HR Summit Taps International Expertise

HR Summit Taps International Expertise
- The Straits Times, 11 September 2008

We refer to Mr Liew Meow Koon's letter to the Straits Times Forum Page, "Why does HR Summit need Foreign Adviser" on 8 September 2008.

2.   In organising the Singapore Human Capital Summit, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) have been working closely with 15 local partners, including the Singapore Human Resources Institute, the National Trades Union Congress, Singapore Business Federation and Singapore National Employers Federation. We have also been seeking inputs from the local HR community. Many local CEOs and HR practitioners are speakers at the Summit. Nonetheless, we should also tap on  international expertise, from INSEAD and the UK-based Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) who has organised signature HR events elsewhere. This will allow us to learn from best practices.

3.   We thank Mr Liew for his support of the Summit. Our partners, local companies and the HR community have important roles to play in contributing to the success of this first-of-its-kind Summit in Asia, and we welcome more to come forward to work with us to stage a successful Summit in October.

Why Does HR Summit Here Need Foreign Adviser?
- The Straits Times, 08 September 2008

First, I applaud the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Workforce Development Agency (WDA) for organising the first Singapore Human Capital Summit 2008 to be held on Oct 22 to 24. It is heartening to note that so many CEOs and well-known HR academicians will speak at this summit, to be graced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. This augurs well for the HR profession in Singapore as the country strives to become the human capital hub of Asia. Companies have often stressed that human resources are Singapore's most important asset.

However, it is disheartening to note that the programme adviser to this summit is the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development of Britain. Why the need to engage a foreign institution - is it in pursuit of foreign talent? I am sure there is Singaporean talent who can do the job as well - or, in my view, much better as we are at the heart of HR matters in this part of the world. Why were professional bodies such as the Singapore Human Resources Institute or Singapore Training and Development Association not given the opportunity to be programme adviser? Do the MOM and WDA think they are not worthy of consideration in such a prestigious event? If the MOM and WDA want Singapore to be the human capital hub of Asia, it is time they engaged Singaporean HR professionals rather rely on those outside Singapore.