The Public Sector Science & Technology Policy & Plans Office (S&TPPO), a department under the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), hosted the Public Service Science, Technology and Engineering Conference (STEC) 2024 at The Theatre at Mediacorp. This year’s conference, themed “Transforming Singapore in a Changing World – STE Innovations for a Sustainable Future,” gathered some 800 Public Service Science, Technology and Engineering (STE) leaders and professionals from more than 50 ministries and agencies to share ideas, collaborate, and strengthen networks. Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Mr. Chan Chun Sing was the Guest-of-Honour. Seven projects led by the various Public Service STE agencies were recognised during the event (see Table 1).
Table 1. List of awards and the respective recipients
| Award | Recipients |
| Public Service Science, Technology and Engineering Innovation Challenge (STE IC) | DISTINCTION AWARD Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA): Successful Completion of the World’s first Ship-to-Containership Methanol Bunkering Operation in the Port of Singapore MERIT AWARD Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech): Addressing Inefficiencies in the WOG Video Ecosystem via Integration of Video Analytics System (VAS) and Cloud Video Exchange (CVX) HTX, Home Team Science and Technology Agency: Project eXtramural and Project eXorbital |
| Public Service Science, Technology and Engineering Excellence Award (STE EA) | Land Transport Authority (LTA): Underpinning of NSL MRT Tunnels by Rectangular Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and Construction of New Mined Tunnels with Ground Freezing Method at Marina Bay Station Ministry of Health (MOH), Health Promotion Board (HPB): Launch of Healthier SG National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore Land Authority (SLA): Transforming Urban Tree Management Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA): ePlanner – Whole of Government (WOG) 2D-3D Urban Planning Application with Integrated M&S Capabilities |
This is the second iteration of the STEC 2024, following the inaugural STEC in 2022. In addition to the award presentations, this year’s conference featured a keynote presentation by Mr. John Churchill, Chief Technology Officer of Dyson, and exhibits from six STE IC projects, eight STE EA projects, and seven Centres of Excellence (CentExs) led by Public Service STE agencies. The event also included a panel discussion focused on “Driving Innovation in Engineering Organisations”, with Keppel’s CEO Infrastructure Ms. Cindy Lim, Arup’s Cities Business Leader for Southeast Asia and Head of the Centre for Climate Action in Cities Mr. Chintan Raveshia, and CEO PUB Mr. Ong Tze-Ch’in.
“I give thanks for our forefathers’ foresight, hard work and service that inspired our generation. It is now incumbent upon us to not rest on our laurels, look back at our past, and think that we have arrived. Instead, we have to set ourselves a new set of challenges, confront them and rise to the occasion,” commented Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister-in-charge of the Public Service and Minister for Education, and the guest of honour at STEC 2024.
Cross-agency collaboration and fostering creativity for driving impactful outcomes
The STEC 2024 conference spotlighted the STE IC, a hackathon-style competition designed to foster innovation and promote cross-agency collaboration. This initiative encourages teams to develop, test, and prototype solutions to real-world challenges, and generate impactful and scalable innovations.
The STE EA was also presented, celebrating exemplary STE projects that delivered innovative solutions and meaningful outcomes for our citizens and communities.
“I congratulate and thank all of you for your contribution to the Science, Technology and Engineering capabilities of our country. For me, you will always be the force multipliers of Singapore’s capabilities. Without your contributions, we will just be a nation of four million people in 700 square kilometres. With your contributions, ideas, and passion, we can be a nation of four million people, powered by 40 million machines, with 400 million connections to impact a world of 4 billion people,” concluded Minister Chan.
