Researchers from SUSS will be conducting a five-year study into how Singaporeans use their time and seek to understand how Singaporeans' routines and caregiving arrangements for the young and old are evolving. The study will do this by looking at how much time Singaporeans spend at home, the workplace or school, and their attitudes towards this.
In support of this first-of-its-kind panel research, the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and The Ngee Ann Kongsi (NAK) formalised on 16 August 2021 their intention to donate S$1 million and S$1.2 million respectively over five years to fund the study, which will be called NCSS-The Ngee Ann Kongsi 360 Panel Research.
The signatories to the agreement: (from left) Ms Tan Li-San, Chief Executive Officer, NCSS; Mr Jamie Teo, Vice President and Chairman of the Donation & Charity Sub-Committee, NAK; and Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, President of SUSS.
The event was graced by Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social and Family Development.
Led by Associate Professor Leong Chan-Hoong from SUSS Centre for Applied Research, the research team aims to interview 1,000 families or about 3,000 residents.
Ms Tan Li San, Chief Executive Officer of NCSS, said: “NCSS’s partnership with SUSS and NAK is another example of our collaborative efforts with community partners to better serve our social service users. The study will offer insights to help us better shape our services and provide as feedback for policies. This endeavour is also another step towards making the sector a more data-driven and evidence-based one.”
Mr Jamie Teo, Vice President and Chairman of the Donation & Charity Sub-Committee, NAK, said: “The Ngee Ann Kongsi has been exploring opportunities to strengthen our support for philanthropic causes that benefit Singaporeans from all walks and races, and this includes contributing to meaningful research that seeks to improve and help the community. We hope that our intended funding will empower SUSS with the resources to build new frontiers in research, bridge gaps, and advance the holistic well-being of society through the panel study.”
Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, President of SUSS, said: “We are honoured to receive these generous donations in support of our applied social inquiry. Beyond providing insights on the impact of well-being and social mobility, this study will also bridge an important gap in policy research. This will ultimately benefit Singapore as a nation, through refinement and improvement of its policies.”
The event Guest-of-Honour with representatives from the signing parties: (from left) Ms Tan Li-San, Chief Executive Officer, NCSS; Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, President of SUSS; Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State for Education, and Social & Family Development; Mr James Teo, President, NAK; and Mr Jamie Teo, Vice President and Chairman of the Donation & Charity Sub-Committee, NAK.