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A*STAR Science Award extends reach to talented Polytechnic students in biomedical sciences, physical sciences and engineering courses
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A*STAR’s Research Attachment Programme opens doors to overseas Singaporean passionate about R&D
1. Polytechnic students and Overseas Singaporeans will now have more avenues to pursue their interest in science and research with two initiatives launched by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Announced by Minister of Health Gan Kim Yong at the A*STAR Scholarship Awards Ceremony 2012, these initiatives will create greater opportunities for aspiring scientists to explore their passion for R&D. Both programmes were introduced to widen the R&D pool and boost Singapore’s pipeline of local PhD talent.
2. The A*STAR Science Award (Polytechnic) will reach out to talented Polytechnic students by nurturing and encouraging them to develop their aptitude in science. A*STAR will work directly with the five Polytechnics to identify their brightest students; groom their scientific interests and introduce them to the possibility of pursing R&D careers. The Award has prior to this, only been given to Junior College and Upper Secondary School students. More than 1,200 Science Awards have been given out since 2006.
3. The new Research Attachment for Overseas Singaporeans will give Singaporeans citizens living abroad the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in working at a Singapore research laboratory. The programme invites Singaporean Citizens who are pursuing an undergraduate or masters degree abroad to apply for a two- to six-month research stint at A*STAR’s research institutes. The attachment programme will expose more students to the R&D landscape in Singapore and encourage them to eventually contribute back to Singapore’s R&D efforts.
4. These new initiatives, along with other A*STAR scholarships and investigatorship programmes are offered to young Singaporeans, at various junctures of their academic development, to encourage them to pursue research as a career. The approach is to build a strong pipeline of capable and committed local PhD talent who will form the core of Singapore’s research community.
5. Since the A*STAR Scholarships were launched in 2001, some 1,100 awards have been conferred. About 350 scholars have returned and are pursuing rewarding R&D careers in public sector research institutes, private labs, universities, hospitals as well as the industry.
6. About 115 scholarships were awarded at this year’s A*STAR Scholarship Award Ceremony. Among this year’s scholarship recipients is Ms Jeannie Tay, formerly an IRB (Institute Review Board) Analyst with the National Healthcare Group, who chose to put aside her career, to pursue a National Science Scholarship (PhD). She will be embarking on her studies at the University of Adelaide.
7. Said Ms Jeannie Tay, “I have observed many interesting developments in nutrition research at A*STAR. This has prompted me to take up a PhD in nutrition and dietetics. This opportunity may not have been possible five years ago as the time was not right to explore this type of research. After completing my PhD, I hope to return to Singapore and someday, run my own clinical trials to answer diet-disease research questions, and translate the research knowledge garnered into feasible clinical applications.”
8. Another recipient of this year’s NSS (PhD) scholarship is Ms Aishwarya Krishna, a Singaporean, born and raised abroad. Ms Krishna was educated in Hong Kong and the UK but chose Singapore instead to launch her research career. She will pursue her studies in Molecular Biology at Imperial College in the United Kingdom (UK).
9. Said Miss Krishna, “The R&D scene in Singapore is growing at a phenomenal rate and has gained global recognition. Taking up the A*STAR scholarship enables me to be at the forefront of this growth, working in a world-class institute surrounded by some of the best minds in this field. Having grown up in Asia, I think it’s great to have such an opportunity to contribute to the growth of research & development in Singapore.”
10. Said Chairman of A*STAR, Mr Lim Chuan Poh, “Research is a human enterprise and talent undergirds the entire Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2015 (RIE 2015) plan. In particular, we need to continue to develop a strong pipeline of local research talent to ensure that we have a robust research enterprise. Through the A*STAR scholarships, we will continue to attract and groom the most capable and committed Singaporeans to position Singapore as Asia’s Innovation Capital.”
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ANNEX A - A*STAR’s New Scholars 2012
ANNEX B – A*STAR’s Returned Scholars
ANNEX C – A*STAR’s New Programmes
ANNEX D - A*STAR’s Scholarship Programmes
Ms Germaine Shalla
Assistant Head, Media Relations
Tel: 6826 6297 (O); 8511 7478 (Hp)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. A*STAR oversees 14 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research institutes, and six consortia & centres, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis as well as their immediate vicinity.
A*STAR supports Singapore's key economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry. It also supports extramural research in the universities, and with other local and international partners.
ANNEX A
A*STAR’S NEW SCHOLARS
(I) New AUS Awardee
Mr Kho Zhe Wei
- Recipient of A*STAR Undergraduate Scholarship
- Awarded the A*STAR JC Science Award (2008 – 2009) for his studies at Hwa Chong Institution
- Awarded the Institute of Physics Singapore (IPS) Gold Medal for Excellence in Physics in 2010
- Obtained the Gold Award for the Singapore Physics Olympiad in 2008
- Chose to pursue his undergraduate studies locally to better understand the research landscape in Singapore
- Will study Physics at NUS
(II) New NSS (BS) Awardees
Mr Muhammad Huzaifah Bin Md Shahrin
- Recipient of A*STAR National Science Scholarship (BS)
- Awarded the SINDA Excellence Awards and Anugerah Mendaki in 2008 and 2010 for excellent academic results for O’ and A’ Levels respectively
- Curious about the universe and science fiction from young
- Parents are school teachers
- Captain of the Hockey Team at National Junior College
- Will study Physics at Imperial College London
Mr Samuel Yee
- Recipient of A*STAR National Science Scholarship (BS)
- Achieved Perfect Score for the 2011 International Baccalaureate at Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
- 1st Prize at International Young Physicists' Tournament in Vienna, Austria in 2011
- National Youth Achievement Award (Gold) in 2011
- Gold Award at Singapore Mathematical Olympiad (Senior Section) in 2009
- Will study Physics at California Institute of Technology
(III) New NSS (MBBS-PhD) Awardee
Ms Jane Ong Siying
- Recipient of A*STAR National Science Scholarship (MBBS-PhD)
- Awarded the A*STAR JC Science Award (2010 – 2011)
- Aspires to be a Clinician-Scientist involved in scientific research that will contribute to improving healthcare and patients' lives
- Committed volunteer at Ulu-Pandan Meet-the-People sessions
- Chairperson of the French Connection Club at Raffles Institution (2010-2011) to raise awareness and inspire interest in French culture among the students and community
- Member of the Interact Club at Raffles Institution (2010-2011), involved in mentoring sessions with SINDA
- Will study Medicine at University College London
(IV) New AGS Awardee
Mr Steven Lukman
- Recipient of A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (Overseas)
- Pursued a BEng in Materials Engineering at NTU (1st Class Honors) followed by MSc in Nuclear Engineering and Management at the University of Tokyo under the Monbusho Government scholarship
- Awarded NATSTeel Limited Gold Medal Award in 2009 for the best overall performance for undergraduate studies
- Will continue to PhD at Imperial College London to study Heterojunction Polymer Solar Cell (HetPSC)
Mr Ady Suwari
- Recipient of A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (Overseas)
- Pursued a BEng in Materials Engineering at NTU
- Winner of Ian Ferguson Innovation Challenge 2011
- Awarded the Sembcorp Undergraduate Scholarship in 2008
- Gold Medallist in 2nd IOAA (International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics) in 2008
- Will continue to PhD at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) to study Materials Science
(V) New AIF Awardee
Dr Ng Shi Yan
- Recipient of A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF)
- Awarded the NGSS for PhD studies
- Awarded the Travel Fellowship Award for the 16th Annual RNA(Ribonucleic Acid) Meeting in 2011
- Mentorship under Dr Lawrence W. Stanton at GIS affirmed her decision to pursue a research career
- Will pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University in the field of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
(VI) New NSS(PhD) Awardee
Ms Tay Jiahui Jeannie
- Recipient of A*STAR National Science Scholarship (PhD)
- Pursued a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics at Flinders University of South Australia under MOH Scholarship
- Interested in nutrition research
- Currently employed at the National Healthcare Group's Research and Development Office
- Previously a Clinical Dietician at Alexandra Hospital, who has worked at NUH and St Luke’s Hospital
- Will pursue a PhD at University of Adelaide to study Nutrition and Dietetics
Ms Aishwarya Krishna
- Recipient of A*STAR National Science Scholarship (PhD)
- Attended High School in Hong Kong, and studied in London for her BSc and MSc
- Passionate about Singapore’s R&D scene and applied for A*STAR scholarship while in the UK
- Awarded the Ian Clark Memorial Prize in Microbiology for excellence in microbiology from Imperial College London in 2010
- Awarded Merit for noticeable contribution to the Royal College of Science Union, Imperial College London in 2010
- Will pursue a PhD in Clinical Medical Research - Molecular
Microbiology and Infection at Imperial College London
ANNEX B
A*STAR’s RETURNED SCHOLARS
(I) ADDRESSING HUMAN HEALTH AND LIFESTYLE-RELATED DISEASES
Dr Ho Ying Swan
- Recipient of National Science Scholarship (PhD) in 2002
- Graduated with PhD from Imperial College London in Chemical Engineering
- Involved in the initial establishment of the metabolomics platform at Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) for the analysis of small molecules critical for cell growth and protein productivity in mammalian cell cultures
- Currently heads the Metabolomics group at BTI and collaborates with local clinicians on lifestyle diseases which impact societies; such as diabetes and obesity
(II) IMPRINTING THE FUTURE WITH MATERIALS SCIENCE
Dr Jaslyn Law
- Recipient of A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (NUS) in 2004
- Graduated with a PhD from NUS in Nanotechnology
- Chose to study Electrical Engineering at Singapore Polytechnic despite scoring 9 distinctions at ‘0’ Levels
- Childhood idol was Albert Einstein
- Co-chaired and was part of the team which launched the Industry Consortium of Nanoimprint (ICON) in 2010
- Successfully led the ICON team that achieved state-of-the art, high performance anti-reflective plastics for use in solar cells and television displays
- Currently Deputy Head of the Patterning and Fabrication
- Capability Group at A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE)
(III) ADVANCING RESEARCH IN SKIN BIOLOGY FOR ASIAN CONSUMERS
Dr Harmeet Singh
- Recipient of A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (NUS) in 2003
- Graduated with a PhD from NUS in Bioengineering
- Credits his neighbourhood school’s teachers at Changkat Changi Secondary School for inspiring him to succeed
- Studied mechanical engineering at Ngee Ann Polytechnic
- Chose to pursue a PhD in bioengineering
- Senior Research Fellow in Stem Cell and Tissue Repair at A*STAR’s Institute of Medical Biology(IMB)
- Joined L'Oréal Research and Innovation, Singapore as a research scientist to be involved in the validation of various technologies for skin and cosmetic applications
ANNEX C
A*STAR New Programmes
1. A*STAR Science Award (Polytechnic) is part of A*GA’s efforts to nurture and engage a pipeline of young Singaporean talent towards R&D. The award will enables Singaporean polytechnic students in science and engineering courses to explore their interest in research through research internships and/or final year projects at A*STAR research institutes. The award complements the existing A*STAR Science Awards for Upper Secondary and Junior College students in encouraging young Singaporean talent to further their education in science and engineering and to consider A*STAR scholarships and R&D careers.
2. Research Attachments for Overseas Singaporeans aim to expose Singaporean students studying overseas to research work being carried out within A*STAR RIs, so as to engage and encourage them to pursue PhD studies under A*STAR Scholarships or to consider research careers within A*STAR. It will also allow overseas Singaporeans to better understand the lab culture in Singapore as well as build up contacts and linkages within A*STAR RIs and in the Singapore research community.
ANNEX D
A*STAR Scholarship Programmes
1. National Science Scholarship (NSS) allows scholars to receive the best education and training at top universities and laboratories all over the world. The NSS scheme allows A*STAR to capture a share of top local talent and sustains a pipeline for potential local scientific leaders. Support is provided for BSc, PhD, MBBS-PhD and MD-PhD programmes. NSS scholars are required to fulfill a service commitment of 4-6 years to A*STAR. A*STAR has opened up multiple career pathways for scholars to contribute in A*STAR, as well as in industry and academia.
2. A*STAR Undergraduate Scholarship (AUS) supports scholars for undergraduate education at local universities, as well as research attachments at A*STAR and overseas exchange programme during their undergraduate studies. AUS admits scholars immediately after high school or polytechnic, as well as during undergraduate years. There is no service commitment to A*STAR but AUS scholars must undertake a PhD programme which may be supported through PhD scholarships from A*STAR, local or overseas universities.
3. A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS) offers 4 years PhD training for scholars in Singapore (at NUS, NTU or A*STAR) or 4 years PhD training split over roughly 2 years at an overseas partner university and 2 years at A*STAR labs. AGS scholars who graduate from NTU or NUS may also be extended a 2-year AGS (Post Doctoral Fellowship) at an international lab. The service commitment for AGS scholars range from 2 to 3 years. The AGS scheme contributes towards building a critical mass of Singaporean PhD talent to anchor R&D capabilities.
4. A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF) supports recent PhD graduates to undertake post-doctoral training in top universities and private sector labs overseas. The AIF allows A*STAR to retain in Singapore promising young Singaporean PhD talent after gaining post-doctoral experience overseas. Upon completion of their postdoctoral training, these Fellows will return for their 1-year service commitment and contribute to the research community in Singapore.
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