SUSS and SNCF to Deliver Leadership Programme to Strengthen Co-operative Movement in Singapore
Date: 8 May 2026
The three-month programme will equip co-operative leaders, managers and professionals with practical skills to lead with integrity, collaborate across sectors, harness digital tools and measure impact.
Singapore, 8 May 2026 – The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) have signed a Professional Service Agreement to deliver a new leadership development programme to strengthen capabilities within the co-operative sector. The signing was held at the Cheong Hee Kiat Lecture on Community Leadership 2026 at Our Tampines Hub.
Group photo at the signing ceremony (from left, row 1): Professor Robbie Goh, Provost, SUSS and Mr Ang Hin Kee, Chief Executive Officer, SNCF. (From left, row 2): Professor Ang Hak Seng, Director, Centre of Excellence for Social Good, SUSS; Professor Tan Tai Yong, President, SUSS; Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower; Ms Thian Ai Ling, First Deputy Chairperson, SNCF Executive Council; Associate Professor Justina Tan, Vice President, Strategic Partnership & Engagement, SUSS
Minister of State for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, graced the event as Guest-of-Honour and delivered the keynote address, emphasising the importance of shared responsibility, collective ownership and mutual care in strengthening community resilience and enabling Singaporeans to navigate evolving social and economic challenges.
In his address, Mr Dinesh underscored the importance of a “We First” society – where Singaporeans come together across differences to build trust, a shared identity and collective resilience. He highlighted the need to create shared experiences that bring people together, encourage greater community participation, and strengthen partnerships to foster a more caring and inclusive society.
Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State for Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, delivering his keynote speech at the Cheong Hee Kiat Lecture for Community Leadership.
Co-operative societies are one example where individuals unite to support one another and their communities. To develop and nurture a more purposeful, professional and trusted co-operative sector, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth has committed up to $30 million through a decade-long Transformation Roadmap to support the Singapore Co-operative Movement.
Under the 10-year Transformation Roadmap, the SNCF has developed the Co-operative Leaders Programme to strengthen community leadership. As a key component of this programme, SNCF has collaborated with SUSS to deliver a three-month leadership programme to equip co-operative leaders with essential capabilities for the future, focusing on ethical leadership, cross-sector collaboration, digital transformation and impact measurement.
Participants will undertake hands-on projects to develop actionable solutions for their organisations and communities. Upon completion, participants will receive a joint certification from SUSS and the SNCF. The programme will commence in July, more details will be released in due course.
The collaboration brings together SUSS’s expertise in applied learning and SNCF’s sectoral leadership to equip co-operative leaders with the capabilities to drive meaningful, community-centred outcomes. It also reflects a broader commitment to strengthening the leadership ecosystem within the community sector through closer partnerships between education and industry.
Professor Robbie Goh, Provost of SUSS, said: “As social needs grow more complex, there is an increasing demand for leaders who can deliver practical, community-centred outcomes. Through our partnership with SNCF, we are developing such leaders. This reflects the vision of the Cheong Hee Kiat Lecture Series, which supports the next generation of community leaders and strengthens cross-sector collaboration.”
Mr Ang Hin Kee, CEO of SNCF added: “Co-operatives have been central to strengthening Singapore’s social compact, meeting society’s needs, placing members first and uplifting communities. This partnership will help in equipping leaders with strong leadership and management capabilities to shape the Movement’s future and ensure that co-operatives remain a force for social good.”
The Cheong Hee Kiat Lecture on Community Leadership is an annual SUSS platform that brings together leaders from across the public, private and people sectors to exchange ideas and drive action on key social issues. Launched in 2025, the lecture honours SUSS’ founding president Emeritus Professor Cheong Hee Kiat and aims to empower a new generation of community leaders.
By fostering dialogue and catalysing action, the Cheong Hee Kiat Lecture continues to serve as a platform for advancing ideas and partnerships that will contribute to Singapore’s collective future.
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About Singapore University of Social Sciences
At SUSS, we have a singular vision to be a university that inspires learning for life and impacts lives, regardless of age, background or life path. Our university is a vibrant tapestry of ages and experiences. From recent JC and polytechnic graduates to seasoned professionals, parents seeking new horizons and individuals redefining their careers in their golden years—our diverse community comes together for one common goal: to empower themselves with an education that impacts lives and society.
We offer more than 110 undergraduate and graduate programmes, available in full- and part-time study modes which are flexible, modular and interdisciplinary, catering to both fresh school leavers and adult learners. SUSS also offers a broad range of continuing education and training modular courses for the professional skills upgrading of Singapore's workforce.
Our programmes and courses are offered by our six schools:
- S R Nathan School of Human Development
- School of Business
- School of Humanities & Behavioural Sciences
- School of Law
- School of Science & Technology
- School of Social Work & Social Development
Since becoming an Autonomous University in 2017, over 21,000 graduates have experienced our unique brand of education. More than 19,000 students are currently pursuing their full- and part-time studies with us.
The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), as part of SUSS, leads in the field of research on adult and workplace learning and training of adult educators to build capabilities of the training and adult education sector in Singapore and beyond.
For more information about SUSS, please visit www.suss.edu.sg.
About Singapore National Co-operative Federation
The Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SNCF) is the apex body of the Singapore Co-operative Movement, and secretariat of the Central Co-operative Fund (CCF). Formed in 1980 with the aim of championing Singapore’s Co-operative Movement, the apex body represents majority of co-operative members in Singapore through its affiliated co-operatives. Today, the Movement boasts a base of 1,000,000 members.
SNCF provides programmes to help co-operatives strengthen their enterprises so that they can better serve their members, the broader community and transform the national economy. Find out more via: https://www.sncf.coop/
About the 10-year Transformation Roadmap and the Co-operative Leaders Programme
MCCY has committed up to $30 million towards the 10-year Transformation Roadmap. It was developed over 5 months through extensive engagements with 1,200 stakeholders, including co-op leaders, emerging leaders, youth, unions, and members of public.
As part of the Transformation Roadmap, the Co-operative Leaders Programme was developed by the Singapore National Co-operative Federation. The Co-operative Leaders Programme aims to equip senior co-operative leaders in shaping the future direction of their co-ops, contribute ideas at Movement-level discussions, and raise awareness of the co-op model locally and internationally. These are leaders who have been nominated and have about three to 10 years of leadership experience within the Singapore Co-operative Movement.