7 September 2001

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY DR ALINE WONG, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF X-PERIMENT! ON
7 SEPTEMBER 2001, 10.30 AM, AT THE OPEN FIELD BESIDE
TAMPINES MRT STATION

I am delighted to be here this morning for the public R&D exhibition called Science.01 X-periment! I would like to thank the organiser -- the National Science and Technology Board-- for inviting me to open the exhibition held in my own constituency, Tampines. I understand that this three-day public R&D exhibition is being held for the first time in an HDB neighbourhood.

2 It is evident from the scale of the exhibition that many hours of hard work have gone into the conceptualisation and preparation of the exhibits. It is a novel idea of bringing the culture and practice of research out of the labs and literally to the "doorsteps" of our people. Providing an easy access to scientific works is a positive step towards raising public understanding of science. It allows the man-in-the-street, young or old, to have a glimpse of what our public research institutes and centres, as well as what our tertiary education institutions do, thereby exciting the general public's interest and imagination about scientific R & D matters.

3 Defined broadly, science covers also engineering and technology because these are all applications of scientific knowledge. Over the last decade or so, the rapid advances in science have revolutionised the way we live, work and play. Scientific discoveries and technological innovations are also affecting the global economy in a profound way. They are changing the types of jobs that will become available now and in the future.

4 NSTB is the lead organiser for Science 2001, a month-long series of activities on science, technology and biomedicine aimed at enhancing public understanding of science. X-periment! is one of the hundred odd events and activities during the Science 2001 month.

5 Science and technology is serious work. It takes a lot of hard work, commitment and perseverance. However, it is also fun, exciting and full of surprises. Thus, I like to commend the organiser of this exhibition for portraying science and technology as something we can enjoy through the wonder of discovery and invention. Such an event is also a wonderful way to help Singaporeans meet the scientists and research engineers as real persons. They are the scientific minds behind the research - men and women with a strong fervor for discovery, invention and innovation. You can also see they are persons with individual personalities, just like you and me.

6 In the knowledge-based economy, jobs are created by exploiting new ideas, knowledge and intellectual property. Scientific and engineering research is the foundation of the new knowledge- intensive industries.

7 Whilst industries like electronics, engineering and chemicals will continue to be main pillars of our manufacturing sector, we are also actively building up new industry sectors, in particular the biomedical sciences industry.

8 Creativity and talent are the key to the process of discovery and innovation. Therefore, science education and our ability to nurture scientific talent for the future economy are extremely important matters.

9 Amongst the audience this morning, we have many principals, teachers and students. Exhibition "X-periment!" is an excellent opportunity for us all to learn more about science and how science leads to applications in our everyday life. Like many great inventors who appreciate the power of knowledge, we should constantly seek to know more, and try to adapt and use the knowledge we acquire to transform ideas and create new solutions.

10 The Ministry of Education seeks continuously to improve the quality of science and technology education in our schools. We have made changes to the science curriculum in order to better prepare our students for the biotech revolution. We are proud of our young students who have consistently excelled in Mathematics and Science in international mathematics and science competitions. The government will continue to train more teachers to keep them up-to-date on the changes in the biomedical sciences. We thank the NSTB for helping the schools by co-funding the setting up of Cluster S & T (Science and Technology) labs and centres to meet the demands of the knowledge-based economy.

11 We hope you will attend some of the Science 2001 series of talks, seminars and public exhibitions like this one. These activities will help us understand better many of the technical, social and ethical issues arising from the exploitation of new scientific knowledge. They will also help us discuss these issues more intelligently.

12 Let me conclude by giving a challenge to all students and guests. If this event has ignited a spark of curiosity and creativity in you, do not let it fizzle out. Instead, bear in mind the 4Xs of X-periment! - which are X-plore and X-perience the many eXciting discoveries in science, technology and biomedicine, and continue to X-tend your knowledge in science.