MINDEF Innovates for Tomorrow 22 May 1998 More than 170 SAF and MINDEF personnel were honoured for their efforts and contributions in improving service excellence and productivity this morning, 22 May 98. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Dr Tony Tan, presented awards to individuals, groups and units that have done well in their productivity efforts at the 11th Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Productivity In Daily Effort (PRIDE) Day awards presentation ceremony held at SAFTI MI. The MINDEF Productivity Movement was established in 1981 to foster a climate receptive to change, raise productivity awareness and promote involvement and teamwork within the organisation. MINDEF has always been taking serious efforts in productivity; innovating to reduce operating costs and improving the efficiency of the work processes in the organisation. The theme for this year's MINDEF PRIDE Day, 'TOGETHER, INNOVATING FOR TOMORROW', is in line with the foundation theme 'Innovation & Quality' promulgated by Public Service Board for the productivity movement from 1996 to 2000; and theme for the 1997 Public Service Convention 'Serving Singaporeans Today TOMORROW'. Dr Tan also opened the 11th MINDEF PRIDE Exhibition. The exhibition showcased outstanding projects and suggestions contributed by MINDEF and SAF personnel. For the first time, this exhibition is open to the public in the Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah and Tampines SAFRA clubhouses on 23rd and 24th May 98, from 10 am to 8 pm. This allows MINDEF to share its achievements with members of the public, particularly the 250,000-strong operationally ready NSmen. This move is made in recognition of the important role played by NSmen not only in the operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces, but also their contributions to the overall productivity efforts in MINDEF and at their respective workplaces. More information can be obtained from the web page at http://www.mindef.gov.sg/pride/. Also present at the awards presentation ceremony were the Minister of Education and Second 1 Minister for Defence, RADM (NS) Teo Chee Hean; Minister of State for Defence, Mr Matthias Yao; the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Bey Soo Kiang; Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Mr Peter Ho; ACCORD members and invited guests from MINDEF and other government agencies and statutory boards. This event, for the first time, is broadcast live to MINDEF personnel in 23 different sites through video conferencing and web-casting techniques. 2 .