Expanding Cooperation on Continuing Education and Training

1.     The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) have been working together over the past three years, with SUSS providing technical assistance to help build up MHA’s training and learning capabilities.

2.     MHA and SUSS will be taking this collaboration further, to develop a full-time Bachelor of Public Safety and Security (Honours) Programme, which is a four-year programme developed by SUSS and supported by MHA. The programme is structured as a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the management of public safety and security and will provide students a well-rounded learning experience, integrating theories with practical knowledge. This new programme is expected to benefit both MHA officers and those employed by or intending to join the safety and security industry. Graduates of the programme will be able to pursue careers in a wide range of fields related to public safety and security. The first batch of students will matriculate in July 2020.

3.     The collaboration will also allow the accreditation by SUSS of several Home Team Departments' ^[1] basic training courses. With effect from January 2020, Home Team officers who complete all of their Department’s accredited basic training courses and relevant SUSS Continuing Education and Training modules will receive a Certificate in Homefront Safety and Security. SUSS will recognise this Certificate as a minor worth 40 credit units for officers who successfully enrol in a SUSS degree programme.

4.     In addition, officers who successfully complete all eight of the Home Team School of Criminal Investigation (HTSCI)’s restructured milestone investigation courses will receive a Certificate in Criminal Investigation Studies. The Certificate will carry 40 credit units and SUSS will recognise it as a minor.

5.     These are the first Home Team courses to be accredited by SUSS. The first batch to graduate from an accredited course are 24 investigation officers who graduated on 7 November 2019 from the Home Team Basic Investigation Course. A participant of the accredited Basic Investigation Course, Sergeant Norfarhana Binte Baharudin from Bedok Police Division, said; “I feel privileged to be part of this learning journey. Upon completion of the Home Team Basic Investigation Course, the accreditation by SUSS will be valuable for us to further our studies in an undergraduate programme. This credit system is good for working adults like myself as it recognises the experience and expertise that I’ve gained through the courses which I have undergone as part of my training at work.”

6.     To this end, MHA and SUSS have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to widen their collaboration in training and learning.

7.     The MoU was signed on 11 December 2019 by Professor Tsui Kai Chong, Provost of SUSS, and Mr T. Raja Kumar, Deputy Secretary (International and Training) of MHA. The signing was witnessed by Mr Pang Kin Keong, Permanent Secretary (Home Affairs), and Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, President SUSS.

8.     Under the MOU, MHA and SUSS will jointly develop programmes and projects that contribute to continuing education and training for MHA officers. Projects under the MoU will focus on:

1. Developing academic courses and a degree programme in safety and security;

2. Exploring and developing accelerated pathways for Home Team officers to learn and grow and get credit recognition through accreditation of Home Team courses by SUSS, and;

3. Building capabilities in learning technologies and analytics.

9.     At the signing ceremony, Professor Tsui Kai Chong, Provost of SUSS, said: “SUSS has been fortunate to be part of MHA’s professional development efforts, especially over the past three years ^[2] . Today’s MOU expands that collaboration to full-time programmes and recognition of MHA’s in-house training. SUSS is excited by its expanded role.”

10.     Following the signing of the MoU, Mr T. Raja Kumar, Deputy Secretary (International & Training) of MHA, said: “This MOU reflects the desire by both agencies to offer Home Team officers high quality continuous learning and accreditation opportunities. The Home Team is committed to developing its officers, and this MOU will enable us to move forward towards achieving that aim. This strategic partnership will also allow the Home Team to tap on SUSS’ expertise to enhance our training and learning capabilities. We are excited by the rich opportunities this collaboration offers, and look forward to working closely with SUSS.”

^[1] Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore Civil Defence Force, Singapore Police Force and Singapore Prison Service

^[2] SUSS has also collaborated with the Singapore Police Force to offer the part-time BSc Management and Security Studies programme since 2006 (started when SUSS was still UniSim).

FACTSHEET

Factsheet on MOU between MHA and SUSS