| Mr
Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Mayor of North East CDC
My
fellow colleagues from Tampines GRC, Mr Yatiman Yusof
and Mr Ong Kian Min
Mr
Ng San Tiong, Chairman of Dunman Secondary School Advisory
Committee
Mrs
Edelweis Neo, Principal of Dunman Secondary School
Distinguished
Guests
Ladies
and Gentlemen
Boys
and Girls
I am sure all of you are familiar with movies such as
Jurassic Park and Hollow Man. These movies have one
common theme: DNA tempering. The popularity of such
movies has pushed biotechnology into the limelight.
2.
What used to be Science Fiction has now become Science
Fact. Life Sciences is everywhere, becoming a part of
our lives in the subtlest way. As life Sciences makes
its headway globally, the Economic Development Board
(EDB) of Singapore aims to develop the Life Sciences
as the fourth pillar of Singapore's economy.
3.
Singapore has a good base of some 18,000 research scientists
and engineers. But amongst the research institutes and
centers, only 22% are Singaporeans. This is not good
enough. We need to increase our pool of local scientists
and researchers. Hence, it is critical that we focus
on promoting life sciences to our people and the best
way is to interest them from young.
4.
Today, I am pleased to announce a major collaboration
between the North East Community Development Council
(CDC) and Dunman Secondary School in setting up the
North East-Dunman Life Sciences Research Center. I am
particularly happy to note that this initiative to spearhead
life sciences to our youth has been attempted at the
local level from a neighbourhood school.
It
is also far-sighted on the part of North East CDC to
recognise that promotion of life sciences is important
not only at the national but also at the community level.
5.
With the research center, students will have the opportunity
to experiment with genes, DNA and specialized equipments.
They will be working with important anti-cancer compounds.
I am told the students and teachers are also developing
a new strain of Petunia. If they are successful, this
can become another multi-million dollar industry for
cut flowers, like the orchid industry.
6.
Apart from laboratory research works, this Center also
aims to educate and bond the community in the district
through its outreach programmes. I am pleased to note
that special workshops will be conducted to educate
parents in this new field of knowledge. Teachers and
students from other schools in the district will also
be able to benefit from this Center through workshops
and programmes.
7.
To all the students, I hope that you will make full
use of this research center. Experiment and have fun
while you learn! Your interest for life sciences may
eventually turn into a real passion for research and
development. But always remember, the basic reason for
conducting research is to advance the interest of mankind.
8.
To all the parents, I urge you to participate in the
workshops organized by this Center. Besides learning
something new, it is useful to keep up with your children.
This will help to foster your relationship with your
children.
9.
With the opening of this research center, Singapore's
venture into the field of life sciences has been given
another boost. On this note, I am pleased to declare
open the North East-Dunman Life Sciences Research Center.
Thank
you.
Date: 6 April 2002
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Last updated on 18 May 2006
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