Gabrielle Anne B. Magsanoc Prof.

Bernabe

BSA 1-2 September 19, 2019

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: The Past and the Future of Singapore

“ Culture and Technology has shaped Singapore’s development in the past and will contribute to
the foundation of the country’s future”

These were the exact words of affirmation that came out of the mouth of the former
deputy prime minister himself Teo Chee Hean in 2015, who is later appointed as seinor minister
on May 1, 2019. During that time, he was invited to speak at the opening ceremony of the 3rd
Global Young Scientist Summit at Nanyang Technological University where he placed stronger
emphasis on how Singapore has exerted too much effort towards establishing and developing the
science and technology field in the country.

Such words, declaring how science and technology have become the foundation of
Singapore’s past and present seems good in the ears, but how precise do these words mean and
up to what extent do these manifest? The best way to know is nothing but to trace and go back to
the roots on how science and technology flourished through time in the context of the country
itself, Singapore.

The Republic of Singapore originated from the word “Singapura” which means Lion
City in Malay. It is a city-state in the Southeast Asia, situated off the southern tip of Peninsular
Malaysia. It is known for having a melting pot of cultures as it blends Malay, Chinese, Arab,
Indian and English cultures and religions. It was also labeled as an “economic giant” as it
continues to excel in different fields, continuing to evolve into a great nation.

SINGAPORE: The Case of Science and Technology before World War II

Singapore was founded by Stamford Raffles in 1819 under the British East India
Company, causing it to be within the context of the Western imperialist interests. Only few
sources explicitly detail the development of Science and Technology during Singapore colonial
period as there is a need for historical information to be reconstructed from various historical
texts, documents and journals, expressing remarks under the colonial rule of Britain. Despite
this, it is claimed that the British colonial rule opened doors for opportunities toward establishing
foundation, development and maintenance of the country Singapore in the 19th and 20th century.
This has been executed through governing the country strictly as a port city. There has also been
a limited urban development in facilitating the colonial administration amidst the fact that
Singapore has been extensively used for the benefit of the Britain through serving as a
communication outpost and port-of-call for trade. Regional traders and laborers who think
economically were attracted because of opportunities arising for potentially gaining more
economic profit. This could be considered as the most significant economic role played by
Singapore for the sake of ameliorating British Economy.

British colonialism makes way for the construction and maintenance of physical
infrastructures such as port facilities and warehouses which were utilized to make the process of
storing goods and trading more efficient. Foods and bridges were also created to ease
transportation, linking and allowing them to conveniently reach out to various existing sector
situated in different islands.

The development in shipping technologies includes shipbuilding and engineering

facilities as well as the introduction of the use of telegraph to broaden its network by the means
of submarine cables. Except these, there has been a scarce technological transfer form the
British colonial administrations with regards either to industrial or manufacturing processes. The
advancements in the form of improved shipbuilding, which falls under marine technology greatly
affected the case of the ports. It resulted to a chain effect, causing a significant change in the
physical landscape of Singapore as trade facilities were widely constructed to accommodate the
continuous increased processes of shipping and trade.

The telegraph communications through the use of submarine cables have been
established just in time for the war, making it one of the most important strategies they can use
as it allows them to relay messages while simultaneously attending to the needs of the traders
and business industries. The mentioned advancement in technology greatly impacted the
improvement of the urban infrastructures. Furthermore, urban planning including the modes of
transportation and electricity were also introduced.

With regards to the field of education, it has been given little importance, causing decline
and preventing the process of enhancing English and technical education in Singapore from 1900
to 1940 as they became reluctant towards facilitating these in the education system. Science-
related education and technical skills were not promoted as only a maximum number of only 15
students were involved in science classes. The curriculum was more concentrated on inculcating
administrative skills for the sole purpose of supporting the trading company. Educational system
were basically patterned in accordance to the needs and interests of British colonial
administrators rather than supposedly establishing a long-term educational system for the benefit
of the locals. In conclusion, what they claim “developments” they have brought in Singapore
were in fact deep-rooted and patterned to their needs and interests as they’ve only taken
advantage of the country and used it as an instrument to benefit themselves. They view
Singapore only as a site of commerce, depriving them of the right to free industrialization.
SINGAPORE: The Case of Science and Technology after World War II

In the aftermath of World War II and the Japanese occupation, Singapore’s

independence from Malaysia sparked its attempt to stand as an independent economic entity.
People’s Action Party implemented policies establishing an industrial base highlighting
manufacturing industries and export-oriented industrialization plan as well as building a national
identity. Technology has been integrated in the early stages as key for industrialization. The
importance of the roles and responsibilities of the citizens were emphasized as in dire need
towards industrialization. Pressing problems encountered with regards to insufficient
employment opportunities and low standards of living barred the development of indigenous and
scientific technological capabilities resulting from little attention given to research and
development.

In 1960s various institutions related to science and technology were established such as
the Government on Science and Technology in 1966, Singapore Science Council in 1967 and
Ministry of Science and Technology in 1968. From this, they saw opportunities of possible
technological advancement through involving foreign corporations and manufacturing industries.
Industrialization soon succeeded alleviating the problem of mass unemployment but adversely
affecting the enhancement of technical education as it was more associated with blue collar
work. Ministry of Science which was established in 1968, having a role of promoting science
and technology immediately folded 10 years after.
With Independence in 1965, Singapore experienced difficulty on adopting their own
scientific and technological research as it was used to being too much dependent upon foreign
companies. It resulted to technological development being tied to foreign technology, hardware
and skills. In 1979 and 1984, higher value-added industries and services were established
restructuring the economy of Singapore which resulted to rapid growth between 1980-1984
which was higher than that of the other Asian New Industrializing Economies. This doesn’t last
as they experience severe recession in 1985-1986. Despite this, new growth areas were
introduced including the high-tech industry and information technology which does not end with
being computerized but rather having creative exploitation of Information Technology through
consolidating Information Technology strategies to be implemented by National Computer under
the national computerization effort.

In the early 1980s, foreign and local investors were converted from labor intensive to
capital-intensive and high technology operations. In 1986, the economic development board aim
to attract more investments with high technical content. Singapore’s too much reliance on
foreign technology created dispute on Singapore’s status as “newly industrialized”. Science and
Technology framework was developed in 1980’s which aims to create employment for national
survival and sustainable development by means of attracting foreign investments. This seeks to
convert research and development in Singapore to “market-pulled” instead of “science-pushed”,
achieving technological self reliance. They seek to improve the education system as well as
acquiring high technology foreign investors as means of transferring and diffusing technology
and skills.

In January 1991, the National Science and Technology Board (NSTB) replaced the
Science Council following the enactment of the National Science and Technology Board Act in
November 1990.The board assumed the expanded responsibilities of formulating and
implementing long-term research and development strategies for Singapore. It was a move that
was deemed necessary to transform Singapore from a newly industrializing to a world-class,
innovation-driven economy. The National Technology Plan of 1991 followed by a vision of an
“intelligent island” in 1992, directs the technological trajectory of Singapore and finally
transforming it to an “intelligent island” consisted of various new technical innovations such as
TradeNet, Electronic Road Pricing, Smart Card Electronic Fund Transfer and etc. Singapore’s
computer policy management succeeded up to the extent of Singapore, becoming one of the most
highly computerized nations involving the Information Technology Industry. The first five-year
national technology plan served as the blueprint for R&D development in nine sectors:
information technology; microelectronics; electronic systems; manufacturing technology;
materials technology; energy, water, environment and resources; food and agro technology;
biotechnology; and medical sciences.

Singapore also aim of becoming an “information society” by being an international

telecommunication node expressed through openness of economies to international influences as
well as desiring for a higher standard of living. In a decisive move, the Infocomm Development
Authority was instituted in 1999 to punctuate the government dedication to establishing
knowledge-based companies in Singapore as well as sciences or biotechnology hub.

SINGAPORE: The case of Science and Technology in the Modern Times

Singapore continued to face recession in 2001, using its current technological focus to
legitimize and strengthen political leadership. In the 21st century, IT, life sciences and innovation
were promoted. Given the current ongoing economic recession, practical survival was linked to
technology policies. Science and Technology was pushed in new areas such as
technopreneurship, Information Technology, Communications Technology, Life Sciences and
Stem Cell Research. The 2nd National Technology Plan budget double from 2 billion in 1995 to 4
billion in 2001.

In 2002, Singapore Productivity and Standards Board was renamed as SPRING

Singapore, signifying shift towards an innovation-driven economy. In 2003, Singapore was
struck by one of the worst crisis in living memory: the severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS) outbreak. Good thing that Singapore has the ready biomedical infrastructure in place to
meet with this calamity.

In 2004, Singapore’s expenditure on Research and Development as a percentage of Gross

Domestic Product increased to 2.25 percent from 0.85 percent in 1991.
The number of Research Scientists and Engineers in Singapore grew significantly, from 28 in
1990 to 87 per 10,000 labour force in 2004. In 2005, the National Science and Technology Board
was renamed as the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR). During this time
also, Biomedical Sciences become a pillar of Singapore’s manufacturing companies as they were
able to establish bioengineering and nanotechnology generating new techniques on genetic
engineering particularly the stem cell cancer therapy. Scientists became renowned including
Professors Edison Liu and Sir David Lane, making way for many internal collaboration and
partnerships.
Biopolis, an iconic biomedical Research and Development Center deepened Singapore’s
knowledge based and strengthen the commitment of the country in science and technology. A
budget amounting to 13.6 billion was allocated to promote research and development in different
agencies such as National Research Foundation, Ministry for Trade and Industry annd Ministry
of Education.

Fusionpolis, a focal point for the physical sciences and engineering clusters, was
modelled after Biopolis and opened in 2008. Environmental and Water Technologies sector and
the Interactive and Digital Media sector were identified as rapid growth areas for development in
2010. One of the recent highlights in the field of science and technology is “Sputnik”, a home
based satellite called the "little satellite that could" wwhich has voyaged a distance equivalent to
about 1,000 return trips to the moon. It blasted off in 2011, marking the dawn of Singapore's
space age. Singapore has also acquired inventions strongly beneficial to the society. Among the
many useful inventions is the first cancer drug called ETC 159 which has been dubbed as “a
singapore baby” and is one of the top contenders. It was developed by Professor Alex Matter
which is the CEO of AStar's Experimental Therapeutics Centre. Biochemist Tan Tin Wee was
inducted into the Internet Society's Hall of Fame in Geneva, Switzerland because of his
numerous innovations including a program that displayed Chinese and Tamil characters in
browsers, allowing millions of Chinese and Tamil speakers in Asia to exploit the riches of the
Internet for the first time in 2012. He does not cease helping people connect online through new
and powerful ways. Another innovation is the gold-plated orchid called the immortalizing
national flower which was developed by Dr Lee Kum Tatt, the founding chairman of the
Science Council. That beautiful invetion all started from the simple wish of his wife for orchids
to last forever.

In 2015, the government spent 161 billion on Research, Innovation and Enterpeises (RIE)
2015 plan. The amount of 19.1 billion being the largest amount allotted for research an
development was invested under Research, Innovation and Enterprises 2010 (RIE2020), looking
forward on transforming Singapore to a knowledge-based economy thriving on innovation and
enterprise. Simultaneously, there has been growing numbers of Research and Engineers (RSEs)
in the workforce. Furthermore, Its university rankings as well as their field-weighted citation
impact (FWCI) have trended higher over the years – a testament to the country’s focus on S&T
excellence. Research and Development efforts were aligned with the industry demand rendering
more employment opportunities and generating higher value of products and services. At
present, Singapore has given utmost importance for the protection and conservation of the
environment, producing a conducive environment for present generation and the generations to
come. In line with this SGInnovate was launched in dedication to support Singapore’s start-up
ecosystem.

Conclusion
Indeed, Science and Technology is the past and the future of Singapore because
Singapore has been holding on to this from the start up to the present. From this, we could see
how technology was prioritized and used by Singapore as a sword in competing with different
countries, wanting to keep up or even overcome others in terms of the state of their science and
technology field. Science and technology also served as a central engine or a strong driving force
powering an ambitious economy which was far from the functional role it served before, being
only limited to addressing the needs of the people. Singapore have chosen to be hands on and
look closely on creating a culture of innovation as they practice transparency among all
operations, ensuring responsible implementation, instilling accountability as well as legal and
constitutional compliance. Despite this, some fields remain underdeveloped and insufficient
which are still capable of undergoing through certain enhancements and improvements. Through
time, Singapore constantly adopts innovative technologies, making and maintaining its way on
top.
 REFERENCES

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https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/5-high-points-of-science-in-history

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