Fireside chat with Dr Ang Hak Seng, Director, SUSS Centre of Excellence for Social Good
By Rachel Teng
Meet the public sector officers who have spoken at our Festival of Innovation, 13th – 14th July 2022.
Joining us on the Developing the new generation of public officers panel was Professor Ang Hak Seng, who is currently serving as the Director for the Centre of Excellence for Social Good at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS). The Centre champions social entrepreneurship within Singapore’s people and non-profit sectors. Dr Ang is also an adjunct professor with NTU’s Nanyang Centre for Public Administration and a Fellow at the Civil Service College.
Prior to these appointments, Prof Ang has served in the Public Service for more than 25 years. As the Chief Executive Director of the People’s Association (PA), he transformed PA into a resident-centric organisation, playing an invaluable role in strengthening Singapore’s social fabric.
He was previously appointed as the Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Commissioner of Charities (COC) and Executive Director of the Registry of Co-operative Societies and Mutual Benefit Organisations (RCS).
Tell us more about you! Which organisation are you from and what do you do?
Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, Ang Hak Seng. SUSS’s Centre of Excellence for Social Good. Previously I was the Deputy Secretary in MCCY, Commissioner of Charities, the Chief Executive Director of People’s Association, CEO of Health Promotion Board and was also part of the senior management of the Singapore Police Force and have been working in the public sector for over 30 years.
Can you share the most fulfilling or meaningful project you were involved in recently?
The most meaningful project that I have been involved in is the building of social entrepreneurship capabilities in the people sector to better prepare the sector for the complex issues of the present and future.
What is an innovative project in government that you were most excited about this past year?
I was most excited for the push for Smart Nation which leveraged on the digital awakening that occurred during the pandemic.
What is a new frontier that you believe governments today should explore further, and how do you think it can change the way governments work or help you better serve citizens?
The new frontier that governments today need to explore is to co-create solutions with their citizens.
What does the government of the future look like to you?
For you, by you, with you.
Who or what inspires you?
Lee Kwan Yew.
Hear more from Mr Ang Hak Seng on how government leaders can best nurture the public officers of tomorrow, as well as from other government leaders on how they are pushing the boundaries of innovation. Watch the Festival of Innovation, 13 – 14 July 2022, on-demand by registering for the on-demand playbacks here.