PUB and HCLI to develop programme for water business leaders

SINGAPORE - PUB, Singapore's national water agency, and the Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop a programme aimed at nurturing regional and global water business leaders.

The programme will be focused on positioning Singapore as a world-class, high impact, water talent development hub, the agency said today.

Its by-invitation only inaugural run will start on September 16 and end on September 19.

Here is the press release from PUB and HCLI:

PUB, Singapore's national water agency, and the Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly develop the Aquarius Programme - Raising the Next Wave of Water Business Leaders.

Through the Aquarius Programme, this strategic alliance aims to develop the next generation of regional and global water business leaders, and position Singapore as a world-class, high impact, water talent development hub.

This initiative is supported by the Environment and Water Industry Programme Office (EWI), a PUB-led interagency outfit which also involves the Singapore Economic Development Board, which spearheads the growth of Singapore's global hydrohub through a three-pronged strategy -

1) Capability Development

2) Cluster Development

3) Internationalisation of Singapore-based companies

Developing a world-class pool of water professionals has been a key pillar of EWI's Capability Development strategy to help water companies capitalise on growth opportunities out of Singapore.

The Aquarius Programme is so named to represent the dynamic landscape that leaders in the water industry must navigate in order to create a vibrant ecosystem with broad social and business impact. It is a unique leadership programme customised to meet the increasing international demand for executive management professionals who understand the dynamics of the water industry, particularly in Asia.

As the flagship premier executive leadership programme under PUB's Academy@WaterHub, the institute of advanced learning for water professionals, the Aquarius Programme will bring together an exclusive group of senior executives to expand the breadth and depth of their capabilities to be able to effectively lead and manage a water business.

It will groom water business leaders who are responsible for driving and delivering global and regional operations and business strategies.

With Asia's rapid economic and population growth generating greater demand for water-related services and infrastructure, participants can look forward to a deeper appreciation of Asian infrastructure markets, understand the dynamics of the global water industry, and enhance their leadership capabilities within the context of a globalised Asia.

Designed to be a compact and intensive annual programme, the Aquarius Programme will cover both leadership and business modules with a strong focus on water.

Its by-invitation only inaugural run will be held from Sept 16-19, 2013.

The PUB-HCLI MOU was signed by the Director, WaterHub, PUB, Mr. Ng Han Tong and the Head, Strategic Alliances & Client Services, HCLI, Ms. Catherine Mudford. The event was officially witnessed by the Chief Executive, PUB, Mr. Chew Men Leong, the Chief Executive Officer, HCLI, Mr. Peter Ong, and Director, Cleantech, EDB, Mr. Goh Chee Kiong. The MOU signing ceremony was held in conjunction with the quarterly Singapore Water Industry Night.

"Human capital is the most important asset for the water industry, without which innovation, commercialisation, and the effective delivery of water solutions cannot thrive. A well-trained, specialised workforce is critical to support our vibrant water ecosystem and strengthen Singapore's value proposition as a global hydrohub. The Aquarius Programme will leverage Singapore`s expertise in water governance and our focus on innovative water solutions, and share this knowledge with the rest of the region," said Mr Chew, who is also the Executive Director of EWI.

"We believe the Aquarius Programme will be an impactful platform for water companies to develop leaders for their regional control towers and innovation centres in Singapore. It will also cement our position as a Home for Talent in the global water industry, where companies can use Singapore as the location to access, develop and deploy talent for their global operations," said Mr Julian Ho, Deputy Executive Director of EWI and Assistant Managing Director of EDB.

"The challenges facing the water industry globally, increasingly require leaders who are able to lead and manage across dynamic, cross-social, cross-environmental and cross-technological boundaries. HCLI recognises that as the water industry in Asia grows, matures and becomes increasingly localised, a sustained successful development of Asian human capital capabilities is key. We are thus proud to be working with the PUB and EDB, in driving this landmark programme that aims to multiply the pool of water business leaders in the region," said Mr Peter Ong, Chief Executive Officer of the Human Capital Leadership Institute.

The first run of the Aquarius Programme will also be co-located with the inaugural Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) Water Utilities Leaders Forum, which will be held from 18-19 Sept 2013.

The Forum is a by-invitation, intimate gathering of global water utilities leaders to discuss challenges and co-create solutions in their respective areas. These discussion outcomes will be documented and showcased at SIWW 2014.