Mr S Iswaran at the A*STAR Talent Search (A*TS) and the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF) Awards Presentation Ceremony

SPEECH BY MR S ISWARAN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE A*STAR TALENT SEARCH (A*TS) AND THE SINGAPORE SCIENCE & ENGINEERING FAIR (SSEF) AWARDS PRESENTATION CEREMONY ON SAT, 26 APRIL 2008, 10.00 AM AT MATRIX AUDITORIUM, BIOPOLIS

Prof Miranda Yap, Executive Director, A*STARGraduateAcademy

Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman, A*STAR

Mr Wee Heng Tin, Chairman, Science Centre Board

Ladies and Gentlemen, Students and Young Researchers

Good morning

Introduction

It gives me great pleasure to join you today to recognise our talented youth, who have demonstrated a strong aptitude for the sciences through the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair (SSEF) and the A*STAR Talent Search (A*TS) competitions.The generation of innovative ideas through science lies at the heart of a knowledge-based economy. In Singapore, as in other parts of the world, we need the scientific endeavour and breakthrough research of research scientists and engineers to improve our lives and create value.

It is, therefore, encouraging to see so many young people embracing research in science and technology early in their educational path. Beyond the competition and awards, I believe that the experience gained in taking a research project through its life cycle - from the conception of an idea, to the formulation of a hypothesis, and ultimately to scientific discovery - will certainly have left a lasting impression on all of you.

Showcasing our talents to the world

Let me highlight three outstanding projects from this year’s SSEF, which have been selected as Singapore’s entries for the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) next month in Atlanta, USA. The ISEF is reputedly the world’s largest pre-college science competition.Hence, the works of our promising young inventors and scientists will be on the world stage and showcased to an international audience.

One of these projects is by Zhao Ye and Zhai Wei-chao from the NUS High School of Mathematics and Science. They undertook research to develop an environmentally friendly and economical technique that facilitates the modification of Cupric Oxide (CuO) nanorods on a silicon substrate by making use of sunlight.

Another outstanding project is by David Yin of RafflesJunior College. He undertook a research project at A*STAR’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology to synthesize mesoporous and electrically-conductive carbon nanofibers, which show great potential as conductive wires for sensing applications.

Our third entry for the ISEF is by Lim Yi Hui, from NationalJunior College. In her project, a new series of Polymeric Schiff Base catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene is reported, and this catalyst seems to have the potential of being an industrial catalyst.

Zhao Ye, Wei-chao, David and Yi Hui - Well Done!I am sure that you will do us proud at the ISEF, where you will have the opportunity to meet many other budding scientists and researchers from around the world to exchange ideas and forge friendships.

Encouraging Our Young Researchers

I would also like to congratulate all the other participants and the SSEF winners and the A*TS Award winners.You have been able to savour the thrills of research and I hope that you have been infected by the passion of being deeply engaged in science, well beyond the confines of your classroom.

I am sure all of you had to overcome many difficulties and obstacles, and spent countless hours persevering with your projects.It is a salutary lesson on the challenges of being a researcher. A project which might begin with an initial flash of inspiration needs perseverance, tenacity and an unrelenting spirit if it is to be seen through to a successful conclusion.It calls for certain strength of character, mettle and maturity to deal with and overcome setbacks.

So let me applaud all your efforts. I am happy to learn that some of you are already considering a career in scientific research.The opportunities are immense and I believe that you will find it very rewarding as a professional pursuit, and as a means to improve the lives of others.

To nurture such aspirations, A*STAR and the Ministry of Education have built a conducive learning environment to allow young researchers to tap on the expertise of a pool of experienced researchers in Singapore. These seasoned researchers from local educational and research centres such as A*STAR’s research institutes, NUS and NTU, double up as mentors to provide guidance to the students and advise them on their projects. It is such close interaction between mentor and student that sows the seeds for the pursuit of scientific discovery and innovation.

Conclusion

On this note, let me thank all researchers who took the time and effort to guide the students, and all the judges for evaluating the projects. Once again, my heartiest congratulations to all winners and participants, and I look forward to more of such initiatives that will ignite the passion for science, technology and research amongst our students.I wish you all the best.Thank you.