MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The Ministry will intensify its efforts to promote the application of science and technology, to develop an awareness of its potential in stimulating economic growth and improving the quality of life, and to encourage local research and development.

Technician Training

The completion of the $41.8 million campus of the Polytechnic and the $17.1 million extension to the Ngee Ann Technical College will make it possible to train the 3,000 technicians required annually. In 1979 the Polytechnic will have 4,700 full-time students and 3,300 part-time students, while Ngee Ann Technical College will have 2,500.

The emphasis of future policies will be to raise the quality of technician education: technician education curricula will be reviewed regularly to meet industry's changing requirements; part-time courses will be extended to enable a larger number of industrial workers to upgrade their skills: and new courses will be introduced as necessary.

Science Council

The Science Council will widen its activities in creating an awareness of the application of science and technology, and in developing higher technology and skills, in Singapore. In the coming years, the Council will produce a new television science series. It will make gold medal awards for outstanding achievements in applied research.

The Council will continue to study selected industries and areas of special interest as well as to organise seminars on scientific topics. It will compile scientific and technological indicators and publish a quarterly bulletin on scientific activities.

Science Centre

The Science Centre will periodically evaluate exhibits on display, develop new exhibit themes, and improve its existing exhibits, so as to keep up with advances in science and technology. The Centre will expand its science education programmes: regular science and technology exhibitions will provide students with ample opportunities to develop their skills and ideas, and stimulate their interest in careers in the scientific and technological fields.

The Centre will encourage more participation by the public in its activities, through its various membership schemes: the Institutional Membership Scheme for Schools, Friends of the Science Centre Scheme for the public, and Corporate Donors Scheme for firms.

Metrication

The metrication programme has completed its eighth year: the public and industrial sectors have been metricated.

The emphasis for the next two years will be in the retail trade sector. Textiles, selected pre-packed goods, and loose marketing items such as vegetables, fish and meat, will be metricated. The basic approach of voluntary conversion after consultation with importers, wholesalers and retailers will remain. This will be supplemented with the necessary legislative backing.

The Weights and Measures Office will be improved to assist in the enforcement of metrication of the retail trade.

E.W. BARKER Minister for Science and Technology