTC CleanTech Two, JTC MedTech Hub and JTC Summit, cost S$1.5 million to customise and implement. But the investment has since paid off, with its yearly utility bills of around S$2.5 million going down to about S$2.1 million, among other cost savings. JTC’s J-Ops Command Centre, which was unveiled by Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee at the JTC Summit on Thursday (Feb 8), was cited as an example of the transformation seen in the FM sector, a key area identified in the real estate industry transformation map (ITM) launched on the same day. Mr Lee said in his speech: “As JTC is clearly showing, the clever use of technology and the sensible use of data analytics can unlock many possibilities for the efficient management of buildings and facilities, and more efficient systems mean lower lifetime costs. “We want to encourage greater adoption of smart facilities management – or Smart FM.” Mr Lee also said that convincing more landlords to invest in smart FM will help drive research and development, and nurture innovative enterprises in this area. In turn, this “can create new jobs, new ways of doing things, new firms, new niche industries,” he added. JTC had embarked on the transformation in 2013 in a bid to seek more sustainable and productive solutions to handle its growing property portfolio, which had grown from 1.3 million square metres in 2013 to over 5 million square metres as of last year. It also had to grapple with other issues such as manpower constraints, rising operation and energy costs. JTC, which manages 106 buildings and developments – as of January 1 – rolled out the concept to 20 other buildings in its portfolio this month. It plans to integrate the technology into 39 of its buildings, at a cost of about S$15 million, by the first half of this year. The smart technologies have also helped JTC staff grow their capabilities and learn new skills. In 1995, Muhammad Shaban joined JTC as a lift technician and he was tasked with ground work and maintenance of lifts. Today, the 45-year-old is the assistant manager for J-Ops where he oversees the system, analyses the root cause of issues, and monitors the performance of facilities through computers. He also guides technicians, and manages the various properties in the command centre. “Initially I was worried about the job as it was a different thing,” he said. But with support and training from his bosses, and after getting past the initial stages of familiarisation with the systems, Mr Shaban said he had “upskilled” with the system’s new capabilities. As the FM industry is very competitive one, Mr Tony Khoo, president of the International Facility Management Association (Singapore Chapter) said that can result in lower prices, and less pay for workers. He said: “There is less from a company’s perspective to invest in individual workers to upgrade their skills. It is difficult for the people (in the industry) to upgrade.” While the sector hires mainly Singaporeans, said Mr Khoo, it is challenging for companies to hire local help. “What we need to do is to upskill the current people so that they can move forward with the technology,” he added.
80,000 visitors flock to Singapore Airshow over the weekend Today By Stanley Ho Members of the public gathered at the Singapore Airshow 2018 on Sunday (Feb 11). Photo: Nuria Ling/TODAY Published11 February, 2018 Updated 12 February, 2018 SINGAPORE – Nearly 80,000 visitors flocked to the Changi Exhibition Centre over the weekend for the Singapore Airshow, with organisers saying the healthy attendance is proof that Singapore is truly an aviation hub. In a media release sent on Sunday night (Feb 11), Singapore Airshow organisers Experia Events said visitors of different ages from across the world were present to “marvel at the spectacular aerial display performances and the latest commercial and military aircraft”. “We are heartened to see the overwhelming support and interest in the sixth edition of the Singapore Airshow, as it draws in exhibitors and visitors alike from all around the world,” said Experia Events’ managing director Leck Chet Lam. “This goes to show that Singapore is an aviation hub not only to the industry, but also aviation fans around the globe. “We would also like to thank our stakeholders and partners for their unwavering support, and we look forward to making the upcoming Singapore Airshow 2020 even more exciting and engaging.” The next Singapore Airshow will be held in 2020 from Feb 11 to Feb 16 at the same venue. On Friday, organisers announced that this year’s Singapore Airshow recorded a more than 10 per cent increase in trade visitors from some 150 countries and regions compared with two years ago. Over the weekend, visitors were given opportunities to get up close and personal with the wide range of commercial and military aircraft on display at the event. They were also treated to exhilarating displays of aerobatics, including a death-defying performance by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's integrated aerial display team. The public were especially thrilled to interact and receive autographs from some of the pilots. In 2016, the Singapore Airshow also attracted over 80,000 visitors over the weekend.
11,000 households received Government grants to buy resale flats near their parents or children TODAY file photo Published11 February, 2018 Updated 12 February, 2018 SINGAPORE – Some 11,000 households have purchased resale flats near their parents or married children with the help of the Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) since it was introduced in 2015. In total, about S$211 million has been disbursed under the PHG, said the Housing and Development Board (HDB) in a media release on Sunday (Feb 11). Another 1,000 families will receive the grant once their resale transactions are completed. Approximately 12,000 families have applied for the PHG as of Dec 31, 2017, and they represented one in four of the 50,000 resale applications registered between Aug 24, 2015, and Dec 31 last year. Among the families that applied for the grant were: young couples buying their first home, married couples who bought their first flat far from their parents and now wish to move closer, and parents who wish to monetise their existing flat and move to a resale flat to live with or near their child. Of these households, 54 per cent of them would not have qualified for any housing grants prior to the introduction of PHG. Ninety-three per cent of the applicants were those who bought resale flats to live closer to, or with their parents for mutual care and support. The remaining 7 per cent were Singaporeans who bought resale flats to live near to, or with their children. Sixteen per cent of the households who applied for the PHG also opted to live in the same block or flat, said the HDB. The PHG was introduced in 2015 to help Singaporeans buy a resale flat with or near their parents or children. Singaporean parents or married children who fit the criteria will receive a grant of S$20,000, while eligible singles will get a S$10,000 grant if they buy a resale flat to live with their parents.
Migrants workers get free remittance services and other perks with POSB membership scheme By Toh Ee Ming MWC intends to outreach to migrant workers at various locations to encourage them to sign up for membership. Photo: MWC Published22 February, 2018 Updated 22 February, 2018 SINGAPORE — Migrant workers may no longer have to face the hassle of standing in long queues to remit money back home, or worry about errant employers defaulting on salary payments with the launch of a free membership programme by the Migrant Workers’ Centre (MWC) and POSB. A first of its kind here, the MWC-POSB membership will give migrant workers access to online banking services through the POSB jolly app, which was first piloted in 2016. As part of its partnership with money transfer firm MoneyGram, the programme will allow migrant workers to remit money at no charge to Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Other services and perks include discounted airfares, insurance, telco services, and discounts on oBike rentals. Those using the app will also be able to check their banking transactions online, and top up their pre-paid SIM cards. The membership programme was announced by NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing at a partner’s breakfast at NTUC Centre on Thursday (Feb 22), and it is expected to benefit 200,000 migrant workers in its first year. It will be rolled out in two phases, with the first targeted at new migrant workers who submit their work permit application from April 1. Once an employer opens a POSB bank account for a new migrant worker, the MWC-POSB ATM and membership card will be issued. The MWC will target existing work permit holders with POSB accounts in the second phase. MWC chairman Yeo Guat Kwang said they plan to conduct education and outreach campaigns at workers’ dormitories, workplaces and recreation centres. Mr Yeo said that the programme will help in the centre’s push for mandatory electronic salary payments for migrant workers. “It will ensure salary records are properly kept, as we would be able to verify whether their salary has been paid promptly with the right amount, or whether there is illegal or unlawful deductions imposed on the workers,” he added. While most employers and migrant workers TODAY spoke to welcomed the move, some felt that it would take time to change workers’ habits. Bangladeshi worker Mondal Babu, 33, who works for a painting company, said he prefers remitting the cash through the bank or money exchange at Little India. “I’m more comfortable because we all speak the same language,” he said. Agreeing, Bangladeshi construction worker Ahammed Azad, 32, said he has “no problem” with the current mode, as he usually only queues for between 10 to 20 minutes. Nan Guan Construction managing director Akbar Kader said that workers might not sign up for the programme as they only make one banking transaction a month when they send money home. He currently pays his team of less than ten foreign workers in cash. Mr Akbar said: “Once they remit the cash home, they keep a small amount for themselves, so it may be a bit difficult for them to keep going to the ATM to withdraw money, so they still prefer to keep cash (with them). I don’t know if there’s traction (for this initiative), and how many would want to use it.” However, Mr Jimmy Tan, director of TechGems Engineering and Construction, felt that the move would provide added convenience for migrant workers. His company currently makes salary e-payments to some 200 foreign workers through POSB. He recalled past incidents of how workers lost the wads of cash they kept in their lockers’, or carried around in envelopes. He said: “(With such bank accounts), they can have that sense of security. It reduces the danger of them losing their hard-earned money.”
https://www.timeshighereducation.co...ia-university-rankings-2018-results-announced Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2018: results announced World University Rankings By Ellie Bothwell February 6, 2018 Source: Getty Star trails over Tsinghua University in Beijing, China Browse the 350+ list of institutions in this year’s rankings The National University of Singapore is Asia’s top university for the third year in a row, according to Times Higher Education’s annual rankings of the region. Asia University Rankings 2018: how SUSTech weaves a better world Read more Singapore’s flagship institution holds on to the number one spot in the THE Asia University Rankings 2018 after improving its teaching and research environments, achieving a higher citation impact and securing higher levels of industry income. Meanwhile, Tsinghua University has overtaken Peking University to become the top Chinese institution in the table for the first time in the rankings’ six-year history. Tsinghua has a much stronger publication output than Peking and increased its research income at a faster rate than its Beijing rival. Overall, China has 63 universities in the rankings, many of which have made progress this year, including several of its lower-ranked institutions. – China, lodestar and exemplar – Search for university jobs across Asia – NTU Singapore: the small wonder with big ambition However, Japan is once again the most-represented nation in the list, boasting 89 universities. There is also success for Hong Kong, which has three universities in the top 10, more than any other territory, and six universities in the top 60. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia’s flagship institution, the University of Malaya, joins the top 50 for the first time, and Indonesia has doubled its representation, claiming four spaces in the table, up from two last year. But most of Thailand’s 10 institutions have fallen down the table as the country grapples with an ageing population and oversupply of higher education. Taiwan has also suffered declines for these reasons. Other nations are feeling the competition in the world’s largest continent. While India, Pakistan, South Korea and Turkey have all increased their overall representation, several of their universities have fallen down the list. This year’s table ranks just over 350 universities, up from about 300 last year. These universities come from 25 countries/regions. ellie.bothwell@timeshighereducation.com Asia University Rankings 2018: the top 10 Asia University Ranking 2018 Asia University Ranking 2017 Position in World University Rankings 2018 Institution Country/region Column 1 1 =22 National University of Singapore Singapore 2 3 30 Tsinghua University China 3 2 =27 Peking University China 4 5 40 University of Hong Kong Hong Kong =5 6 44 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Hong Kong =5 4 52 Nanyang Technological University Singapore 7 11 58 Chinese University of Hong Kong Hong Kong 8 7 46 The University of Tokyo Japan 9 9 =74 Seoul National University South Korea 10 8 =95 Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) South Korea Col 1: Asia University Ranking 2018 Col 2: Asia University Ranking 2017 Col 3: Position in World University Rankings 2018 Browse the full list of institutions in this year’s rankings
Asia University Rankings 2018: the small wonder with big ambition https://www.timeshighereducation.co...rsity-rankings-2018-small-wonder-big-ambition Just as the ‘little red dot’ city state has made an indelible mark on the global stage, president of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Subra Suresh examines how his institution has garnered attention February 6, 2018 By Subra Suresh Source: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images Browse the full Asia University Rankings 2018 results The remarkable city state of Singapore is informally known as the “little red dot”, and this tiny nation has had a spectacular journey in just over five decades. For more than half that period, I have had the privilege of observing and participating in its phenomenal rise as a major global player and as a hub for education, research and innovation. Asia University Rankings 2018: results announced Read more What Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore have been able to accomplish in their relatively short existence is impressive by any measure. As the new president of NTU, I am also very optimistic about their future for further growth and global impact. Given its lack of natural resources and small size, Singapore has had to be relevant, competitive and impactful in order to survive. This has meant using its brains, connecting with the world, embracing technology and investing in its people. These core principles still hold true today, as Singapore transforms into a global hub for innovation and a “Smart Nation”. Today, Singapore with a population of only 5.6 million is consistently ranked among the top countries in the world on a wide variety of measures: it is fourth in the world for gross domestic product per capita based on purchasing-power parity (a measure of wealth); sixth in the world and the only nation in Asia in the top 10 as measured by the United Nations’ Human Development Index (a measure of equality and opportunity); and seventh in The Global Innovation Index 2017 (a measure of translating research into economic opportunity). With the rapid growth of its research universities and innovation ecosystem and its attractiveness as a destination for multinational companies, Singapore has made steady progress in its quest to become an innovation powerhouse. Singapore’s rapid transformation from Third World nation to First World one in a generation would not have happened without a determined and steady investment in high-quality education since its independence in 1965. Today, its education system – where all teachers are trained at NTU’s National Institute of Education – is globally recognised as one of the world’s best. Its students have consistently come out top in the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) rankings. Beyond the secondary education system, the government recognises the importance of Singapore being at the forefront of research and innovation in order to compete with much bigger countries in Asia and elsewhere. In my various advisory roles with different organisations in Singapore, I have had the privilege of witnessing the inception of the National Research Foundation and Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and to participate in the transformation of the major universities into autonomous entities and globally recognised research universities. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work closely with dozens of faculty members, students and researchers from many institutions in Singapore over the past two decades and this work has produced new educational programmes, policy developments and dozens of scholarly research articles. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, I led the formation of the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, the first centre under the NRF’s Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise, another important Singaporean initiative for research and innovation. This campus is now also home to research centres from ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, the University of Cambridge, the University of California, Berkeley, the Technical University of Munich, the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, all of which have strong collaborations with NTU. These collaborations have yielded a number of world-leading research programmes with a significant impact on Singapore and the world. The Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council, chaired by the prime minister, is a key catalyst for Singapore’s transformation into an innovation-driven economy. The Singaporean government is investing S$19.1 billion (£10.6 billion) for the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2020 Plan from 2016 to 2020. This is its biggest budget to date, and S$4 billion (18 per cent) more than the amount spent from 2011 to 2015. This sum also makes Singapore the world’s top investor in research and development per capita. Source: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images
Singapore also provides researchers with state-of-the-art facilities and space to grow and develop their projects. NTU has used these public investments in education and research to become a globally recognised university in only a few decades. External competitive research funding awarded to NTU has increased sixfold in the past 10 years to more than S$600 million in the current fiscal year. In addition to scientific discoveries and intellectual property creation, the research of NTU faculty and students has also led to the formation of a number of Corporate Labs on our campus, under a scheme nurtured by the government. NTU has established five such Corporate Labs over the past several years in partnership with, and receiving funding from, Rolls-Royce, ST Engineering, SMRT Corporation, Delta Electronics and, most recently, Singtel, Singapore’s largest communications company. NTU’s sprawling 500-acre campus is not only frequently ranked among the top 15 most beautiful in the world, it is also one of the most environmentally sustainable campuses with 54 Green Mark buildings (equivalent to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified buildings in the US). In a short span of time, NTU has moved up a number of international indices to be ranked in the top five by Times Higher Education in the THE Asia and Young university rankings. It is also second behind Microsoft in a ranking of sources of the most frequently cited research papers in the artificial intelligence field by Nikkei and Elsevier, while in the fifth Nature Index in 2017 NTU ranked 35th in the world, seventh in Asia and first in Singapore based on its number of research papers in a select group of high-quality research publications. These achievements have enabled NTU to attract highly talented students and scholars from across the world who are prominent in their fields of study. They bring geographical and cultural diversity to research and education. Download a copy of the Asia University Rankings 2018 digital supplement This openness in embracing international talent has made NTU and Singapore what they are today – great places not only for business but also for science and innovation. NTU students, faculty and researchers are also well plugged into the start-up community ecosystem in Singapore. As a young university, NTU has not just made waves in research and education. It is enabling a new generation, driven by innovations in Asia and across the globe. Singapore has big and bold ambitions to be a Smart Nation, and NTU is a major participant in this drive by providing a number of test beds for innovation, where the applications of emerging technologies can be studied and tested. It is my goal to nurture groundbreaking research and innovations from Singapore that will be beneficial to the local and global communities. As the impact of the fourth industrial revolution is fully realised in the coming years and decades, change will occur at an even more rapid pace. The global economy is led by those who innovate – imagine, create or reinvent products and services – faster than their competitors. Nations, companies – and indeed, universities – that can change and adapt to the fastmoving global environment will be the ones that survive and thrive. With its recognised expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, health sciences, deep analytics, 3D printing, robotics, humanities, social sciences, business, entrepreneurship, as well as environmental sciences, NTU is strongly positioned to influence how technology will benefit humanity. Commitment to excellence and the agility to translate scientific discoveries into innovation continue to position NTU well on its journey in transforming lives at the intersection of technology and human need. Subra Suresh is president of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
11 countries, including S’pore, sign landmark Asia Pacific trade pact Trade officials from the 11 countries met in Tokyo in January. Reuters file photo Published09 March, 2018 Updated 09 March, 2018 SINGAPORE — The remaining 11 countries have signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Friday (Mar 9, Singapore time), some 14 months after the United States formally withdrew from the pact. Following the signing ceremony in Chile, the member countries — which include Japan, Australia, Canada, Chile, Singapore and Malaysia — will begin their respective domestic processes to ratify the agreement, which was renamed as the CPTPP from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The CPTPP will enter into force after at least half of the member countries ratify the document — a less onerous requirement compared to the TPP which needed ratification by a minimum of six countries accounting for 85 per cent of combined gross domestic product of the 12 original members. Due to the TPP’s legal requirements, the agreement cannot enter into force without the US. Japan took the lead in forging the revised trade pact after President Donald Trump pulled the US out of the TPP in January last year, saying he wanted to seek one-on-one deals that would be more beneficial to his country. The remaining countries concluded negotiations on the revised pact on Jan 23 this year in Tokyo, Japan. The revised agreement eliminates some requirements of the original TPP demanded by US negotiators. These include rules ramping up intellectual property (IP) protection of pharmaceuticals, which governments and activists of other member nations worried would raise the costs of medicine, CNBC reported. A total of 20 provisions from the text have been suspended temporarily — a majority of which relate to IP protection — which means that they will not take effect under the CPTPP. The revised pact “includes provisions to address how it might interact with the original agreement”, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said in press release. Without the US, the agreement’s share of world gross domestic product drops from 40 per cent to about 13.5 per cent. Nevertheless, trade experts have said the CPTPP will still create a free trade area with a high-standard of market liberalisation. Describing the CPTPP as a “comprehensive and high-standard regional free trade agreement”, the MTI said the pact will “boost trade and investment flows and integrate the region into a single manufacturing base and market, which will allow Singapore companies to operate more seamlessly across the CPTPP countries”. It added that the Republic’s companies will gain from the “substantial elimination of tariffs and non-tariff barriers for goods, improved access for service suppliers in a wide range of sectors, greater facilitation of investments, and improved access to government procurement contracts”. The ministry reiterated that businesses and consumers today face new and emerging concerns due to technological advances and evolving business models. These include challenges relating to the digital economy and e-commerce, as well as intellectual property protection. “The CPTPP addresses these issues by establishing enforceable rules to help the digital economy, innovative industries, companies and workers compete fairly in the global marketplace. It will pioneer new and updated rules for cross-border trade and investment.” said the MTI. These will bring benefits for Singapore, amid its efforts to attract research and development, grow innovative businesses, and create higher-value employment opportunities. Last month, Mr Trump told the World Economic Forum in Switzerland that it was possible Washington might return to the pact if it got a better deal. But Japan’s chief negotiator Kazuyoshi Umemoto said that agreeing on a new version of the trade pact with the US would “not be so easy” and any such process is unlikely to start soon. Nevertheless, Japan welcomed a positive stance by the United States toward an Asia-Pacific trade pact, he said. “We have been working, motivated by hopes that the United States would return to the trade pact soon… (but) in practical terms, as a negotiator… I don’t think we will be able to do that in the near future.” Experts in Singapore hailed the signing of the CPTPP, and held out hopes that the US will rejoin the pact. Associate Professor Lawrence Loh from the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School noted that governing multilateral trade is a “most fundamental foundation for international economic relations now”. He said: “At a time when the US is going against the grain of free trade by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium, it is all the more urgent that the revised trade pact be revived.” Assoc Prof Loh said the signing of the CPTPP “could not have been more timely and critical to uphold the good trade order in the world”. “It will even be better if the US now sees that it is in its own interest to rejoin the pact,” he added. NUS Business School visiting senior fellow Alex Capri felt the signing was “as much a repudiation of China’s regional ambitions as it is a validation” of the need for a rules-based trading system that reflects a “progressive” agenda. While he believed there is still a possibility of the US rejoining the agreement, “it will be tricky, as there will be no appetite to renegotiate terms and some areas (IP protection) would have to be restored”.
S’pore’s first Islamic college could have broad-based curriculum to equip students with employable skills By Faris Mokhtar The Republic’s first Islamic college could have a broad-based curriculum which teaches Islamic sciences as well as equips students with skills so that they can also be employed in the general workforce, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim (L). TODAY file photo Published08 March, 2018 Updated 08 March, 2018 SINGAPORE — The Republic’s first Islamic college could have a broad-based curriculum which teaches Islamic sciences as well as equips students with skills so that they can also be employed in the general workforce, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim on Thursday (Mar 8). The Government, which is still exploring the idea first mooted in 2016, has gone on study trips – conducted between November 2017 and January this year – to Islamic colleges in countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, the United States and Canada. Dr Yaacob, who is also the Communications and Information Minister, had previously spoken about the possibility of establishing an Islamic college in Singapore in order to train a new generation of religious teachers who understand the country’s multi-racial and multi-religious context. The curricula vary to a great extent among the Islamic colleges abroad. For example, while Al-Azhar University in Egypt and the University of Jordan traditionally produce religious teachers, the latter also equips its students with broad-based skills “for employability in the non-religious sector for the wider economy”, Dr Yaacob said. The Turkish universities focus on teaching classical Islamic sciences and humanities, he noted. Meanwhile, Zaytuna College and Notre Dame University in the United States as well as McGill University in Canada “take a rigorous, academic approach to produce scholars”, he added. “The different learning approaches provide useful learning points and each is suited to its own society and context,” Dr Yaacob said. “An Islamic college in Singapore would adapt appropriate features from overseas institutions, so that we will, in time, produce Islamic teachers and scholars who balance a deep learning of the Islamic sciences with broad-based skills and knowledge, and more importantly are rooted in the belief and practice of Islam in Singapore’s multi-religious and multi-racial context.” Dr Yaacob said that it “would not be easy” to develop Singapore’s own Islamic college. Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that such an institution will nurture future Muslim religious teachers “whom our community looks up to”. While the Government is “taking the time to carefully study this undertaking”, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) will engage the Muslim community over the next few months to get their views, he said. Speaking during the debate on the budget of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Dr Yaacob also touched on the topic of radicalism. He stressed the need to “inoculate our young from extremist and segregationist views”. He said: “We must not allow such ideologies to take root in Singapore. We must start early and focus on upstream work.” To that end, he said that Muis will grow the membership of the Asatizah Youth Network, under which asatizahs or religious teachers will be trained to counter radicalisation, through digital media and counselling techniques. Muis will train up 30 religious teachers as part of the network by the end of this year. Currently, 11 asatizahs – who are in their 20s and 30s – have been roped in for the effort. They hail from youth groups, mosques and madrasahs, and have gone through various programmes including those organised by public security agencies. These programmes provided them with insights into the radicalisation process and certain Islamic teachings which are commonly misconstrued by terrorist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) to suit their agendas. Reiterating the threat of radicalism, Dr Yaacob said the “spread of extremist ideologies abetted by social media and the acts of terror by ISIS have set Muslims against non-Muslims in many societies”. “Misguided religious preachers have spread insidious ideologies preaching segregation and a rejection of a modern life and the secular state,” said Dr Yaacob. “This is surely the road to alienation, marginalisation and ruin. In Singapore, we must stand united against such ideologues and ideologies, and against Islamophobia.” MORE MALAY STUDENTS TO QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The Tertiary Tuition Fee Subsidy (TTFS) scheme — introduced in 1991 — will be revised to allow more Malay students to qualify for financial assistance when they enter tertiary institutions, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim. This will take effect starting from this year’s academic intake. The changes will benefit an estimated 4,000 more students, said a spokesperson from Malay-Muslim self-help group Yayasan Mendaki which administers the scheme on behalf of the Government. “This comprises those who were previously not eligible, as well as those who would be eligible for a higher subsidy based on the revised criteria,” the spokesperson said. Currently, students from households with a per capita monthly income of S$1,000 and below qualify for full subsidies. Those with a per capita monthly income of S$1,001 to S$1,200 receive 75 per cent subsidies, while families with a per capita monthly income of S$1,201 to S$1,500 get 50 per cent subsidies. The income thresholds will be increased to take into account rising household incomes over the last few years: They will go up to S$1,400 and below, between S$1,401 and S$1,700, and S$1,701 to S$2,000, respectively. The Yayasan Mendaki spokesperson said the scheme was last revised in 2012. Since then, it has helped an average of 11,000 students per year.
Singapore tops global smart city performance ranking in 2017: study https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/go...-smart-city-performance-ranking-in-2017-study Tue, Mar 13, 2018 - 11:55 AM Navin Sregantan@NavinSreBT By beating London and New York, Singapore has emerged top in a global smart city performance ranking in 2017, according to a study by market researcher Juniper Research. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG BY beating London and New York, Singapore has emerged top in a global smart city performance ranking in 2017, according to a study by market researcher Juniper Research. The Global Smart City Performance Index - sponsored by global technology player Intel - ranks the top 20 global smart cities in terms of the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and connected services across four key areas: mobility, healthcare, public safety and productivity. Juniper found from the study that smart cities have the potential to save individuals about 125 hours every year. Said Windsor Holden, Juniper Research's head of forecasting and consultancy: "We can't overlook the importance of the real human benefits that smart cities have. Connected communities, municipal services and processes have a powerful impact on a citizen's quality of life." Of the cities surveyed, Singapore not only ranked as the top "smart city" but also came out tops in all of the key areas measured. The study noted that Singapore's Smart Nation initiative and its position as a city-state make the country unique in its ability to execute its smart city vision. With regard to mobility, the study revealed that the use of IoT-enabled infrastructure in Singapore, such as applied smart and connected traffic solutions used by the Land Transport Authority, may save drivers up to 60 hours a year. San Francisco and London were ranked second and third in this area for their respective efforts to use technology solutions to curb mobility-related issues such as traffic congestion. In healthcare, the study found that smart cities with connected digital health services, such as wearable apps that monitor blood pressure, can save individuals close to 10 hours a year. "Singapore and Seoul were notable in terms of their focus on addressing healthcare service provision for elderly citizens through a range of technologies, including digital service platforms as well as remote monitoring devices," Juniper said. Improvements in public safety through the use of IoT technologies may result in time saved for individuals residing in cities, according to the study. Juniper found that implementing such technology, for instance Singapore's trial and use of smart video surveillance, can result in substantial time benefits of nearly 35 hours per year for citizens. Productivity gains from encouraging digital innovation to address urban planning challenges, and the ability for citizens to access digital services and city information, were deemed to be critical in improving citizens' productivity in the study. Singapore, London and Chicago were found to be leaders in this area, each with large open data stores alongside strategies to encourage private innovation, Juniper noted. Said Sameer Sharma, Intel's global general manager of Smart Cities IoT solutions: "Cities are engines of economic activity, and we as an industry need to make them more resilient and responsive. "Partnerships between city planners, government officials, private companies, OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), software developers and startups are creating smart city ecosystems that will empower citizens while reducing our carbon footprint."
S’pore is the best place to live in the world. For expats. In 2018. https://mothership.sg/2018/03/singapore-best-place-expats/ But most expat parents feel childcare here is more expensive. By Kayla Wong March 1, 2018 Singapore is the best place to live in the world. At least, that’s what the expats say. For a third year in a row, Singapore came in first in HSBC’s annual expat survey, beating Norway, New Zealand and Germany. The survey recorded the responses of over 27,000 expats in 159 different countries. It included 27 questions on topics ranging from personal finance, work-life balance, and overall cost of raising children. At a glance • 27,000 expats in 159 different countries provided survey responses. • Singapore is favoured for its clean streets, clean air, public transport system, and safety in the city-state. • 75 percent praised the city-state’s “very clean and safe open spaces”, as compared to just 25 percent of expats in other global cities. • 26 percent of those living in Singapore praised its education system, compared to 10 percent of expats globally. • 85 percent say that childcare in Singapore is more expensive than their home countries, but Singapore is ranked second globally for the quality of children’s education. Expats like the cleanliness and safety here So, what is it about Singapore that appeals to the expats living here? The answer, according to three quarters of the expats surveyed, is clean streets, clean air, public transport system, and safety in the city-state. In fact, 75 percent praised the city-state’s “very clean and safe open spaces”, as compared to just 25 percent of expats in other global cities. Their perception of Singapore’s education system is pretty good too. Compared to 10 percent of expats globally, 26 percent of those living in Singapore praised its education system. A British expat living here was quoted in the report saying that he “moved here for the forward-looking environment”. Childcare is expensive here However, some things will still remain unchanged. When it comes to childcare in Singapore, almost nine in 10 expat parents (85 percent) say that childcare is more expensive than their home countries. Even so, the report said that as Singapore is ranked second globally for the quality of children’s education, the investment seems worth it. Singaporean expats disagree Perhaps not surprisingly, Singaporean expats seem to like it better abroad than at home. Seven in 10 (70 percent) Singaporeans abroad say their work/ life balance is better than it was at home, compared to 53 percent of expats globally. However, less than half (42 percent) of them say their social life is better than it was at home.
I understand that some universities have a course in studying "Singlish". And of course, some Singlish have already made it to the Oxford Dictionary. "Can do"
Singapore tops quality of living index for expatriates in Asia FILE PHOTO: A view of the skyline of Singapore March 26, 2017. REUTERS/Woo Yiming/File Photo 20 Mar 2018 11:14AM (Updated: 20 Mar 2018 11:20AM) SINGAPORE: Singapore retained its top position as the city with the highest quality of living in Asia for expatriates according to an annual Mercer index that was released on Tuesday (Mar 20). Globally, Singapore ranked 25th, after cities like Vienna - that topped the list for the ninth year running - and Amsterdam, which was ranked 12th in the Mercer Quality of Living survey. The findings are based on individual reports from each city that were largely analysed between September and November last year. The index is normally used to enable multinational companies and other organisations to compensate employees fairly when placing them on international assignments. “An increasingly diverse workforce is both more mobile and digital with highly diverging requirements and aspirations in terms of career, lifestyle and ultimately where and how they want to work. "Companies need to consider these factors in their value proposition to both their local and their expatriate employees," said senior partner and president of Mercer’s career business, Ilya Bonic. Singapore's quality of living and infrastructure have consistently outperformed the other cities in Asia, even though the index shows that other Asian cities have seen an "exponential increase in living standards" due to a "rapidly expanding middle class and more affluent populations". Other Asian cities like Tokyo and Kobe tied at the 50th spot, and Shanghai came in at the 103rd spot. Singapore ranked higher than Hong Kong (71st), Seoul (79th) and Taipei (84th). Shanghai had the highest increase in quality of living and its standard grew by 15.7 per cent. New Delhi and Guangzhou also showed significant increases at 13.8 per cent and 11.4 per cent respectively. In Southeast Asia, Kuala Lumpur was ranked 85th, Bangkok was in the 132nd spot and Jakarta ranked 142nd. Dubai ranked the highest for quality of living across the Middle East and Africa, while Vancouver took the top spot among the Americas. The top five cities on Mercer's index are Vienna, Zurich, Auckland, Munich and Vancouver. In a separate index by Mercer, cities' sanitation was also analysed as they are deemed to be "important aspects of a city’s attractiveness for both talent and businesses", according to Mercer. Honolulu topped the sanitation index globally and Singapore ranked 57th. Regionally in Asia, Singapore came in fourth place for sanitation after Japanese cities Kobe, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...living-index-for-expatriates-in-asia-10058556
The Big Read: A decade on, Marina Barrage is now key to S'pore's water management By Siau Ming En An aerial view of the Marina Barrage, which celebrates its 10th year anniversary this year. TODAY file photo Published17 March, 2018 Updated 21 March, 2018 SINGAPORE – While the rest of the island is sound asleep, three members of the Marina Barrage operations team monitor tidal conditions and the reservoir’s water level from a control room. After the sun comes out in the morning, another team sets off on a boat to inspect the water quality in the reservoir while others make their rounds to supervise contractors carrying out regular maintenance checks on the drainage pumps. Throughout the day, the staff at the barrage also sift through copious paperwork, including permits for water activities and event proposals. Like a well-oiled machinery, the team – which has grown from 34 to 45 officers – has been manning the round-the-clock operations at the Marina Barrage over the last decade. Today, some 30 years since it was first conceived and a decade since it first began operations, the barrage and the people running it have secured an important additional source of water supply, and prevented the occurrence of floods in low-lying city areas including Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan Besar, Geylang and Shenton Way. Photo: Najeer Yusof/TODAY Officially opened to the public in October 2008, the S$226-million barrage is Singapore’s first reservoir in the heart of the city, and it boasts the largest catchment area at 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of the island. Drains from as far as Ang Mo Kio, Orchard, Paya Lebar to Alexandra channel rainwater into the Marina reservoir. A series of activities has been lined up this year to mark the 10th anniversary of a project whose origins can be traced back to 1987 when founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew threw down the gauntlet for national water agency PUB, in these immortalised words: “In 20 years, it is possible that there could be breakthroughs in technology, both anti-pollution and filtration, and then we dam up or put a barrage at the mouth of the Marina – the neck that joins the sea – and we will have a huge freshwater lake.” Apart from serving its strategic purposes, the barrage has also – to the pleasant surprise of its planners – become an iconic feature of the Marina Bay backdrop, endearing itself to the young and old: On weekday evenings, its green roof would be occupied with dating couples or office workers unwinding after a long day, while runners and tourists stream through its premises sprawling more than 240ha. On weekends, families with children and pets in tow flock there for picnics and kite-flying, while water sports enthusiasts take part in various activities in the serene waters. Since its opening, close to 15 million people have visited the Marina Barrage. “We never ever imagined it will be so popular,” PUB chief executive Ng Joo Hee told TODAY in an interview earlier this week. PUB’s chief executive Ng Joo Hee. Photo: Najeer Yusof/ TODAY FROM CONCEPTION TO REALITY, A VISION WHICH EVOLVED The Marina reservoir is served by five major rivers – Kallang River, Geylang River, Singapore River, Rochor Canal and Stamford Canal. Since 2011, with the completion of the Marina, Punggol and Serangoon Reservoirs, Singapore’s water catchment area has increased from half to two-thirds of its land surface. The idea for Marina Barrage came from the late Mr Lee in 1987, after the authorities spent 10 years cleaning up the Singapore River. Speaking to TODAY, PUB chief sustainability officer Tan Nguan Sen noted that the barrage would not have been feasible if the Singapore River was still polluted. Once the Marina Channel was dammed up, all the rubbish would be stuck in it, he said. “But because we cleaned up the Singapore River, it created a new possibility,” added Mr Tan. A boat hoist is used to transfer vessels over the barrage. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY Even so, Marina Barrage’s eventual “three-in-one” function was not conceived right from the beginning. When the idea was first mooted in 1987, Mr Tan said the “key function” the authorities was working towards was flood control. Singapore has had a long history of floods. In December 1978, heavy rain fell over Singapore for a day and caused a major flood. Seven people died, and more than a thousand others had to be evacuated from their homes as livestock and poultry were lost. The Republic’s planners also did not think much about having the barrage as a source of drinking water then, as membrane technology – now used to turn sea and used water into drinking water – did not exist at that time. If anything, the authorities had considered treating the water for non-potable uses, but not for drinking.
Thanks to improvements in membrane technology in the 1990s, it became “cheap and viable” to treat the water to achieve drinking water standards, paving the way for one of the barrage’s core functions. The barrage dam doubles up as a pedestrian bridge. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY It was also not until later, while designing the place, that the authorities realised its potential as a recreational spot. They found that the Marina reservoir would be suitable for water activities once the dam was built as water levels could be kept constant. This was also in line with a shift in government policy in 2006, when then-Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim decided to open up the reservoirs to the public. “That was a paradigm shift,” said Mr Tan. Construction work on the Marina Barrage kicked off in 2005. Three years later, the barrage was finally opened to the public. KEEPING FLOODS AT BAY A decade after it began operations, has the Marina Barrage achieved its purposes? Mr Ng had no doubt: “Absolutely.” As the country’s 15th reservoir, the Marina reservoir serves as a source of drinking water for Singaporeans, he added. The reservoir stores fresh water collected from the extensive catchment areas before it is treated for drinking water. The pump room that holds 7 drainage pumps that are 7.8m in height. Each pump can drain the equivalent of an Olympic-sized swimming pool in a minute. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY By keeping the seawater out, the Marina Barrage removes “tidal influence” from low-lying city areas in the Marina catchment, PUB said. Prior to the construction of the barrage, these areas were prone to flooding whenever very heavy rain coincided with high tides. Specifically, the barrage isolates the Kallang, Geylang, Singapore Rivers, Bukit Timah, Rochor and Stamford canals as well as their connecting drains from the influence of the tide, PUB added. Mr Ng noted that it was not possible to quantify how many floods the barrage successfully averted. Nevertheless, he noted that every day, the team at the facility is kept busy operating the pumps and the gates, depending on the water levels. The barrage depends on its nine crest gates and seven drainage pumps to prevent floods from occurring. When heavy rain – which causes the water level in the reservoir to rise – coincides with the low tide, the 30m steel gates are opened to release the excess storm water into the sea. When heavy rains coincide with low tide, there are 9 30m crest gates which can be opened to release excess storm water. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY But if a heavy downpour happens when there is a high tide, the drainage pumps kick in to drain the excess water from the reservoir. Each pump can drain 40 cubic metres of water per second, which is equivalent to draining out an entire Olympic-sized swimming pool in a minute. As Mr Ng put it, the Marina Barrage is “one piece in a very large and integrated water system” in Singapore. It may not always be possible to isolate its contributions to the overall flood prevention measures here, but he wanted to debunk the “urban myth” which blamed the barrage for the Orchard Road flooding in June 2010. It was the worst flood in Orchard since the Stamford Canal, which helps drain the rainwater, was widened in 1984. Some had speculated that the barrage did not pump the water out quickly enough to prevent the floods. But PUB said then that the Marina Barrage was not to blame and its gates had been opened to release the excess water, and this prevented other low-lying areas from flooding. A report by an expert panel in 2012 found that the flooding was due to higher rainfall intensities, which led to surface runoff which overwhelmed the Stamford Canal. The heavy build-up of debris in the canal could have contributed to the floods as well. Following the incident, the frequency of maintenance inspections of critical closed drains were stepped up from quarterly to monthly. More litter traps in the open sections of drains were also installed, among other measures. A MASSIVE TEAM EFFORT Unbeknownst to the public, it requires much work to keep the barrage running 24/7 and ensure it meets the operational demands. Leading the effort is the facility’s general manager Noorazman Noorain, 39. Depending on the priority of the day, he could be found anywhere in the barrage, from the reservoirs to check on the water quality, the pump room to oversee maintenance works, or at the green roof to prepare for upcoming events. Noorazman Noorain, General Manager of Marina Barrage. He oversees a team of 44 who handle round the clock operations of the barrage. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY In all, the work of running the place is split among five teams: an operations team to operate the gates and drainage pumps round the clock; a maintenance crew; a team to monitor water quality, collect samples and ensure cleanliness; a department to manage the water activities in the reservoir, including conducting checks and audits on users; and another to oversee the use of the facilities and events by external parties. The operations team opens the gates or runs the drainage pumps according to the weather and tidal conditions. This prevents flooding at the nearby low-lying areas. Twice a day, others such as senior assistant engineer Muhamad Fazly Ismail, 38, checks the quality of the reservoir’s water, such as its temperature, pH values and salinity, among other things. He and his team also patrol the area and take enforcement action against those flouting the rules in the waters. Muhamad Fazly Ismail, Senior Assistant Engineer, is in charge of checking water quality in the reservoir and maintenance of the reservoir. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY
His colleague, senior assistant engineer Nazimudeen Mohamad, 36, and his team oversee maintenance works at the barrage. The drainage pumps for instance, are subjected to different checks weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and so on. Nazimudeen Mohamad, Senior Assistant Engineer, oversees the maintenance of drainage pumps at the Marina Barrage. Photo: Raj Nadarajan/TODAY The team would be on high alert just before the monsoon season to make sure the pumps are functioning properly to cope with the heavy rainfall swelling the water level in the reservoir. Then there is senior manager Jessy Chew, 51, and her team which manages the events held at the barrage. These range from picnics, National Day celebrations, flash mobs, wedding proposals and celebrations to marathons, where the barrage becomes part of the running route. Ms Chew’s team gets at least 10 enquiries a week to hold events at the barrage. While the work is growing, there are no plans for now to increase the total staff strength. Instead, the existing members will tap on technology to do more, said Mr Noorazman. Some of the new technology already being tested include unmanned online monitoring systems, robotic swans in the water to monitor water quality, and predictive systems that can identify problems or abnormalities early on. A RESERVOIR OF GOODWILL While Singapore’s planners are known for their far-sightedness and attention to detail, the reception from the public towards the new addition to the Marina Bay backdrop was entirely unexpected. Said Mr Ng: “We are not in the tourism business, so operating the place like a tourist attraction is not our core business and this is something we learned.” He added: “So now we don’t just have to keep it good shape, making sure it works as a water infrastructure, we also have to make sure it remains attractive as a tourist attraction.” While Mr Tan felt that some visitors may not fully appreciate the important functions of the barrage, Mr Ng noted that having more people on its grounds gives PUB the opportunity to do public outreach and education. Likewise, water experts said the 10th anniversary is also a chance to remind the public about the Marina Barrage and the need to keep waterways clean. Senior research fellow at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Joost Buurman noted that very few places in the world collect water from such an urbanised area given the potential exposure to various forms of pollution. To commemorate the barrage’s 10th anniversary, PUB is holding a series of events such as a mass yoga session, line dancing and water sports next month, as well as cycling clinics in May. To cap off the celebrations, PUB will also be bringing in some 50 to 100 local and foreign food and craft vendors from Oct 26 to 28. Visitors will get to take a special boat tour around the Marina reservoir during this event. CHALLENGE OF CLIMATE CHANGE While the barrage has come a long way over the last decade in achieving its stated purposes and more, there are new challenges to surmount – and few come as big as climate change, which will cause sea levels to rise in the long term, and more extreme weather condition in the near term. Already, Singapore has been experiencing more erratic weather, with sudden intense downpours requiring the Marina Barrage staff to be alert and vigilant. Said Mr Tan: “When we started planning, it was in the 1990s. There was not much (talk) about climate change then and we assumed the sea level would remain the same.” According to Singapore’s Climate Action Plan published in 2016, sea levels are projected to rise between 0.25m and 0.76m towards the end of the century. To this end, PUB is studying the possibility of improving existing structures for instance, to protect the facility from rising sea levels. The agency noted that climate adaptation planning is “an ongoing effort involving many agencies”. While Singapore’s existing coastal reservoir structures are adequate for the current sea levels, PUB said it has to “look long term to study various possible measures to protect our coastal reservoirs against future sea level rise”. This is being done as part of the coastal adaptation study led by the Building and Construction Authority, PUB said. “The possible measures include the installation of buffer beams and retrofitting of the tidal gates’ structure. As the study is ongoing, estimated costs are not available now,” it added. Given the success of the barrage, are the authorities planning to build another one on a different part of the island? At the Marina Barrage commencement ceremony in 2005, the late Mr Lee had challenged the PUB to extract untapped water sources from other parts of Singapore, such as the Jurong West area where industries are located. Asked about future plans, Mr Ng would only say that PUB is always seeking to maximise the country’s water resources and if the opportunity arises, it will look at building another barrage. Dr Cecilia Tortajada, a senior research fellow at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, said a project the size of the Marina Barrage would be difficult to develop somewhere else on the island, and it does not necessarily require a similar project to draw water from untapped sources in Jurong West. Noting PUB’s innovativeness in managing Singapore’s water systems, she said: “If there is any possibility… they will develop it.”
Changi voted World's Best Airport for 6th consecutive year A view of Changi Airport. (File photo: Changi Airport Group) 22 Mar 2018 07:28AM (Updated: 22 Mar 2018 08:57AM) SINGAPORE: Singapore's Changi Airport has been voted by air travellers as the world's best at the 2018 World Airport Awards for the sixth consecutive year, organisers announced on Thursday (Mar 22). This makes Changi the first airport to win the accolade six years in a row since it was first introduced in 2000. Hong Kong International Airport had clinched the title five years in a row from 2001 to 2005. Mr Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group, received the Skytrax World's Best Airport Award from Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted at the Passenger Terminal Expo in Stockholm, Sweden on Wednesday. Mr Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group (right) receiving the Skytrax World's Best Airport Award from Mr Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax. (Photo: Changi Airport Group) In all, this was the ninth time that Changi Airport picked up the award. Changi Airport was also named the Best Airport for Leisure Amenities, a title it has held since the award category was introduced in 2009, as well as the Best Airport in Asia. The 2018 World Airport Awards are based on 13.73 million customer nominations across more than 100 nationalities of air travellers, with more than 500 airports worldwide taking part. The survey evaluates traveller experience across various key performance indicators for airport service and product – from check-in, arrivals, transfers, shopping, security and immigration, through to departure at the gate. Mr Lee said: "We are extremely honoured to be named World's Best Airport by Skytrax for the sixth consecutive year. It is a significant achievement for Changi Airport and spurs us to continue to deliver the best passenger experience for all who travel through Changi Airport. "Last year, we successfully opened Terminal 4, and upgraded parts of Terminal 1. We are most grateful to the 50,000-strong airport community for their steadfast support through the years and as we continue to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure," he added. "Their unwavering commitment and passion for service excellence are what underpins Changi Airport’s success. As we anticipate the opening of Jewel Changi Airport next year, we will continue to work closely with our partners to deliver the best of experiences to our passengers. We thank our passengers and partners alike for their continued support and confidence in us,” Mr Lee said. Skytrax's Mr Plaisted said: “To be voted the World's Best Airport for the sixth consecutive year is a fabulous achievement for Changi Airport, and this award yet again demonstrates the airport's popularity with international air travelers. "Changi Airport is very focused on making the airport experience comfortable and convenient, and continues to innovate with new product and service features," he said. Airports in Asia took the four top spots, with Seoul's Incheon airport coming in second, and Tokyo's Haneda airport and Hong Kong's airport coming in third and fourth respectively. The top 10 rankings for the World’s Best Airport Award in 2018: Changi Airport Singapore Incheon International Airport Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) Hong Kong International Airport Doha Hamad International Airport Munich Airport Central Japan International Airport (Nagoya) London Heathrow Airport Zurich Airport Frankfurt Airport Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...est-airport-for-6th-consecutive-year-10065554
Commentary: Why a small Singapore construction firm ventured to Myanmar 30 years after its founding Soilbuild Construction Group took the plunge to expand overseas even though it was fully aware the move offered no guarantees of profit. Its executive director explains why. Construction in Singapore by Singapore company Soilbuild. (Photo: Soilbuild) By Ho Toon Bah 22 Mar 2018 06:36AM (Updated: 22 Mar 2018 09:25AM) SINGAPORE: When it comes to ensuring the growth of our local companies, the most common refrain nearly all bosses of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) hear is this: Go overseas. Growing overseas, as many consultants will say, is the only way to survive in the current business environment where competition is getting stiffer even as costs are rising at home. Staying in Singapore, with its tiny market, is not an option. But as SME bosses will know, going overseas is not a simple task. It is fraught with risk, with no guarantee that you will be better off after starting operations overseas. After all, why risk a good and steady business in Singapore by taking a punt on an unfamiliar market? These were the same questions we faced at Soilbuild, when after more than 30 years of staying rooted in Singapore soil, we decided to take the plunge and expand overseas. BRICK BY BRICK, STEP BY STEP Soilbuild was established in 1976. The company started out as a small contractor, helping to build the many workshops and warehouses that were in great demand during the rapid industrialisation of Singapore’s economy. As we laid the foundations of our businesses through such projects, we progressively gained the confidence to expand our portfolio. Soilbuild started constructing private residential buildings like condominiums and terraces. Assisi Hospice was one of Soilbuild's recently completed projects. (File photo) In 2011, we secured our first public housing project from the Housing Development Board – a significant milestone for our company The project was a big one for us. But we started asking ourselves: What next? We could continue taking on such big projects in Singapore but we were acutely aware that we could not rely on such projects to continue growing. For one thing, the market had become a lot more competitive. Like us, many local contractors also grew to become developers over time. Foreign entrants, attracted by Singapore’s strong economic fundamentals and ease of doing business, also started bidding for projects. While we were not afraid of competition, a second major issue cropped up: Rising costs. It is no secret that costs in Singapore are rising, from manpower to raw material and even rent. So even though we were doing well in Singapore, it was not feasible to only focus on the domestic market if we wanted to grow the business. For the sake of the company’s long-term future, we had to go abroad. A general view of the city is seen in Yangon on Sep 6, 2013. (Photo: REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun)
With some support from IE Singapore, Soilbuild linked up with a few business partners in Myanmar to gain market access. But let me just state upfront: We were clear-eyed that going overseas would not be without its challenges. Companies must have a clear plan and know exactly what they are going in for. For Soilbuild, we had to tackle three key challenges. The first was overcoming what Singaporeans have always taken for granted: Clear rules and regulations. We were unfamiliar with Myanmar’s laws and regulations. The interpretations were also sometimes unclear. This hampered the progress of our projects. The second challenge was funding. The costs of project financing in Myanmar was high – banks continued to view such projects as risky and the high interest rates reflected this concern. With such high interest rates, customers were not willing to buy properties unless they held potential for further growth. Shopping malls aimed at Yangon's growing middle class are sprouting up around the city, while on its fringes factories are churning out clothes for international brands drawn to its pool of young labour. (Photo: AFP/YE AUNG THU) Lastly, while manpower was abundant in Myanmar, there was an acute shortage of skilled workers and talent. Many people believe construction is about cheap labour, but the opposite is actually true. Without good and skilled workers, the quality of our work could be compromised and projects could be delayed. The challenges were formidable but they were not insurmountable. For instance, to mitigate the risks and to familiarise ourselves with the market, we adopted a conservative approach in Myanmar to start small. During our initial foray, we only offered project management and consultancy services to local project developers. This allowed us to get a feel of the market, and understand the rules and regulations better. To tackle the shortage of funding, we ensured that we had a ready pool of our own resources to tap on to pay for short-term costs. At the same time, we kept a sharp focus on risk management, working with customers who were credit-worthy and equipped with sound finances. We also tackled the manpower challenges on two fronts. We repatriated Myanmar nationals who had worked with us in Singapore. They were already trained and could hit the ground running back in Yangon, solving our problem of skilled workers. At the same time, we posted Singapore staff to the country to facilitate rapid knowledge transfer. A view of Yangon's skyline. (AFP Photo/Romeo Gacad)
