Speech by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang at A*STAR Scholarship Award Ceremony 2026

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, Chairman of A*STAR,

Distinguished Guests, Families, Friends and Scholars,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. A very good afternoon to all. It is my pleasure to join you today at the A*STAR Scholarship Award Ceremony. To our newly minted scholarship recipients, my warmest congratulations.

2. Today marks a proud milestone not only in your academic journey, but in the contribution you will go on to make through science. This ceremony is especially meaningful as we mark the 25th anniversary of the A*STAR Scholarship, under the theme “Talent Driving Innovation”. This theme reminds us that Singapore's greatest resource has always been our people.

3. Over the past 25 years, A*STAR’s scholarships have nurtured more than 1,500 scholars, many of whom now lead in science, technology, industry, and academia. As we welcome 84 new scholarship recipients today, I would like to leave you with three challenges as you begin your journey as an A*STAR scholar:

- To let real-world needs guide your science,

- Be bold in turning ideas into impact,

- And seek ways to strengthen Singapore’s innovation ecosystem.

4. Let me share more about each of them.

Letting real-world needs guide science

5. The first is to let real-world needs pull your science forward. Scientific excellence will always remain at the heart of A*STAR’s mission. But the most meaningful research asks not only what we can discover, but what challenge we are trying to solve.

6. For Singapore, this means applying science to the challenges that matter – from strengthening the competitiveness of our industries to addressing important national needs such as improving healthcare outcomes and energy transition. It means pursuing research with a clear line of sight to impact. It means working with companies and the community so that ideas are translated into useful solutions.

7. Success is measured not only by the number of papers published, but also by whether the research has made a practical difference through better products, stronger enterprises, and improving lives. This is how science can create lasting value for Singapore.

8. One example is Dr. Ng Huey Yuen from A*STAR SIMTech and ARTC. His work at the AI Centre of Excellence for Manufacturing, known as AIMfg, focuses on developing AI digital twin and automation technologies to help Singapore’s factories improve the productivity, quality, and resilience.

9. One such beneficiary is Sunningdale, a large local manufacturer of precision-engineered plastic components. It has partnered AIMfg to develop an AI-powered defect detection and inspection system that could save more than $150,000 annually, while redesigning inspectors’ roles towards high value tasks.

10. AIMfg has delivered significant value to Singapore’s manufacturing ecosystem by accelerating AI adoption across companies of all sizes, from SMEs to multinational corporations. Since its launch, AIMfg has engaged over 100 manufacturing end-users, delivered more than 16 co-innovation projects with over 20 projects underway. The centre has also trained more than 160 industry personnel through its AI enablement and talent development programmes.

Turning ideas into impact

11. The second challenge is to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset and be bold in turning ideas into impact. Singapore needs more scientist-founders – people who build companies rooted here, developing core Intellectual Property here, and creating value here.

12. I encourage you to embrace opportunities beyond traditional research, including the path of scientific entrepreneurship. This follows the footsteps of a growing number of A*STAR scholars who have taken their research beyond the lab to build companies of their own.

13. Let me share the example of Dr. Zach Pang. He co-founded AuctuCel, a Singapore-based biotech spin-off from the A*STAR Bioprocessing Technology Institute, to address inefficiencies in cell manufacturing.

14. AuctuCel’s flagship platform reduces the traditional trial-and-error process of developing cell culture mediums. It has cut development costs by up to 80%, reduced development time by 66%, and increased productivity by over 20%, making promising cell-based medical treatments even more affordable.

15. To nurture more researchers to take this path from research to entrepreneurship, A*STAR introduced the A*STAR International Fellowship (Innovation) in 2025. This fellowship enables postdoctoral researchers to work with deep-tech startups and venture builders, and gain skills to turn cutting-edge research into competitive ventures. I encourage those of you with an entrepreneurial streak to consider applying for this fellowship.

Strengthening Singapore’s innovation ecosystem

16. The third challenge is to seek ways to strengthen the innovation ecosystem – to create and sustain the future. It requires strong community and partnerships among researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, companies, investors, and the government.

17. As you grow through this ecosystem, I hope you will also strengthen it for others. I hope that in time to come, when you have the space and ability, you will go on to support this ecosystem of innovation. There are many ways of doing so, such as by collaborating across disciplines, mentoring younger researchers, or supporting our SMEs and startups.

18. Your impact will be greater when you help others succeed too. An exemplary example is Dr. Pauline Tay, Senior Director at the National Health Innovation Centre (NHIC). She has played a pivotal role in bringing together clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to accelerate the development, commercialisation, and adoption of new healthcare solutions.

19. One example is Mesh Bio, a local startup that uses digital twins and predictive analytics to forecast the progression of chronic kidney disease in diabetic patients. The NHIC supported Mesh Bio’s adoption at primary and tertiary care settings at our local public healthcare clusters. Mesh Bio is now working with A*STAR’s Digital Health Accelerator and Synapxe to integrate its tool into Singapore’s national electronic medical records.

Conclusion

20. To our scholarship recipients, the opportunities before you are immense. I would like to encourage all of you to pursue them boldly, and to do so with an intellectual curiosity that underpins the best of researchers and discoveries.

21. Your research has the potential to transform the lives today and for generations to come. The A*STAR scholar community has grown into a network of scientists, innovators, and leaders since its inception 25 years ago.

22. Today, you become part of that legacy. I hope that in the years ahead, you will continue to push the boundaries of science, embrace collaboration, and help shape the future of Singapore and put us on the world map.

23. Congratulations once again to all our scholarship recipients, and to your parents, families, teachers, and mentors who have supported you. This is but the start of an exciting journey ahead, and I wish all of you every success. Thank you.