Monday, September 9, 2013

Singapore based ICPVTR is an Innovative Centre for Excellence in Counter Terrorism Research By Srimal Fernando I thediplomaticsociety.asia

http://www.thediplomaticsociety.asia

Singapore based ICPVTR is an Innovative Centre for Excellence in Counter Terrorism Research
 

Prof. Rohan Gunaratna with Dr. Douglas Stone at the ICPVTR International Conference on Terrorist Rehab and Comm Engagement
By Srimal Fernando  
Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) is a world class research school for Security studies and International Affairs in the Asia- Pacific region.  The outstanding research School is located on the main campus at the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. The RSIS was formally called the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS). The IDSS changed its name to S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in 2007. The International Studies School was named after Mr S. Rajaratnam, a Singaporean prominent leader who was the first Foreign Minister. S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) promotes programs focused primarily on peace and security issues, specific research projects, as well as numerous studies related to international affairs.
Today the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) with a broad mission is actively involved in research, knowledge and innovation and is made up of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR),  the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS), the Centre for Non –Traditional Security Studies (NTS), the Temasek Foundation Centre for Trade and Negotiations (TFCTN) and Centre for Multi-laterism and Studies (CMS).  
The Globally renowned think tank, the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research    (ICPVTR), has a worldwide reputation for counter- terrorism research and analysis .The International Centre  is one of the world's largest specialist centres  on the world's major events and hot-spot issues and on a wide range of Security and International issues. ICPVTR International Centre with a wealth of internationally-oriented programmes and several internationally distinguished research groups and units improves professional development of its partners and stakeholders through its capacity building programmes. The International Center (ICPVTR) is currently headed by Professor Rohan Gunaratna, a Senior Fellow both at Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy and at Jebsen Centre for Counter Terrorism Studies.  Professor Gunaratna, with 25 years of academic, field and policy experience in counter terrorism is a Singapore-based international terrorism expert who has  authored and edited twelve  books that includes international bestseller “Inside Al Qaeda: Global Network of Terror”.
ICPVTR delivers an academic experience second to none in the areas of foreign, security, integration, regional, inter-regional and international cooperation and in defense policies at both national and international level for political transition, security and stability. The core objective of the International centre is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of international, state, and societal responses in managing the threat of terrorism and political violence and to conduct sustained research and analysis of terrorist, guerilla, militia and extremist political groups and their support bases. The centre also advises governments and informs societies affected by terrorism and political violence on how best to manage the current and evolving threats.
International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research  (ICPVTR) celebrated 10 years of academic excellence last year which was founded in 2002.The International Center offers quality instructions and training for officials and future leaders engaged in combating terrorism and other forms of political violence. The ICPVTR hosted ASEAN Counter Terrorism Executive Programme, a high-powered annual meeting on March 2012.
The International centre attracts experts, partners and scholars from countries such as United States, United Kingdom, France, India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. The centre has strong establishment links with Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Boston, Hudson Institute, United States Military Academy West Point and Simon Wiesenthal Centre Untied States, International Policy Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT) of Israel, The Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention, University of Wollongong of Australia, School of Computer Engineering, NTU, Singapore and Accounting Research Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.
 
The International centre’s online and print media includes catalogs, online articles, and a global Pathfinder database, Country Reports, Spot Reports, Publications and Commentaries. The monthly online    publication “Counter Terrorist Trends and Analysis”   (CTTA)   provide a deeper connection to the Centre’s activities. In addition the centre maintains and conducts educational and capacity-building programs in strategic counter-terrorism projects. International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research    (ICPVTR) is one of the most experienced think tank Center of excellence that represent significant expertise and best practices in the field of international combating terrorism and other forms of political violence worldwide.

South Africa and Singapore partnership continues to grow stronger By Srimal Fernando I thediplomaticsociety.asia

http://www.thediplomaticsociety.asia

South Africa and Singapore partnership continues to grow stronger


By Srimal Fernando
Global Editor
South Africa and Singapore enjoy strong and excellent bilateral relations, based on Commonwealth ties, and share friendly engagements on a number of issues. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. A number of high level visits have been exchanged between the two countries since then. The High Commission of South Africa in Singapore aims to broaden the relationship between South Africa and Singapore by encouraging and supporting contacts and increasing links between the  two countries at people-to-people level and with institutions.
H.E. H. F Ngubeni
H.E. H. F Ngubeni is the present High Commissioner of South Africa to Singapore. She strives to further deepen and widen the cooperation in a number of areas of investment, trade and tourism and wants to promote South Africa, as an up-coming tourist destination in Singapore. It takes developing the new engines of growth for South Africa’s economy going forward. The tourism sector is an increasingly significant income generator for South Africa. As far as tourism is concerned, the latest figures indicate that South Africa received 9.8 million tourists in 2012, and about 8000 Singaporeans visited South Africa in the same period alone. In a face to face interview with the Foreign Exchange Global Editor the High Commissioner H. F Ngubeni said, “We are placing high emphasis on promoting investment, trade and tourism and marketing South Africa as a unique tourism destination in Singapore.” 
“Our relationship with Singapore is strong and broadbased and will continue to be very good.” The year 2013 marks a turning point in South Africa’s economic relationship with Singapore. The High Commission in Singapore had interesting programmes of action for the current year. This includes launching of its new tourism marketing initiatives for South Africa to increase leisure traffic between the two countries.
The main effort of the High Commission of South Africa in Singapore is to promote South African tourism in Singapore and to engage the main stakeholders in the tourism industry in both countries. In Singapore, the High Commissioner met the respective heads of the National Association of Travel Agents in Singapore (NATAS) and the Singapore Tourism Board. Meetings have also been held with individual outbound travel agents. The South African High Commission hosted a South African Tourist Promotion Seminar on 13th August 2013. The seminar was hosted in partnership with South African Tourism (SAT), the Changi Airport Group (CAG), Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the National Association of Travel Agents in Singapore (NATAS). The National Association of Travel Agents in Singapore (NATAS) Tourism Fair was the biggest tourism event where the entire outbound trade in Singapore was present for three days to sell the travel packages to consumers.
The High Commissioner engaged the President of NATAS in order to establish a sound working relationship with his organization. This engagement yielded phenomenal results for the High Commission in Singapore, as the President offered a free booth for participation in the National Association of Travel Agents in Singapore (NATAS) Fair and to organize the outbound travel trade to a seminar, where  the High Commission would make presentations about the tourism potential to the Singaporeans. The signing of the MOC by Singapore Airlines (SIA), Changi Airport Group (CAG) and South African Tourism (SAT) was regarded as an important milestone in the evolution of the  South Africa – Singapore relations.
South Africa’s engagement with the Government of Singapore and the business community is based on the promotion of South Africa’s trade and investment and tourism potential through the National Development Plan (NDP) with a view to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Trade has been a very significant factor of the South African economy. Trade between South Africa and Singapore is growing at a tremendous pace. Five of the highest valued South African exports to Singapore are fuel oils, nickel, aluminum, fresh grapes and acrylic acid. Imports from Singapore to South Africa play a significant role in trade between both countries.  South Africa’s top import from Singapore is high speed diesel fuel, floating drilling platforms, parts of vehicles, refined unleaded motor spirit and tin.
Today the South Africa and Singapore partnership is growing through enhanced trade, tourism, investment and cooperation in many social and economic development areas.

Source 

Reflections of a Tour to Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando


Reflections of  a Tour to Singapore  

Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



Club 150 - Sights and Sounds of Singapore — inSingapore.


[Srimal Fernando  is a International Journalist and a Global Editor . He is also a International Editor for a globally famous life style Magazine.as a recognized international travel photographer he has received tremendous appreciations from different Heads of States, Ministers and Diplomats ]


Lake side — in Singapore.



Marina Bay Sands Building — in Singapore.


Under water world — in Singapore.



The Merlion (Malay: Singa-Laut) is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, used as a mascot — in Singapore.



The Merlion (Malay: Singa-Laut) is a mythical creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish, used as a mascot Pictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.Pictured By Srimal Fernando

 
The Singapore Flyer is a giant Ferris wheel in Singapore that was constructed ... Early designs showed a 169 m (554 ft) tall wheel similar to the London EyePictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore.

Universal Studio — in Singapore.


Marina Bay Sands Pictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore.Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



Habour view - " Santhosa Island at Distance " Sights and Sounds of SingaporePictured By Srimal Fernando— in Singapore.



With Dolphins — in Singapore.


Lake sidePictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.




Habour Front — in Singapore.



at Santhosa Beach — in Singapore.


Sights and Sounds of Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.



Marine Bay — in Singapore.






China Garden — in Singapore.


National University of Singapore (NUS) — in Singapore.


Singapore Botanical Gardens — in Singapore.


St Andrews Cathedral — in Singapore.



Mosque -Arab Street — in Singapore.



Lake side /China Gardens — in Singapore.


Lake Side — in Singapore.




China Town Hindu Temple Pictured By Srimal Fernando— in Singapore.



Marina Bay Sands Pictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore. Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



Marina Bay Sands Pictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore.Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



at Marina Bay Sands garden — in Singapore.Pictured By Srimal Fernando 



Botanical Garden Pictured By Srimal Fernando — inSingapore..Pictured By Srimal Fernando 


Sights and Sounds of Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.



Bay Front - Sights and Sounds of Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.


Little India — in Singapore.


National University of Singapore (NUS) Arts Faculty Pictured By Srimal Fernando




DBS YahtsPictured By Srimal Fernand — in Singapore.


Lake side Chinese Temple Sights and Sounds of Singapore By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.



China Gardens Temple Sights and Sounds of Singapore By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.


Sights and Sounds of SingaporePictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.


Sights and Sounds of SingaporePictured By Srimal Fernando — in Singapore.


 Important notice  Reflections of a Tour to Singapore Pictured By Srimal Fernando ..Do  not publish or use  these images without the permission of the author