Find your higher calling.
Dr Saravana acknowledges that there exists a divide of attitudes between the two sciences. “Human Factors seems a bit fuzzy to others since it is not something tangible that you can easily characterise and reduce into an equation or algorithm, and it’s not a technology like AI and robotics. It seems abstract as it is usually approached from a psychological and sociological angle. But there is a lot of quantitative data you can get in the research of human performance using M&S tools such as our in-house digital human twin modelling software and climatic chamber and thermal manikin system,” he argues.
In the early years of Dr Saravana’s work in Human Factors, he and Director Meng Fai actively connected with the Home Team Departments (HTDs) through small-group sharing sessions to socialise the idea of Human Factors and explain how it value-adds to Home Team operations. Those efforts are still in the works today, but it is clear that attitudes toward the importance of Human Factors have shifted.
Charting the progress of Human Factors
Earlier in July of this year, HFS CoE held a Human Factors Workshop to share about their work. They discussed potential projects with HTDs and shared how mock-ups and machine learning have been used for M&S. The workshop also emphasised that research in Human Factors augments and complements M&S for the design of equipment and technologies that help optimise the physical and cognitive performance of officers in operations.
The workshop received full-house attendance with many attendees giving feedback that they found it useful in helping them identify potential issues in their workplace that could be improved with Human Factors research.
Another of HFS’s efforts to socialise the idea of Human Factors was the inaugural Home Team Simulation Conference held on 6 July 2023. Titled “Advancing Simulation Training to Empower Learning & Growth in the Home Team”, the conference was jointly launched by HTX and the Home Team Academy (HTA) at the HTA headquarters. It saw 290 participants and distinguished guests attending, which was an overwhelming response of support beyond the HFS team’s expectations.
At the conference, international and local speakers shared their insights and ideas on how creating models for simulation training can help Home Team officers develop critical skills and prepare them in crisis management. Dr Saravana was a key member in the organising committee. He also chaired the Panel Discussion that followed the speech given by Director Meng Fai, who shared on both past and future efforts of the HFS CoE.
Dr Saravana chairing the panel discussion at the conference. (Photo: Dr Saravana)
Reflecting on the conference, Dr Saravana says he was pleased with the insights and ideas shared, and that he enjoyed reconnecting with colleagues and friends from the industry and academia.
“It was very heartwarming to see such a huge, positive response from HTX colleagues, HTD users, and our industry collaborators. The presentations and speeches were also useful in providing insight into the future tracks of M&S within the next five to 10 years. I think everyone benefitted. It’s something we will consider having on a more regular basis,” he says.
Director Meng Fai’s sharing on what HFS worked on over the past few years reminded Dr Saravana on how much progress they have made in their research and the tangible outcomes they have achieved in enhancing HT training and operations.
“It was then that I realised that we have come a long way. There is greater awareness now on what Human Factors is and its importance,” he says.
The human touch
Director Meng Fai’s recap also made Dr Saravana feel like he was walking down memory lane. It brought back a montage of moments that Dr Saravana shared with his colleagues in different settings. When it comes to his best memory at HTX, he says it is an accumulation of many. “It’s the people I’ve connected with that has made the experience at HTX memorable,” he says.
As Deputy Director, Dr Saravana has to regularly connect with the team he leads, and he describes his leadership style as one of being a servant-leader.
“I try to empower them, understand their pain points at work, and facilitate their personal growth. This requires constantly engaging with them so we can open up to each other and see each other on both a professional level and a human one.”
Dr Saravana and his colleagues on a team retreat at HomeTeamNS Khatib. (Photo: Dr Saravana)
Beyond connecting with others, he stresses the need to have a higher calling in one’s work. “STEM is an important enabling tool in this world, but it needs to be used to impact society in a positive way such as addressing social issues and climate change,” he said.
His advice to the young STEM talents is this: “Find your higher calling. Be bold and try new things. The world is your oyster, and you have to find your pearl. There are many, but find the one that has your name on it.”