CDAC partners NUS to set up Science-In³

programme

29 June 2009

NUS and the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) jointly establish the CDAC-NUS Science In3 programme to develop the potential of talented needy students for scientific research. The collaboration was officially announced by RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, on 27 June 2009 at the CDAC Awards Presentation Ceremony at NUS. This is the first time that CDAC is collaborating with a local university.

"CDAC is privileged and happy to partner with NUS to offer needy students the opportunities to explore and develop their potentials in scientific inquiry. The In3 programme is closely aligned with CDAC's Vision 2012 to provide avenues for needy students to achieve excellence," said Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, CDAC Executive Director and Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

On the NUS-CDAC collaboration, Dean of the Faculty of Science (FoS), Prof Andrew Wee said: "I am confident that the In3 participants will be inspired through this programme and will be able to acquire valuable exposure and skills in scientific research. A premier institution in scientific research, NUS FoS has always been active in its outreach efforts to schools and the public."

The In3 programme consists of three components - Science Inspire, Science Investigate and Science Inquire. In the Science Inspire component, NUS researchers will conduct two to three day workshops to nurture students' interest in scientific study and discovery. With the Science Investigate component, students will have hands-on research experience via short attachments at NUS laboratories. As for the most promising students, they will have the opportunity to embark on full-fledged research projects under the guidance of NUS academics and research students.

"The In3 programme will further allow our Science research students to work together with students from the neighbourhood schools and lower-income families, encouraging them to play a part in the social development of the country," noted Prof Wee.

For a start, 83 students participated in the pilot run of the Science Inspire workshop held on 26 and 27 June 2009. Over the next four years, some 1,000 needy students from upper primary and secondary school students will benefit from the programme.