Opening Remarks by Min(EST) at A*STAR Scholarship Award Ceremony 2025

Her Excellency Anneke Adema, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Singapore and Brunei

Ms Emily Follett, Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Singapore

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, Chairman of A*STAR

Families, Friends, Scholars,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. A very good afternoon to all. To our newly minted scholarship recipients, my warmest congratulations.

2. Earlier, I had the privilege of speaking with some of you. Your thoughtful questions and bold ideas reflect a deep understanding of how science can uplift lives and drive progress. You are the next generation of changemakers, and your passion is inspiring.

3. As we commemorate Singapore’s 60^th year of independence, we stand proud of our transformation from a trading port to a thriving economy powered by science and technology. This journey was not by chance – it was built on the hard work, vision, and resilience of our people.

4. A*STAR has been instrumental in this transformation. Since 2001, A*STAR scholarships have nurtured over 1,300 researchers, many of whom now lead as CEOs, CTOs, Principal Scientists, and Professors. Today, we welcome 79 new scholarship recipients into this illustrious community. You are the torchbearers of this legacy, and I have no doubt you will bring fresh passion and ideas to shape Singapore's future.

5. To continue advancing Singapore’s position as a global hub for science and technology, we will focus on three pillars: nurturing future-ready talent, engineering real-world solutions, and cultivating excellence through mentorship. Let me share more about each.

Nurturing Future-Ready Talent for Priority and Emerging Areas

6. The world is changing rapidly. Technological shifts and geopolitical developments are reshaping the global economy. To stay ahead, Singapore must build capabilities in strategic sectors like semiconductors and quantum technologies.

7. Last month, I launched the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride (NSTIC GaN), hosted at A*STAR. This centre provides companies with access to advanced GaN-based infrastructure and R&D capabilities, crucial for capturing opportunities from 5G/6G communications to advanced radar systems. Beyond GaN, NSTIC’s platforms accelerate R&D in areas like flat optics, silicon photonics and advanced packaging.

8. Similarly, our National Quantum Office's S$300 million National Quantum Strategy is positioning Singapore as a leader in quantum technology development and deployment.

9. Infrastructure and strategy alone cannot power innovation. It is exceptional talents like you who turn ideas into reality. That is why I am delighted to announce the launch of two new A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS) tracks: the AGS (Semiconductor) and AGS (Quantum) scholarships, which open for applications today. These scholarships will build a steady pipeline of specialised talent in these priority areas.

10. Scholars on these tracks will be matched to field-specific research projects, receive specialised training, and gain valuable industry exposure. This will prepare them to drive innovation in national initiatives like NSTIC and the National Quantum Strategy, working alongside local and global experts.

Engineering Real-World Solutions

11. Science is most powerful when it moves from the lab to the real world – when discoveries become solutions that improve lives and create value.

12. Beyond scientific excellence, we must encourage our researchers to be entrepreneurial and attuned to real-world challenges. That is why we embed researchers in clinical, industrial, and commercial environments – to bring knowledge from lab to life.

13. Let me share two inspiring examples.

    1. Dr Vijay Chandrasekhar is the co-founder and CEO of Cosmos Innovation, a deep-tech startup harnessing AI to accelerate the discovery and optimisation of new materials for next-generation semiconductors and solar technologies. While leading AI programmes at the A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research, Dr Chandrasekhar worked with semiconductor partners and recognised that the industry needed more than just incremental improvements to meet growing demands for efficiency and scalability in chip development. Cosmos Innovation’s solutions help manufacturers reduce costs, enhance performance, and develop sustainable technologies. His efforts strengthen Singapore's position as a semiconductor hub while building more resilient global supply chains.

    2. Another example is Dr Germaine Yong, a Senior Scientist at the Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI). She works closely with industry partners to translate microbiome research into new food and wellness products. Her work supports Singapore’s growing consumer biotech sector – unlocking innovation in nutrition, gut health, and personalised diets. Through science that is both rigorous and industry-relevant, Dr Yong’s work at SIFBI helps Singapore emerge as Asia’s microbiome innovation hub.

14. These journeys remind us that science is not just about discovery – it is about impact. As scholars, I encourage you to think boldly, collaborate widely, and pursue solutions that make a difference.

Cultivating Excellence Through Mentorship

15. In Singapore, we have built more than a research community – we have created our ‘scientific kampung’. Here, mentorship is the cornerstone. Each generation lifts the next, nurturing scientific intuition and transforming promising scholars into pioneering scientists.

16. The A*STAR Graduate Academy (A*GA) embodies this spirit through the A*STAR Scholars' Network, a vibrant platform connecting over 1,900 scholars at different research stages to share insights, opportunities, and career guidance.

17. Let me share an example of a mentor bringing this vision to life.

    1. Associate Professor Adrian Teo is a Senior Principal Scientist at the A*STAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and Director of Graduate Affairs for the Biomedical Research Council. He is known for creating a supportive lab environment that nurtures both scientific ability and professional growth. His adaptive mentorship approach includes tailored guidance for publishing, networking, and career development, extending beyond his mentees’ time in the lab. His impact is evident through mentees like Dr Larry Loo, who authored five research papers during his PhD and now works on AI-guided protein engineering and food solutions at the A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore. Associate Professor Teo’s dedication has earned him the NUS Graduate Mentor of the Year Award in 2022 and A*GA STAR Mentor Award in 2023 and 2024.

18. I call on you to embrace this spirit of mentorship. Seek guidance from those who have walked the path before you, and when the time comes, pay it forward. Together, we can build a community where every breakthrough and setback adds to our collective wisdom.

Conclusion

19. Today’s ceremony is more than a celebration of individual achievement. It is a testament to the power of community, curiosity, and collaboration.

20. To our scholars, your families, your mentors, and the wider research community: you are the heart of our ‘scientific kampung.’ As you embark on this journey, remember that you are not just building a career – you are building a better Singapore, and through Singapore, a better world.

21. Congratulations once again on your scholarships, and I wish you every success in your scientific journey ahead.

22. Thank you.