In an age where the Internet has created vital links that transcend physical borders and the business landscape is characterised by the mobility of human capital, it is valuable for two countries to mutually recognise professional skills standards...
Singapore, 24 August 2001 | For Immediate Release
In an age where the Internet has created vital links that transcend physical borders and the business landscape is characterised by the mobility of human capital, it is valuable for two countries to mutually recognise professional skills standards.
Seeing the value in such cross-recognition, Singapore and Japan have committed to mutually recognising the skill standards of its Infocomm project managers. The National Infocomm Competency Centre, Singapore (NICC) and the Singapore Computer Society (SCS) today concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Academy of Information Technology, Japan (CAIT) and the Japan Information Technology Engineers Examination Centre (JITEC). This MOU puts into effect cross recognition of the two countries' project management certification programmes, namely the Certified IT Project Manager (CITPM) managed by SCS and endorsed by NICC, and the Information Technology Engineers' Skill Standards (Project Manager) provided by the Japan Information Processing Development Corporation (JIPDEC).
Of added significance is that fact that this MOU is one of the initiatives that comes under the auspices of the Japan Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA), which is currently being negotiated between the governments of Japan and Singapore.
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and the Ministry of Economic Trade and Industry, Japan (METI) facilitated the cross recognition process. This MOU will promote the mutual recognition of the skills standards of Infocomm project managers in Singapore and Japan. As Infocomm is a growth engine in both countries, this partnership will lead to increased business activities related to Infocomm project management and development between the two countries. It will also promote the flow of Infocomm personnel between the two countries as it creates a system of benchmarking against mutually agreed criteria. Some of the criteria include Project Integration Management, Project Scope Management, Project Time Management, Managing Project Costs, Managing Project Quality, Project Human Resource Management, Project Communications Management, Managing Project Risks, Project Procurement Management and Managing Complexities.
"This bilateral agreement shows that the governments and industries in Singapore and Japan value the importance of skills certification. This is especially relevant in today's global business environment where it is very common for IT projects to be conceptualized and executed across several countries or even, continents. This MOU seeks to assure employers of the calibre of Infocomm professionals from both countries as they are certified based on the same benchmarks", explained Mr Lo Yoong Khong, Deputy Director of the IDA's Manpower Development Division.
Reflecting on the significance of the signing, Mr Leong Keng Thai, Deputy Chief Executive of the IDA said, "This MOU, which is part of our larger effort under the JSEPA currently being negotiated, will further integrate our two economies to mutual benefit. Encouraging a greater flow of Infocomm talent between the two countries will lead to exchange of expertise and industry best practices, which is beneficial to the Singapore and Japanese economies. This is indeed a positive development which I believe will constitute a key deliverable of the free trade agreement between our countries".
"We are very delighted that this important agreement has been concluded finally between NICC and JIPDEC in the area of the mutual recognition of information technology skill standards. We are certain that this agreement will act as a catalyst in advancing the development of IT industries and promoting the mobility of IT personnel between our two countries. We hope that our achievement here today will also serve to expedite the establishment of common IT skill standards on a broader basis throughout Asia," said Mr Takao Tominaga, President, the Japan Information Technology Engineers Examination Center.
For more information on the Certified IT Project Manager (CITPM), please refer to www.scs.org.sg. For more information on the Information Technology Engineers' Skill Standards (Project Manager), please refer to www.cait.jipdec.or.jp.
JOINTLY ISSUED BY:
THE INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC TRADE AND INDUSTRY, JAPAN
About the Signatories:
National Infocomm Competency Centre, Singapore (NICC)
NICC is a multi-partite body to facilitate the development and implementation of certification and recognition measures to help meet Singapore's target for an Infocomm competent workforce.
Singapore Computer Society (SCS)
SCS is the largest Infocomm professional body in Singapore whose mission is to be a centre of excellence for Infocomm professional development and to promote widespread recognition for professional excellence in the Infocomm industry.
Japan Information Processing Development Corporation (JIPDEC)
JIPDEC is a non-profit organization and has actively cooperated with the Japanese government's policy of informatization. CAIT and JITEC are the lower branches of JIPDEC.
Central Academy of Information Technology, Japan (CAIT)
The Central Academy of Information Technology is a public institution for development of human resources founded in 1968 with the support of METI
Japan Information Technology Engineers Examination Centre (JITEC)
The Japan Information-Technology Engineers Examination Center is an organization which was designated by METI as the official examination administration in 1984 and conducts Information Technology Engineers Examination.
For media clarification, please contact:
Ms Chia Sher Ling
Manager, Corporate Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel : (65) 211-1840
Email: chia_sher_ling@imda.gov.sg
Mr. Katsuzo Kaji
Senior Researcher
Central Academy of Information Technology
Tel: (81) 3-5531-0171
Email: kajik@cait.jipdec.or.jp
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