SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2010 PLAN (Consultation)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 2010 PLAN

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(Consultation): **

6.

Prof. Ivan Png Paak Liang asked the Minister for Trade and Industry regarding the Science and Technology 2010 Plan, (a) whether the Ministerial Committee has concluded its study; (b) whether consultation has begun; and (c) if he will open the consultation to the academic and research communities at large.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: The Ministerial Committee on Research and Development has concluded its study, after consulting people from the public and private sectors, overseas and local institutions, as well as other Governments and policy-makers. The Committee's recommendations were announced by then Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan last month.

The Ministerial Committee's recommendations set the broad strategic directions for Singapore's R&D landscape for the future. MTI will take the cue from the recommendations in drawing up the Science and Technology ("S&T") Plan for 2006-2010.

An inter-agency committee was set up last year to oversee the development of the S&T 2010 Plan. As part of the planning process, A*STAR has involved many experts and leaders from the research community and industry in Singapore and abroad, as well as the key agencies and ministries.

For instance, some 450 researchers from the universities, research institutes and hospitals participated in twelve technology scan panels set up to identify new and emerging technology areas that could enhance Singapore's longer term competitiveness. The universities and clinical research community were also involved in the strategic planning exercise to identify key focus areas and new initiatives in the field of Biomedical Sciences.

The recommendations arising from the consultation process will serve as critical input to the S&T 2010 Plan. The plan will be finalised and made public in due course.

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