PART I REVIEW OF SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES DURING THE PAST YEAR (JUL 97 - JUL 98)

1.1 The IT Leader Awards

The SCS again launched the 2nd IT leader Awards with resounding success. These awards were introduced to honour individuals who have distinguished themselves with their achievements and contributions to the IT profession and development of IT in Singapore. The other objectives are to create an environment which will encourage and sustain the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit in the IT field and to illustrate the depth of talent exist in local IT industry.

The Awards comprises 4 categories :

• Person of the Year

• Young Professional of the Year

• Friend of IT

• Hall of Fame

1.2 Professional Certification

The SCS is in the midst of realising its newest initiative - a professional certification scheme for IT practitioners. This concept was mooted after dialogues with CEOs and CIOs and due consideration of IT practitioners’ concerns for increased professional recognition.

Currently, SCS is working with the National Computer Board (NCB) to launch the first-ever National IT Skills Certification Programme in Singapore and the region. This is a move towards making SCS membership the hallmark of all IT professionals in Singapore.

The National IT Skills Certification Programme comprises 3 branches : (1) Professional (2) Affiliate and (3) General.

The first critical IT skills on Project Management will be a strategic spin-off of the Professional Branch to be implemented in November 1998.

This very same motivation has inspired the Business Continuity Chaper of SCS to launch its first Review Course and Certificaiton Examination in October 1997 for the Affiliate Branch. The Certification entitled "Certified Business Continuity Planner is a programme affiliated with Disaster Recovery Institute International of USA.

On the General Branch, in July 1998, the SCS launched the National PC Proficiency Programme with the endorsement of the National Computer Board. The Programme aim to test the proficiency of candidates in the use of common PC applications.

1.3 Special Release of International Journal of IT on "Singapore ONE"

Aligned with the national initiative to introduce Singapore ONE, the key high-capacity network that will turn Singapore into an Intelligent Island and so much is being done in this multi-agency effort that the SCS and NCB have decided to devote a "trilogy" of its International Journal of IT on "Singapore ONE. The first issue entitled "Realising the Vision" focussed on how the essential requirements for Singapore ONE were met.

2.1 Professional Certification

IFIP as an international IT organisation can establish an international benchmarking system for the IT professionals world-wide. The international benchmarking serves as an essential metric to support the professional certification schemes available in various countries.

At the same time, IFIP can lend its credibility by accrediting professional certification schemes of national societies in order to accord international recognition to the certification programmes.

2.2 Reciprocal Membership

With over 40 full members, IFIP could provide a common system for member countries who wish to seek reciprocal membership with one another. This promotes cooperation and alliance even among national countries.

2.3 IFIP Conferences

As technical committees of IFIP are very active in organising international conferences each year and in fact some 54 conferences are being organised in 1998, the SCS would like to propose that some of the conferences be hosted in Asian countries. We would like to obtain IFIP’s feedback on the possibility of :

• tabling a bid to host a future IFIP international conference in Singapore

• inviting respective 12 TCs chairmen to consider holding their conferences in Singapore.

liaison/ifip98
14/8/98