Mr S Iswaran at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology’s Open House for Schools and Launch of the Nano-Bio Kits

SPEECH BY MR S ISWARAN, MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE INSTITUTE OF BIOENGINEERING AND NANOTECHNOLOGY’S OPEN HOUSE FOR SCHOOLS AND LAUNCH OF THE NANO-BIO KITS, FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2007, 10AM, MATRIX AUDITORIUM, THE MATRIX, BIOPOLIS

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

Good morning. It is my pleasure to be here today at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology’s (IBN) Open House for Schools and Launch of the Nano-Bio Kits.

IBN is one of five biomedical research institutes under the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (or A*STAR).It is an integral part of our efforts to develop biomedical sciences as a new growth area for Singapore. Since 2000, we have made good progress, when we launched the initiative with the biomedical manufacturing output increasing almost fourfold. Manpower development is a crucial one in this effort. In particular, we need to build a strong pool of Singaporean scientists who will anchor our R&D efforts. And that has to start at a very young age, so that we can nurture our young a passion for science and an interest to pursue research careers.

As our education system moves towards broader and more flexible curricula, with greater emphasis on inquiry and self-directed learning, there will be more opportunities for our students to be exposed to real life science and research. I am happy that IBN, through events like today’s, is helping to provide a bridge between education and industry. IBN has made the training of students and young researchers one of its key missions, with the introduction of its Youth Research Program (or YRP) in October 2003.

IBN’s Youth Research Program

The YRP, which was set up under the leadership of Ms Noreena AbuBakar, IBN’s Director, Administration, aims to give young Singaporeans a first hand experience in research, so as to instill in them an appreciation of the impact of biomedical research in their daily lives and to foster their interest in scientific pursuit. The Program reaches out to principals, heads of department, teachers and general educationists to help them incorporate the latest advances in science in their school curriculum. It also targets parents, who play a major role in nurturing their children’s interests and career aspirations.

As you have heard, what started out as a youth outreach effort with over 100 open house participants three years ago, has expanded into a multi-faceted program involving more than 13,500 students and teachers from 169 schools, polytechnics and universities. The YRP activities embrace a wide spectrum including open houses, visits, workshops, school talks, career fairs and research attachments for students and teachers.

To date, the Institute has organized 29 Open Houses and workshops, and participated in 54 career talks and exhibitions at junior colleges, polytechnics and universities. Those who wish to experience the excitement of working in a high tech research lab can apply for full time attachments, which allow them to carry out scientific research under the supervision of IBN’s scientists. To date, over 600 students and teachers have benefited from this opportunity of working at IBN for at least a month, and more than 60 of them have returned for subsequent attachments.

Some have even gone on to win local and international awards for their IBN research projects. For example, one former RafflesJunior College student, Sarah Ong Shu Ren, who has completed four research attachment stints, won an award from the Imperial College Alumni Association of Singapore for her work at IBN. This gave her the chance to participate in the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar in December 2006, where she also attended the Nobel Prize Ceremonies.

In addition, more than 60 scholarship recipients, including those awarded by A*STAR, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), National University of Singapore (NUS) as well as the Public Service Commission (PSC), have undergone YRP attachments at IBN.

The Nano-Bio Kits

Besides allowing students and their teachers to immerse themselves in a research environment, IBN has also recognized the importance of helping teachers make their school curriculum more relevant to the needs of the industry.

From the feedback provided at IBN’s first Workshop for Science Teachers in December 2004 and interactions with teachers on attachment, it was clear to IBN that there was a pressing need for teachers to acquaint their students with cutting edge technologies in their school laboratories.

With this objective in mind, the Institute spent a year looking into how concepts in bioengineering and nanotechnology could be introduced into the secondary school and junior college curricula through interactive experiments. And that was how the Nano-Bio Kits were conceptualized.

The three Kits in the range – the Biological Fuel Cell, Thermo-Responsive Hydrogel and Dielectrophoresis Chip Kits – are targeted at 15 to 19 year old students, and they feature experiments and lessons on practical applications in nano-biotechnology, drug delivery and medical devices.

Three rounds of field trials were conducted with 12 selected secondary schools and junior colleges last year. The Kits were so popular with the teachers and students that IBN received advance orders for them. To date, the Institute has sold 101Kits ahead of its official launch today.

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Hwa Chong Institution, Raffles Institution and National Junior College have incorporated the Kits in their syllabus via enrichment courses conducted by IBN scientists. IBN will be conducting three day workshops on bioengineering and nanotechnology, as well as the Nano-Bio Kits, once every quarter for teachers. The Institute has also sold the Kits to AndersonJunior College, Nanyang Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, National University of Singapore and UnitedWorldCollege (South-east Asia).This is a widespread adoption, which is a very good sign.

Interestingly, the Kits have also attracted interest from overseas. In particular, the Japanese National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) has selected IBN’s Nano-Bio Kits as one of its exhibits in their upcoming event, “SCIENCE NEWS! from Asia.” This three month long exhibition from June this year will be focused on showcasing Asia’s achievements in science. The Nano-Bio Kits have been picked to illustrate both the educational and scientific efforts of Singapore in new technologies. I am told that enquiries are also coming in from other Asian countries, Australia, Canada, and the United States.

To kick start the Nano-Bio Kits effort, Exploit Technologies Pte Ltd, the commercialization arm of A*STAR, has provided IBN with S$150,000 in funding for the marketing and production of the Nano-Bio Kits, as part of its Commercialization of Technology (COT) initiative. All the Kits have been developed and manufactured in-house at IBN so far, the next stage that the Institute is seeking is for industrial partners to target the overseas markets.

Conclusion

As we continue to work towards excellence in education, we have to remember the importance of cultivating the love of science from a young age. This responsibility lies not only with the schools but also with the broader education system involving research institutes like IBN, which can complement and enrich the formal curricula.

On a personal note, I was first introduced to IBN’s Nano-Bio Kits when I visited IBN in August last year. I also toured their exhibit during the official opening of Science Centre’s Xperiment! 2006 at Marina Square. I must say it was quite an eye opening experience for me and I am pleased to offer my congratulations to IBN on the launch of its Nano-Bio Kits today.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish IBN continued success in its research and youth outreach activities.