Message from the President

Professor Hong Wang Jin Deputy Director, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore

The Science Council of Asia (SCA) founded in May 2000 now has members from 19 organizations in 11 countries. The annual SCA Conference is hosted by different member countries, with themes focusing on Sustainable Development towards a prosperous, harmonious and greener Asia. The SCA Conference consists of a General Assembly, a Management Board Meeting, and a Symposium. The conference provides for discussions among scientists, engineers, policy makers, and students from Asia and the rest of the world.


　　　It gives me great honor to assume the Presidency of SCA this year as Singapore hosts the 9th meeting in mid-2009. Being new to the SCA family, I was impressed by the active and lively discussions on the wide spectrum of S&T issues at the last SCA Conference.


　　　Asia is a rising star in the international trade. We recognize the huge potential associated with the enormous market, rising standards of living and greater demands on goods and services. Many Asian countries have seen enviable growth in the last few years but we should realize that in order to achieve sustainable growth, we will need to focus on science and technological research and development, and add value through knowledge creation and innovation.


　　　We are narrowing the gap with our western counterparts in Science and Technology research and development. An increasing number of scientific papers originating from Asia are now published in renowned journals and more Asian faces at international scientific conferences. This has been made possible partly through collaborations forged between worthy partners, where science and technology becomes borderless. We should expect to see more of such exchanges as the scientific world becomes one.


　　　The most critical success factor in many of these endeavors is the people. This is particularly true for small countries like Singapore. We need to ensure that our young continue to be intrigued by science and technical subjects; individuals who have shown potential must be given the opportunity to grow and excel. We should at the same time embrace diverse talents in the international scientific arena, many of whom are looking eastward for greater opportunities to collaborate in joint scientific projects.


　　　It thus bestows on me the responsibility to ensure that the discussions at SCA continue to dwell on global issues that matter, promote initiatives that connect the Asian scientific community to the international landscape and to be a key player with significant contributions to the world of science and technology for the betterment of human kind. I look forward to welcoming the SCA delegations to Singapore in 2009.