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 CUGE conducted the 4th run of the Certified Playground Safety Inspector course on 23-25 April 2012. Thanks to the greater awareness for playground safety, this run attracted 39 participants, the highest number thus far. In fact, a few late registrants had to be turned away because the class size had gone beyond the optimal trainer-trainee ratio.
Most of the 39 participants were taking this certification course for the first time. It was very encouraging to the trainers that some first-time participants prepared themselves well before coming for the course, with the help from their colleagues who are Certified Playground Safety Inspectors. This showed their enthusiasm and eagerness to do well in the course.
During the course, there were active classroom discussions and a site visit to Greenwood Crescent Park. The rain did not deter the participants in their assessment and discussion of the playground during the site visit.
Classroom discussion
Site visit
Group photo with the trainers
CUGE organized a playground seminar on 26-27 April 2012. Held at the Function Hall of HortPark, the seminar featured speakers from United States, Canada, Holland and Singapore. The seminar attracted nearly sixty participants, including 1 participant each from New Zealand and Hong Kong, 18 from NParks, and the rest from town councils, play equipment suppliers/contractors and property management companies. Recognising the breadth of play and recreation, the organizers also brought in playground designers, test and certification service organizations such as TUV SUD PSB and regulators such as BCA.
Topics presented included the latest development in the management of playground, fitness equipment and aquatic facilities. There were also updates on various playground safety standards and amusement rides safety requirements. A mini trade exhibition was also held together with the seminar. Thanks to the Landscape Industry Association Singapore (LIAS) and TUV SUD PSB, for their participation in the trade exhibition.
Presentations
Trade exhibition
 CUGE collaborated with North West CDC in their first Themed Job Fair on 22 March 2012 where job seekers were able to meet employers from various industries. The aim of the event was to allow locals to not only secure employment with companies but also to engage them in pre-training at CUGE before embarking on a 1 week work program from 2 to 9 April 2012.
The event was graced by Er Dr Lee Bee Wah and Mr Patrick Tay, Members of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC. Er Dr Lee was given an overview of CUGE as well as the landscape industry by CUGE Career Centre Manager, Yeo Fujie and had hands-on experience of pruning a plant with the assistance of See Yi Koon, CUGE Career Centre Executive.
There were a total of 12 people who signed up for the program which was the highest number garnered during the Job Fair amongst the 4 training centres present (Landscape, Retail, Food and Beverage & Manufacturing). This was made possible with the strong support given by the four landscape employers (Kiat Lee Landscape and Construction, TEHC International, Nature Landscapes and Evershine Florist) who supported CUGE's drive to promote landscape careers and training.
For more information on job placements and courses available at CUGE, please contact Yeo Fujie, CUGE Career Centre Manager at 64650288 or email yeo_fujie@nparks.gov.sg.
Trainees listening attentively as the trainer conducts the lesson
Trainees taking notes during the lesson
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Recognizing the increasing popularity of rooftop greenery in Singapore, the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology launched three new CUGE STANDARDS in the Skyrise Greenery series during March 2012.
CS E05:2012, Guidelines on Waterproofing for Rooftop Greenery, identifies rooftop waterproofing selection and installation considerations and issues prior to rooftop greenery implementation.
CS E06:2012, Guidelines on Irrigation for Rooftop Greenery, addresses irrigation needs and considerations on the rooftop environment.
CS E07:2012, Guidelines on General Maintenance for Rooftop Greenery, describes the general maintenance requirements and good-practices on the rooftop environment.
The three standards are developed by a Technical Committee made up of members from CUGE, the International Green Roof Association, Building Construction Authority, Housing and Development Board and Association of Consulting Engineers Singapore.
CUGE hopes to develop a suite of relevant standards (CS E, Skyrise Greenery series) that industry professionals and government agencies can use to understand the fundamentals and performance of green roof systems.
The CUGE Standards are available at SBG Library and Garden Shops for S$ 10.00 each. Staff will enjoy a discount of 10%.
http://www.cuge.com.sg/research/catalog.php
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CUGE had the honour of hosting Professor Brian Kane, one of only a few professionals in the world who has done in-depth research on tree biomechanics last week.
Prof Brian Kane is an ISA Certified Arborist and tree climbing specialist, but it is the work he has accomplished in recent years as a researcher that has earned him world-wide recognition. Prof Kane is currently the Massachusetts Arborist Association Associate Professor of Commercial Arboriculture in the Department of Environmental Conservation at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst, and is well-respected for his studies on tree biomechanics and risk assessment.
Prof Kane has looked extensively at how pruning trees impacts the response from wind load and has taken a close look at the result of rigging operations on tree worker safety. Prof Kane has published over 30 scientific journal articles and is the recipient of numerous research grants. His accomplishments come with less than 12 years as a post-graduate scientist, a short time for compiling so much analysis.
During his visit to Singapore, CUGE organized a successful seminar – "What is Tree Biomechanics and Why Should I Care?" for over 80 tree care professionals and arborists on 27 March 2012. Prof Kane educated aborists on the dramatic impact of wind load on trees.
Participants were impressed with his expertise and rated his seminar very highly. For more information on the arboriculture programmes, please contact Kay at 64627305.
Prof Brian Kane
Prof Brian Kane explaining various type of stresses on trees to arborists and tree care professionals
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 CUGE organized the 4th run of the Fundamentals of Slope Protection and Maintenance course on 22 March 2012 for facilities and estate managers and officers who are involved in slopes maintenance. The primary objective of the course is to create awareness of slope failure risks and how these can be mitigated within green spaces under one’s jurisdiction.
42 participants from government agencies and industry companies attended the course. Participants were taught the causes and signs of slope failure, overview of assessment procedure, monitoring and instrumental measures in the event of a slope failure.
For more information on the course, please contact Ms Penny Teng at penny_teng@nparks.gov.sg.
The trainers from Tritech Consultant shared the causes, method of assessment and monitoring measure and instruments of slope failure with participants
 Do you know what to do when a swamp of bees attack? Or how to minimise the risk of being attacked by a swamp of bees?
Participants who attended CUGE's "Managing Bees and Wasps" workshop on 20 March 2012 learnt first-hand from trainer, Mr John Lee how to respond to these situations. Mr Lee is the Vice-Chairman of the Entomological Society of Hong Kong who has more than 10 years of researching on bees and wasps. Apart from the fundamental knowledge on the biology and behaviour of bees and wasps, Mr Lee shared his field research findings and real-life experiences on Singapore's species of bees and wasps that are uniquely different from conventional textbook information.
The workshop was well-received by 33 participants mainly from the Pest Control companies, Town Councils and NParks.
For more information on the Urban Ecology related workshops, please contact Juliana Ho at juliana_ho@nparks.gov.sg.
Presentation by Mr John Lee
Participants getting a feel of the protective suits
 CUGE launched pilot runs of "Plant Health and Pest Management" workshops on 28 – 29 February 2012 and 1 – 2 March 2012. The objective of this new course is to train operation officers as well as industry practitioners on dictating plant pest and disease and how to maintain healthy plants.
The response for the workshop was overwhelming. It attracted more than 60 landscape and horticulture professionals from government agencies, local landscape companies and education institutions.
Participants were exposed to various common plant pests and diseases using the microscopes and pocket magnifiers during the hands-on session and field visits. In addition, participants went out to field sites to understand pest and disease problems and were taught how to manage tropical plant health, pest and disease.
Here are some positive feedback received:
"Helpful trainers. Excellent notes for slides"; and
"I like the hands-on practical and site visits".
Due to the overwhelming response, CUGE plans to repeat the course in October this year. Interested participants can contact Ms Penny Teng at penny_teng@nparks.gov.sg.
Lecture, group discussion and viewing of specimens
Field trips to understand pest and disease problems, and look for them
Group photos of participants
 CUGE Research is currently working with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) to expand the distribution network for NParks' publications. The ISA now offers The Tropical Gardeners' Guide to Healthy Plants to its diverse, global membership through its online Web Store. In this arrangement, ISA will distribute copies sold on its web site from their own in-house inventory. This partnership made sense for both organizations as the ISA seeks to expand its reference materials available for arborists in underrepresented areas, including the tropics. Meanwhile, CUGE Research maximizes the value of its publications through progressively larger audiences. Currently, The Tropical Gardeners' Guide to Healthy Plants has experienced positive sales and sold over 1,000 copies. The additional distribution channels will provide more opportunities to share our institutional knowledge and experience in plant health care with others around the world. You can check out the ISA Web Store, and the book on sale at http://secure.isa-arbor.com/webstore/
In the future, similar mutually beneficial inter-organizational relationships will be actively pursued to extend these opportunities.
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 CUGE successfully conducted a 4-Day Executive Programme on Greenery Planning and Management from 8 to 15 December 2011 for a group of 15 officials from various cities of Guangxi province, China. This is the second time that CUGE conducted the programme in Mandarin.
The participants were very impressed with NParks' efforts and strategies in greening and shaping Singapore's landscape over the past 46 years. Besides sharing sessions and learning journey on our CIAG efforts, the participants were introduced to one of Singapore's newest landmarks – Gardens by The Bay. The participants were impressed by the high-tech and innovative landscaped gardens as well as the spectacular view of the Super Trees and Flower Dome.
The Chief of Planning Bureau of Guilin, Guangxi, Mdm Gu Hai Hong commented: "The experiences and knowledge shared are impressive and very useful for the planning and construction of Guilin city. I have benefited immensely from the programme. I am amazed by the continuous efforts, intricate details of design and planning, and the creativity that stringed together to work towards vision of "a City in a Garden".
Sharing session on Singapore's greening efforts with the delegates
Group photographs of the delegation
Guided tour of different Parks, Gardens and Nurseries to understand the maintenance and operation of our green spaces
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 27 February 2012 marked the completion of the pioneer run of the advance course 'Enforcement Roles in Green Spaces" for Operations staff involved in enforcement related work. This 3 day course took the participants through a series of multifaceted lectures and discussion in Philosophy, Psychology and Law. This course aimed to allow trainees see the deeper workings behind the greenery legislations, and to allow them to develop a robust decision matrix to handle the different permutation of circumstances that they may face in their daily work involving enforcement of the greenery legislations.
Thomas Pan from GB trying to convince everyone why the Report has to be written in such a way
Participants taking turns to cross-examine each other during an exercise to see how much they can remember what they "witnessed" about an event
Part 1 of the examination – An exam tip from the examiner "Do not waste time flipping the notes even though it is an open book exam; because it doesn't help."
Part 2 of the examination – Another tip from the examiner "Do not spend too`much time deliberating what to write, you won't have the luxury of time either when you are dealing with an agitated offender."
Results of the examination
At the end of the course, Mr Maniam, (Head, Lead Prosecutor) gave a broad summary of the impact of the continuing change in political landscape and social climate which will affect NParks' day-to-day operations, especially those involving enforcement of the greenery legislation.
Dr Leong, (DCEO/PDS) also echoed the concern for the effective execution of enforcement work as a service to the public and the importance of facilities to be kept in an ideal state for everyone to enjoy.
A total of 25 personnel from Gardens by the Bay, Enforcement Unit, Parks Division and Singapore Botanic Gardens participated in this run of the course. 23 participants successfully completed the requirements of the course and were awarded a Certificate of Achievement. The next run of the course is fixed on 3, 4 and 7 May 2012. For more information, please contact Ms Chan Yin Peng at chan_yin_peng@nparks.gov.sg or 64650267.
On 24 February 2012, nine Property Officers from the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) Industrial Properties Division successfully completed the WSQ Certificate in Landscape Operations course conducted by CUGE. These officers have been attending the WSQ programme since October last year. The accelerated 17-day training programme was conducted over a period of 5 months to cater to the officers' working schedule.
Understanding that various groups of trainees have different needs, CUGE has been providing customized WSQ training, such as allowing a customized schedule to facilitate learning. By doing so, CUGE hopes to train and impart landscape, arboriculture and horticulture know-how to professionals working in organizations such as facilities management.
The Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) System is a nationally recognized skills training and certification system. The WSQ framework is developed by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) based on adult learning principles and adopts a training and certification approach of job competencies.
For more information about landscape WSQ Certification programmes, please contact Kyde Yong at kyde_yong@nparks.gov.sg or 64650219.
JTC staff practicing with the Knapsack Brush cutter during the module: Maintain Amenity Turf and Open Grassed Spaces
Trainees taking turns for the practical training under the supervision of Mr Hashim Piperdy
JTC property officers with trainer Mr Hashim Piperdy
 CUGE launched the pilot "Creating Landscapes with Edible Plant Species" course on 16 February 2012. This new course is part of an overall effort by CUGE to introduce more diverse and sustainable landscapes within Singapore that supports NParks' vision of a "City in a Garden."
The course attracted more than 20 participants from various professions, including officers from MND, AVA, NParks, horticulturists from landscape companies, architects and irrigation consultants.
Through this 1-day course, participants learned how to create beautiful, diverse, high-yielding gardens using edible plant species. Participants also acquired knowledge on edible plant needs, maintenance requirements, planning parameters, design principles and ongoing maintenance in growing edible plants.
Participants found the course interesting and useful, particularly in ongoing maintenance requirements of growing edible plant gardens. Following the positive feedback from participants, CUGE plans to repeat the course in May this year.
Here are some of the positive comments received:
"The course is GOOD!";
"I like the field trip and cultivar discussions the best"; and
"The review of the key edible plant species is very interesting".
Interested participants can contact Ms Penny Teng at penny_teng@nparks.gov.sg for more information.
Lecture, group discussion and Q&A
Field trip to Healing Garden @ SBG
 Issue four of CITYGREEN, Biodiversity in the Urban Landscape, is now available. In its preface, Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf (Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity) shared that "a periodical like CITYGREEN functions as a very useful platform". He congratulated the contributors and the Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) for a fine effort.
The variety of reports and commentaries included in this specially curated issue aims to synthesize readers' understanding of managed ecosystems. It offers articles contributed by well known experts including, Dr Stewart Pickett who explains the framework and concept to better understand urban biodiversity through the illustration in the Baltimore Ecosystem Study; Chris Russell who takes readers on a tour to Cranbourne's biolinks in Australia and Bruce Clarkson who guides readers through the reconstruction of Hamilton's indigenous ecosystems.
The full content listing is available at www.citygreen.sg.
CITYGREEN is published biannually by CUGE to highlight issues relating to urban greening and ecology on a selected theme. The periodical will reach out to more than 1,000 delegates through its media partnerships with conferences such as the Green Buildings Asia 2012 and BEX Asia 2012.
CITYGREEN is also available at major bookstores.
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 With the encouraging response and positive feedback from participants of the earlier batches, CUGE conducted the 3rd run of the Land Surveying Appreciation Course on 13 -15 December 2011.
Trainers from the Singapore Institute of Surveyors & Valuers provided in-depth insight into land surveying - from the formulation of clear set of specifications for procurement of land surveying services to the legal obligations under the various legislation governing land administration in Singapore. Besides providing an overview of land surveying, the course equips participants with proper reading and interpretation techniques and identifies key issues to look out for when dealing with surveys and surveyors, including the format and quality of submissions. By the end of the course, participants not only took away with them the do's and don'ts of surveying, but also the fond memories of a fruitful learning journey at Fort Canning.
In addition to classroom lectures, this course involved hands-on exercises in reading, evaluating and analyzing topographical plans. Demonstration and excursion helped the participants to identify boundary monuments, survey marks, etc., and reinforced their understanding of how positions of trees are determined and how reduced levels (elevations) of ground features are established.
Participants had the opportunity to use various types of surveying equipment, including total stations and state-of-the-art equipment such as scanners and hand-held GPS equipment. They found the course very useful and relevant to their work in development and management of parks and open spaces.
The fourth run of this course is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012. Interested participants are welcome to contact Ms Constance Chan Yoke Cheng at chan_yoke_cheng@nparks.gov.sg
Classroom lectures
Participants getting hands-on experience in using survey equipment
Group Photo for the 3rd Land Surveying Appreciation Class
 On 10 December 2011, CUGE conducted an Urban Greenery and Management study tour for a group of 13 delegates from Putrajaya, Malaysia. Led by Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Well-being, Dato Raja Nong Chik Bin Dato Raja Zainal Abidin, the delegation was here to learn how Singapore develops and manages parks, gardens and green spaces in an urbanized environment.
The programme started with an introductory briefing on Singapore's greening efforts, knowledge and experience in urban greenery planning and management, followed by a Q&A session. The delegates were guided on a tour of Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Orchid Gardens, Gardens by the Bay, Bishan Park and MacRitchie Reservoir Park by colleagues from SBG, GB and Parks.
DCEO/PDS, Dr Leong Chee Chiew, receiving Dato Raja Nong Chik Bin Dato Raja Zainal Abidin
Briefing and Q&A session
Guided tour to various Parks and Gardens
The second edition of Career Fair @ CUGE was conducted on 4 December 2011 at the Botany Centre Function Room in the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the event attracted more than 60 members of the public.
The Career Fair included two sessions of Landscape preview briefings in the morning and afternoon by Yeo Fujie, CUGE Career Centre Manager for interested participants considering careers, career switches and training in the Landscape Industry; a Job Placement Fair which involved 4 employers who interviewed and hired on the spot; and a Training Booth where participants could sign up for Landscape WSQ courses and Professional Certification as well as interact with the various Course Coordinators, Paul Bhathal, Rajendhran and Alan Sze to gain more understanding about the Landscape Industry and existing courses available. Workforce Development Agency (WDA) also did a presentation on the Workfare Training Scheme to share with participants how to utilize the funding provided to subsidize course enrolment.
Lastly, a Landscape Equipment Showcase was held where selected equipments were put on display. Employers present echoed that the career fair held by CUGE had proved a success as they managed 10 job placements of various positions between them. There were also a handful of participants who signed up for the various WSQ courses on the spot with CUGE.
The Career Fairs @ CUGE would not have been a romping success if not for the involvement of all participating CUGE staff and it will be conducted on a regular basis.
For more information on job placements and courses available at CUGE please contact Yeo Fujie, CUGE Career Centre Manager at 90705367 or email to yeo_fujie@nparks.gov.sg.
CUGE Career Centre Manager, Yeo Fujie conducting the 2nd session of the Landscape Preview Briefing
Attentive participants listening to the Landscape Preview
 On 8 December 2011, the first batch of landscape apprentice leaders graduated from the Leaders' Training Course under the Landscape Apprenticeship Mentoring Programme (LAMP). This is a programme under CUGE's Landscape Productivity Roadmap that seeks to attract energetic and passionate young Singaporeans between the ages of 20 and 35 to the landscape industry through a practical "earn as you learn" scheme. With a strong emphasis on mentoring and on-the-job training, the programme provides incentives for both the apprentices and their host companies. Grooming the younger generation with both managerial and technical skill competencies will ensure the sustainability of our City in a Garden. The programme framework will take on a hybrid Group Training Model that incorporates the best elements adopted in countries such as Australia, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States. The framework is expected to be completed by the end of 2011 and is targeted to be launched in the middle of next year, with about 60 young people to be mentored.
The 3-day Leader's Training Course conducted at HortPark provided the senior management of local landscape companies with coaching/mentoring knowledge and skills. The graduation ceremony was held in conjunction with an industry networking dinner.
Inaugural graduates of the LAMP Apprentice Leaders' Training Course
Post Graduation Landscape Industry Networking Dinner
 As of December 2011, another 12 landscape professionals joined the ranks as Certified Practising Horticulturists (CPH) in Singapore after successfully completing their course work and examinations. This brings the total number of certified professionals to 104 in Singapore which is a significant milestone for a homegrown programme which only began in 2008.
CPH certification is a first of its kind in Asia for practicing horticulturists to seek recognition of their professional status. The programme is accredited with the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH), a recognised institution of horticulture in the region with more than a 50 year history. The President of AIH, Kim Morris heralded CUGE's CPH Programme as "among the best professional development review courses of its kind in the world."
This sterling endorsement underscores the rigorous standards of CUGE certification training and standards and goes a long way to add credibility and an international dimension to its CPH certification.
The current intake for CPH programme which commenced in November 2011 also saw another first – a senior industry participant from UAE participating in the CPH programme. The CPH programme continues to grow in stature and is held in high regard by landscape professionals for its quality horticulture training.
CUGE invites suitably qualified landscape professionals to apply early for the certification programme in 2012. Details of the certification programme can be found at CUGE website at www.cuge.com.sg. Interested participants can also contact CUGE/Penny Teng via DID: 64629001 to register their interest early.
Participants of CPH 8th intake going through the rigors of plant science modules with AIH facilitators
CUGE conducted an executive programme on Singapore's parks development and management for a group of 18 Malaysian officials led by Ms Rotina Mohd Daik, Deputy Director General of National Landscape Development of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia on 25 November 2011.
Besides the classroom briefings where intensive knowledge sharing and interactive discussions took place, the insight provided by a guided tour of Gardens by the Bay (GB) and the Park Connector Network at Alexander Road, has once again succeeded in capturing the full attention of our foreign visitors.
The Malaysian delegation was impressed by the amount of effort, time and passion that had gone into GB, and understood how this initiative had been conceptualized and implemented as another sustainable Singapore Greenery development project.
Participants have expressed interest to attend a similar intensive programme in the following year.
Dialogue on 22 November 2011
Presentation at Construction WSH Convention on 30 November 2011
Seminar on 1 December 2011
CUGE conducted an executive programme on Singapore's parks development and management for a group of 18 Malaysian officials led by Ms Rotina Mohd Daik, Deputy Director General of National Landscape Development of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, Malaysia on 25 November 2011.
Besides the classroom briefings where intensive knowledge sharing and interactive discussions took place, the insight provided by a guided tour of Gardens by the Bay (GB) and the Park Connector Network at Alexander Road, has once again succeeded in capturing the full attention of our foreign visitors.
The Malaysian delegation was impressed by the amount of effort, time and passion that had gone into GB, and understood how this initiative had been conceptualized and implemented as another sustainable Singapore Greenery development project.
Participants have expressed interest to attend a similar intensive programme in the following year.
Mr Kenneth Er, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of NParks sharing the challenges faced in the development of the GB
A candid moment for the Malaysian delegation at Alexander PCN
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