Singapore’s research and innovation key in fight against COVID-19, creation of growth opportunities: Heng Swee Keat – CNA

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s research and development efforts have been critical in the battle versus the novel coronavirus, and will help develop brand-new chances for financial growth in a post-COVID-19 world, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Wednesday (Aug 26).

The minister, who is likewise the chairman of the National Research Structure (NRF), was outlining how the structure would support top priorities set out by President Halimah Yacob in her address at the opening of Parliament on Monday.Science and innovation efforts have actually played a key role towards these objectives and will continue to do so post-pandemic, stated Mr Heng in an addendum to the President’s Address.Singapore was the third nation in the world outside of China to effectively culture the new coronavirus, he said.In addition, public research and development (R&D)institutes, such as the Firm for Science, Technology and Research study, have actually worked closely with the public health neighborhood in Singapore to develop precise diagnostic test packages and efficient treatment approaches, he said.Today, the research, development and business neighborhood is working on more than 200 research study tasks that support

Singapore’s battle against COVID-19 and reinforce its preparedness for future pandemics, stated the minister.In its prepare for the next five years, the NRF will support research in”high impact tactical areas”, developing on Singapore’s strengths in sophisticated manufacturing and engineering, health and biomedical sciences, sustainability and city services, as well as digital innovations, said Mr Heng.”Our RIE(research study, innovation and business )efforts are closely integrated with the work of the Future Economy Council to support economic change and create more excellent tasks for Singaporeans,”he said.DRIVING INDUSTRIES TO ADOPT SCIENCE & INNOVATION There are likewise efforts to drive markets to embrace science and technology, and turn research study results into competitive and valuable options

for the international market.Examples include 3D-printed nasal swabs to support COVID-19 testing and the world’s first 3D printing center for port operations, both catalysed by the National Additive Production Development Cluster. “We will establish more of such platforms to meet emerging market requirements and much better equip existing centres of innovation to support our business to adopt new innovations,”Mr Heng said.To help markets harness science and innovation better, NRF initiated the Maritime Improvement Programme

and the Aviation Transformation Programme to more Singapore’s position as a maritime and aviation hub.These efforts use innovations such as big-data analytics and advanced sensing units and communications to enhance Singapore’s connectivity abilities, and will enable the nation to stay a vital transportation and logistics node in a post-COVID-19 world, he said.Singapore will also develop on its investments in digital and automation innovations, including synthetic

intelligence and robotics, which are crucial enablers in its journey as a Smart Nation.To motivate more young Singaporeans to pursue careers in science and innovation, NRF will support the SGUnited Traineeship Programme and use traineeships in R&D labs, deep-tech start-ups, accelerators and incubators.IMPROVING THE LIVES OF SINGAPOREANS Beyond Singapore’s economic change, NRF will continue to support nationwide needs and enhance the lives of Singaporeans, said Mr Heng.The firm will deal with the Ministry of Health to build on R&D in locations such as preventive care and digital healthcare, and improve capabilities in sustainable metropolitan services and low-carbon technologies.”This will add to our national efforts to resolve environment modification, and enhance the quality of living in Singapore,”stated Mr

Heng.To grow future abilities, NRF will continue to buy building a robust base of research scientists and engineers with strong links to the

global neighborhood, he said.The proportion of research scientists and engineers in Singapore’s population has grown at a compound yearly rate of 3.5 per cent over the last twenty years, according to Mr Heng, and is now comparable to that of other

little advanced economies.The NRF will refresh financial investments in research study institutes, construct on its schemes to attract promising young scientists and established

experts to Singapore and use the Returning Singapore Researcher scheme to draw in overseas Singaporean scientists and talents house, stated the minister.”Our RIE plan for the next five years will reinforce the collaboration with markets and create new chances for Singapore,” stated Mr Heng.”It will also make sure that Singapore remains durable in the face of brand-new obstacles, beyond the present COVID-19 pandemic.”