Transformation of Singapore’s Economy

Engineering Partnerships in Singapore

Professor Low Teck SengManaging Director

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

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1960 19631966 19691972 19751978 19811984 19871990 1993 19961999 20022005 2008

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GE

RD

/ GD

P %

GDP 1960 US$0.7 bil 2009 US$178 bil (254X)

GERD 1978 S$37 mil 2008 S$7.1 bil (192X)

GERD/ 1978 0.2% GDP % 2008 2.7% 2015 3.5%

RSEs / 1990 27.710K FTE 2008 87.6 (3.2X)

Labourintensive

Skillintensive

Capitalintensive

Technology Intensive

Knowledge Based /Innovation Driven

Science & Technology Plan 2010

(2006-2010)

S$13.9 billion

Science & Technology Plan 2005

(2001-2005)

S$6 billion

National Science &

Technology Plan (1996-2000)

S$4 billion

National Technology

Plan (1991-1995)

S$2 billion

Transformation of Singapore’s Economy

IndustryGovernment Universities/Institutions

Partnerships in Singapore

Singapore as a global S&T hub

Trends and Issues

Critical Success Factors • A clear, shared vision between partners• Sustained commitment to mutual goals• Investment in talent development and

infrastructure• Policies that support R&D• Respect for intellectual property rights• Fluency in English• Ability to integrate across borders and disciplines

Partnerships in Talent DevelopmentScholarships for Local Talent

• Pipeline of 1,000 local PhD talents spanning more than 80 universities and institutions locally and abroad

• 25% completed PhD/post-doc training and working as Research Scientists & Engineers in public sector and industry

• 75% pursuing BS/PhD education and post-doc experience in top-notch universities and labs

• Partnerships with MOE, Science Centre and schools to sustain pipeline

SINGA (Singapore International Graduate Award) • Full PhD scholarships under the NUS-NTU-A*STAR partnership

ARAP (A*STAR Research Attachment Programme) SIPGA Awardees

International Awards • Add diversity and create a vibrant research community• Build linkages with partner universities and extend our international

network of talent

Partnerships in Talent DevelopmentScholarships for International Talent

• PhD student attachment at A*STAR under joint supervision of faculty from partner universities (e.g. Southampton, Sheffield University)

SIPGA (Singapore International Pre-Graduate Award)

• 2 – 6 month research internships at A*STAR for undergraduate and masters level students

Partnerships in Talent DevelopmentMultiple Career Opportunities

PhD RSEs at A*STAR

Research

Start Ups

Academia

Industry

Research Leadership

A*STAR-Academia Pathway, University Joint appointments,Adjunct appointmentsSecondment

Awarded President’s Science and Technology Medal in 2009

13,000 papers published to date (FY2006-2010)

950 primary patents applications filed to date (FY2006-2010)

850 RSEs spun out to industry, including 150 RSEs to 100 SMEs through T-Up to date (FY2006 – 2010)

Thank You