Speech by Second Minister S Iswaran at the Grand Ceremony of the 7th International Science Youth Forum@Singapore at Cheng Yi Auditorium, Hwa Ching Institute

Professor Phua Kok Khoo, 

Director, Institute of Advanced Studies,

Nanyang Technological University,

Dr Hon Chiew Weng,

Principal, Hwa Chong Institution,

Delegates and Teacher chaperones,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon.  It gives me great pleasure to join you at the Nobel Forum of the International Science Youth Forum (ISYF) 2015.  I would like to extend a warm welcome to all participants, especially to our guests from abroad.  In particular, it is a distinct honour for Singapore to host our Nobel Laureate guests and, like all of you, I am looking forward to learning from their life’s work and experiences.  

Work of modern scientists contribute to societal and economic benefits

2. We live in an era where the global community has never been more interconnected, and the nature and the scale of the challenges we face unprecedented.  From climate change and environmental sustainability, to ageing and epidemics, these global challenges call for scientists with the intellect to push the boundaries of mankind’s knowledge, and the ability and strong sense of social responsibility to translate knowledge into solutions.

3. The profound impact of science on the quality of our lives can be seen through the work of scientists such as Randy Schekman, James Rothman and Thomas C. Südhof.  They were awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2013, for discovering the brain’s “inner GPS” which enables us to know where we are and how to navigate from one place to another.  Their findings may one day help Alzheimer’s patients better recognise their surroundings, and is especially important to countries with rapidly ageing populations such as Japan and Singapore.

4. At the same time, science and technology enables nations to create new growth areas that offer exciting and meaningful careers.  One example of this is Singapore’s Clean Technology sector, which is on-track to contribute S$3.4 billion (USD2.7 billion) to Singapore’s GDP and provide 18,000 jobs by 2015.  It comprises both local and international companies, focused on sectors as diverse as water management and alternative energy, to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation, rising energy consumption and carbon emissions.  The number of companies in the sector has almost tripled, from 13 in 2007 to 32 in 2012.

5. One of the key players in this field is Panasonic, which has established an energy solutions R&D centre in Singapore.  The researchers in this centre are working on innovative energy management and storage solutions, and business models for Singapore and the Asia Pacific region.  Panasonic chose Singapore as the first country outside Japan to house its global energy solutions R&D centre because they were drawn to our position as an R&D and innovation hub in Asia.

6. Science and technology has also fuelled entrepreneurship (or technopreneurship) through spin-offs and the creation of new companies.  One example is local SME, Biomax Technologies, which specialises in treating and converting biowaste into high nutrients fertilisers.  Biomax, which started in 2009, has developed a patented technology that is capable of converting organic wastes into organic fertiliser within 24 hours, the fastest process of its kind in the industry.  The company now sells its products to more than ten countries, including USA, Turkey and France.

Singapore is committed to nurturing young scientific talent, as part of our diverse research talent eco-system

7. At the heart of all these endeavours – be they medical breakthroughs, exciting new industries, or fast-growing start-ups – are the scientists.  And, like many countries, Singapore places a high priority on the nurturing and development of our pool of scientific talent.  We are committed to grooming young scientists, helping them to acquire deep capabilities and to pursue their passion.

8. The focus on sparking curiosity and nurturing scientific interests begins with our education system.  The Ministry of Education (MOE) started the Science Research Programme (SRP) more than two decades ago, to enable students with the interest and aptitude for higher levels of scientific inquiry to undertake projects under the supervision of academics and scientists in real research environments.

9. The SRP is now a flagship programme for our young aspiring student scientists to work on real-world problems.  Foo Tian Yu (Foo-Tien-Youe) Claribel was an SRP participant in 2014.  Under the mentorship of Dr Kaan Hung Yi (Kan-Hung-Yee) Kristal at A*STAR’s Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Claribel investigated a signalling pathway in humans.  As a result, Claribel has gained deeper insight into the development of cancer, and experience with new techniques to test cell interactions. Perhaps even more important, beyond scientific techniques and methodology, Claribel now has a better understanding of the responsibilities, challenges and rewards of a career in research.

10. Singapore’s public research institutions offer multiple pathways for our scientific and research talent to pursue their interest and passion.  Our universities offer an academic track for researchers who are interested in both education and research.  A*STAR’s institutes offer research opportunities spanning the biomedical sciences, physical sciences, and engineering that will lead to the building of the industries of tomorrow, including data analytics, advanced materials, robotics and additive manufacturing. 

11. Career opportunities in the R & D ecosystem are often borderless.  Many of our researchers have leveraged on their experience honed at A*STAR to undertake research management in the private sector, or even venture out as entrepreneurs. 

12. An example is Dr Justin Choo, a researcher from A*STAR’s I2R who started Knorex in 2010 to commercialise technology developed in I2R.  Knorex offers cutting edge media, advertising and data mining solutions based on a portfolio of technologies developed in I2R, including natural language programming, text mining and image recognition.  Knorex has tripled its staff strength in the past three years, worked with more than 300 top international and regional brands, and has established offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

13. The diversity of our talent eco-system ensures that Singapore’s research landscape remains vibrant and Singapore remains an exciting place to do research.  A*STAR’s institutes comprise a multi-faceted core of talent, with about 5,300 researchers from 59 different countries.  Our talent base has attracted global companies to site their R&D operations here, one example being the Procter and Gamble Singapore Innovation Centre established in March 2014.  The Centre now has about 500 researchers and engineers who work on more than 18 fields of study ranging from advanced engineering to materials science and biomedical research.

ISYF plays an important role in the development of global scientific talent

14. ISYF is another important aspect of our efforts to nurture young scientific talent, and I am happy to note that our students are keen participants in the forum.  The opportunity for budding scientists to meet top international scientists has often sparked their enthusiasm and passion to pursue science at the tertiary level and beyond.  For instance, more than 20% of Hwa Chong’s past ISYF participants have gone on to become science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors, with another 30% studying medicine and dentistry.  As Looi Qin En (Loo-Chin-Ern), a 2010 ISYF participant, succinctly puts it, “ISYF reinvigorated my passion for human-computer interaction and inspired me to strive for excellence.”  Motivated by one of the Nobel Laureates he met at the 2010 ISYF, Qin En is now studying Computer Science at Stanford University.

15. The ISYF also provides opportunities for educators to share innovative pedagogical ideas.  This sharing will equip educators and schools with new approaches to inspire students’ interest in, and understanding of, science.

16. Last year, Dr Bualuang Faiyue (Buah-luang Fai-youe) from Thailand’s Mahidol Wittayanusorn School shared how the problem-based learning approach can help students discover and understand the use of science in solving real-world problems.  He showed how oil spills that had affected Thailand could be used to illustrate important scientific concepts.  Not only did the approach lead to an increase in students’ highest and mean test scores, but it had also raised their motivation for problem-solving in class. This success has inspired educators from other countries, such as Brunei’s Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan, to also implement this approach. 

Conclusion

17. I understand that many exciting activities have been lined up over the next five days, including learning from our guest Nobel Laureates, interactions with distinguished scientists, and hands-on experience at the Hwa Chong Science Research Centre.  This year’s ISYF forum also brings together members of the science education community to strengthen bonds and catalyse new areas of collaboration.

18. I congratulate Hwa Chong Institution and NTU’s Institute of Advanced Studies on the successful organization of this Forum.  I wish our overseas friends an enjoyable stay in Singapore, and all of you an enriching and inspiring experience at this forum.