The Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH)  and the National Parks Board (NParks) of Singapore signed a major and significant Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) on July 28 2008.

The Memorandum came after many discussions between the two organisations and proposed to establish closer working ties and the sharing of opportunities in the development of the profession of horticulture.

AIH has agreed to endorse the Singapore Certified Practising Horticulturist Program (CPH) of which almost 100 graduates have now successfully passed through the program.

The Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology (CUGE) Singapore is the National Parks Board entity to conduct training and professional development programs.

AIH will work with CUGE and NParks in identifying ways to bring more focus and value to the profession at a time when climate and global warming have significant impact on life and the opportunity for horticulture to play a major role in the development of solutions.

The lead that Singapore has taken in the development of the ‘City in a Garden’ strategy is an acclaimed and exceptional world class input to the management of ecology and environment about which AIH will learn many techniques and reciprocate with the expertise of the AIH Member Body of professionals.

Together AIH. NParks and CUGE will form a major working relationship that will also identify business opportunities on either side of the equator.

Importantly Singapore graduates of CPH and landscape industry operators in the public and private sectors will be able to join AIH with the view to a wider sharing of information in the profession and to establish a strong Singapore entity and partnership with AIH.