National Research Foundation, Singapore

NRF’s Chief Executive Offi cer Professor Low Teck Seng reveals why Singapore has such a confi dent and vibrant R&D sector, highlighting the country’s expertise in water research as an example of how

national vulnerabilities can be transformed into strengths

Can you provide insight into the history and aims of the National Research Foundation (NRF) in Singapore?

Founded in 2006, NRF is a department within the Prime Minister’s Offi ce. The Foundation helps set Singapore’s national direction for research, innovation and enterprise. It funds strategic initiatives and builds R&D capabilities by nurturing scientifi c talent. It also coordinates the research agenda of different agencies to transform Singapore into a vibrant R&D hub that contributes to a knowledge-intensive, innovative and entrepreneurial economy.

As the Chief Executive Offi cer, how do your responsibilities refl ect the mission of NRF?

NRF drives the national research agenda to grow Singapore’s R&D capabilities. So one of my roles is to coordinate research programmes in order to catalyse, grow and support our industries, and seek solutions for Singapore’s emerging societal needs and challenges. This also means ensuring we have the right framework conditions in place, such as a strong and vibrant research community, good facilities and infrastructure, and a supportive funding environment.

What is the nature of the Singapore Government’s relationship with NRF? How do other entities such as the Ministry of Health and the

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) coordinate their efforts with NRF to nurture R&D in Singapore?

NRF is the secretariat to the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC), which is chaired by the Prime Minister of Singapore. The RIEC advises the Singapore Cabinet on national research and innovation policies and strategies. Supporting the RIEC, the NRF Board is structured to coordinate programmes. Chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Board comprises relevant ministers and permanent secretaries, university presidents and chairmen of the Economic Development Board and A*STAR.

NRF plays the role of both a funding agency and a national policy agency, and coordinates with the various research performers in the ecosystem, such as A*STAR, universities, the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), and corporate R&D laboratories, to undertake a spectrum of activities that drive the national research and innovation agenda.

What has been the importance of R&D in the growth of Singapore’s economy? Furthermore, does NRF employ specifi c strategies to promote economic growth through research?

R&D is important to Singapore’s wellbeing and future sustainability. It creates value and enables us to exploit new industries and

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economic opportunities. R&D fuels innovation and sharpens our competitive advantage.

With its small size and limited resources, Singapore has to make strategic investments in R&D. We choose areas that are not only useful to Singapore, but also to the world, focusing on research that builds on our competitive edge, and positioning Singapore to tap into emerging technologies that promote economic growth.

There are three parts to our strategic priorities. The first is to build strong science and technological capabilities in areas of national need and economic opportunity. But building up a strong domestic base is not sufficient. Strategic challenges in today’s globalised world have become more interconnected and complex, and science has become more international; governments and scientists have to work together across borders. It is important that we continue to grow and leverage international collaborations and partnerships. Finally, having invested considerable resources in building up our research assets, we want to realise the value of our investments in terms of renewing the knowledge base of existing sectors and building new industries. Ultimately, our investments must form the foundation for our future competitiveness and economy, creating good jobs and improving the lives of Singaporeans.

Can you explain the different mechanisms in place to facilitate the commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies through the National Framework for Innovation and Enterprise (NFIE)?

NFIE is a national strategy to encourage commercialisation of research and assist entrepreneurs in setting up technology-based companies. NFIE is administered by NRF and supports schemes such as the Proof-of-Concept Grants (POC), Technology Incubation Scheme (TIS), Early Stage Venture Fund (ESVF) and Global Entrepreneur Executives (GEE). The POC provides up to S $250,000 to allow researchers to further develop their ideas into commercialisable products. Under the TIS, NRF seeds Singapore-based startup companies incubated by selected technology incubators to grow the startup ecosystem locally. The GEE is a co-investment scheme to encourage high-growth and hi-tech venture-backed companies with global entrepreneurial executives to relocate to Singapore.

What is the purpose of the Innovation Cluster Programme and how is it structured?

This is a new programme to strengthen partnerships across businesses, research performers and the Government in promising technology areas with potentially large markets. The objective is to bring ideas to commercialisation more rapidly, improve productivity, create jobs and increase economic value. Shortlisted innovation clusters include diagnostics and membrane technologies. These plans encompass funding for collaborative projects, shared infrastructure, capability building and bridging gaps in the value chain.

Each innovation cluster will be jointly led by an economic and technology agency. The economic agency identifies market opportunities for growing the cluster while the technology agency strengthens translational competencies and activities of organisations and entities identified under the cluster. For example, in the case of diagnostics, the Economic Development Board is the economic lead and A*STAR’s technology translation arm – Exploit Technologies Private Limited – is the technology lead.

As these clusters develop, they will join up the efforts of Singapore’s enterprises and research performers to translate knowledge, while simultaneously acting as the focal point for engagement with global research leaders and enterprises.

In your opinion, what have been some of the most exciting recent discoveries and commercial successes resulting from R&D in Singapore?

Our investments in areas of research have succeeded in developing new industries and enabling high growth. One notable success is the creation of the Singapore water industry, which arose from a national need. Faced with the challenge of water scarcity, Singapore succeeded by innovating – developing new water management and treatment technologies, such as water reclamation and seawater desalination. We have established a sustainable water supply from diversified sources known as the Four National Taps – water from local catchment areas, imported water, reclaimed water and desalinated water – and developed major national water projects such as NEWater, the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System and the Marina Barrage. Within four decades, we transformed our vulnerability into a strength.

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www.nrf.gov.sg

Global Young Scientists Summit

18-23 January 2015

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Global Young Scientists Summit (GYSS) @one-north is an international gathering in Singapore of bright young PhD students and postdoctoral associates from all over the world. They meet together for a week to be inspired by internationally eminent science and technology leaders, covering the disciplines of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, computer science and engineering.

The Singapore Challenge is a unique feature of GYSS@one-north. Participants submit white papers on how to address a national challenge and the best ideas are presented to a panel comprising scientifi c leaders and captains of industry. A cash prize and medallion are awarded for the best idea.

www.gyss-one-north.sg

Techventure

23-25 September 2014

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Techventure is an Asian conference and exhibition showcasing Singapore’s entrepreneurial and

technology innovation ecosystem. During the two-day event, participants, including venture capitalists,

private fund managers, angel investors, incubators, tech entrepreneurs and startup founders, gather to

share insights, exchange ideas, explore business partnerships and discuss deals.

A major highlight of the event sees startup companies pitching to an audience of potential investors. Another

key attraction is the Techventure Connect 180 which offers space and opportunities for investors and startups

in the region to connect and make deals.

www.techventure.com.sg

Alongside these developments, an innovative environment and water industry has fl ourished. Today, Singapore is recognised as a ‘Global Hydrohub’ with about 130 water companies and more than 25 public and private R&D centres conducting research in various areas of water technology. Our two local universities – the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University – have been recognised as among the top universities in water research globally.

Can you shed light on the R&D Talent Framework and how it aims to foster bright research prospects across Singapore?

With our small population, we seek to both attract international talent and nurture local talent. Within NRF, the Singapore NRF Fellowship Scheme attracts and roots young scientists and researchers to conduct independent research in Singapore. The Returning Singaporean Scientists Programme provides opportunities for highly capable overseas Singaporeans to continue their research careers in Singapore and eventually take up research leadership positions here.

Our programmes are coordinated with those of other agencies to ensure we have a comprehensive framework that builds a strong research community. For example, A*STAR has programmes such as the National Science Scholarship to grow the local PhD talent pool, and the Economic Development Board runs the Industrial Postgraduate Programme to support the pipeline of talent for industry.

How do you envisage Singapore’s R&D progressing in the next decade?

R&D is crucial to drive Singapore’s economic competitiveness and meet our national needs, and NRF will continue to invest in programmes to meet these goals. Over the past fi ve to 10 years, Singapore’s research ecosystem has grown signifi cantly in terms of both research output and quality. I am confi dent we will continue to improve over the next decade.

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