Acceptance speech by SMS Tan Kiat How 58th Institution of Engineers Singapore Annual Dinner
Oct 16, 2024
It is my pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES). The IES has championed engineering excellence since its formation in 1966, just one year after Singapore’s independence. In a way, the history of IES is tightly intertwined with that of Singapore’s.
Indeed, all of you played a critical role in laying the foundation of the modern and vibrant city that we see today - from the homes we live in, to our world class power, water and transport infrastructure, to our green and liveable environment that is the envy of many people around the world. The contributions of our engineering talent are evident all around us.
I am therefore very humbled and honoured to be conferred as an IES Honorary Fellow and to be part of this engineering fraternity with such a rich and storied heritage.
Engineers in the Built Environment sector
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege to work with and learn from many dedicated and brilliant engineers. For most of that time, I interacted with network and software engineers who dealt mainly in ‘1s’ and ‘0s’, and radio frequencies. But more recently, I had the opportunity to work more closely with engineers in the Built Environment sector as we refreshed the Built Environment Industry Transformation Map.
So tonight, I would like to continue with the theme that Minister Desmond Lee spoke about, and talk a little bit more about the Built Environment sector. Together with UOL Group CEO Mr Liam Wee Sin, we held many brainstorming sessions to discuss how we could transform the sector to be more productive, more digital and more sustainable.
I heard first-hand from many of you about the challenges that the sector faced and importantly the immense possibilities on how we can do things differently as we build the next version of Singapore for the next 50 years and beyond, and the exciting opportunities that this brings about for the next generation of engineers.
Different, but same same
These engagements left a very deep impression with me. I am left with a reflection that it is “different, but same same” when comparing my interactions with the engineers from the different domains. Different in terms of the technical terms and engineering concepts that we deal with, but “same same” because all of you brought the same professionalism, passion and dedication in terms of problem solving and finding creative solutions, no matter how complex the problems are. So I have the deepest respect for engineers, including and especially for engineers in the Built Environment sector.
Engineers in the Built Environment sector
So tonight, I would like to suggest three engineering challenges. As we implement the next phase of our Built Environment Industry Transformation Map (BE ITM), I call upon all engineers to focus on three aspects.
First, to go broad even as we go deep. The demands on the profession are increasing as the sector transforms the way it designs, builds and maintains our infrastructure, and our engineers require more inter-disciplinary competencies in this new environment.
Second, to be open-minded to do things differently even as we strengthen our foundation. With digitalisation, including greater use of technologies like AI, our engineers will need to embrace new tools and technologies.
Third, to invest in a nurturing work culture, even as we invest in upskilling and reskilling ourselves. To groom the next generation of engineers, we need to have a work environment where we uplift and empower them.
Changing Role of Engineers
First, the role of engineers has changed over the years and continues to evolve. Engineers take professional pride in your technical expertise, from precise calculations to intricate design works. Many engineers work hard to deepen your knowledge within your respective domains within fields such as civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. However, while this is necessary, it is no longer sufficient.
The work of an engineer today requires an understanding of a wider range of disciplines, ranging from environmental sustainability to data analytics. Engineers must now go beyond specialised technical tasks, and embrace a broader, interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. Engineers must appreciate that they operate within a broader system, and this system in turn operates as part of a wider set of systems.
This shift is reflected in initiatives like the set-up of the National University of Singapore’s College of Design and Engineering. The College was formed through a merger of the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Design and Environment, to foster a more integrated approach to engineering education. By combining these disciplines, the College not only trains engineers in being technically proficient, but also prepares them to tackle complex, real-world challenges that require an interdisciplinary approach.
The government recognises this shift. In many of our BE ITM discussions, you have shared with us the importance of collaborating across the value chain, to maximise synergies and deliver more impactful outcomes. Such interdisciplinary collaboration was a key concept in the refreshed BE ITM that we had launched in partnership with the industry. I call on all of you in this sector to develop an appreciation of the broader system in which their infrastructure operates within, and a deeper understanding of other relevant disciplines.
Adopting Technology and Digital Tools
The second is about technology and digital tools that have the potential to improve productivity and support greater collaboration in this sector.
One key digitalisation initiative that we have been working closely with the industry on is CORENET X. It is a one-stop digital platform for the industry to make integrated regulatory submissions for building works, and will drive greater collaboration between industry stakeholders and players with our regulators.
Project teams across the various disciplines will need to collaborate upfront, to make a consolidated submission to regulatory agencies. On our part, the agencies will take an integrated lens approach for regulatory approvals, streamline today’s regulatory approval process from more than 20 existing touchpoints to just three key gateways.
I encourage all of you to participate fully in the CORENET X project, and I would like to thank IES in particular for your valuable contributions, and for working closing with us in the development of CORENET X.
As we look towards the future of engineering, AI, especially generative AI, stands out as a significant trend that we must consider. The potential of AI is in changing the way we do things, and the Built Environment sector certainly can benefit from this. For example, at the building maintenance stage, engineers can integrate AI with sensors and Internet-of-Things devices to develop intelligent systems that monitor infrastructure performance, detect anomalies, anticipate wear and tear, and predict maintenance needs. This in turn can reduce operational costs, and enhance the longevity of buildings and infrastructure, with more efficient maintenance schedules.
We are already seeing application of these technology today. For example, Operva AI is a tech solution provider in the Built Environment sector that uses AI to detect and identify defects and observations via its cloud-based façade inspection system, improving efficiency, safety and financial outcomes.
With these new technologies coming onstream, I encourage all of you to embrace technology and be prepared to do things differently, including changing work processes and uplifting standards across our sector. We have various grants and support mechanisms available provided by the Government, and I encourage all of you to make full use of these resources.
Developing Future-Ready Engineers
Lastly, to upskill and reskill ourselves, and building a strong pipeline or engineering talent. When we talk about the transformation of the sector, building core competencies within our fraternity all boils down to the people. Minister Desmond Lee spoke about the Government’s efforts to attract talent to the sector, including the recently convened Taskforce for Architectural and Engineering Consultants.
On this note, I would like to acknowledge the IES’s effort in attracting and encouraging talent to join the profession. Some of its initiatives include the IES Young Engineers Program, as well as organising events such as the National Engineering Day, conferences such as the Word Engineering Symposium, and challenges such as the Engineering Innovation Challenge, to inspire and cultivate interest in engineering. I know many of you seated here participate actively in many of these events to support the effort to encourage young people to join this profession
Ultimately, building a strong pipeline of engineers is not just the responsibility of the Government or IES; it requires a collective effort from all of us. The culture in engineering is built by its people. Each of us in the engineering fraternity can play a role to foster a supportive and inclusive work environment. This was by far, the most consistent and loudest call when I met young engineers during focus group and brainstorming sessions.
Young engineers tell me they look forward to joining this profession, and what they want to see is a supportive and inclusive work environment and culture in the profession. What does this look like? They shared with me some characteristics. First, a work culture and environment that encourages collaboration and open communication within teams, and across partners in the Built Environment value-chain. Second, empowering them, allowing them to experiment and do things differently. Third, guiding and mentoring them along the way, particularly as they begin their careers by generously sharing our knowledge and experience.
Such an engineering culture will enhance individual job satisfaction and drive innovation and growth within our organisations. All of us here have benefited from the mentorship of our seniors, someone who came before us. So be that senior to foster such an environment for those who come after us.
Together, we can ensure that our engineering community continues to be dynamic, progressive and vibrant, and one that the next generation of engineers will be proud to be a part of.
Let me conclude by congratulating IES on its 58th anniversary and expressing my gratitude for the conferment as an Honorary Fellow tonight. It is my honour and privilege. I wish you all a very pleasant evening ahead. Thank you.