27 June 2009

NUS Partners CDAC In Expanding Research Opportunities For Needy Students

The In³ initiative marks CDAC's first-ever collaboration with a local university

The Faculty of Science of the National University of Singapore (NUS) is pleased to partner the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) in nurturing the potential of talented students from needy backgrounds for scientific research through the CDAC-NUS Science In3 programme. Marking the first collaboration by CDAC with a local university, this pilot programme will identify, inspire and develop the scientific interest and talent of outstanding upper primary and secondary school students from low-income families. These students will have the opportunity to participate in scientific enrichment activities and conduct research under the guidance and mentorship of NUS researchers.

Officially announced by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts at the CDAC Awards Presentation Ceremony held at NUS, this collaboration is expected to benefit approximately 1,000 students over four years.

In3 comprises three components - 'Science Inspire', 'Science Investigate' and 'Science Inquire'. In 'Science Inspire', CDAC would identify needy students who have a strong interest in science and mathematics and who have demonstrated good academic ability in these subjects. These students would have the opportunity to participate in workshops conducted by NUS faculty members. The workshops are designed to expose students to interesting science demonstrations and experiments, scientific talks and cutting-edge research instrumentation. The aim is to provide various avenues for students discover their passion for scientific research and interest them to pursue a career as a researcher.

'Science Investigate' is where selected students will have the chance to acquire more hands-on research experience through short attachments in laboratories at NUS. Students will have the chance to immerse themselves in the laboratory environment to carry out specific assignments and observe how research is conducted.

In 'Science Inquire', a selected number of CDAC's most promising students will have the chance to carry out full-fledged research projects under the guidance of NUS faculty members and research students. Participants will be encouraged to propose projects that are relevant to everyday life or that contribute to existing knowledge.

Welcoming this collaboration, Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, CDAC Executive Director and Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC said, "Besides introducing additional measures to help ensure that CDAC's target group of students' education and the opportunity to participate in enrichment programmes will not be affected by their family's financial constraint during economy downturn, CDAC also implements new initiatives to help needy students who have greater potentials to progress and develop further. This will enable CDAC to move towards its Vision 2012. 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."

Professor Andrew Wee, Dean of the NUS Faculty of Science 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, the NUS Faculty of Science has always been active in its outreach efforts to schools and the public. We believe in cultivating the interest and passion for Mathematics and Science among our young students early. 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."

One of the participants in the inaugural Science Inspire workshop, Chong Wei Kai, a Secondary Two student at North View Secondary School and recipient of the CDAC Best Progress Award for Mathematics, said, "I have never had the opportunity to participate in such a programme, which has proven to be an exciting and eye-opening experience. The In3 programme enables me to discover more interesting aspects of Science, build up my knowledge of the subject, and learn things which I cannot learn from school."

One of the workshop's volunteers, Mr Lim Yoke Kuang, recently graduated from the NUS Faculty of Science with First Class Honours in Physics and is also a mentor and tutor with the CDAC Redhill Student Service Centre's Supervised Homework Group. Mr Lim said, "I am glad to be able to contribute by helping students from low-income families. In the process of coaching them, I also acquire teaching and mentoring skills. Based on my observations, these students display a keen interest in science and are very talented. I am glad that they are given the opportunity to pursue their interest in science through the In3 programme."