MINDEF/SAF, SIM UNIVERSITY SIGN AGREEMENT

From January 2007, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Paracounsellor Preparatory Course, conducted by the SAF Counselling Centre (SCC), will be accredited by SIM University (UniSIM).

The SCC signed a memorandum of understanding with the university's School of Human Development & Social Services on 20 Dec.

The signing was witnessed by Mr Lam Yi Young, the Ministry of Defence's (MINDEF) Director of Manpower, and Professor Tsui Kai Chong, Provost of UniSIM.

This collaboration is a first between MINDEF/SAF and UniSIM, an institution specialising in higher education for working adults.

Under this partnership, participants in the five-day course will graduate with a Certificate in Basic Counselling jointly endorsed by SCC and UniSIM.

The intensive course, held four times a year by the SCC, equips selected volunteers with the fundamentals of frontline counselling.

It also trains them in such matters as grief management and suicide prevention.

"This collaboration with UniSIM will pave the way for SAF paracounsellors who are considering a second career in counselling to further their studies in this field," said Mrs Marlene Koh, Head of the SCC's Paracounselling Branch.

Certificate holders will gain credit exemption for the university's counselling degree programme.

There are plans for UniSIM to develop a diploma in counselling programme that will cater to SAF paracounsellors who may not qualify for the degree programme.

Since 1982, SAF paracounsellors have served as a valuable source of help for all MINDEF and SAF personnel with personal or work-related issues.