Chemistry Olympiad Workshop: A Teacher's Guide to Preparations

THE SINGAPORE CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD (SChO) is jointly organised by the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC), Chemistry Department of National University of Singapore and the Ministry of Education. The Chemistry Olympiad consists of a theory test and a practical test, taken over two days by the students from schools all over the country.

Often, the students representing their schools are trained by their Chemistry teachers who are not quite sure what to expect on those two days. The purpose of this workshop is to enlighten teachers on the structure of the National Olympiad and the attributes of the students who will normally make it to represent Singapore for the International Chemistry Olympiad. In this oneday workshop, a selected group of renowned local and international professors will speak and share about the methods/techniques they have used to train representatives from Singapore for International Chemistry Olympiad.

Participants will be given the opportunity to experience the techniques used during this Workshop. The important and effective trait to being the top in the Olympiad is one who can grasp concept in terms of depth and breadth. Hopefully with the experienced obtained here, participants can review and adapt the methods to be used in their school to prepare students adequately for the Singapore Chemistry Olympiad.

For more information on the above course, please click here

Chemistry Laboratory Teaching & Research workshop “TEACHING CHEMISTRY IN THE KNOWLEDGE BASED ECONOMY”

The chemical industry is the top manufacturing industry in Singapore. It is also the anchor subject in the
knowledge-based economy (KBE) of the nation. Chemistry teaching, both in the classroom and
laboratory, has to evolve accordingly in order to keep pace with the new developments.

In this one-day workshop, a selected group of renowned local and international professors, who are
specialists in their fields of interest, will share their knowledge in the different areas where chemistry
teaching has to modernise to fit into the KBE.

This one-day workshop will help school teachers and polytechnic lecturers who teach chemistry and
chemical science to update their knowledge and keep abreast with modern developments.

Participation in this one-day workshop is essential for any educators in Chemistry.

For more information on the above course, please click here

Applications of the Basic Statistical Tools for the Testing Laboratories

This newly designed course will address the important part of statistical analysis in the interpretation of laboratory data for quality control, method of validation, estimations of measurement uncertainty, design of experiments and scientist research purposes.

Mastering the fundamentals of data treatments through statistical tools will help in solving many data analysis problems.

With a combination of lectures and class exercises, this workshop will provide participants essential statistical techniques that can be put into immediate use in their workplace, in a QC routine or a research laboratory.

Participants will learn how to recognize and reduce different types of measurement of errors, carrying out significant testing, identifying outlying data; constructing quality control charts, performing the one-way ANOVA (analysis of variances), estimating uncertainty of measurement, instrument detection limits and much more.

Laboratory managers, R&D managers, scientists, chemists, technicians, and others who need to understand and analyze collated data sets are also encouraged to attend.

This 2-day workshop is ideal for all chemical testing personnel looking to improve their ability to apply statistical tools in the routine chemical analysis.

Those who are attending the above workshop, please bring along a scientific calcuators.

SINGAPORE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY 39th Annual General Meeting

The 39th Annual General Meeting of the Institute will be held on Friday, 28 March 2008, 6.30 pm at the Meritus Mandarin Singapore, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867, Room 831.

Programme:

6.30 pm      39th Annual General Meeting
7.30 pm      Dinner at Reception Hall, Level 5*
10.00 pm    End of Programme

*Accompanying guests for the dinner will be charged at S$90 nett per guest

R.S.V.P to snic@cma.sg

The agenda for the 39th Annual General Meeting is appended below for information, please:

1) The President’s Opening Address
2) Confirmation of the minutes of the 38th AGM held on 23 March 2007
3) Matters Arising
4) Adoption of Annual Report - 2007
5) Adoption of Statement of Accounts - 2007
6) Election of Office Bearers for 2008 – 2010
7) Any Other Business

The Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC) invites nominations for One (1) Vice President, One (1) Honorary Secretary, One (1) Assistant Honorary Treasurer and Two (2) Ordinary Committee Members to form the Committee of the Society for a period of a year from April 2008.

You may nominate suitable candidates for any of the above positions, using the attached form. All nominations in prescribed forms duly completed MUST reach the Honorary Secretary at the following address by 2 pm, Monday 24 March 2008 by hand or post :

Attn: Honorary Secretary
Singapore National Institute of Chemistry
c/o CMA International Consultants Pte Ltd
1 Liang Seah Street
#02-12 Liang Seah Place
Singapore 189022

The election of the council members will be conducted at the 39th Annual General Meeting on Friday, 28 March 2008 at 6.30 pm at the Meritus Mandarin Singapore, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867, Room 831.

UK-SINGAPORE SYMPOSIUM
Contemporary Organic Synthesis, Methods and Techniques

Introduction
This symposium will bring together researchers from Singapore and the United Kingdom to discuss methods and techniques in modern-day organic synthesis.

The programme will feature a number of world-class speakers from both countries to give lively and informative presentations. The symposium will also allow all participants plenty of opportunity to meet and network with researchers in their field. All lectures will be suitable for researchers in academia and industry as well as students from graduate level.

Attendance to the symposium is free of charge but all participants are requested to register to ensure adequate provision of facilities during the symposium. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the full lecture programme. Online registration on www.ices.a-star.edu.sg is open until 31 January 2008.

Invited Speakers
Chris Abell, University of Cambridge, UK
KC Nicolaou, The Scripps Research Institute, US
Dan Yang, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Shengming Ma, Zhejiang University, China
Brian Williams, Astex, UK
Goverdhan Mehta, India Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
Lu Yixin, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Ben Davis, University of Oxford, UK
Rob Bates, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Joe Harrity, University of Sheffield, UK
Mimi Hii, Imperial College, UK
Christina Chai, Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences, Singapore
Ian Baxendale, University of Cambridge, UK
Philip Chan, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Mike Willis, University of Oxford, UK
Tan Choon Hong, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Geracimos Rassias, GlaxoSmithKline, UK

Programme
A full pdf of the preliminary programme will be available shortly. Please check our website (www.ices.a-star.edu.sg) for any updates.

This symposium is organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, GlaxoSmithKline and Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences and supported by the British High Commission in Singapore and the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry.

Click here for more information.

Singapore International Chemistry Conference 5

The Singapore International Chemistry Conference 5 (SICC-5), to be held in Singapore from 16 to 19 December 2007, is a biennial conference dedicated to promoting advances in chemistry. This conference is the fifth in the series and it aims to reflect the significant scientific developments in physical and analytical chemistry, to discuss new ideas and trends as we move into the twenty-first century, and to raise the profile of chemical sciences in Singapore.

To find out more and to register, please click here

12th Asian Chemical Congress (12ACC)

With the theme “Chemistry for Development, Environment and Sustainability in Asia”, 12ACC will discuss the latest in chemical research, development and education with special emphasis on sustainable development and improving the quality of life in Asia.

For more information, please download PDF or visit http://www.ikm.org.my
For enquiries, please contact
Datuk Dr Soon Ting-Kueh
Chairman, 12ACC National Organising Committee
President-Elect, Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS)
exec@ikm.org.my or ikmmy@pc.jaring.my

An Advanced Overview of Toxicological Sciences for Chemical Professionals

Chemical related industries and trade are increasingly being regulated by governments worldwide, and toxicology is the corner stone of many regulations with high impacts on the manufacturing, commerce, transportation, logistic, custom control, waste management, as well as R&D of chemicals.

This two-day course aims to refresh your background knowledge about the principles and definitions of toxicology, and is designed to bring participants up to current levels of understanding of toxicology as it applies to both the human health and environmental areas.

At the end of the course, you will have current, cutting-edge knowledge in human health and environmental toxicology and be familiar with the process used to interpret biotoxicological data. In addition, you will gain working knowledge of techniques for risk assessment in human health and the ecosystem and understand and be able to apply the process of human and ecotoxicological risk management.

For more information, please download PDF

ICMAT 2007 Nobel Laureate Public Lectures (free admission)

Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Prof K. Barry Sharples and Nobel Laureate in Physics Prof Claude COHEN-TANNOUDJI will be in Singapore to present on the topics of Chemistry and the “Kiss Principle” and Atoms and Photons at a public lecture on 2 July 2007. Click here for more information.

To register, email: icmat@mrs.org.sg. Admission to the lecture is free-of-charge.

National Chemistry Week

CAREER 2007

CAREER 2007 is an exhibition involving a wide array of local and international exhibitors and visitors. The event offers students a good opportunity to explore their educational paths leading to the academic qualifications of their desire with the many educational institutions which will be on hand to offer advice. Job seekers will also be able to gain a comprehensive insight on the employment opportunities available in the market as many employers will be there to do their recruitment drive.

Should you choose Chemistry as a career path? Find out more from Dr Christina Chai on 1 March, 3.30pm in Meeting Room 303 (Level 3 of Suntec Singapore)! Elaborating on the subject of “PREPARING CHEMISTRY GRADUATES FOR CHALLENGING CAREERS”, Dr Chai will give a personal account of the choices and decisions taken for such a career. She will also provide an overview of the entry requirements, the nature and scope of professions in Chemistry and the typical remunerations.

About Dr Christina Chai
Dr Chai obtained first class Honours in Chemistry from University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. She then moved to the Australian National University in Canberra for her PhD studies in 1987. In 1990 she was a recipient of the Samuel and Glasstone Research Fellowship which enabled her to carry out post-doctorate studies at Oxford University, England. Since 1992, she has held academic positions in Victoria University of Wellington, NZ and the Australian National University. Her previous appointment prior to moving to Singapore in Dec 2004 was as an Associate Professor at the Australian National University. Dr Chai currently heads the New Synthesis and Techniques group at the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences. Dr Chai has authored a number of scientific publications, including a book

More information about CAREER 2007 can be found at www.careerseries.com.sg

ISCOC-9 and ISCIC-6

The International Symposium for Chinese Organic Chemists (ISCOC) was started 15 years ago when a group of prominent organic chemists had the foresight to establish a symposium based in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong where the organic chemists came together to disclose their latest results, discuss trends and foster new collaborations as well as cultivate academic exchanges. The positive results convinced the inorganic counterpart to adopt the model and establish the International Symposium for Chinese Inorganic Chemists (ISCIC) 5 years later. Today, these two symposia have evolved to be a major forum whereby we can showcase the intensive activities that are ongoing in the Chinese community, not only in Asia, but also other parts of the world such as N America, Europe and Australasia.

For more information, please visit http://www.iscic6-iscoc9.nus.edu.sg/

The 18th Singapore Chemistry Olympiad (SChO-2006)

Jointly organised by the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC), Chemistry Department of National University of Singapore and the Ministry of Education since 1989, the SChO is a competition open to JC 1 students. It consists of a theory test and a practical test, each of approximately 4-5 hours to be taken over two days. The event culminates with a Prize Presentation Ceremony in early December where medals (Gold, Silver and Bronze) and certificates will be warded.

For more information, please visit
http://www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg/events/olympiad/scho.htm

Advance Techniques of Gas Chromatography and Its Sample Preparation

This course is aimed at those with some basic gas chromatography (GC) experience but who wish to develop, update and strengthen their skills and be proficient in the technique of capillary GC and pick up a few novel and modern aspects of GC sample preparation. In addition, this course will cover important features of GC such as selection of suitable column, detectors, method development and troubleshooting. Specialised topics are also covered in sample preparation, which will be suitable for various GC-based applications.

About the Trainer

Dr. Chanbasha Basheer is a faculty member of the National University of Singapore (NUS), and he holds a B.Sc. from the Madras University (India) and a Ph.D. from the NUS.

Dr. Basheer has published over 20 papers in scientific journals and his research area is motivated by an interest in micro analytical technology. This includes the development of novel microextraction techniques to environmental analysis and micro-fluidicbased (Lab-on-a-Chip) reaction engineering. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of his research interest, some of his publications involve collaborations with Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Biological Science and Tropical Marine Science Institute, at the National University of Singapore

Basic Principles of Toxicology

This one-day course covers the general principles of toxicology and the toxicological effects from exposure to hazardous agents. It identifies the potential health hazards of toxic chemicals and teaches the correct handling of chemicals to minimise exposure. Chemicals that are encountered in everyday life will be used as examples for illustration.

In addition, participants will learn about the best practices and the critical considerations in the formulation and compliance of safety, health and environmental policies at the work place.

The course will enable participants to strengthen their skills in daily practice and better understand toxicity terminologies that are used in a typical chemical safety data sheet. Such knowledge of toxicological principles and the interpretation of toxicological tests are extremely important for the successful assessment of possible health consequences of chemical exposure.
 

Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge

For the seventh run, the Department of Chemistry, NUS and the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry are jointly organizing the Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge The challenge provides secondary and tertiary school students the chance to learn the art and science of growing crystals, and through the process, discover the importance of relevant chemical techniques and exercise their creativity.


The event enjoys overwhelming response this year, with a total of 213 entries received from over 90 schools. The crystals are open for exhibition and it is our great pleasure to invite you to view the exhibition. The details are as follows.

Date: Saturday 23 September 2006

Time: 9.00 - 10.30am

Venue: Multi-purpose Sports Hall 1, NUS.

Green Chemistry (MCC 2006)

This conference is an excellent platform for the promotion and update of the development in the science and technology of green and sustainable chemistry. It is a golden opportunity for our scientists to network, to reflect upon the current trends, to exchange notes with their counterparts from overseas and to strengthen the linkage between academia and industry researchers and also between scientists from different geographical regions. It is an ideal setting for business opportunities and strategic partnership between exhibitors and conference participants and visitors.

The conference covers a wide range of topics in Green Chemistry to cater for many of those with intention to contribute papers on topics in their areas:

• Clean chemical technology
• Natural and green polymers
• Renewable fuels and green energy
• Fuel cell
• Solar cell
• Catalysts for green chemical processes
• Ionic liquids and green solvents
• Biodegradation and bioremediation
• Recycling of industrial feed stocks
• Green chemistry education
• Implementation of green and sustainable chemistry by industry
• Frontiers of Green Chemistry
• Solutions to Green Market
• Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

Electrochemistry Workshop for Educators

1. Electrochemical Techniques : Fundamentals & Applications
Paul Duckworth
Secretary, Electrochemical Division
Royal Australian Chemical Institute (EDRACI)

Annual General Meeting

Singapore National Institute of Chemistry, SNIC will be holding its Annual General Meeting followed by dinner.

Protein Crystallography in Chemical and Biomedical Advancement

NUSChem, GIST and SNIC are co-hosting a public lecture by Nobel Laureate R Huber on Protein Crystallography in Chemical and Biomedical Advancement.
All are welcome.

Kindly click here for more details.

Physical Organic Chemistry Symposium: Complex Reaction Mechanisms

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) will be hosting the "UK-Singapore Physical Organic Chemistry Symposium" to foster the exchange of knowledge and to establish links between researchers from the two countries. This symposium is supported by SNIC, and within our strategy to foster closer collaboration and cooperation with RSC. It aims to recognise the centrality of physical organic chemistry and its impact on the chemical sciences, within the broadly defined area of complex chemical systems.

Kindly click here for more details.

Eco-Friendly & Energy Saving Water Borne Coating Technology

SNIC will be hosting an educational seminar “Eco-Friendly & Energy Saving Water Borne Coating Technology" on 11 Jan 2006 at Civil Service College. This lecture is open to all members of the public. Register early to avoid disappointment!

Kindly click here for more details.

SICC-4 Conference - "Frontiers in Chemical Synthesis & Catalysis"

Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore and the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry would be jointly hosting the Singapore International Chemical Conference 4 (SICC-4) on 8 to 10 December 2005. It is a biennial conference dedicated to promoting advances in chemistry. This conference would be the fourth in this series of conferences and aims to reflect on the significant scientific developments in molecular synthesis and catalysis, to discuss new ideas and trends as we move into the twenty-first century, and to raise the profile of chemical sciences in Singapore.

SNIC will co-host a joint reception with Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) UK on 8th December 2005 from 18:30 – 20:30 hrs in the Waterfall Terrace, Garden Wing at the Shangri-la Hotel. SNIC has secured a maximum of 50 seats exclusively for our members. Both SNIC and RSC Councils will be represented to answer your queries on membership and benefits.

Chemical Safety in Laboratories

Laboratory safety is often complicated due to the variety of chemicals used, the specialized nature of the the activities or the lack of safety regulations. This one day course will provide an overview of developing a comprehensive laboratory safety programme for any type of laboratory - service, research, diagnostic or clinical. It will cover all elements of a laboratory safety programme - roles/responsibilities, training, control systems (fume cupboards, local exhaust ventilation, and personal protective equipment), inspections/audits and emergency planning & response. Overseas and local laboratory safety standards & codes of practice will be discussed. The course will also introduce participants to the importance of proper laboratory design. There will be case studies of best practices in terms laboratory design and safety management. There will also be a detailed presentation on toxicological effects from exposure to hazardous agents.

Quality Management in Laboratories

The quality of products depends very much on the validity of laboratory measurements which determine the degree of its quality. Furthermore, trust in quality can only exist on the basis of trust in the measurement in proving this quality. Hence, a good quality management in the laboratory will assure that this objective is met without fail. However, quality management cannot be handled by the senior management alone. In fact, the whole laboratory personnel should be involved in this process and a third party accreditation will further enhance the quality status of the laboratory. This presentation aims to give an overview of the quality management practices in quality control and commercial laboratories. Ability to meet these quality management criteria will facilitate to shape and improve the quality outputs continuously.

Will Nanotechnology change your life?

NUS Department of Chemistry, NUS Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Initiative (NUSNNI), British High Commission and SNIC will be co-hosting a public lecture "Will Nanotechnology change your life?" by Professor Tony Ryan on 23 Sep 2005. This lecture is open to all members of the public.

Drink in the Knowledge. Benefit from Global Expertise in Water Analysis

You’re invited to attend a free water analysis seminar jointly organised by Agilent Technologies, the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC) and Millipore. In this event we will share with you updated information about drinking water analytical methodologies and regulations, as well as tips on how to improve productivity in your laboratory.

Agilent Mass Spectrometric Solutions Workshops

A complimentary workshop on Mass Spectrometric Solutions is organized by Agilent and co-hosted by the Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC). The workshop provides an overview of Mass Spectrometric solutions and newly developed technologies that will help in your laboratory’s analytical work.

36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) & Members’ Night 2005

In conjunction with this year’s AGM SNIC would like to thank all members for their support with a sumptuous dinner party. The first 100 to register by 20 February 2005 (SNIC Members Only) receive complimentary dinner invitations. All are strongly encouraged to bring along your spouse and guests at a small cost. Come join us in the celebration of the society and its efforts.

NIC Industry Sub-com Networking Event

Join us in a seminar cum workshop by two top management practitioners and senior researchers who are accomplished specialists in the chemical industry. Mr Yeoh Guan Huah - Vice President, the SNIC and Managing Director of ALS will chair the session.

1: Chemistry in Waste Treatment
Dr Raymond Yang Technical Development Manager, ECO Industrial Environmental Engineering Pte Ltd; Received extensive education in chemistry and conducted chemistry-related research in prestigious Institutes, such as Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry (China), DSO National Laboratories (Singapore) and University of Tuebingen (Germany)

Topic 2: The Ultrapure Chemicals
Dr Juergen Braun Managing Director, Merck Electronic Chemicals Singapore; More than 21 years experience in the Chemical Industry and held various management positions in Germany, USA and France

Joint UK-Singapore Chemistry Workshop

As part of the Joint UK-Singapore Partnership in Science Initiative, a chemistry workshop has been organized for scientists from both countries. With more than fifteen distinguished speakers from UK and Singapore, this workshop is aimed at exploring New Challenges in Synthesis for Pharmaceutical Products.

More details
Workshop Agenda

Jointly organised with the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry, the MCC 2004 promoted a better understanding of polymer chemistry and how it impacts our daily lives. The conference shed light on how research findings can be converted into commercial applications and economic benefit.

Microscale Chemistry Workshop by Christer Gruvberg

The Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC) was most delighted to have Dr Christer Gruvberg back in Singapore for another run of his very popular Microscale Chemistry Workshop.

Using a hands-on approach, the primary aim of this workshop was to teach the design of microscale chemistry experiments and for their application in the teaching of chemistry in schools.

The Department of Chemistry (NUS) and SNIC are jointly organising the 6th Singapore National Crystal Growing Challenge. This creative and fun-giving event is aimed at students of all levels. By participating in this competition, students will learn the art and science of growing crystals and learn about important, relevant and good techniques in chemistry. They will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity in growing something beautiful...Prize Presentation Program

Specially hosted for school principals and senior teachers involved in policy making and curriculum planning, the forum aims to facilitate dialogues on:

o How should school students approach chemistry as a subject in our new economy?
o How could schools better prepare students for university, especially in subjects of current interest?
o How does chemistry help schools to create new learning opportunities beyond classroom environments?
o How could SNIC add value to science education in an entrepreneur-driven society?
o What are the opportunities that SNIC has created to help teachers prepare for challenges in the "through-train"    system?

Interested in Chemistry and eager to know what future opportunities it may bring you? Calling all students to join us for an insightful lecture delivered by President of SNIC, Prof. Andy Hor, who would provide greater insights into the recent advances in Chemistry and its research opportunities in the New Economy.

Prof Stoddard, who is the Fred Kavli Chair in NanoSystems Sciences and Director of the California Nanosystems Institute, spoke on "The Nature of the Mechanical Bond". Abstract & Speaker's Info

The 35th SNIC AGM took place at the NUS Guild House on 21st March 2004, and was charged with opening new visions and directions for SNIC, before cumulating into a dinner of fun and meaningful discussions...more info

Following a successful run of Statistics workshops last March, we are once again, calling all lab managers, chemists, lab analysts, technical officers, and laboratory quality personnel! If you are involved in bench works and quality assurance in testing laboratories, you would definitely benefit from this workshop conducted by Mr Yeoh Guan Huah, Managing Director/Senior Analytical Chemist of ALS Technichem Singapore… more info