Latest news with #DefenceCollectiveSingapore
Straits Times
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Mindef to set up new volunteer management unit to grow volunteer pool
SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Defence will start a new volunteer management unit to better coordinate opportunities for civilians who can contribute to the nation's defence. This is part of an effort to broaden and strengthen the ministry's volunteer ecosystem. Announcing this at the annual Mindef volunteers' dinner on July 24, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said this comes as the ministry has to operate across an expanded spectrum of operational challenges today, with the difference between peace and war no longer as clear-cut. Remarking that the ministry now deals with 'many shades of grey' in between peace and war, he said it would thus need people with different skill sets to chime in across a range of operations, no matter their background or fitness level. In particular, the new unit would work with the various existing units within Mindef 'to make sure that we expand the opportunities for our people to contribute to the defence of this country', he said. 'The power of the SAF is not just about the men and women in uniform,' Mr Chan added. 'It is about how able we are to mobilise the whole of society to look at every aspect of our defence.' He also said the most powerful message that Singapore can tell any party with harmful intentions is this: 'When you deal with Singapore, you don't just deal with the SAF. You deal with the entire Singapore.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: People evacuated from border regions amid deadly Thailand-Cambodia clash Asia 11 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border: Reports Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Singapore Singapore says prolonged suffering of civilians in Gaza is 'unconscionable' Singapore Khatib Camp to make way for housing, with its functions moving to Amoy Quee Camp Singapore First BTO flats in Greater Southern Waterfront, Mount Pleasant to go on sale in October Singapore Primary 1 registration: 29 schools to conduct ballot in Phase 2B Currently, volunteering opportunities with Mindef are largely limited to industry experts in areas such as training safety, medical advice, legal counsel, strategic communications, technology, sustainability and public outreach. They are routinely brought in to serve on 38 Mindef boards, committees and councils. More than 400 of them were honoured at the volunteers' dinner, held at Paradox Singapore Merchant Court Hotel. The dinner has been a yearly tradition since 1998 to thank volunteers for their contributions and support for Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces. There were also non-expert volunteers in the midst, but they were few. They included Ms Gloria He, a 36-year-old senior strategic initiatives manager at fintech start-up StraitsX, who volunteers as a guide with the Defence Collective Singapore (DCS) under the Friends of the Singapore Discovery Centre (SDC) initiative. Ms Gloria He volunteers as a guide with the Defence Collective Singapore under the Friends of the Singapore Discovery Centre initiative. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO The SDC is one of the three museums managed by DCS, a Mindef-related organisation with a mission to champion Singapore's defence story through immersive galleries and engaging experiences. Mindef said the current volunteers' contributions have allowed the ministry to stay updated on industry best practices and organisational processes. The volunteers also serve as a link between Mindef and the public by promoting public awareness on defence and inspiring support for national service, it said. Present at the dinner was Associate Professor Mark Leong, a 64-year-old doctor who has served as chairman of the SAF Emergency Medicine Specialist Advisory Board since 2017. The board was convened to help shape a professional and responsive SAF medical ecosystem. Associate Professor Mark Leong has served as chairman of the SAF Emergency Medicine Specialist Advisory Board since 2017. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO Prof Leong, a senior consultant for emergency medicine at the Singapore General Hospital, said he found the volunteering work meaningful as the plans he is roped in to provide his professional opinion on are 'real, solid developments – not just drawer plans or good-to-have ideas'. One example is the SAF emergency ambulance service, which the SAF Medical Corps introduced in 2015 to allow the direct evacuation of serious casualties at training areas outside SAF camps to the nearest restructured hospital while they receive appropriate medical treatment en route. Prof Leong said the advisory board provided views during the conception phase on how the plan could be implemented and resourced, as well as how the SAF's paramedics could be trained to provide the service. These days, the Medical Corps taps the advisory board more for its views on forward-looking areas such as how to prevent injuries in soldiers, he said. The pool of Mindef volunteers is not necessarily all citizens. For one, Ms He, who helps with the SDC's Defence Through The Ages guided tour, is a Chinese national. She got involved in the work in late 2023, not long after she moved to Singapore three years ago for work. As a guide, Ms He shares stories of Singapore's defence history with various community groups, including beneficiaries like nursing homes. She said she sought the volunteering opportunity as she is interested in history, and used to volunteer with museums in other countries where she lived. This is her way of making a positive contribution to Singapore now that she lives here, she said, noting that she influenced her Canadian husband to start volunteering with DCS too. Foreigners like her do have a part to play, she stressed. 'It is good for the region that Singapore is stable, strong and sends a signal that it has the ability to defend itself. It is good for Asean, good for Asia and good for peace in general,' she said. 'We both work in business, so when there is peace, it is easy to grow business as well. It's kind of like a connected circle.'
Associated Press
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
HIDDEN and Defence Collective Singapore Announce New Initiative to Strengthen National Security Awareness through 'Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath'
Available from February 2025 at Singapore Discovery Centre, New Interactive Game Aims to Champion National Education SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 February 2025 - In commemoration of Total Defence Day on 15 February, HIDDEN and Defence Collective Singapore are excited to announce the launch of their new, interactive game, 'Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath'. This engaging and educational game is designed to raise awareness of national security challenges while encouraging active participation in safeguarding Singapore's future. Defence Collective Singapore is the parent company of Singapore Discovery Centre, Singapore Navy Museum and Singapore Air Force Museum. The first stop will take place at Singapore Discovery Centre with plans to expand the programme to Singapore Navy Museum and Singapore Air Force Museum. Photo of Singapore Discovery Centre The game features an AI chatbot 'Void Deck Cat' to interact with visitors at the Singapore Discovery Centre, placing players in the midst of a simulated national crisis, where they must make quick, strategic decisions to defend the nation and prevent the next attack. Users can jump into action on any mobile device without needing to download additional applications as the gameplay revolves using the Whatsapp chat application. Total Defence Day on 15 Feb commemorates the fall of Singapore in 1942, serves as a poignant reminder on the need for a strong Defence. 'Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath' offers a fun and innovative way for Singaporeans of all ages to engage with the concept of national defence and take on a proactive role as stewards of security. This immersive game combines strategy, problem-solving, and teamwork, offering a thrilling experience that challenges players to think like investigators. 'Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath is more than just a game,' says Lim Yee Hung, Group Chief Executive of HIDDEN. 'It is an interactive learning experience that empowers individuals to think critically about national security and the vital role that each of us plays in keeping Singapore safe. With the increasing complexity of security threats, it is important that we all stay informed, prepared, and resilient—this game is one way to achieve that.' 'Defence Collective Singapore is happy to collaborate with HIDDEN in launching 'Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath' as part of Total Defence Day,' says Geraldine Loh, Deputy Director, Programmes Cluster Head for Defence Collective Singapore. 'Through this initiative, we hope to inspire a culture of security, mindfulness and proactive engagement, where every Singaporean can play a part in making Singapore stronger. By gamifying the concept of national security, we aim to make the learning process both informative and enjoyable.' Perfect for corporate team-building, school groups, and anyone seeking a unique, interactive adventure, the game starts from S$20 per ticket for each player. Hashtag: #TotalDefenceDay #TotalDefenceSG #NeverAgainSG #SingaporeHistory #SGHeritage #EscapeQuestSG #HiddenXP #OperationBrokenOath #ImmersiveExperience #GamifiedLearning #InteractiveAdventure #DefendSingapore #NationalSecuritySG #StayPrepared #StrongerTogetherSG #SGDefence #DefenceCollectiveSG #SingaporeDiscoveryCentre #NavyMuseumSG #AirForceMuseumSG #HIDDENSingapore #TeamBuildingSG #SchoolExcursionSG #EducationalGames #LearnThroughPlay The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About HIDDEN HIDDEN is an award-winning experiences company that combines the physical and virtual worlds to help players uncover hidden gems in a city's iconic neighbourhoods. Launched in 2022, the company is the brainchild of two childhood friends who wanted to make heritage come alive and easily accessible through games and technology. As a social enterprise under the United Nations Development Programme, HIDDEN is committed to the UN's Sustainable Development Goal to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. For more information, please visit About Defence Collective Singapore Defence Collective Singapore (DCS) champions our defence story through immersive galleries and engaging experiences, to inspire everyone to defend what it means to be Singaporean: our home, our identity, and our way of life. A defence-inspired museum collective, DCS pays homage to Singapore's resolve and determination and its journey, which has brought the nation to where it is today. The museums include the Singapore Discovery Centre, the Singapore Navy Museum, and the Singapore Air Force Museum. More military-themed museums, like the Army Museum and the NS Gallery, will join the DCS family soon.
Zawya
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
HIDDEN and Defence Collective Singapore Announce New Initiative to Strengthen National Security Awareness through "Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath"
Available from February 2025 at Singapore Discovery Centre, New Interactive Game Aims to Champion National Education SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 14 February 2025 - In commemoration of Total Defence Day on 15 February, HIDDEN and Defence Collective Singapore are excited to announce the launch of their new, interactive game, 'Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath'. This engaging and educational game is designed to raise awareness of national security challenges while encouraging active participation in safeguarding Singapore's future. Defence Collective Singapore is the parent company of Singapore Discovery Centre, Singapore Navy Museum and Singapore Air Force Museum. The first stop will take place at Singapore Discovery Centre with plans to expand the programme to Singapore Navy Museum and Singapore Air Force Museum. The game features an AI chatbot 'Void Deck Cat' to interact with visitors at the Singapore Discovery Centre, placing players in the midst of a simulated national crisis, where they must make quick, strategic decisions to defend the nation and prevent the next attack. Users can jump into action on any mobile device without needing to download additional applications as the gameplay revolves using the Whatsapp chat application. Total Defence Day on 15 Feb commemorates the fall of Singapore in 1942, serves as a poignant reminder on the need for a strong Defence. 'Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath' offers a fun and innovative way for Singaporeans of all ages to engage with the concept of national defence and take on a proactive role as stewards of security. This immersive game combines strategy, problem-solving, and teamwork, offering a thrilling experience that challenges players to think like investigators. ' Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath is more than just a game,' says Lim Yee Hung, Group Chief Executive of HIDDEN. 'It is an interactive learning experience that empowers individuals to think critically about national security and the vital role that each of us plays in keeping Singapore safe. With the increasing complexity of security threats, it is important that we all stay informed, prepared, and resilient—this game is one way to achieve that.' 'Defence Collective Singapore is happy to collaborate with HIDDEN in launching 'Escape Quest: Operation Broken Oath' as part of Total Defence Day,' says Geraldine Loh, Deputy Director, Programmes Cluster Head for Defence Collective Singapore. 'Through this initiative, we hope to inspire a culture of security, mindfulness and proactive engagement, where every Singaporean can play a part in making Singapore stronger. By gamifying the concept of national security, we aim to make the learning process both informative and enjoyable.' Perfect for corporate team-building, school groups, and anyone seeking a unique, interactive adventure, the game starts from S$20 per ticket for each player. For more information, visit Hashtag: #TotalDefenceDay #TotalDefenceSG #NeverAgainSG #SingaporeHistory #SGHeritage #EscapeQuestSG #HiddenXP #OperationBrokenOath #ImmersiveExperience #GamifiedLearning #InteractiveAdventure #DefendSingapore #NationalSecuritySG #StayPrepared #StrongerTogetherSG #SGDefence #DefenceCollectiveSG #SingaporeDiscoveryCentre #NavyMuseumSG #AirForceMuseumSG #HIDDENSingapore #TeamBuildingSG #SchoolExcursionSG #EducationalGames #LearnThroughPlay The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About HIDDEN HIDDEN is an award-winning experiences company that combines the physical and virtual worlds to help players uncover hidden gems in a city's iconic neighbourhoods. Launched in 2022, the company is the brainchild of two childhood friends who wanted to make heritage come alive and easily accessible through games and technology. As a social enterprise under the United Nations Development Programme, HIDDEN is committed to the UN's Sustainable Development Goal to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. For more information, please visit About Defence Collective Singapore Defence Collective Singapore (DCS) champions our defence story through immersive galleries and engaging experiences, to inspire everyone to defend what it means to be Singaporean: our home, our identity, and our way of life. A defence-inspired museum collective, DCS pays homage to Singapore's resolve and determination and its journey, which has brought the nation to where it is today. The museums include the Singapore Discovery Centre, the Singapore Navy Museum, and the Singapore Air Force Museum. More military-themed museums, like the Army Museum and the NS Gallery, will join the DCS family soon. For more information, please visit HIDDEN
