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The President's Message

Chemistry – The Authentic Molecular Science & Technology

SNIC was established in Jan 1970 by a small group of chemistry professionals who had the vision and foresight to foster the interest of Chemistry in our community. Perhaps even these pioneers did not have the crystal-ball to predict that three decades down the road, Chemistry in Singapore could become a pillar of our knowledge-based economy. Today, every fashionable discipline tends to take on the word “molecular” in order to become sexy, such as molecular medicine, molecular engineering, molecular biology, molecular pharmacology, molecular ecology, molecular genetics, molecular genomics, molecular electronics, molecular whatever…..yes, even molecular art, molecular machines and molecular robots… This is the biggest compliment to the advancement and influence of chemistry. After all, chemistry, by definition, is the science of molecules. The most authentic molecular science is no more than chemistry itself. When this science transforms technology and culture, you have a life that is as colorful as chemistry itself.

In 2006, the manufacturing sector is expected to surge further ahead to contribute ~28% of our economy. The top three manufacturing industries (electronics, chemicals and biomedical manufacturing), which took up 68.1% of the sector, have one point in common – they are underpinned by Chemistry and served by chemists and chemistry professionals. The establishment and dedication of Jurong Island (www.jurongisland.com) to the chemical industry reflects our national commitment to the economic development of this exciting field. Today, over 80 companies have committed a total investment of S$22 b on this island.

The strong economic growth is supported by the rapid growth of the R & D. The establishment of an array of research institutes (RI’s) under A*Star (www.a-star.edu.sg/astar/index.do) has created numerous research opportunities for chemical scientists. RI’s such as ICES, IMRE, IBN… vigorously hire chemists to advance their molecular research programs. The establishment of Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (RIEC) and National Research Foundation (NRF) in 2006 is a testimony of our commitment to R & D. Over S$12 b has been committed to fund R & D within the next 5 year, targeting at 3% of GDP by early next decade. NRF has identified three areas for priority development, of which two of them, namely, environmental and water research, and biomedical science are also underpinned by Chemistry.

On the academic front, the Department of Chemistry of NUS (www.chemistry.nus.edu.sg), served by >100 academic and non-academic staff and >50 research staff, continues to grow in its stature. Chemistry remains a hugely popular subject among students. In 2006, 20% or 930 students in the Faculty of Science major in Chemistry. 28% of the graduate students in the faculty are in Chemistry. The Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department (www.chee.nus.edu.sg) offers another attractive option to students and researchers. NTU also invested heavily in chemistry and chemical technology. The new School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (www.ntu.edu.sg/scbe/home.html) and School of Physical & Mathematical Sciences (www.spms.ntu.edu.sg/home/default.htm) are planning state-of-the-art new buildings to support their grand plans in education and research. Their introduction will surely contribute to the full blossom of Chemistry in Singapore and make it THE most active subject of all sciences.

The mission of SNIC is to promote chemistry and chemical sciences and serve the interest of chemists and chemical scientists. It cross-links three major sectors – academic, industry and the public. SNIC is run by volunteers who have one common interest – Chemistry and YOU. No matter how rosy is our economic outlook, how glossy are our chemical technologies, how exciting are our chemical sciences, and how wonderful are our universities, the single most important factor that governs the future of SNIC is nothing or no one but YOU – the (potential) chemists and chemical scientists. It is also in YOU that we have the best hope.

T. S. Andy Hor, D.Sc.(Lond), D.Phil.(Oxon), FSNIC, FRSC, CChem
Professor of Chemistry
President of SNIC
andyhor@nus.edu.sg