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| Quest for excellence through innovation |
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| Minister Raymond Lim (right) giving out the MIA 2006
awards during the MOT Annual Dinner. |
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For the Ministry of Transport (MOT),
innovation is about unhinging mindsets,
questioning the status quo and encouraging
a “can do” spirit not just to do things better,
but also to do better things.
Indeed, innovation is integral to our everyday
work, as we constantly seek new ways of doing
things to stay ahead.
“In today’s environment of finite resources
and increasing competition, there is a need
to seek continuous improvements and
productivity gains through innovation,” said
Minister for Transport, Mr Raymond Lim.
Like other public organisations, MOT has a
framework to encourage innovation. This
framework comprises not only the usual
platforms like the Work Improvement Team
Scheme (WITS) and Staff Suggestion Scheme
(SSS), but also experiential Learning Circles
(eLCs) as a variation of the conventional WITs.
The eLCs framework is a cycle of observations and reflections,
abstractions, experimentation and testing, and concrete
learning. This cycle provides a powerful way to acquire
hands-on knowledge vital for innovation.
The eLCs in practice call for officers from
across departments to come together to
engage in lateral discussion and sharing. The
flexible structure, coupled with a free and
open environment, is intended to encourage
innovative ideas to be conceptualised and
developed.
The very best of these initiatives then compete
with other deserving ideas from our statutory
boards for the coveted Minister Innovation
Award (MIA), where prize money of up to
$1,000 is up for grabs. The MIA is the highest
accolade given to recognise the innovative
efforts of our officers. Winners are selected
for the level of innovation and impact of the
nominated projects.
Since the MIA’s inception in 2002, 47 projects have been
awarded. Many of the winning projects clinched further
awards at the national level. For example, the Maritime
and Port Authority’s (MPA) info@SEA™, a Distinguished
MIA winner, has also won the inaugural The Enterprise
Challenge Award (Silver).
The impact of the winning innovation projects
has been significant.
For example, info@SEA™, which was jointly developed
by BMT Asia Pacific, DHI Singapore, and MPA, helped to
increase the utilisation of terminals in Singapore and
improve safety.
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| With the Easi-ERP, drivers can easily pay for ERP
administrative fees through their mobile phone bills. |
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With the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA)
SMS payment system for Electronic Road
Pricing administrative fees, motorists pay
reduced administrative charges and enjoy
the convenience of being notified of their
outstanding payments via SMS.
And the introduction of Integrated Commercial
Zones in ChangiAirport by Civil
Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
resulted in a net increase of 87% in sales for
the tenants.
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| The Integrated
Commercial Zones brought about a significant
increase in sales for the tenants. |
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Of course, having just the framework in place is not
sufficient to sustain any innovation effort. To sustain
the innovation drive, MOT aims to embed innovation within
our organisational culture and encourage staff to practise
innovation as well as to
live it.
2006 MIA WINNERS
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CAAS
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Integrated Commercial Zones at Terminal 1 |
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Concrete Solution for Minimising Downtime of Facilities in Airport Development Works |
LTA
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Payment of Outstanding Electronic Road
Pricing Charges by Short Messaging
Service |
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It’s Now So E-asy to Talk2LTA! |
MPA
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A New Intelligent Bunker Management
System (iBMS) for the Bunkering
Community |
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info@SEA™— A Maritime Data
Hub |
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CAAS
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Improved Inventory Management of
Rescue and Fire-fighting Equipment with
the Aid of Radio Frequency Identification
Technology |
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Projects to Improve Services to Passengers |
LTA
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VR10 — Engaging Our Youths in a Fun Way |
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Improvements to the Design of the
Scupper Pipe |
MPA
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Enhancing Dumping Barges’ Spoils Monitoring System Using
Latest
Electronic Charting
System and Communications
Technology |
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Speedy Submissions of Crew Change
Documentation from Ship-to-Shore |
MOT HQ
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Improvement to Implementation of
Enhanced Arrival Passenger Screening
Operations at Singapore Changi Airport |
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by Ministry of Transport
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