SINGAPORE - Professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) will soon be able to learn how to deal with volatility, uncertainty and ambiguity in a post-Covid world at a new centre set up by the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), with those in the social sector having up to 90 per cent of their course fees subsidised.
The Centre for Systems Leadership in Bukit Timah, which was launched on Thursday (Nov 12) by Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, will also offer its programmes on systems thinking to youth leaders and its final-year student leaders doing their undergraduate studies.
Systems thinking is a disciplined approach for examining problems in a more holistic manner before acting, allowing users to make informed choices.
Programmes will start from February next year, and will range from 30 hours to 18 days long. Organisations and businesses, including small and medium-sized enterprises, can also have programmes customised to their needs.
SIM is planning to set aside $1 million to fund up to 90 per cent of the programme fees for the social sector, said president and chief executive officer Seah Chin Siong during the launch.
"We hope this will catalyse the development of critical leadership skills that are necessary at this time of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity," Mr Seah added.
The first cohort of learners will come from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds), Metta Welfare Association and Singapore Pools, said Mr Seah.
The centre plans to work with philanthropic organisations such as Temasek Foundation as its programme partners, and other institutions with common goals and objectives.
"In order for the centre to be able to impact our society, it is important that these programmes be made accessible to as many people as possible," said Mr Seah.
Mrs Teo, who officiated the launch of the centre, was among the senior civil servants who were trained in systems thinking under the Singapore Civil Service, one of the earliest adopters of the approach 25 years ago, said SIM.
"The more complex our problems, the more leaders need the skill and discipline of systems thinking," said Mrs Teo, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs.
"SIM's launch of the Centre for Systems Leadership can help to build capacity in Singapore, not just to emerge stronger from the Covid-19 pandemic, but also to develop enduring resilience against future disruptions," she added.
