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<strong>NUS</strong> <strong>Formula</strong> <strong>Race</strong><strong>Car</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>top</strong> <strong>20</strong> rank<strong>in</strong>g<strong>at</strong> <strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ional FSAEcompetitionSIXTEEN STUDENTS from <strong>NUS</strong> Facultyof Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g did S<strong>in</strong>gapore proud bybe<strong>in</strong>g the only team from Asia to be <strong>in</strong>the <strong>top</strong> <strong>20</strong> rank<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the prestigious<strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ional <strong>in</strong>tervarsity <strong>Formula</strong>Society of Automotive Eng<strong>in</strong>eers (FSAE)competition. Held <strong>at</strong> the MichiganIntern<strong>at</strong>ional Speedway <strong>in</strong> USA, the <strong>NUS</strong>FSAE team took 19th place <strong>in</strong> the racecar competition which had a total of 119registered teams.Students from <strong>top</strong> universities worldwidehad to design and build their car fromscr<strong>at</strong>ch for the competition. Over threedays, the teams were judged on areassuch as <strong>Formula</strong> race car eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>gdesign, market<strong>in</strong>g present<strong>at</strong>ion andfour dynamic tests, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g a 22kmendurance race to test the performance,reliability and durability of their race car.The <strong>NUS</strong> FSAE team almost missed thecompetition due to a precautionarysuspension on official travel to affectedcountries follow<strong>in</strong>g the global InfluenzaA (H1N1) situ<strong>at</strong>ion. Fortun<strong>at</strong>ely, sixdays before the competition, the travelsuspension was lifted and the teamproceeded with their trip to the UnitedSt<strong>at</strong>es for the FSAE competition.Faculty Advisor for the <strong>NUS</strong> FSAE <strong>Race</strong><strong>Car</strong> project Assoc Prof Seah Kar Hengsaid: “The <strong>20</strong>09 <strong>NUS</strong> <strong>Formula</strong> SAE teamhas built a fantastic car, as proven by thecompetition results. If we had not come,we would never know how good the caris and its educ<strong>at</strong>ional value would havebeen lost.”At the competition, the <strong>NUS</strong> FSAEteam also bagged the 6th prize <strong>in</strong> thepresent<strong>at</strong>ion segment and came <strong>in</strong> 16th <strong>in</strong>the 22km endurance race.
May/June <strong>20</strong>09Vol.08 No.10Editor’s RoundupTEN DISTINGUISHED educ<strong>at</strong>ors, researchers andprofessionals were paid tribute <strong>at</strong> this year’sUniversity Awards. Honoured for their dist<strong>in</strong>ction<strong>in</strong> areas of educ<strong>at</strong>ion, research and service to theUniversity, these exceptional <strong>in</strong>dividuals haveshown fervour and dedic<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong> their workand have made notable contributions <strong>in</strong> theirrespective fields. At the award ceremony held on24 April <strong>20</strong>09, <strong>NUS</strong> President Tan Chorh Chuansaid: “Each of them has recognised the potentialto produce real impact and value <strong>in</strong> theirteach<strong>in</strong>g, research or service, and <strong>in</strong> the peoplearound them. Act<strong>in</strong>g boldly and with passion,they have unleashed th<strong>at</strong> potential.”To further enhance the University’s learn<strong>in</strong>genvironment, the <strong>NUS</strong> Teach<strong>in</strong>g Academy isestablished with the aim of foster<strong>in</strong>g a strongculture of teach<strong>in</strong>g excellence, add<strong>in</strong>g to theongo<strong>in</strong>g efforts to enhance the quality of an<strong>NUS</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>ion. Tapp<strong>in</strong>g on the University’s besteduc<strong>at</strong>ors, the 18 members of the Academy areprevious recipients of the Outstand<strong>in</strong>g Educ<strong>at</strong>orAward – they will drive various projects, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>gdevelop<strong>in</strong>g new educ<strong>at</strong>ional th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g and<strong>in</strong>iti<strong>at</strong>ives aligned with the University’s visionand mission, and serve as mentors to futuregener<strong>at</strong>ions of educ<strong>at</strong>ors.In the ongo<strong>in</strong>g pursuit of excellence, <strong>NUS</strong> hasalso scored accolades <strong>in</strong> other areas. At this year’sShell Eco-mar<strong>at</strong>hon <strong>in</strong> Germany, the <strong>NUS</strong> eco-carmoved up 13 positions from last year’s position torank 5 th <strong>in</strong> the competition. Also rac<strong>in</strong>g their wayup the <strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ional rank<strong>in</strong>gs is the <strong>NUS</strong> <strong>Formula</strong>Society of Automotive Eng<strong>in</strong>eers (FSAE) teamfrom the Faculty of Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g – it was the onlyteam from Asia to be ranked <strong>in</strong> the <strong>top</strong> <strong>20</strong> <strong>at</strong> theprestigious <strong>in</strong>ter-varsity FSAE competition <strong>in</strong> USA.Another remarkable achievement was <strong>at</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>edby two researchers from the <strong>NUS</strong> Centre forQuantum Technologies. Dr Murray Barrett andMr Kyle Arnold have successfully achieved the“Bose-E<strong>in</strong>ste<strong>in</strong> condens<strong>at</strong>ion”, an importantphenomenon <strong>in</strong> many areas of physics andcurrently the subject of <strong>in</strong>tense theoretical andexperimental study. This is a significant localachievement th<strong>at</strong> not only raises the n<strong>at</strong>ion’sstand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the league of experimental <strong>at</strong>omicphysics, but provides local researchers withthe most sophistic<strong>at</strong>ed tools to <strong>in</strong>vestig<strong>at</strong>e thequantum properties of m<strong>at</strong>ter.In April this year, <strong>NUS</strong> also hosted the St<strong>at</strong>eCouncillor of the People’s Republic of Ch<strong>in</strong>a, HerExcellency Madam Liu Yandong. Dur<strong>in</strong>g the visit,Madam Liu expressed her admir<strong>at</strong>ion for <strong>NUS</strong>’st<strong>at</strong>us as an <strong>at</strong>tractive and competitive worldclassuniversity. She also noted th<strong>at</strong> the strongbil<strong>at</strong>eral rel<strong>at</strong>ions between S<strong>in</strong>gapore and Ch<strong>in</strong>aserves as the found<strong>at</strong>ion for close cooper<strong>at</strong>ionand exchange between <strong>NUS</strong> and several Ch<strong>in</strong>eseuniversities.Editor: J<strong>in</strong>ny Claire SimWriter: Veronique Y W Ah SenDistribution Manager: M<strong>at</strong>thew SeahOffice of Corpor<strong>at</strong>e Rel<strong>at</strong>ionsN<strong>at</strong>ional University of S<strong>in</strong>gaporeUniversity Hall, Lee Kong Chian W<strong>in</strong>g UHL#05-0321 Lower Kent Ridge Road, S<strong>in</strong>gapore 119077Tel: (65) 6516 6822 Fax: (65) 6775 6386E-mail: Knowledge_Enterprise@nus.edu.sgwebsite: newshub.nus.edu.sgISSN 0219-614XCompany Registr<strong>at</strong>ion Number: <strong>20</strong>0604346E
2May/June <strong>20</strong>09Outstand<strong>in</strong>g achievers recognised<strong>NUS</strong> HONOURED 10 outstand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dividuals <strong>at</strong>University Awards <strong>20</strong>09 for their excellence <strong>in</strong>educ<strong>at</strong>ion, research and service to the University.This year’s recipients have set new standards <strong>in</strong>transform<strong>at</strong>ive educ<strong>at</strong>ion, research and servicededic<strong>at</strong>ion.Speak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>at</strong> the award ceremony held <strong>at</strong> theUniversity Cultural Centre on 24 April <strong>20</strong>09, <strong>NUS</strong>President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan said: “The passion,boldness and achievements of the University Awardrecipients <strong>in</strong>spire us to reach even higher, propell<strong>in</strong>g<strong>NUS</strong> to the next level of excellence. In do<strong>in</strong>g so,we can help shape the future through thoughtleadershipand transform<strong>at</strong>ive global educ<strong>at</strong>ion andresearch.He added: “As educ<strong>at</strong>ors, our goal and responsibilityis to help our students discover their l<strong>at</strong>ent talentsand to unleash the potential with<strong>in</strong>. And to dothis, we need to stretch them, to challenge them<strong>in</strong>tellectually and to take them out of their comfortzone so th<strong>at</strong> they can grow as <strong>in</strong>dividuals.”Prof Tan also said th<strong>at</strong> the environment and support<strong>in</strong> <strong>NUS</strong> for research and scholarship is gett<strong>in</strong>g betterand better – faculties are tackl<strong>in</strong>g tougher researchquestions which have the potential to unlock highimpact<strong>in</strong>sights and discoveries.Introduced this year was the Outstand<strong>in</strong>g Partner <strong>in</strong>Research Award which recognises <strong>in</strong>dividuals whohave made exceptional accomplishments <strong>in</strong> his orher research field, and achieved highly-significantcontributions <strong>in</strong> enhanc<strong>in</strong>g the research reput<strong>at</strong>ionof <strong>NUS</strong>.The annual University Awards honours andrecognises the best <strong>in</strong> <strong>NUS</strong> for their consistentlyoutstand<strong>in</strong>gperformance and resolute commitment.Eight recipients were cited this year for excell<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>ion and research; one was awarded forOutstand<strong>in</strong>g Service and another conferred anEmeritus Professorship.OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARDAssoc Prof Goh Say Song, Department ofM<strong>at</strong>hem<strong>at</strong>ics <strong>at</strong> the Faculty of Science, is <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong>the formul<strong>at</strong>ion, implement<strong>at</strong>ion and evalu<strong>at</strong>ion ofteach<strong>in</strong>g.Assoc Prof Kenneth Paul Tan, Lee Kuan Yew Schoolof Public Policy, engages <strong>in</strong> various aspects of tertiaryeduc<strong>at</strong>ion – from curriculum development andchange to cre<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g opportunities for <strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ionalstudents to <strong>in</strong>teract with S<strong>in</strong>gapore leaders.OUTSTANDING RESEARCHER AWARDProf Wong Tien Y<strong>in</strong>, Department of Ophthalmology<strong>at</strong> the Yong Loo L<strong>in</strong> School of Medic<strong>in</strong>e, has ledgroundbreak<strong>in</strong>g research <strong>in</strong>to the role of ret<strong>in</strong>alimag<strong>in</strong>g to further understand the mechanismsand p<strong>at</strong>hways of diseases, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g diabetes. He iswidely credited for ret<strong>in</strong>al exam<strong>in</strong><strong>at</strong>ions becom<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly common <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ional cl<strong>in</strong>icalguidel<strong>in</strong>es and their value <strong>in</strong> identify<strong>in</strong>g risk fordiseases.YOUNG RESEARCHER AWARDAssoc Prof Markus Wenk, Department ofBiochemistry <strong>at</strong> the Yong Loo L<strong>in</strong> School of Medic<strong>in</strong>e& Department of Biological Sciences <strong>at</strong> the Faculty<strong>NUS</strong> establishes educ<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>in</strong>k-tankIN CONJUNCTION with theUniversity Awards <strong>20</strong>09, aneduc<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>in</strong>k-tank draw<strong>in</strong>g onthe excellence of <strong>NUS</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>orshas been set-up. The <strong>NUS</strong> Teach<strong>in</strong>gAcademy is aimed <strong>at</strong> contribut<strong>in</strong>gto key educ<strong>at</strong>ional processes with<strong>in</strong>the University.“The Teach<strong>in</strong>g Academy willdraw on the very best teachers<strong>in</strong> our University to help drive<strong>NUS</strong>’ educ<strong>at</strong>ion to new heights ofexcellence, and play a critical role<strong>in</strong> shap<strong>in</strong>g the University’s policiesand directions <strong>in</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>ion,”announced <strong>NUS</strong> President Prof TanChorh Chuan.Not<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>at</strong> the Academy will boostongo<strong>in</strong>g efforts <strong>in</strong> improv<strong>in</strong>g thequality of <strong>NUS</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>ion, <strong>NUS</strong>Deputy President (Academic Affairs)& Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye,said: “By enabl<strong>in</strong>g our exemplaryeduc<strong>at</strong>ors to share their expertiseand <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ive teach<strong>in</strong>g methodswith the University community,we hope to enhance the learn<strong>in</strong>genvironment <strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong>.”The Teach<strong>in</strong>g Academy willcomprise w<strong>in</strong>ners of theUniversity’s Outstand<strong>in</strong>g Educ<strong>at</strong>orAward as well as electedfaculty who have contributedsignificantly to educ<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong><strong>NUS</strong>. The Fellows will spearheadefforts <strong>in</strong> promot<strong>in</strong>g excellence <strong>in</strong>teach<strong>in</strong>g and learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong>, andprovide leadership <strong>in</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>ional<strong>in</strong>iti<strong>at</strong>ives such as teach<strong>in</strong>g andlearn<strong>in</strong>g master-classes, andmentorship schemes among otherroles. The Fellows will also serve asambassadors and connectors forthe University and the <strong>NUS</strong> Centrefor Development of Teach<strong>in</strong>gand Learn<strong>in</strong>g. Beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g with 18Fellows, there are plans to <strong>in</strong>creasethe number to 30 <strong>in</strong> the next fiveyears.One of the Academy’s first taskswill <strong>in</strong>volve the developmentof new educ<strong>at</strong>ional th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>gand <strong>in</strong>iti<strong>at</strong>ives <strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e with <strong>NUS</strong>’Global-Asia str<strong>at</strong>egy. <strong>NUS</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>essSchool’s Assoc Prof Jochen Wirtz,who is also the Academic Directorof the UCLA-<strong>NUS</strong> Executive MBAProgram and a Teach<strong>in</strong>g AcademyFellow, said: “There are a lot ofcommon issues <strong>in</strong> teach<strong>in</strong>g andlearn<strong>in</strong>g which cut across faculties,present<strong>in</strong>g opportunities for crosslearn<strong>in</strong>gand cross-fertilis<strong>at</strong>ionamongst the various faculties anddepartments.”
May/June <strong>20</strong>093<strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong> University Awards <strong>20</strong>09OUTSTANDING ACHIEVERS: (Back row, from left): Assoc Prof Ng How Yong, Assoc Prof Mansoor B<strong>in</strong> Abdul Jalil, Assoc Prof Goh Say Song,Prof Mohan Balasubramanian (on behalf of Prof William Chia), Prof Hew Choy Leong, Prof Liu Thai Ker, Prof Wong Tien Y<strong>in</strong>, Assoc ProfKenneth Paul Tan, Assoc Prof Markus Wenk and Assoc Prof Melvyn Sim. (Front row, from left): <strong>NUS</strong> Deputy President (Adm<strong>in</strong>istr<strong>at</strong>ion)Mr Joseph Mull<strong>in</strong>ix, <strong>NUS</strong> Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye, <strong>NUS</strong> Board of Trustees member Mr ChandraMohan Nair, Pro Chancellor Mr Ngiam Tong Dow, <strong>NUS</strong> Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong, <strong>NUS</strong> President Prof Tan ChorhChuan and <strong>NUS</strong> Deputy President (Research and Technology) Prof Barry Halliwell.of Science is well-known for his research work <strong>in</strong>the field of lipidomics, or the study of p<strong>at</strong>hways andnetworks of cellular lipids <strong>in</strong> biological systems.Assoc Prof Ng How Yong, Division of EnvironmentalScience & Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g <strong>at</strong> the Faculty of Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g,is highly regarded as be<strong>in</strong>g among the <strong>top</strong> 100researchers <strong>in</strong> his field of physical and chemicalprocesses; membrane processes for w<strong>at</strong>erquality control and w<strong>at</strong>er reuse; environmentalmicrobiology; and biological processes for wastew<strong>at</strong>er tre<strong>at</strong>ment.Assoc Prof Mansoor B<strong>in</strong> Jalil, Department ofElectrical & Computer Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g <strong>at</strong> the Facultyof Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g, has some 100 journal papers onnanotechnology and condensed m<strong>at</strong>ter physics tohis name. He has had more than 300 cit<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>in</strong> thelast five years.Assoc Prof Melvyn Sim, Department of DecisionSciences <strong>at</strong> the <strong>NUS</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>ess School, is a notedresearcher for his work <strong>in</strong> Robust Optimiz<strong>at</strong>iontheory and applic<strong>at</strong>ions.OUTSTANDING PARTNER IN RESEARCH AWARDProf William Chia, Adjunct Professor <strong>at</strong> theDepartment of Biological Sciences <strong>at</strong> the Facultyof Science and Temasek Senior Investig<strong>at</strong>or of theTemasek Life Sciences Labor<strong>at</strong>ory, has been work<strong>in</strong>gon high impact research <strong>in</strong> neural development andasymmetric cell division for over two decades. Hisf<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs have had important implic<strong>at</strong>ions for stemcellbiology and neural disorders.OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDProf Liu Thai Ker, Adjunct Professor <strong>at</strong> the Lee KuanYew School of Public Policy, is a pioneer <strong>in</strong> theimplement<strong>at</strong>ion of public hous<strong>in</strong>g and formul<strong>at</strong>ionof a vision for the urban development of S<strong>in</strong>gapore.EMERITUS PROFESSORProf Hew Choy Leong, Department of BiologicalSciences <strong>at</strong> the Faculty of Science, has madedist<strong>in</strong>guished contributions to the field of biologicalsciences, <strong>in</strong> areas such as fish antifreeze prote<strong>in</strong>s andthe development of transgenic fish technology.S<strong>in</strong>gapore urban development pioneer honouredTHE MAN beh<strong>in</strong>d the implement<strong>at</strong>ion ofpublic hous<strong>in</strong>g and formul<strong>at</strong>ion of a visionfor the urban development of S<strong>in</strong>gapore,Prof Liu Thai Ker, received the Outstand<strong>in</strong>gService Award <strong>at</strong> the University Awards<strong>20</strong>09. Prof Liu is currently Adjunct Professor<strong>at</strong> the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.He is also the director of RSP ArchitectsPlanners and Eng<strong>in</strong>eers (Pte) Ltd.As Chief Architect and l<strong>at</strong>er Chief Executive Officer ofthe Hous<strong>in</strong>g Development Board (1969-1989), Prof Liuguided the Board’s plann<strong>in</strong>g concepts which <strong>in</strong>cluded thecre<strong>at</strong>ion of two dozen self-sufficient new towns for some<strong>20</strong>0,000 people each. Under the “Home Ownership forAll” policy helmed by the Government, Prof Liu oversawthe completion of more than half a million dwell<strong>in</strong>g units.He went on to serve as the Chief Executive Officerand Chief Planner <strong>at</strong> the Urban RedevelopmentAuthority (URA) (1989 to 1992). Dur<strong>in</strong>g his time<strong>at</strong> the URA, he oversaw and completed therevision of the Concept Plan which contributed toS<strong>in</strong>gapore’s development <strong>in</strong>to a vibrant global city.On his associ<strong>at</strong>ion with <strong>NUS</strong>, Prof Liu said: “Iam happy to be <strong>in</strong>volved with <strong>NUS</strong> on academicm<strong>at</strong>ters, campus plann<strong>in</strong>g and architecture. It is aprivilege and pleasure to see <strong>NUS</strong> grow<strong>in</strong>g from strength tostrength.”He hopes th<strong>at</strong> through professional practice, he willcont<strong>in</strong>ue to “push the boundaries of urban plann<strong>in</strong>g,environmental technologies and architecture <strong>in</strong> the <strong>in</strong>terestof susta<strong>in</strong>ability, liveability and beauty.”
4May/June <strong>20</strong>09New members appo<strong>in</strong>ted to <strong>NUS</strong>Board of Trustees<strong>NUS</strong> ANNOUNCED the appo<strong>in</strong>tment of four prom<strong>in</strong>ent leaders from the bus<strong>in</strong>ess, real est<strong>at</strong>eand <strong>in</strong>vestment sectors as new members of the Board of Trustees on 14 April <strong>20</strong>09. They are:• Mr Hans-Dieter BottFormer Manag<strong>in</strong>g Director of Siemens Pte LtdImmedi<strong>at</strong>e Past President of S<strong>in</strong>gaporean-GermanChamber of Industry and Commerce• Mr Hiew Yoon KhongChief Executive Officer of Mapletree InvestmentsPte LtdSenior Manag<strong>in</strong>g Director, Special Projects ofTemasek Hold<strong>in</strong>gs (Pte) Ltd• Mr Michael LienExecutive Director of Wah H<strong>in</strong> and CompanyPte Ltd• Mr Sunny VergheseGroup Manag<strong>in</strong>g Director and Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Olam Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Ltd<strong>NUS</strong> Board of Trustees Chairman Mr Wong NgitLiong said, "To meet the challenges of an everevolv<strong>in</strong>g global landscape, it is essential forthe Board to constantly renew itself to ensureth<strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong> has the best and most able leadershipteam <strong>at</strong> helm to help shape its vision, chart itsfuture and pursue excellence with unrelent<strong>in</strong>gvigour. I am confident th<strong>at</strong> Hans, Yoon Khong,Michael and Sunny will br<strong>in</strong>g to the Board their<strong>in</strong>dividual foresight, drive, wisdom and uniqueexperiences th<strong>at</strong> will benefit the <strong>NUS</strong> and itscommunity."Under the leadership of Mr Wong, the <strong>NUS</strong>Board of Trustees now comprises a total of 24outstand<strong>in</strong>g leaders from diverse <strong>in</strong>dustries.Students welcome engag<strong>in</strong>g with the BoardIN THE first of a series of monthly g<strong>at</strong>her<strong>in</strong>gs betweenstudents and members of the <strong>NUS</strong> Board of Trustees(BOT) , <strong>NUS</strong> students have welcomed the opportunityto <strong>in</strong>teract with Board Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong,Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VentureCorpor<strong>at</strong>ion Ltd, and BOT members Mr ChandraMohan K Nair, Partner, Tan Rajah & Cheah, andLG (NS) Ng Y<strong>at</strong> Chung, Senior Manag<strong>in</strong>g Director(Corpor<strong>at</strong>e Development, Portfolio Management andSystems), Temasek Hold<strong>in</strong>gs (Pte) Ltd.the opportunity to consult them <strong>in</strong> areas <strong>in</strong> whichthey require guidance. In return, BOT members hopeto get to know the students better and learn moreabout issues concern<strong>in</strong>g them. Each of these sessionswill see BOT members host<strong>in</strong>g about eight studentsfrom diverse backgrounds and discipl<strong>in</strong>es.Ms Sana Syeda Rahman, who <strong>at</strong>tended the firstmeet<strong>in</strong>g said: “These meet<strong>in</strong>gs are beneficial as it isa privilege to have the chance to learn from peoplewho are successful leaders <strong>in</strong> theirrespective fields. We have muchto ga<strong>in</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g from their <strong>in</strong>sightsand guidance, which will help usf<strong>in</strong>d the right direction <strong>in</strong> plann<strong>in</strong>gfor our careers.”ENGAGING STUDENTS: Board Chairman Mr Wong Ngit Liong (se<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the middle)<strong>in</strong>teract<strong>in</strong>g with students <strong>at</strong> the first monthly g<strong>at</strong>her<strong>in</strong>g.Mr Wong said: “Through these sessions, we hope toreach out to as many students as possible to betterunderstand the challenges they face as students, aswell as the richness of their educ<strong>at</strong>ional experiencehere <strong>in</strong> <strong>NUS</strong>.”Besides be<strong>in</strong>g able to garner advice from BOTmembers dur<strong>in</strong>g these meet<strong>in</strong>gs, students also haveAt the <strong>in</strong>augural meet<strong>in</strong>g heldon 15 May <strong>20</strong>09, students talkedabout the challenges th<strong>at</strong> theyface, their career aspir<strong>at</strong>ionsand gave suggestions onhow to further improve theeduc<strong>at</strong>ional experience <strong>in</strong> <strong>NUS</strong>.They also shared on m<strong>at</strong>ters suchas accommod<strong>at</strong>ion and theirexperience liv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore.In shar<strong>in</strong>g why they felt <strong>NUS</strong> tobe a university of choice, thestudents cited the good reput<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong> enjoyswhich gives them a competitive edge <strong>in</strong> their futureendeavours.Follow<strong>in</strong>g the first session, the University aims toreach out to a larger pool of students and encouragegre<strong>at</strong>er <strong>in</strong>teraction between students and membersof the BOT.
May/June <strong>20</strong>09 5Ch<strong>in</strong>a’s St<strong>at</strong>e Councillor VisitsWITH CHINA currently conduct<strong>in</strong>g acomprehensive review of its tertiary educ<strong>at</strong>ionsystem, the visit to <strong>NUS</strong> by the Ch<strong>in</strong>ese St<strong>at</strong>eCouncillor underscores the Ch<strong>in</strong>ese view th<strong>at</strong>culturally, Ch<strong>in</strong>a and S<strong>in</strong>gapore have a lot <strong>in</strong>common and can learn from each other <strong>in</strong>educ<strong>at</strong>ion and research.global educ<strong>at</strong>ion programmes to tra<strong>in</strong> studentsto be effective <strong>in</strong> diverse cultures, and not just<strong>in</strong> a local sett<strong>in</strong>g; and plac<strong>in</strong>g emphasis on thedevelopment of postgradu<strong>at</strong>e and PhD educ<strong>at</strong>ionto equip students with the skills to cont<strong>in</strong>uallyacquire vital knowledge <strong>at</strong> various stages of theircareers.This observ<strong>at</strong>ion was made by St<strong>at</strong>e Councillorof the People’s Republic of Ch<strong>in</strong>a, Her ExcellencyMadam Liu Yandong, when she called on <strong>NUS</strong> on24 April <strong>20</strong>09. Her visit to S<strong>in</strong>gapore was also herfirst to an Asian country s<strong>in</strong>ce her appo<strong>in</strong>tment asSt<strong>at</strong>e Councillor last year.Madam Liu observed th<strong>at</strong> the strong bil<strong>at</strong>eralrel<strong>at</strong>ionship between S<strong>in</strong>gapore and Ch<strong>in</strong>aforms the found<strong>at</strong>ion for close cooper<strong>at</strong>ionand exchange between <strong>NUS</strong> and many Ch<strong>in</strong>eseuniversities. She expressed her admir<strong>at</strong>ion for<strong>NUS</strong>’ st<strong>at</strong>us as an <strong>at</strong>tractive and competitiveworld-class university, with its cont<strong>in</strong>uous pursuitof excellence and provision of a broad-basededuc<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong> develops well-rounded gradu<strong>at</strong>eswho can contribute to society.FOSTERING CLOSER COOPERATION: (From left) St<strong>at</strong>e Councillorof the People’s Rrepublic of Ch<strong>in</strong>a, Her Excellency Madam LiuYandong; <strong>NUS</strong> President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan; Cancer ScienceInstitute of S<strong>in</strong>gapore, Experimental Therapeutics ProgrammeLeader Dr Goh Boon Cher.STRENTHENING ALONG-STANDINGPARTNERSHIP:Members of theCh<strong>in</strong>ese deleg<strong>at</strong>ionand <strong>NUS</strong> SeniorManagement.In his welcome remarks, <strong>NUS</strong> President Prof TanChorh Chuan said the University was honoured tohost HE Madam Liu and her deleg<strong>at</strong>ion, add<strong>in</strong>gth<strong>at</strong> there is much collabor<strong>at</strong>ion between bothcountries especially <strong>in</strong> the areas of educ<strong>at</strong>ionand science. “I look forward to deepen<strong>in</strong>g andstrengthen<strong>in</strong>g this long-stand<strong>in</strong>g partnership.”Dur<strong>in</strong>g the discussion, Madam Liu showed<strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> learn<strong>in</strong>g more about the University’splans to prepare students to meet the challengesof the future. Prof Tan shared the three keychanges made to the educ<strong>at</strong>ion offered by <strong>NUS</strong>:provid<strong>in</strong>g a broad-based educ<strong>at</strong>ion to preparestudents for a lifetime of different careers,r<strong>at</strong>her than a career for a lifetime; launch<strong>in</strong>gMadam Liu l<strong>at</strong>er toured the Transl<strong>at</strong>ionalInterface Core Facility of the <strong>NUS</strong> Cancer ScienceInstitute of S<strong>in</strong>gapore where she learnedmore about the cutt<strong>in</strong>g-edge research projectsconducted by the Institute, one of the threeResearch Centres of Excellence <strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong>. Thefacility was established to help <strong>in</strong>tegr<strong>at</strong>e cl<strong>in</strong>icaland labor<strong>at</strong>ory research <strong>in</strong> the prevention andtre<strong>at</strong>ment of cancer.In undertak<strong>in</strong>g its comprehensive review ofCh<strong>in</strong>a’s tertiary educ<strong>at</strong>ion system, Madam Liusaid th<strong>at</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a has also sent deleg<strong>at</strong>es to visiteduc<strong>at</strong>ional <strong>in</strong>stitutions <strong>in</strong> various parts ofthe world, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g those <strong>in</strong> the US, UK andSwitzerland.
6May/June <strong>20</strong>09<strong>NUS</strong> eco-car ranks 5 th <strong>at</strong> ShellEco-mar<strong>at</strong>honKRUCE – short for Kent Ridge Urban ConceptEcocar – represented <strong>NUS</strong> <strong>at</strong> the world-renownedShell Eco-mar<strong>at</strong>hon competition <strong>in</strong> EuroSpeedwayLausitz, Germany <strong>in</strong> May this year. KRUCE is thefirst eco-friendly urban concept car with zerocarbon emission <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore th<strong>at</strong> was designedand built by of a team of Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g students,<strong>in</strong> collabor<strong>at</strong>ion with the School of Design andEnvironment.Powered by hydrogen fuel cell and with anexcellent noise damp<strong>in</strong>g fe<strong>at</strong>ure, KRUCE was firstunveiled by <strong>NUS</strong> President Prof Tan Chorh Chuanand Dean of the Faculty of Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g Prof ChanEng Soon <strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong> University Hall on <strong>20</strong> April <strong>20</strong>09.The aerodynamic structure and power sourceof this year’s entry was built from scr<strong>at</strong>ch by 10students from the Departments of MechanicalEng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g, and Electrical and ComputerEng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g. The body of the car was designedand fabric<strong>at</strong>ed by the School of Design andEnvironment’s Design Incub<strong>at</strong>ion Centreteam, work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> close collabor<strong>at</strong>ion with theEng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g students.With a customised hydrogen fuel cell powerplant th<strong>at</strong> drives an electric wheel hub motor, theteam was able to ensure th<strong>at</strong> the s<strong>in</strong>gle-se<strong>at</strong>erKRUCE achieves twice the energy efficiency ofconventional <strong>in</strong>ternal combustion eng<strong>in</strong>es. TheAt the Shell Ecomar<strong>at</strong>honcompetitionon 9 May <strong>20</strong>09, <strong>NUS</strong>competed aga<strong>in</strong>st 66teams from over 30different countries <strong>in</strong>the Urban Conceptc<strong>at</strong>egory. The teamwas ranked 5 th overall<strong>in</strong> the c<strong>at</strong>egory,mov<strong>in</strong>g up morethan 10 places fromtheir overall 18thrank<strong>in</strong>g achieved <strong>in</strong>France <strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>08. Theywere also ranked 4 th<strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ionally <strong>in</strong>the Fuel Cell Vehiclec<strong>at</strong>egory. The <strong>NUS</strong>team managed toachieve the highrank<strong>in</strong>gs despitehav<strong>in</strong>g only the timeto compete <strong>in</strong> thelast official run. Theymissed the two earlier official runs due to theUniversity’s overseas travel suspension ow<strong>in</strong>g tothe global Influenza A (H1N1) situ<strong>at</strong>ion.GOING GREEN WITH KRUCE: (From left) <strong>NUS</strong> Eco-car project supervisor Assoc Prof Lu Wen Fen; Deanof the Faculty of Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g Prof Chan Eng Soon and <strong>NUS</strong> President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan with theEco-car team.cell-like design of the car, which gives it a loweraerodynamic drag, allows for easy access to themechanical components for trouble-shoot<strong>in</strong>g.Team leader Zhang Weisheng said: “We racedaga<strong>in</strong>st time to assemble the car back to optimumwork<strong>in</strong>g condition for the technical <strong>in</strong>spection,work<strong>in</strong>g l<strong>at</strong>e <strong>in</strong>to the night until access to thepaddock area is no longer allowed. Some ofthe team members had to struggle with theirjetlag as they had no rest follow<strong>in</strong>g arrival <strong>at</strong> theairport. We passed the technical <strong>in</strong>spection <strong>in</strong> themorn<strong>in</strong>g of 9 May, the last day of the race, andmanaged to take part <strong>in</strong> the last official run <strong>in</strong>the afternoon.”The team beh<strong>in</strong>d KRUCE began design<strong>in</strong>g theconcept car last August, work<strong>in</strong>g closely withGashub Technologies.The urban concept eco-car is a model project forthe Faculty of Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g’s new <strong>NUS</strong> Design-Centric Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g Curriculum (DCC), analtern<strong>at</strong>ive learn<strong>in</strong>g p<strong>at</strong>hway offered for the firsttime by a university <strong>in</strong> Asia. This will be availableto freshmen <strong>at</strong> the Faculty of Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> thiscom<strong>in</strong>g academic year.
May/June <strong>20</strong>09 7Prof Wang Gungwu conferred HonoraryDoctor<strong>at</strong>e by the University of CambridgeIN RECOGNITION of his contributions as ahistorian of Ch<strong>in</strong>a and the Ch<strong>in</strong>ese, Chairman ofthe East Asian Institute Prof Wang Gungwu wasconferred the Honorary Doctor<strong>at</strong>e of Letters bythe University of Cambridge on 12 June <strong>20</strong>09.The Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters isconferred upon outstand<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>dividuals who have madescholarly contributions <strong>at</strong> the<strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ional level, <strong>in</strong> the arts,humanities or social sciences.Prof Wang is the first Ch<strong>in</strong>esehistorian to be honoured by theUniversity.On his conferment, Prof Wangsaid: “I am deeply honouredth<strong>at</strong> my work on Ch<strong>in</strong>ese historyis considered to be significantenough to be recognised. Moreimportantly, Ch<strong>in</strong>a’s positionnow <strong>at</strong>tracts wider <strong>at</strong>tentionand universities acknowledgeth<strong>at</strong> understand<strong>in</strong>g Ch<strong>in</strong>a’shistory is <strong>in</strong>valuable to thosewho want to engage Ch<strong>in</strong>a fromnow on.”As one of the world’s lead<strong>in</strong>g authorities onCh<strong>in</strong>ese studies, Prof Wang’s work focusesprimarily on Ch<strong>in</strong>ese history and the history ofMAKING HISTORY: Chairman ofthe East Asian Institute Prof WangGungwu.rel<strong>at</strong>ions between Southeast Asia and Ch<strong>in</strong>a.Of particular relevance to the present are issuesrel<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g to the rise of Ch<strong>in</strong>a and its economic andpolitical rel<strong>at</strong>ionships with the region.In the course of his career <strong>in</strong> academia, Prof Wanghas received several awards,<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g be<strong>in</strong>g elected Presidentof the Australian Academy of theHumanities, 1980-1983 and madeForeign Honorary Member of theAmerican Academy of Arts andScience <strong>in</strong> 1994. Prof Wang wasalso awarded the Intern<strong>at</strong>ionalAcademic Prize, Fukuoka AsianCultural Prizes <strong>in</strong> 1994 and thePublic Service Star Award fromthe Government of S<strong>in</strong>gapore <strong>in</strong><strong>20</strong>08.With the conferment of theHonorary Doctor<strong>at</strong>e of Lettersby Cambridge, Prof Wangjo<strong>in</strong>s em<strong>in</strong>ent leaders fromthe myriad fields of religion,bus<strong>in</strong>ess, science, music, history,philanthropy, politics andeconomics to have received theaward <strong>at</strong> a Congreg<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong> a ceremony laudedas a colourful ‘scarlet day’ <strong>in</strong> Cambridge’s Sen<strong>at</strong>e-House.EAI shares Ch<strong>in</strong>a <strong>in</strong>sight with Thai Pr<strong>in</strong>cessTHE EAST Asian Institute (EAI) which aims to promoteacademic and policy-oriented research on East Asianeconomies <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g contemporary Ch<strong>in</strong>a, providedan <strong>in</strong>sightful appraisal of Ch<strong>in</strong>a and its economy toThailand’s Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Maha Chakri Sir<strong>in</strong>dhorn dur<strong>in</strong>gHer Royal Highness’ recent visit to the Institute on23 April <strong>20</strong>09. The Pr<strong>in</strong>cess, travell<strong>in</strong>g with her royaldeleg<strong>at</strong>ion, was <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore for a five-day visit on the<strong>in</strong>vit<strong>at</strong>ion of President S R N<strong>at</strong>han.Accompany<strong>in</strong>g Her Royal Highness on the visit to <strong>NUS</strong>was M<strong>in</strong>ister for Community Development, Youth andSports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and his wife, Mrs JoyBalakrishnan.Dur<strong>in</strong>g the discussion, EAI Chairman Prof WangGungwu mentioned th<strong>at</strong> Ch<strong>in</strong>a is now faced withcompetition from a number of players on the globalstage. EAI Director Prof Zheng Yongnian added th<strong>at</strong>under Ch<strong>in</strong>a’s Hu-Wen adm<strong>in</strong>istr<strong>at</strong>ion, namedafter General Secretary Hu J<strong>in</strong>tao and PremierWen Jiabao, more <strong>at</strong>tention was given to st<strong>at</strong>emacro-control as well as issues perta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>top</strong>ublic health care, social security, educ<strong>at</strong>ion andmarket regul<strong>at</strong>ions. Prof Zheng also highlightedCh<strong>in</strong>a’s anti-corruption efforts. This wasfollowed by an <strong>in</strong>sight <strong>in</strong>to Ch<strong>in</strong>a’s economicsitu<strong>at</strong>ion amidst the current global downturnby EAI Research Director Prof John Wong.BILATERAL TIES: (From left) Mrs Joy Balakrishnan; Dr VivianBalakrishnan, M<strong>in</strong>ister for Community Development, Youth andSports; Prof Wang Gungwu, Chairman of the EAI; Her RoyalHighness Pr<strong>in</strong>cess Maha Chakri Sir<strong>in</strong>dhorn; Prof Zheng Yongnian,Director of the EAI and Prof John Wong, Research Director of EAI.Her Royal Highness noted th<strong>at</strong> Thailandcould likely tap on EAI’s expertise to betterunderstand Ch<strong>in</strong>a <strong>in</strong> rel<strong>at</strong>ion to issues such asn<strong>at</strong>ionalism, urban plann<strong>in</strong>g and the Ch<strong>in</strong>eseeconomy. This is Her Royal Highness’ third visitto EAI s<strong>in</strong>ce 1999.
8May/June <strong>20</strong>09Development of susta<strong>in</strong>ableplant energy efficiencies<strong>NUS</strong> partners K S N<strong>at</strong>ural ResourcesTHE YEAR-LONG partnership between K SN<strong>at</strong>ural Resources (KSNR) and <strong>NUS</strong> Faculty ofEng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g’s M<strong>in</strong>erals, Metals and M<strong>at</strong>erialsTechnology Centre (M3TC) was announced on21 April <strong>20</strong>09. The Centre will serve as thetechnological solutions and research anddevelopment arm of KSNR.KSNR, the fully-owned S<strong>in</strong>gapore-basedsubsidiary of India’s K S Oils Ltd (KS) and one ofIndia’s lead<strong>in</strong>g agri-based public listed companies,is also the first such company from India to beconferred Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Headquarters (IHQ) st<strong>at</strong>usby the Economic Development Board (EDB) onthe same day.“There are close to 3,700 companies from Indiawho have a presence <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore today,” saidEDB Assistant Manag<strong>in</strong>g Director Mr Quek SweeKuan. “K S has become the first agri-basedcompany from India to jo<strong>in</strong> our dist<strong>in</strong>ctive groupof companies which have been conferred theIntern<strong>at</strong>ional Headquarters st<strong>at</strong>us.”The company’s establishment <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gaporethrough KSNR is part of its str<strong>at</strong>egy to becomea fully-<strong>in</strong>tegr<strong>at</strong>ed edible oil company withcapabilities across the entire value cha<strong>in</strong>.Expla<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g his company’s expansion, K S OilsManag<strong>in</strong>g Director Mr Sanjay Agarwal said“We want to replic<strong>at</strong>e our success <strong>in</strong> India first <strong>in</strong>Asia, and then across the globe. With agri-assetsand a strong backend supply cha<strong>in</strong> both <strong>in</strong> Indiaand abroad, we aim to become a leader <strong>in</strong> one ofthe key global edible oil markets – India.”KSNR and M3TC have been work<strong>in</strong>g on R&D<strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>eral analysis and suitability of lands forplant<strong>at</strong>ions, energy sav<strong>in</strong>g systems us<strong>in</strong>g theCentre’s developed m<strong>at</strong>hem<strong>at</strong>ical-modell<strong>in</strong>gcapabilities, as well as on cont<strong>in</strong>uous educ<strong>at</strong>ionand tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g of KSNR employees. M3TC CentreDirector Prof Arun Sadashiv Mujumdar, said “Thispast year we have successfully completed thefirst stage of work with KSNR, which <strong>in</strong>volvedextensive m<strong>in</strong>eral and nutrient analyses ofplant<strong>at</strong>ion sites <strong>in</strong> order to devise an optimal planto achieve acceler<strong>at</strong>ed crop growth.”M3TC Director of Oper<strong>at</strong>ions Dr Joshua Kumaradded th<strong>at</strong> further m<strong>in</strong>eral analyses on potentialfuture plant<strong>at</strong>ion sites for KSNR have beencarried out, while the third phase of collabor<strong>at</strong>ionwill be targeted to provide st<strong>at</strong>e-of-the-arttechnological solutions towards optimis<strong>in</strong>g KSGroup’s overall production facilities.Mr Sanjay also added th<strong>at</strong> the KS Group is acompany th<strong>at</strong> is truly open to new ideas and<strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ive technological solutions <strong>in</strong> the effortto develop an overall susta<strong>in</strong>able, low-costproduction model.KSNR aims to achieve annual revenue ofUSD 1 billion by <strong>20</strong>14 through trad<strong>in</strong>g andshipp<strong>in</strong>g activities <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore and oil<strong>in</strong>vestment <strong>in</strong> Malaysia and Indonesia.GLOBAL EXPANSION: (From left) Prof Arun Sadashiv Mujumdar, Director of the M<strong>in</strong>erals, Metals and M<strong>at</strong>erials TechnologyCentre, <strong>NUS</strong>; Mr Sanjay Agarwal, Manag<strong>in</strong>g Director of K S Oils; Mr Jimmy Mahtani, board member of K S Oils and Mr QuekSwee Kuan, Assistant Manag<strong>in</strong>g Director <strong>at</strong> the Economic Development Board.
May/June <strong>20</strong>09 9Discover<strong>in</strong>g the coolest spot onthe Equ<strong>at</strong>orTHE CENTRE for Quantum Technologies (CQT) – S<strong>in</strong>gapore’sfirst Research Centre of Excellence – might well beconsidered the coolest place on the Equ<strong>at</strong>or. Investig<strong>at</strong>ors<strong>at</strong> the CQT labor<strong>at</strong>ories have successfully accomplished theBose-E<strong>in</strong>ste<strong>in</strong> condens<strong>at</strong>ion, <strong>in</strong> which a collection of <strong>at</strong>omsreach a st<strong>at</strong>e of m<strong>at</strong>ter th<strong>at</strong> is as cold as the fundamentallaws of physics will allow.The Bose-E<strong>in</strong>ste<strong>in</strong> condens<strong>at</strong>e is named after S<strong>at</strong>yendraN<strong>at</strong>h Bose and Albert E<strong>in</strong>ste<strong>in</strong> who predicted such a st<strong>at</strong>e<strong>in</strong> 1924. However, it was not until 1995 th<strong>at</strong> a groupof researchers managed to produce the Bose-E<strong>in</strong>ste<strong>in</strong>condens<strong>at</strong>e <strong>in</strong> the labor<strong>at</strong>ory. In recognition of their work,they were awarded the Nobel Prize <strong>in</strong> Physics <strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>01. InS<strong>in</strong>gapore, CQT’s Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal Investig<strong>at</strong>or Dr Murray Barrettand PhD student Kyle Arnold have successfully produced thest<strong>at</strong>e near the Equ<strong>at</strong>or.Dr Murray Barrett likened a gas of <strong>at</strong>oms or moleculesto a collection of billiard balls bounc<strong>in</strong>g off one another.He noted th<strong>at</strong> temper<strong>at</strong>ure provides a measure of howenergetic or fast the molecules move. “However, <strong>in</strong> thepeculiar world of quantum physics, it is impossible to obta<strong>in</strong>precise knowledge of both the position and speed of an<strong>at</strong>om <strong>at</strong> the same time,” he said.He expla<strong>in</strong>ed th<strong>at</strong> the “billiard balls” description of <strong>at</strong>omsbreak down when they reach a critical temper<strong>at</strong>ure lessthan a millionth of a degree above absolute zero, whichis 0 Kelv<strong>in</strong> or -273.15 degrees Celsius. “The <strong>at</strong>oms becomeso cold th<strong>at</strong> the uncerta<strong>in</strong>ty <strong>in</strong> their position is comparableto the separ<strong>at</strong>ion between <strong>at</strong>oms. This means th<strong>at</strong> several<strong>at</strong>oms can occupy the same region of space <strong>at</strong> the sametime and this is someth<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>at</strong> billiard balls simply cannotdo! At this critical temper<strong>at</strong>ure, all the <strong>at</strong>oms condense<strong>in</strong>to the lowest energy st<strong>at</strong>e available. They lose their<strong>in</strong>dividuality completely and behave as a s<strong>in</strong>gle quantumentity – the Bose-E<strong>in</strong>ste<strong>in</strong> condens<strong>at</strong>e.The condens<strong>at</strong>es are produced only <strong>in</strong> the world’s mostadvanced labor<strong>at</strong>ories. The achievement of the CQT istestament to S<strong>in</strong>gapore be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the premier league ofexperimental <strong>at</strong>omic physics and provides local researcherswith the most sophistic<strong>at</strong>ed tools <strong>in</strong> which to <strong>in</strong>vestig<strong>at</strong>ethe quantum properties of m<strong>at</strong>ter. While to-d<strong>at</strong>e there isyet applic<strong>at</strong>ions for the condens<strong>at</strong>es, there are potentialapplic<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>in</strong> fields such as nanotechnology andholography on the horizon.BOSE-EINSTEINCONDENSATERESEARCHERS:Dr MurrayBarrett (left)with KyleArnold.QUANTUM RESEARCH: Dr Tony Tan (centre) withDr Murray Barrett (second from right) and KyleArnold (far left) <strong>at</strong> CQT lab.Build<strong>in</strong>g researchexcellenceSINGAPORE is able to <strong>at</strong>tract thebrightest and most committed researchtalent to carry out breakthrough science.Speak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>at</strong> the <strong>NUS</strong> Centre for QuantumTechnologies (CQT) where two of theCentre’s researchers achieved the“Bose-E<strong>in</strong>ste<strong>in</strong> condens<strong>at</strong>e” on22 April <strong>20</strong>09, Chairman of the N<strong>at</strong>ionalResearch Found<strong>at</strong>ion Dr Tony Tan said:“I commend the CQT for achiev<strong>in</strong>g sucha difficult undertak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> a rel<strong>at</strong>ivelyshort time. The remarkable achievementof Dr Murray Barrett and Kyle Arnoldmakes S<strong>in</strong>gapore one of a small numberof countries <strong>in</strong> the world to achieve thiscomplex <strong>at</strong>omic physics experiment.”To-d<strong>at</strong>e, only a select number ofcountries <strong>in</strong> the region <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g Japanand Australia are known to have beenable to produce the condens<strong>at</strong>e.Dr Tan highlighted th<strong>at</strong> despite thecurrent economic downturn, S<strong>in</strong>gaporewill still cont<strong>in</strong>ue to <strong>in</strong>vest <strong>in</strong> researchand development. It is only <strong>in</strong> do<strong>in</strong>g soth<strong>at</strong> the country will not stagn<strong>at</strong>e and beovertaken by other developed n<strong>at</strong>ions.The CQT is the first Research Centre ofExcellence (RCE) established <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gaporeto help local universities becomeresearch-<strong>in</strong>tensive through world-class,<strong>in</strong>vestig<strong>at</strong>or-led research th<strong>at</strong> has aglobal impact. Besides help<strong>in</strong>g first-r<strong>at</strong>eacademic <strong>in</strong>vestig<strong>at</strong>ors perform highquality, high-impact research, RCEs aimto enhance gradu<strong>at</strong>e educ<strong>at</strong>ion and tra<strong>in</strong>quality research manpower. It also aimsto cre<strong>at</strong>e new knowledge <strong>in</strong> areas ofstr<strong>at</strong>egic relevance to S<strong>in</strong>gapore.
10May/June <strong>20</strong>09Ur<strong>in</strong>e test study a first <strong>in</strong>predict<strong>in</strong>g lung-cancer riskSCIENTISTS have found the reason why somesmokers are more likely to develop lung cancerthan others from a study th<strong>at</strong> is the first to l<strong>in</strong>k <strong>at</strong>obacco-specific chemical <strong>in</strong> ur<strong>in</strong>e to lung-cancerrisk <strong>in</strong> humans.A research team led by Assoc Prof Koh Woon Puayof the <strong>NUS</strong> Yong Loo L<strong>in</strong> School of Medic<strong>in</strong>e’sDepartment of Epidemiology and Public Health,and Assoc Prof Yuan Jian-M<strong>in</strong> of the University ofM<strong>in</strong>nesota, found th<strong>at</strong> the level of a metabolite– NNAL – from a tobacco-specific chemicalmeasured <strong>in</strong> the ur<strong>in</strong>e of smokers correl<strong>at</strong>ed withtheir subsequent risk of lung cancer.The results of the study were presented <strong>at</strong> theAmerican Associ<strong>at</strong>ion of Cancer Research’s 100 thannual meet<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Denver, USA, <strong>in</strong> April thisyear. The f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs were also published <strong>in</strong> theprestigious biomedical journal Cancer Research.Measurements done on ur<strong>in</strong>e samples showedth<strong>at</strong> smokers who subsequently developed lungcancer had elev<strong>at</strong>ed levels of NNAL <strong>in</strong> their ur<strong>in</strong>e<strong>at</strong> basel<strong>in</strong>e rel<strong>at</strong>ive to smokers who rema<strong>in</strong>edfree of cancer. In fact, smokers with the highesttertile of ur<strong>in</strong>ary NNAL measurement had a morethan 2 times <strong>in</strong>creased risk of develop<strong>in</strong>g lungcancer compared to those <strong>in</strong> the lowest tertile.When both levels of cot<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>e (a metabolite ofnicot<strong>in</strong>e) and NNAL were measured, it was foundth<strong>at</strong> smokers who had high levels of both NNALand cot<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>e had an 8 ½ times <strong>in</strong>creased risk ofdevelop<strong>in</strong>g lung cancer.The S<strong>in</strong>gapore Ch<strong>in</strong>ese Health Study, conductedby the Department of Epidemiology and PublicHealth <strong>in</strong> the N<strong>at</strong>ional University of S<strong>in</strong>gapore,is a prospective, long-term study of dietary,genetic and environmental determ<strong>in</strong>ants ofcancer and other chronic diseases <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore.CANCER RESEARCH: Assoc Prof Koh Woon Puay (left) with Assoc Prof Yuan Jian-M<strong>in</strong>.The research exam<strong>in</strong>ed 63,257 men and women <strong>in</strong>a S<strong>in</strong>gapore cohort (The S<strong>in</strong>gapore Ch<strong>in</strong>ese HealthStudy) and 18,244 men <strong>in</strong> a Shanghai cohort. Theresearchers conducted personal <strong>in</strong>terviews toassess <strong>in</strong>tensity and dur<strong>at</strong>ion of cigarette smok<strong>in</strong>g,alcohol consumption, dietary and lifestylefactors, and medical history of the participants<strong>at</strong> recruitment between 1993 and 1998 for theS<strong>in</strong>gapore cohort, and between 1986 and 1989for the Shanghai cohort. The team also collectedblood and ur<strong>in</strong>e samples from more than 50,000participants <strong>in</strong> these two cohorts. Among thesmokers who don<strong>at</strong>ed ur<strong>in</strong>e for the researchand after an average of five years <strong>in</strong> follow-up,researchers identified 246 smokers who went onto develop lung cancer and compared them with245 smokers who did not develop the disease.The study was established between April 1993and December 1998 by the recruitment of aresidential cohort of 63,257 middle-aged andelderly Ch<strong>in</strong>ese men and women. Assoc Prof Kohnoted: “This study would not have been possiblewithout our S<strong>in</strong>gaporean participants who werewill<strong>in</strong>g to contribute <strong>in</strong>form<strong>at</strong>ion about theirlifestyle and bio-specimens for the purpose ofresearch. By particip<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> such prospectivestudies, any S<strong>in</strong>gaporean can help scientists makeimportant discoveries and put S<strong>in</strong>gapore on themap of scientific research.”Accord<strong>in</strong>g to figures from the S<strong>in</strong>gapore CancerRegistry <strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>09, lung cancer is the secondcommonest cancer among men and the thirdcommonest cancer among women.
May/June <strong>20</strong>09 11Fund<strong>in</strong>g boost further enhances<strong>NUS</strong> <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion ecosystem<strong>NUS</strong> HAS received <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion grant fund<strong>in</strong>gof $9million from the N<strong>at</strong>ional ResearchFound<strong>at</strong>ion (NRF) to nurture futuregener<strong>at</strong>ions of entrepreneurs. This is partof the $22million from the NRF’s $50millionUniversity Innov<strong>at</strong>ion Fund (UIF) aimed <strong>at</strong>strengthen<strong>in</strong>g the <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion and enterpriseecosystems <strong>at</strong> the three local universities– through encourag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion andfacilit<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g the cre<strong>at</strong>ion of high-tech startupcompanies <strong>in</strong> br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g R&D results from labto market.“The launch of the University Innov<strong>at</strong>ion Fundwill provide additional opportunitiesfor <strong>NUS</strong> to further advancethe scope and depth of ourenterprise and <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion activities,as well as strengthen the impactof our contributions to S<strong>in</strong>gapore’sknowledge-based economy.”– Prof Tan Chorh ChuanThe $50million UIF ispart of the $360 millionN<strong>at</strong>ional Framework forInnov<strong>at</strong>ion and Enterprise(NFIE) which wasannounced by the PrimeM<strong>in</strong>ister on 28 March<strong>20</strong>08 to make <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ionand entrepreneurshippervasive <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore.The rema<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g $28millionof the $50million UIF willbe set aside to supportfuture proposals from theuniversities.“The new fund<strong>in</strong>gfrom NRF will providea significant boost tothe entrepreneurial and <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion activities <strong>at</strong><strong>NUS</strong>,” said <strong>NUS</strong> President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan.“The six <strong>NUS</strong> Overseas Colleges provide a uniqueentrepreneurial educ<strong>at</strong>ion th<strong>at</strong> students havedescribed as ‘life-transform<strong>in</strong>g’, while <strong>NUS</strong>’downstream commercialis<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong>iti<strong>at</strong>ives aregrow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> pace and impact. The launch of theUniversity Innov<strong>at</strong>ion Fund will provide additionalopportunities for <strong>NUS</strong> to further advance thescope and depth of our enterprise and <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ionactivities, as well as strengthen the impact of ourcontributions to S<strong>in</strong>gapore’s knowledge-basedeconomy.”<strong>NUS</strong> Enterprise CEO Dr Lily Chan added: “<strong>NUS</strong>Enterprise has spent the last three years putt<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong> place a comprehensive enterprise ecosystem.This grant from NRF will further enhanceand support our <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion and enterpriseactivities, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g entrepreneurship educ<strong>at</strong>ionprogrammes, pl<strong>at</strong>forms to encourage start-upform<strong>at</strong>ion, guidance to aspir<strong>in</strong>g entrepreneursand activities th<strong>at</strong> promote entrepreneurship– elements of a vibrant and self-susta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion ecosystem.”ADVANCING INNOVATION: (From left) NRF Chief Executive Officer Dr Francis Yeoh, NTUPresident Dr Su Guan<strong>in</strong>g, Permanent Secretary (N<strong>at</strong>ional Research and Development)Mr Teo M<strong>in</strong>g Kian, <strong>NUS</strong> President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan and SMU President Prof HowardHunter address<strong>in</strong>g the media <strong>at</strong> the launch of the University Innov<strong>at</strong>ion Fund.The strong <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion ecosystem cre<strong>at</strong>ed by<strong>NUS</strong> Enterprise has benefitted young companieswhich have been mak<strong>in</strong>g significant milestonesover the years. Together with the <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>iveLocal Enterprise Achiever Development (iLEAD)programme, the spirit of enterprise is further<strong>in</strong>fused <strong>in</strong>to the <strong>NUS</strong> educ<strong>at</strong>ion with thesett<strong>in</strong>g up of the <strong>NUS</strong> Overseas Colleges (NOC)programme <strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>02.<strong>NUS</strong> will use the $9million <strong>in</strong>nov<strong>at</strong>ion grantto cont<strong>in</strong>ue to nurture future gener<strong>at</strong>ions ofentrepreneurs <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore by enhanc<strong>in</strong>g andexpand<strong>in</strong>g the NOC and iLEAD programmes,particularly <strong>in</strong> high-impact entrepreneurial hubslike Beij<strong>in</strong>g and India. The grant will also be usedfor two new major <strong>in</strong>iti<strong>at</strong>ives for postgradu<strong>at</strong>estudents and faculty members, namely, theExtra Chapter Challenge and the Enterprise andInnov<strong>at</strong>ion Award.Both the Nanyang Technological University andthe S<strong>in</strong>gapore Management University will alsoreceive $6.5million each from the <strong>in</strong>itial UIFbudget.
12May/June <strong>20</strong>09Accountant’s gift to benefit <strong>NUS</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>ess SchoolTHE ESTATE of the l<strong>at</strong>e accountant Mr Foo Hee Limhas pledged $1.77 million to the <strong>NUS</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>ess School.The gift will provide assistance to academically-strongaccountancy students <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial need. A well-reputedprofessional <strong>in</strong> his field, Mr Foo strongly believed <strong>in</strong>the importance of educ<strong>at</strong>ion and has beque<strong>at</strong>hedhis support of deserv<strong>in</strong>g students who would <strong>in</strong> turncontribute to society.<strong>NUS</strong> President Prof Tan Chorh Chuan said: “This giftwill be <strong>in</strong>strumental <strong>in</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g outstand<strong>in</strong>g studentswith a transform<strong>at</strong>ional university experience <strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong>.We are gr<strong>at</strong>eful to the family of the l<strong>at</strong>e Mr Foo HeeLim for this gift as it will provide opportunities fordeserv<strong>in</strong>g students to achieve beyond themselves – tobe self-surpass<strong>in</strong>g.”The gift will be used to set up the Foo Hee Lim Bursaryand Foo Hee Lim Prize to benefit <strong>NUS</strong> students <strong>in</strong> theBachelor of Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Adm<strong>in</strong>istr<strong>at</strong>ion (Accountancy)programme. Beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g from Academic Year <strong>20</strong>09/10,bursaries worth $6,800 each year will be awarded todeserv<strong>in</strong>g students to cover annual tuition fees andstudy-rel<strong>at</strong>ed expenses for three years, start<strong>in</strong>g fromtheir first year of study. The Foo Hee Lim Prize willbe given to the best gradu<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g Bachelor of Bus<strong>in</strong>essAdm<strong>in</strong>istr<strong>at</strong>ion (Accountancy) Honours Year studentwho will be pursu<strong>in</strong>g the profession upon gradu<strong>at</strong>ion.The annual prize will consist of a cash award of $3,500and a medal.Dean and Stephen Riady Dist<strong>in</strong>guished Professorof <strong>NUS</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>ess School Prof Bernard Yeung said:“We deeply appreci<strong>at</strong>e this generous gift from theEst<strong>at</strong>e of the l<strong>at</strong>e Mr Foo, especially <strong>in</strong> such timesof economic downturn. Our School’s goal is <strong>top</strong>rovide our students with strong basic tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g andopportunities for them to become confident andenterpris<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess professionals who are sociallyresponsible as well. This gift will further help us to<strong>at</strong>tract and develop young promis<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dividuals tobecome professionals <strong>in</strong> the field of accountancy.”The l<strong>at</strong>e Mr Foo’s est<strong>at</strong>e has also pledged anequal amount of $1.77 million to the NanyangTechnological University. The comb<strong>in</strong>ed gift of$3.5million will be m<strong>at</strong>ched dollar-for-dollar by theS<strong>in</strong>gapore government, br<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g the total fund<strong>in</strong>g to$7 million.GIVING TO <strong>NUS</strong>Lions Clubs’ 50 th anniversary gift to benefit 22 <strong>NUS</strong> studentsTHE SINGAPORE LIONS CLUB mark 50 years ofcommunity service with a gift of $75,000 to helpbright tertiary students who are <strong>in</strong> need of f<strong>in</strong>ancialassistance. At <strong>NUS</strong>, 22 students from the Faculty ofArts and Social Sciences (FASS) stand to benefit fromthis gift.The gift will go towards establish<strong>in</strong>g the S<strong>in</strong>gaporeLions Clubs’ Bursary <strong>at</strong> the Faculty. Each bursary isworth $2,000 and will be given out over a threeyearperiod. They will go to academically-talentedstudents who are S<strong>in</strong>gaporeans or S<strong>in</strong>gaporePermanent Residents <strong>in</strong> need of f<strong>in</strong>ancial aid. For thenext academic year <strong>20</strong>09/<strong>20</strong>10, 10 <strong>NUS</strong> students willreceive the bursaries.The gift of $75,000 from the Lions Clubs will alsobenefit students <strong>at</strong> the S<strong>in</strong>gapore ManagementUniversity (SMU) with the establishment of theS<strong>in</strong>gapore Lions Clubs’ Study Award.young people <strong>in</strong> both universities and nurture theirparticip<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong> the S<strong>in</strong>gapore Lions Clubs’ services fordisadvantaged communities.”<strong>NUS</strong> Dean of FASS Prof Tan Tai Yong said th<strong>at</strong> theBursary would provide much needed f<strong>in</strong>ancial supportespecially given the current economic slowdown.He added: “The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences(FASS), <strong>in</strong> particular our Social Work Department,has had a long tradition of engagement with thesocial services sector, and as a result, has producedgener<strong>at</strong>ions of leaders <strong>in</strong> the field. The Faculty activelypromotes community <strong>in</strong>volvement by its students,and the contribution by the S<strong>in</strong>gapore Lions Clubsunderscores the close l<strong>in</strong>k which exists between theFaculty and the community service sector.”The first Lions Club was founded <strong>in</strong> 1958 <strong>in</strong>S<strong>in</strong>gapore with the aim of be<strong>in</strong>g the foremostvoluntary welfare service organis<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong> the country.S<strong>in</strong>ce its form<strong>at</strong>ion, Lions Club has been help<strong>in</strong>gthe disadvantaged and underprivileged elderly andrecipients of the bursaries are thus encouraged tovisit and particip<strong>at</strong>e <strong>in</strong> the services and activitiesoffered by the Lions Home for the Elders and theLions Befrienders Service.Chairman of S<strong>in</strong>gapore Lions Community ServiceFound<strong>at</strong>ion, Past District Governor Isabel Cheongsaid: “The Bursary and Study Award will not onlyenable us to support undergradu<strong>at</strong>e academic needsbut will also allow us to connect more closely withLIONS CLUB’s GIFT TO <strong>NUS</strong>: (From left) Past District GovernorIsabel Cheong, Chairman, S<strong>in</strong>gapore Lions Community ServiceFound<strong>at</strong>ion; Guest-of Honour, Hjh. Ellis Suriy<strong>at</strong>i, Intern<strong>at</strong>ionalDirector, Lions Clubs Intern<strong>at</strong>ional; and Prof Tan Tai Yong, Deanof <strong>NUS</strong> Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
May/June <strong>20</strong>09 13Develop<strong>in</strong>g a passion for socialentrepreneurshipA TEAM of <strong>NUS</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>ess School students haveput their passion for social entrepreneurship towork <strong>in</strong> a reward<strong>in</strong>g way - they have developeda sav<strong>in</strong>gs and budget<strong>in</strong>g tool-kit to help familiesmonitor their expenditure on food, utilities anddebt payment.The pilot project undertaken by six Year 4undergradu<strong>at</strong>es, benefits <strong>20</strong> low-<strong>in</strong>comebeneficiaries of The Straits Times Pocket MoneyFund. It is a jo<strong>in</strong>t effort between <strong>NUS</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>essSchool and the Tamp<strong>in</strong>es Family Service Centre(TFSC).Twice a month, the families <strong>at</strong>tend workshopsconducted by the students and TFSC staff to learnhow to monitor their household expenses withthe budget<strong>in</strong>g tool-kit th<strong>at</strong> the students devised.Dur<strong>in</strong>g these sessions, the families also receivedadvice on issues such as manag<strong>in</strong>g their loanrepayments and ways to reduce their utility bills.The social entrepreneurship project comes underthe Consult<strong>in</strong>g Practicum (CP) module guidedby <strong>NUS</strong> Centre for Social Entrepreneurshipand Philanthropy Director, Assoc Prof AlbertTeo. The CP module allows students to earnmodular credits and apply classroom knowledgeto the real world by contribut<strong>in</strong>g to communitydevelopment.Transl<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g wh<strong>at</strong> they learned <strong>in</strong> class has provedchalleng<strong>in</strong>g for the team as they appliedtheir knowledge of asset and priv<strong>at</strong>e wealthmanagement to benefit those from low<strong>in</strong>comebackgrounds. The team also hadto juggle between <strong>at</strong>tend<strong>in</strong>g classes andhold<strong>in</strong>g workshops after school hours.<strong>NUS</strong> AMBASSADORS: (From left) Goh Khee Hong, Soh Weil<strong>in</strong>g Donna,Koh Sze Chiah Serene, Leong Yan Wei Ian, Anderson Quah Shu Chipand Lai Wai Kit.Team leader Serene Koh Sze Chiahsaid: “The experience has taught us tocommunic<strong>at</strong>e with families from differentbackgrounds. Although our team was thereto ‘educ<strong>at</strong>e’ these families on f<strong>in</strong>ancialissues, we have also learned a lot from thefamilies.” The team has also given TFSCownership privileges of the budget<strong>in</strong>gtool-kit which they developed. They hope toextend the programme <strong>in</strong> the near future tobenefit more families.At a Glance• The S<strong>in</strong>gapore-MIT Alliance for Research andTechnology Centre (SMART Centre), a newlyestablishedresearch enterprise between theMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)and the N<strong>at</strong>ional Research Found<strong>at</strong>ion ofS<strong>in</strong>gapore, has launched three programmestargeted <strong>at</strong> talented doctoral and undergradu<strong>at</strong>estudents. The programmes also hope to <strong>at</strong>tractpostdoctoral researchers to embark on excit<strong>in</strong>gresearch projects <strong>at</strong> the SMART Centre which willbe loc<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>at</strong> the Campus for Research Excellence<strong>in</strong> the upcom<strong>in</strong>g University Town <strong>in</strong> <strong>NUS</strong>.The three programmes launched are theGradu<strong>at</strong>e Fellowship Programme, theUndergradu<strong>at</strong>e Research OpportunitiesProgramme (UROP) and the PostdoctoralResearch Fellows Programme.MIT Prof Rohan Abeyar<strong>at</strong>ne, Director of theSMART Centre, said “The SMART Centre aims toundertake cutt<strong>in</strong>g-edge research projects th<strong>at</strong>address critical problems of societal importance.At the same time, one of our major goals is to<strong>at</strong>tract, nurture and anchor young talent <strong>in</strong>S<strong>in</strong>gapore. The three programmes th<strong>at</strong> we havejust launched aim to do just this.”More <strong>in</strong>form<strong>at</strong>ion on the programmes can befound <strong>at</strong> http://web.mit.edu/smart/<strong>in</strong>dex.html• The <strong>NUS</strong> Institute of Systems Science (ISS) wasselected as the pioneer Infocomm Cont<strong>in</strong>u<strong>in</strong>gEduc<strong>at</strong>ion and Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Centre by the S<strong>in</strong>gaporeWorkforce Development Agency and InfocommDevelopment Authority of S<strong>in</strong>gapore on 9 April<strong>20</strong>09. ISS will deliver <strong>in</strong>focomm technologytra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g under the N<strong>at</strong>ional InfocommCompetency Framework to upgrade and enhancethe capabilities of <strong>in</strong>focomm professionals.Incepted <strong>in</strong> 1981, the ISS aims to providebroad-based advanced professional cont<strong>in</strong>uouseduc<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong> Inform<strong>at</strong>ion Technology.For more <strong>in</strong>form<strong>at</strong>ion on the courses offered byISS, please visit: http://www.iss.nus.edu.sg
14May/June <strong>20</strong>09Two outstand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ventors fromEng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g recognised <strong>at</strong>Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors’ AwardsINVENTORS <strong>at</strong> <strong>NUS</strong> have proved their mettle yetaga<strong>in</strong> with impressive w<strong>in</strong>s <strong>at</strong> the Tan Kah KeeYoung Inventors’ Awards <strong>20</strong>09. Dr Lee Poh Sengfrom the Department of Mechanical Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>gcl<strong>in</strong>ched the Silver Award <strong>in</strong> the Defence ScienceSection while PhD student Tan Swee J<strong>in</strong> fromthe Gradu<strong>at</strong>e School for Integr<strong>at</strong>ive Sciences andEng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g (NGS), received the Merit Award <strong>in</strong>the Open Section.The event was jo<strong>in</strong>tly organised by the TanKah Kee Found<strong>at</strong>ion, the Agency for Science,Technology and Research and the Defence Scienceand Technology Agency with the support of theScience Centre S<strong>in</strong>gapore (SCS). Senior M<strong>in</strong>ister ofSt<strong>at</strong>e of the M<strong>in</strong>istries of N<strong>at</strong>ional Developmentand Educ<strong>at</strong>ion Ms Grace Fu was guest-of-honour <strong>at</strong>the award ceremony on 23 May <strong>20</strong>09. All w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>ventions were displayed <strong>at</strong> the SCS.Mr Tan worked with a team from the Division ofBioeng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g, Faculty of Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g and NGS,and together with the Institute of Microelectronicsdevised a micro device to physically extract cancercells from blood with high isol<strong>at</strong>ion efficiency andpurity. The isol<strong>at</strong>ed cancer cells hold <strong>in</strong>form<strong>at</strong>ionon the development of the disease and is able toreveal the progress of tre<strong>at</strong>ment and medic<strong>at</strong>ionwhich the p<strong>at</strong>ient has undergone. Mr Tan wassupervised by Assoc Prof Lim Chwee Teck of theDepartment of Mechanical Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g.Launched <strong>in</strong> 1986, the Tan Kah Kee YoungInventors’ Award was <strong>in</strong>troduced by NobelLaure<strong>at</strong>e Prof C N Yang. It aims to stimul<strong>at</strong>ecre<strong>at</strong>ivity among youths and promote scientific andtechnological research <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore. There is also aShanghai chapter of the Award.Dr Lee won for his solution on thermalmanagement. He <strong>in</strong>vented a “he<strong>at</strong>s<strong>in</strong>k” micro system th<strong>at</strong> effectivelytakes the he<strong>at</strong> off mach<strong>in</strong>es andsystems by 80 per cent. His cre<strong>at</strong>ionspells applic<strong>at</strong>ions for defence andeveryday life, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the lower<strong>in</strong>gof temper<strong>at</strong>ures <strong>in</strong> tanks as well asdecreas<strong>in</strong>g the he<strong>at</strong> <strong>in</strong> CPUs. Dr Leeworked for a year before com<strong>in</strong>g upwith his <strong>in</strong>vention with the help of aUniversity grant.BRIGHT SPARKS: Tan Kah Khee Young Inventors’ Award recipients Dr Lee Poh Sengand Mr Tan Swee J<strong>in</strong> receiv<strong>in</strong>g their awards from Ms Grace Fu, Senior M<strong>in</strong>ister ofSt<strong>at</strong>e from the M<strong>in</strong>istry of N<strong>at</strong>ional Development & M<strong>in</strong>istry of Educ<strong>at</strong>ion.Mak<strong>in</strong>g their mark of excellenceWe celebr<strong>at</strong>e the follow<strong>in</strong>g achievements of our students <strong>in</strong> an array of endeavours:• Reuben Ng, an <strong>NUS</strong> Psychology and UniversityScholars Programme gradu<strong>at</strong>e from the Class of<strong>20</strong>06, emerged runner-up for the UK Economicand Social Research Council (ESRC) Neville ButlerMemorial Prize. Reuben was also awarded theIntern<strong>at</strong>ional Fulbright Science and TechnologyAward <strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>08 and is plann<strong>in</strong>g to pursue a PhD<strong>in</strong> Yale l<strong>at</strong>er this year.• Lim Qilun Royston and Liang Yanjie, boththird-year Industrial Design students, cl<strong>in</strong>chedthe Silver award <strong>at</strong> the 5 th Furniture LifestyleInnov<strong>at</strong>ions Perspectives, or Fl!p, on 6 March<strong>20</strong>09. Their w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g design, called the “Pogee”,is a child-size rock<strong>in</strong>g animal companion.Another team from the School of Designconsist<strong>in</strong>g of Abdul Rashid B<strong>in</strong> Adnan andSamson Tan won the Merit award.• <strong>NUS</strong> team consist<strong>in</strong>g of students from theDepartment of Real Est<strong>at</strong>e, School of Design andEnvironment (Jalleh Shaun M<strong>in</strong>g Yi, Tang YongCh<strong>in</strong>g and Yvonne Tan Yi Wen) and Bus<strong>in</strong>essSchool (Chong Kang Wei, Visayon Viravongand Wu Junhan) emerged the w<strong>in</strong>ner <strong>at</strong> the4 th USC Marshall Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Real Est<strong>at</strong>e CaseCompetition <strong>in</strong> the US, which was held over threedays from 13-17 April <strong>20</strong>09. <strong>NUS</strong> also won <strong>at</strong> lastyear’s competition.• Chan Hian Yi, (Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g), Chen Pengfei(Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g), Crisp<strong>in</strong>a Tay Yan B<strong>in</strong>g (LifeSciences) and Tan Choon Han (Pharmacy) wonsecond spot <strong>at</strong> Peak Time <strong>20</strong>09 – the biggest<strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ional bus<strong>in</strong>ess competition <strong>in</strong> Europe.Some 500 teams pitted aga<strong>in</strong>st one another <strong>at</strong> theglobal competition organised by the StockholmSchool of Economics <strong>in</strong> Riga, L<strong>at</strong>via.• <strong>NUS</strong> Soccer Team scored a first mak<strong>in</strong>g its markas the first university to w<strong>in</strong> the S R N<strong>at</strong>hanChallenge Trophy s<strong>in</strong>ce the competition began<strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>02, be<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g defend<strong>in</strong>g champion NanyangPolytechnic 1-0 <strong>in</strong> the f<strong>in</strong>als. Team member VictorWong delivered the only goal of the game,seal<strong>in</strong>g the w<strong>in</strong> for the <strong>NUS</strong> team <strong>in</strong> the m<strong>at</strong>ch.
May/June <strong>20</strong>0915Tak<strong>in</strong>g the fear factor out ofvenoms and tox<strong>in</strong>sSNAKES and scorpions are better known– or maligned – for their deadly venoms, as <strong>in</strong>many a Hollywood movie. However, to Prof PGopalakrishnakone of the Yong Loo L<strong>in</strong> School ofMedic<strong>in</strong>e’s Venom and Tox<strong>in</strong> Research Programmeand Department of An<strong>at</strong>omy, the componentsof venoms can be used to develop drugs andhelp allevi<strong>at</strong>e certa<strong>in</strong> symptoms such as sooth<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>flamm<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong> rheum<strong>at</strong>oid arthritis or pa<strong>in</strong>relief <strong>in</strong> term<strong>in</strong>al illness.America. Prof Gopalakrishnakone is organis<strong>in</strong>g asection for Africa.Follow<strong>in</strong>g his post-gradu<strong>at</strong>e studies <strong>in</strong> 1979,Prof Gopalakrishnakone was drawn to <strong>NUS</strong> asits Department of An<strong>at</strong>omy had an establishedreput<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>in</strong> the region for publish<strong>in</strong>g studiesus<strong>in</strong>g electron microscopy <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>tern<strong>at</strong>ionaljournals. For his contribution to research, he wasconferred the Doctor of Science by <strong>NUS</strong>. Besides“My love of n<strong>at</strong>ure especiallyfor animals goes as far as Icould remember. This made meth<strong>in</strong>k of a way to comb<strong>in</strong>e myhobby with my profession,”recalled the well-reputed ProfGopalakrishnakone on how hispassion for venom and tox<strong>in</strong>research came about. “I choseto work with dangerous animalsand their venoms as n<strong>at</strong>uralvenoms have compounds withvery specific properties whichcould be used for the benefit ofmank<strong>in</strong>d.”“I chose to work withdangerous animalsand their venoms asn<strong>at</strong>ural venoms havecompounds with veryspecific propertieswhich could be usedfor the benefit ofmank<strong>in</strong>d.”He added th<strong>at</strong> while plants hadbeen <strong>in</strong>vestig<strong>at</strong>ed and used asdrugs for a number of years, itwas only <strong>in</strong> the last 50 years th<strong>at</strong>scientists have started study<strong>in</strong>ganimal venoms very seriously.S<strong>in</strong>ce then, a few blockbuster drugs derivedfrom animal venoms have been produced andapproved by the Food and Drug Adm<strong>in</strong>istr<strong>at</strong>ion(FDA).Prof Gopalakrishnakone’s passion <strong>in</strong> tox<strong>in</strong>ology– the specialised field of study<strong>in</strong>g animal, plantand microbial tox<strong>in</strong>s – has led him to serve asPresident of the prestigious Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Societyon Tox<strong>in</strong>ology (IST) for a three-year term. In hiscapacity as IST President, he will take the lead <strong>in</strong>formul<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g a work-plan to look <strong>in</strong>to key issues<strong>in</strong> the field. This <strong>in</strong>cludes global issues on cl<strong>in</strong>icaltox<strong>in</strong>ology, the nomencl<strong>at</strong>ure or nam<strong>in</strong>g systemof tox<strong>in</strong>s, as well as the control and usage oftox<strong>in</strong>s. He is also actively <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> IST as CouncilMember and serv<strong>in</strong>g on the editorial board ofToxicon, the official journal of IST published byElsevier, the world’s largest publisher of medicaland scientific liter<strong>at</strong>ure. Earlier, <strong>in</strong> 1985, he hadfounded the Asia-Pacific arm of the IST andorganised the first Asia-Pacific Congress on Tox<strong>in</strong>as well as the World Congress of IST <strong>in</strong> S<strong>in</strong>gapore.There are currently IST sections <strong>in</strong> Europe andTOXINOLOGY EXPERT AND PRESIDENT OF INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ON TOXINOLOGY:Prof P Gopalakrishnakone.be<strong>in</strong>g a medical doctor, Prof Gopalakrishnakonealso holds a PhD from London and has garnered anumber of teach<strong>in</strong>g and research awards over theyears: Outstand<strong>in</strong>g University Researcher Award<strong>in</strong> 1998 and N<strong>at</strong>ional Science and TechnologyBoard M<strong>in</strong>isterial Cit<strong>at</strong>ion w<strong>in</strong>ner <strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>00. He alsoreceived the Faculty Outstand<strong>in</strong>g Researcher Award<strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>03 as well as the Teach<strong>in</strong>g Excellence Award <strong>in</strong>academic year <strong>20</strong>03/<strong>20</strong>04. Awarded his first p<strong>at</strong>ent<strong>in</strong> <strong>20</strong>03 for “novel therapeutic and prophylacticagents”, he has gone on to apply for a number ofp<strong>at</strong>ents and licensed “an analgesic peptide” to acompany for further development for cl<strong>in</strong>ical use.As for research, Prof Gopalakrishnakone plansto cont<strong>in</strong>ue his work on venoms and tox<strong>in</strong>s anddiscover more novel compounds – all this while<strong>in</strong>spir<strong>in</strong>g young talents to whom he could passon the b<strong>at</strong>on. On teach<strong>in</strong>g, he said, “I hope tocrystallise my experience <strong>in</strong> teach<strong>in</strong>g medicalstudents for more than three decades <strong>in</strong>to aguide form<strong>at</strong>, and raise some critical issues so th<strong>at</strong>young teachers can work on them and solve themif possible.”
16May/June <strong>20</strong>09Shoot<strong>in</strong>g for the best: captur<strong>in</strong>gsnippets of campus lifeTHE PRIZE giv<strong>in</strong>g ceremony for the <strong>in</strong>auguralphoto contest – “People and Places: Snapshots ofLife on Campus”– was held on 17 April <strong>20</strong>09 <strong>at</strong><strong>NUS</strong> Central Library. Organised by <strong>NUS</strong> Office ofCorpor<strong>at</strong>e Rel<strong>at</strong>ions (OCR), the event was gracedby Guest-of-Honour, Vice President (University &Global Rel<strong>at</strong>ions) Prof Lily Kong.Witono Halim, a third-year eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g student,was all smiles as he bagged two of the threeprizes – a Sony PSP-3000 and an Apple iPod Nano– <strong>at</strong> the prize-giv<strong>in</strong>g ceremony. His photographof the University Cultural Centre (UCC), titled“The Moment Here”, won the Best Photographfor Campus Sceneries/Places and Best OverallPhotograph, which was the people’s choice vote.Fourth-year PhD student Le Huynh Nguyen Khangtook the Best Photograph prize for the CampusActivities/Events c<strong>at</strong>egory – a Cre<strong>at</strong>ive Vado HDCamcorder – for his photograph depict<strong>in</strong>g sportslife on campus, titled “On the Pitch”. Ten meritawards were also presented to the f<strong>in</strong>alists of thecompetition.PICTURE PERFECT: <strong>NUS</strong> Vice President (University and GlobalRel<strong>at</strong>ions) Prof Lily Kong (centre) with Witono Halim (right) and LeHuynh Nguyen Khang (left).On his choice of mak<strong>in</strong>g the UCC thesubject of his w<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g photograph,Witono said: “UCC is one of the mostartistic and exotic places <strong>in</strong> <strong>NUS</strong>. Asa visual art and music lover, I alwaysenjoy my visits to the UCC for piano anddrama performances. Therefore, thesculpture ‘I WAS HERE’ outside of UCCeasily caught my <strong>at</strong>tention and <strong>in</strong>spiredme to take a shot of it for the photocontest.”He added th<strong>at</strong> photography hasproved to be his favourite medium forexpression. “I wanted to capture themoments and souls of life. I love to tellstories of people with my photographs.”THE MOMENT HERE: Witono Halim’s picture w<strong>in</strong>s Best Photograph forCampus Sceneries/Places and Best Overall Photograph.ON THE PITCH: Best photograph for Campus Activities/Events byLe Huynh Nguyen Khang.The photo contest was aimed <strong>at</strong>cre<strong>at</strong><strong>in</strong>g awareness of campus lifeand to promote a better knowledgeof the places and people of <strong>NUS</strong>.Close to 150 photographs werereceived for the contest. The judg<strong>in</strong>gpanel comprised Straits Times’ DeputyPicture Editor Mr Malcolm Mcleod,Lianhe Zaobao’s Chief PhotographerMr Lee Tiah Kee, OCR DirectorMrs Ovidia Lim-Rajaram, as well as<strong>NUS</strong> Photographic Society PresidentMr Muhammed Firdauz b<strong>in</strong> AbdulRahman.
May/June <strong>20</strong>09