Singapore— The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) awarded more than 120 scholarships and fellowships at today’s Scholarship Awards Ceremony. The scholarships were presented by Minister for Manpower, Mr Tan Chuan Jin. The scholarships are intended to develop a pipeline of scientific talent that can strengthen Singapore’s competitive edge through innovation and further develop its reputation as a vibrant hub for research and development (R&D).
Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of A*STAR, said, “Talent is at the heart of Singapore’s research enterprise as we discover knowledge and develop technologies to sustain our economic competitiveness and improve lives. The scholarships are part of our talent strategy to build a strong core of local scientists who can become future scientific leaders, to be complemented by a rich diversity of world class international scientists to contribute to Singapore’s success.”
More than 1,300 scholarships have been awarded since 2001, grooming young Singaporeans as leaders in science and equipping them with the necessary skills to develop solutions for global challenges. Over 370 scholars have completed their PhD studies or postdoctoral fellowships and are contributing to Singapore’s R&D ecosystem in various roles.
Besides developing solutions for the industry and society through research in A*STAR institutes and public sector laboratories, returning scholars have also lent their expertise to the advancement of knowledge in academia and to the development of commercial products in private R&D laboratories. This includes helping local enterprises tap on science and technology to improve their product offerings or increase their productivity.
Several former scholars have been recognised for their strong capabilities and achievements through prestigious awards such as fellowships given out by the National Research Foundation and UNESCO-L’Oreal. Others were acknowleged as outstanding and inspiring young professionals in their chosen fields of scientific innovation when they received awards at The Outstanding Young Persons Singapore Awards 2013.
Prof Alfred Huan, Executive Director of A*STAR Graduate Academy, said, “Our scholars represent A*STAR’s commitment to build strong capabilities that can address both industry and national challenges, such as the future of manufacturing, the need for sustainable urban solutions or strategies to tackle chronic diseases. These scientists are taking the next steps in their journey toward becoming future leaders in R&D for Singapore and its economy.”
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Enclosed:
Annex A – Recipients of the 2014 A*STAR Scholarships
Annex B – A*STAR Scholarship Programmes
For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Vanessa Loh
Senior Officer, Corporate Communications
Agency for Science, Technology and Research
Tel: +65 6826 6395
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About A*STAR Graduate Academy (A*GA)
A*GA advances A*STAR’s key thrust of human capital development through scholarships, fellowships and collaborative programmes with universities and other partners. Research is a human enterprise and undergirding the sustainability of this enterprise is A*STAR’s talent strategy of developing a strong core of local scientists, complemented by a rich diversity of international scientists. Through its suite of scholarships, fellowships, and outreach programmes, A*GA nurtures a healthy flow of PhD talent for A*STAR and the wider R&D community in Singapore. Since 2001, more than 1,300 Singaporeans have been supported by A*GA for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral studies in the best universities in Singapore and around the world. Of these, more than 370 have completed their PhD or post-doctoral training and are actively contributing to A*STAR, and various sectors of the R&D ecosystem.
To develop a pipeline of local scientific talent, A*GA offers competitive awards to enable Singaporeans to pursue an R&D career in biomedical sciences, physical sciences, as well as engineering disciplines.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that fosters world-class scientific research and talent to drive economic growth and transform Singapore into a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation driven economy.
In line with its mission-oriented mandate, A*STAR spearheads research and development in fields that are essential to growing Singapore’s manufacturing sector and catalysing new growth industries. A*STAR supports these economic clusters by providing intellectual, human and industrial capital to its partners in industry.
A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities, located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis, as well as their vicinity. These two R&D hubs house a bustling and diverse community of local and international research scientists and engineers from A*STAR’s research entities as well as a growing number of corporate laboratories.
Annex B
A*STAR Scholarship Programmes
1. The National Science Scholarship (NSS) enables scholars to receive the best education and training at top universities and laboratories all over the world. Support is provided for BSc, PhD, MBBS-PhD and MD-PhD programmes. NSS scholars are required to fulfill a service commitment of four to six years.
2. The A*STAR Undergraduate Scholarship (AUS) supports scholars for undergraduate education at local universities, as well as research attachments at A*STAR and overseas exchange programmes during their undergraduate studies. AUS admits scholars immediately after high school or polytechnic, and also during the 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, or other organizations.
3. The A*STAR Graduate Scholarship (AGS) offers four years of PhD training for scholars in Singapore (at NUS, NTU, or SUTD), or four years of PhD training in both an overseas partner university and an A*STAR lab. AGS scholars who graduate from NTU, NUS, or SUTD are eligible to apply for a Post Doctoral Fellowship to support a further two-year training at an international lab. The service commitment for AGS scholars is up to three years.
4. The A*STAR International Fellowship (AIF) supports recent PhD graduates to undertake post-doctoral training in top universities and private labs overseas. Upon completion of their postdoctoral training, these Fellows will return for their one-year service commitment.
