THE Government's matchmaker has a new name.

Gone is the SDU-SDS moniker, which combined the graduates-only Social Development Unit and the Social Development Service for non-graduates.

In its place: The Social Development Network, or SDN, which will be a one-stop centre for dating information, relationship courses and services.

It will also partner professional dating services, such as Champagne JSG and Exclusive Match, to fulfil its mission of getting singles to meet and, eventually, marry, and will pay some of the cost for those who want to try such services.

In another break from the past, the SDN will not be a members-only outfit.

Instead, it will be open to all resident singles aged 20 and above, regardless of educational level. They will not have to sign up to join the organisation or pay annual membership fees.

Those who are interested in its activities need simply check SDN's website to identify suitable events and join in.

This will open up the unit's activities to the more than 600,000 singles aged 20 and above in Singapore. The SDU-SDS had only 75,000 members.

But the biggest change is that the SDN will act less as a club of singles and more as an adviser to those who want to get hitched.

Speaking at a dating industry event yesterday, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Yu-Foo Yee Shoon said feedback from young people showed they were wary of being stigmatised if they signed up as SDU or SDS members.

She said: 'Singles should regard SDN as a facilitator and a friend, and not a membership organisation, accompanying them on their journey to find their potential partners, and pointing them to relevant resources at various stages of this journey,' she said.

The Government has been fine-tuning this new approach over the past three years, professionalising dating agencies and playing a more active role in schools and workplaces.

A big change occurred in January, when the SDU and SDS were merged. This was an acknowledgment that things had to change to cater to singles who are more receptive to meeting others with different educational backgrounds.

It has also accredited nine commercial dating agencies and 13 dating practitioners - people who make one-to-one introductions or act as facilitators at events.

The agencies and their staff have been given training and have undergone an assessment to make sure they are reliable and abide by a code of professional conduct. This includes being truthful in advertising and promotions, and maintaining confidentiality and the security of a client's information.

SDN will pay part of the cost for those interested in tapping the expertise of such firms.

One of 10 such dating packages is being offered for free to all former SDU-SDS members. The first 1,000 other singles who sign up for it through SDN's website will also get a free pass.

The rest can pick a $50 package - the actual value could be more than $500 - and have the Government pay half the fee.

Asked whether the Government should subsidise singles who want to take up commercial dating services, the SDN said that those who wish to do so would still have to pay, but it wants to encourage them to try out the dating services and to promote the industry.

A spokesman said: 'This is a special tie-up with private dating agencies to encourage singles to try out dating services. While the Government co-shares the payment, the dating agencies have also contributed by charging less than the full value of the packages. This collaboration is to catalyse the industry to grow.'

Former SDU-SDS member Mint Kang, 26, a freelance writer, said the changes were welcome.

'I suppose the people who called the SDU Single, Desperate, Ugly can still continue with Single, Desperate, Needy. But I think it's a better idea because it's more casual and more inclusive.'

She gave the sampler dating packages the thumbs-up, saying: 'It reminds me of Jobs Credit because the Government is paying for you to go on a date. It's Government-sponsored social engineering. But it's attractive because of the variety.'

For more info on SDN, log on to www.lovebyte.org.sg

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This article was first published in The Straits Times.