IPS Update Issue March 2018

Interview with Dr Cheong Koon Hean, 5th S R Nathan Fellow

Dr Cheong Koon Hean, the Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Development Board, is IPS’ 5th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore. From March 2018 to April 2018, Dr Cheong will deliver three IPS-Nathan Lectures, collectively titled, Seeking a Better Urban Future. IPS caught up with Dr Cheong to talk about her plans for the upcoming lectures.

Budget 2018 responds to SME issues about expanding overseas, but will the initiatives work?
(Channel NewsAsia)
By Dr Faizal Bin Yahya and Mr Mooris Tjioe

IPS Researchers Dr Faizal Bin Yahya and Mooris Tjioe believe that there are three main issues discouraging our businesses from making the leap – a lack of capital, a lack of talented staff to anchor the business, and a lack of market information.

The politics of Budget 2018: Lots of persuasion needed
(The Straits Times)
By Dr Gillian Koh

IPS Deputy Director Dr Gillian Koh notes that, as the impending GST hike will be implemented in the next parliamentary term, the general election held before that “may well become a referendum on this GST hike.”

Transforming labour for the future economy
(The Business Times)
By Dr Faizal Bin Yahya and Mr Mooris Tjioe

One of Singapore’s strengths has always been the quality of its manpower, but it also is among one of the fastest ageing societies in the world. Could one of the answers to revitalising our labour force lie in the gig economy?

Time to review government assistance to SMEs
(Channel NewsAsia)
By Dr Faizal Bin Yahya

Dr Faizal Bin Yahya suggests four ways in which the Government’s assistance to SMEs can be tweaked.

IPS Corporate Associates’ Breakfast Dialogue with Ms Indranee Rajah on Budget 2018

IPS held a Breakfast Dialogue with Ms Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State for Law and Finance, on 22 February 2018, to tap her behind-the-scenes insights on Budget 2018.

IPS Closed-Door Discussion on Social Capital and Inclusion

How can we address the class divide and foster greater social inclusion in Singapore? This Closed-Door Discussion discussed the findings and implications of the IPS survey, A Study of Social Capital in Singapore (2017).

Do our cultural leaders “get” the arts?

Who should lead the major cultural institutions of a country, and what values and leadership capabilities would they need to have? Read on for the report on the IPS-SAM Roundtable on The Future of Cultural Leadership in Singapore.

IPS-Nathan Lectures by Dr Cheong Koon Hean
Lecture I: What makes a city successful? Lessons from inspiring cities
Date: 26 March 2018, Time: 6.45pm–8.15pm
Venue: Guild Hall, NUSS Kent Ridge Guild House

The 5th IPS-Nathan lecture series is themed, Seeking A Better Urban Future. Dr Cheong will examine how cities deal with their urban challenges to create a better urban life for their citizens, and the considerations needed to plan and develop Singapore in the face of rapid change. The opening lecture sets the stage by taking a global view to draw insights from some inspiring cities and to uncover their secrets of success.

Click here to register for the first lecture.

IPS Researchers commented on Budget 2018, the Select Committee on online falsehoods, and the low level of corruption in Singapore, among other issues.
To read the comments of our Researchers on current affairs and policy issues, click here

Upcoming IPS events, click here

For media coverage of IPS seminars and lectures, click here