Message from SNAS President
When I took over the role of SNAS President at the 2019 AGM, I said during my acceptance speech that if during my term of office, we could not make SNAS become a key player in the local science and technology scene, relevant to the academic and R&D ecosystem in Singapore, then I would propose to declare SNAS dormant. I said that because it is a well-known fact that in terms of science and technology, both in academia and R&D arena, Singapore has evolved tremendously over the 4 decades after SNAS was formed more than 45 years ago. The formation of A*STAR, NRF, Temasek Foundation, and many other public and private sector drivers within Singapore have been playing obviously impactful roles in promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic). SNAS has thus been overshadowed, especially when SNAS had not been well endowed and with no fulltime office staff manning SNAS operation.
As I look back at the past 3 years or the first term of my office, notwithstanding plagued by more than 2 years of COVID-19 pandemic, I feel comforted that significant progress was made despite the odds. In 2020, SNAS was awarded an NRF White Space kick starter grant entitled SNAS ASEAN Postdoctoral Fellowship and International Networks. With that 3-year grant, SNAS launched the SNAS ASEAN Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme to attract bright postdoctoral researchers (or would-be faculty members) from ASEAN countries to Singapore universities for a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, only 2 fellows succeeded in entering Singapore.
In 2021, with support and advice from NRF, SNAS united our efforts with two other major academies in Singapore, namely, Singapore Academy of Medicine (SAM) and the Academy of Engineering Singapore (AES) to widen our outreach to scientists and engineers from various scientific fields in the ASEAN region. With the support from SAM and AES, the fellowship was renamed the SG Academies ASEAN Fellowship Programme targeting up to 20 new young ASEAN fellows to come to Singapore each year over 5 annual open calls. The combined effort of the three academies has made this programme even more impactful, as all three academies are linked internationally to academies worldwide. By building on our existing relationships, the SG academies advertised the new programme via internationally linked academies such as the National Academies of Science, Medicine and Engineering of other countries, as well as International Science Council (ISC), Inter-academy Partnership (IAP), World Academy of Medicine, International Academy of Engineering etc.
Thanks also to the RIE2025 grant from NRF, SNAS now has employed 2 fulltime executives to assist in our day-to-day operation, including liaison with NRF, communication with IHLs, correspondences with overseas international academia networks, SNAS Fellows, and various institutes under the SNAS umbrella, and filing of annual returns for the Registry of Societies. They will also enhance SNAS website content management, including assisting constituent institutes website publishing, communication, and publicity. With them on board, SNAS will also organize seminar or events to promote interaction and collaboration among SNAS members and the SG Academies ASEAN Fellows.
Meanwhile, NRF has taken over the organization of the annual President Science and Technology Awards (PSTA) from A*STAR, and SNAS is invited to consider evolving our Young Scientist Award into the status of President Young Scientist Award. But to achieve that we must get the strong support of SNAS Fellows in the evaluation of the nominees, to match the rigor of the PSTA selection process.
I will serve for another 3-year-term, and I look forward to active engagements and stronger support from SNAS Council Members and Fellows, to continue the transformation journey ahead.
Yours faithfully,
A/P TM Lim
11 July 2022
Our History
Established in 1967, the Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS) operated as an independent institution to promote and disseminate scientific knowledge and technological advancements in Singapore. SNAS was responsible for the publication of the SNAS journal, as well as the organisation of the SNAS Congress then. In the early 1970s, four other societies (Institute of Physics, Singapore National Institute of Chemistry, Singapore Mathematical Society and Singapore Institute of Biology) were integrated into SNAS.
In 1975, it was proposed to Dr. Lee Chiaw Meng, who served as the Minister for Education at the time, transform SNAS into a federation of societies. SNAS shall evolve to become a distinguished professional and academic organization, representing scientists in Singapore. Officially founded in 1976,SNAS became an umbrella organisation with the dual objectives of:promoting the advancement of science and technology in Singapore;·
representing the scientific opinions of its members.When SNAS was reconstituted, its earlier role was then taken over by the Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science (SAAS).
Currently, its constituent societies are:College of Clinician Scientists, Academy of Medicine (CCS) - since 2014·
Institute of Physics Singapore (IPS)·
Materials Research Society (MRS) - since 2014·
Science Teachers’ Association of Singapore (STAS)·
Singapore Association for the Advancement of Science (SAAS)·
Singapore Institute of Biology (SIBiol)·
Singapore Institute of Statistics (SIS) - since 1980·
Singapore Mathematical Society (SMS)·
Singapore National Institute of Chemistry (SNIC)·
Singapore Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SSBMB) - since 1986·
Singapore Society for Microbiology (SSMB) - since 1983At formation, there were only six constituent societies, with the others joining subsequently.
The first President of the Academy in 1976 was Dr Lee Chiaw Meng, former Minister for Education and Minister for Science & Technology. The honorary secretary was Prof Louis Chen.
The second President was Prof Ang Kok Peng (1978-1992), former Member of Parliament for Buona Vista and Head of the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore for a good part of this duration.
The third President was Prof Leo Tan Wee Hin (1993 to 2013), who held various appointments such as Dean of Science at the National Institute of Education, Professor of Biological Sciences at the Nanyang Technological University, Director of the National Institute of Education, Director of Special Projects at the Faculty of Science in the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Professor of Biological Sciences at NUS during his tenure as President.
The fourth President was Prof Andrew Wee served for two consecutive terms (2013 to 2019). He currently holds appointments of Vice President (University and Global Relations)at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Professor of Physics at NUS Faculty of Science, Director of Surface Science Lab at NUS, Senior Faculty Member at the NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering, and Adjunct Scientist at the Institute of Materials Research & Engineering.
The fifth and current President is Prof Lim Tit Meng (2019 -). Prof Lim is also the Chief Executive of Science Center Singapore and a faculty member at the Life Science Program at NUS.
In 1998, SNAS started to appoint Honorary Fellows of the society. However, it was only in 2011 when local scientists started being appointed as Fellows of the Academy. More fellows joined the list in 2014 with the intention to increase the number of Fellows by 10 every year, up to 100 living persons.As of 2022, SNAS has 56 Fellows and 3 Honorary Fellows.
The Council of the Singapore National Academy of Science (2024/25)
Office Bearers
PastPast President : Prof Leo Tan Wee Hin (SIBiol / SAAS)·
Immediate Past President : Prof Andrew Wee (IPS)CurrentPresident : A/Prof Lim Tit Meng (SAAS)·
Vice President : Prof Sow Chorng Haur (IPS)·
Vice President : Prof Tan Choon Hong (SNIC)·
Honorary Secretary : Dr Toh Tai Chong (SIBiol)·
Honorary Treasurer : Dr Mok Chee Keng (SSMB)Council MembersProf Mahesh Arjandas Choolani (CCS - President)·
A/Prof Joanne Ngeow Yuen Yie (CCS - Secretary)·
Prof Koh Wee Shing (IPS - President)·
Dr Abel Yang (IPS - Honorary Secretary)·
Prof Timothy John White (MRSS - President)·
Prof B.V.R. Chowdari (MRSS - Senior Executive Director & President Emeritus)·
Mr Jay Marhadale (STAS - President)·
Mr Justin Lee (STAS - Secretary)·
A/Prof Lim Tit Meng (SAAS - President)·
Dr Anne Dhanaraj (SAAS - Secretary)·
Dr Theresa Su (SIBiol - President)·
Ms Fung Tze Kwan (SIBiol - Honorary Secretary)·
Mr Ng Kwan Kee (SIS - President)·
Mrs Ho Yuen Ping (SIS - Treasurer)·
Dr Hang Kim Hoo (SMS - President)·
Dr Amanda Soon (SMS - Honorary Secretary)·
Prof Loh Xianjun (SNIC - President)·
A/Prof Zhao Yu (SNIC - Honorary Secretary)·
A/Prof Yew Wen Shan (SSBMB - President)·
Dr Yap Lai Lai (SSBMB - Secretary)·
A/Prof Chu Jang Hann, Justin (SSMB - President)·
Dr Dave Ow Siak Wei (SSMB - Honorary Secretary)Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For Applicants - Postdoctoral Researchers from ASEAN Countries
1. If I am selected, can I take my family with me? SG Academies SEA Fellows will need to apply for eitherEmployment PassorS Passvia the host institution. Please check the MOM website for the latest information regarding passes for family members. There will not be additional financial benefits or housing allowance for SASEA Fellows or their dependents apart from what is stated in the letter of award.2. Does the Fellowship Scheme cover travel costs? The SASEA fellow may apply for a travel grant up to S￥ 4000 within 24 months to cover the cost of travel to and from their home country at the start and end of their Fellowship. Fellows are strongly encouraged to apply for other travel grants to present at overseas conferences. Fieldwork related travel costs may be covered at the discretion of the host professor and PI from his/her research grants.3. Will I be liable for paying income tax in Singapore? Yes, you will be liable to pay income tax in Singapore on your fellowship benefits depending on the duration of your stay. Your tax residency and the amount of income tax to be paid will be determined by IRAS. Once your tax residency has been determined as tax resident, you will be charged at resident tax rates.·
Please refer to the IRAS website for further details: https://www.iras.gov.sg/IRASHome/Individuals/Foreigners/Learning-the-basics/Basic-Guide-for-New-Individual-Taxpayers--Foreigners-/·
For more information on Tax obligations for Non-Resident Professionals: https://www.iras.gov.sg/IRASHome/Individuals/Foreigners/Working-out-your-taxes/Tax-Rates-for-Resident-and-Non-Residents/ 4. After I am selected, when can I expect to start my Fellowship at the host institution? Your start date will depend primarily on:·
The availability of your host professor / PI and·
Successfully obtaining anEmployment Pass (EP)or relevant pass to enter Singapore. Please note that EP application results can take up to 3 months.5. Do I have to leave my current job to participate in this Fellowship? This is a full-time postdoctoral fellowship for 2 years, so you should apply for Leave of Absence if your current job allows. This fellowship is intended to prepare you for a full-time position in any SEA countries.·
Some local host institutions do not allow double appointments / employment, so you may wish to confirm with the host institution on the relevant guidelines before applying.6. Are Fellows required to stay in Singapore for the entire duration of the program? Yes. However, travel for fieldwork / data collection in connection with the fellowship will be allowed.7. Are SASEA Fellows considered staff in the host institution? Yes, the SASEA fellow will be a research staff in the host organisation.8. Are there any housing arrangements for SASEA fellows? The SASEA fellow should check if the host institution provides on-campus housing rental. Otherwise, he/she will need to arrange for off-campus housing. No housing rental allowance will be provided.9. I am a South-East Asian researcher currently working / staying in Singapore. Can I apply?No. Researchers currently residing and/or working in Singapore are not eligible.·
However, should you already have a confirmed job offer in a public-sector research entity in your home country with an appropriate start date (e.g. 2 to 3 years from now), you will be eligible to apply.·
Kindly submit a scanned copy / e-copy of the Letter of Offer together with your Fellowship application as documentary proof.10. What is the Host Professor / PI’s in-principle approval with his/her official email ID?Either (i) an approval letter / letter of support with Host PI's official email, or (ii) a screenshot of the PI’s approval with the email address, with the PI stating that he/she approves of your research proposal and agrees to host you at his/her lab for the Fellowship.11. My field of research is not on 1) Infectious Diseases, 2) Population Health/Public Health, and 3) Green & Blue Economy, Climate Change, Sustainability. Can I apply?Yes, candidates from all fields of research are welcome to apply. However, preference will be given to candidates working on the above-mentioned fields.12. Which countries are eligible? ASEAN countries include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor Leste.·
Singapore citizens are not eligible.13. Can past applicants who were not successful apply again? Absolutely! We encourage past applicants who were not successful to apply again. Previous outcomes will not impact the chances of being offered the fellowship in the new application round.For Host Professors / Principal Investigators (PIs) in Singapore
1. Who is eligible to be a host professor / PI? All current serving faculty members and/or PIs within the host institutions are eligible. The host PI is expected to remain in the host institution for the 2-year tenure of the postdoctoral fellow.2. Does the fellowship come with additional research funding for the host professor / PI? The SASEA fellow receives a monthly stipend of S￥4,000 to S￥6500 per month depending on experience and performance. He/she may also apply for a travel grant up to S￥4000 to cover the cost of travel to and from their home country at the start and end of their Fellowship. No additional funding is provided.3. What are the roles and responsibilities of the host professor / PI? The host professor/PI, with the support of his/her department/institute will:·
Grant in-principle approval to the applicant over email.·
Apply for anEmployment Pass (EP)orS Pass(or any other suitable work passes) via his/her department/institute using standard operating procedure. The grant will cover insurance and other human resource related expenses.·
If the host institution provides housing, guide the fellow to apply for housing via his/her department/institute using standard operating procedure of the host institution. ·
Provision of office space as needed.·
Contact Information:·
For NUS: scisohkh@nus.edu.sg (Mr Soh Kok Hoe)·
For NTU: D-TRACS@ntu.edu.sg (Contact Talent Recruitment & Career Support Office)·
For SUTD: andy_chan@sutd.edu.sg (Mr Andy Chan, Director of Research)·
For A*STAR: Contact any of the following staff from the A*STAR Research Office ·
Don_Chan@hq.a-star.edu.sg (Don Chan)·
Lin_Suting@hq.a-star.edu.sg (Lin Suting)·
Ong_Hong_Ren@hq.a-star.edu.sg (Ong Hong Ren)·
Muhammad_Ali_Mohamed_Amin@hq.a-star.edu.sg (Muhammad Ali Mohamed Amin)·
Other host institutions not listed above should contact their respective HR department with regards to work pass applications and other HR related matters. 4. Can the Fellows get involved in the ongoing research project of the host professor / PI? Yes, provided this association is mutually beneficial to both parties and the topic of the ongoing research project is incorporated in the applicant’s research proposal submitted at the time of application.5. Does the Fellowship Scheme cover travel costs? Fellows may apply for travel grants up to S￥4000 to cover the cost of travel to and from their home country at the start and end of their Fellowship. Fieldwork related travel costs may be covered at the discretion of the host professor and PI from his/her research grants.6. Are Fellows required to stay in Singapore for the entire duration of the program? Yes. However, travel for fieldwork/data collection in connection with the fellowship will be allowed.7. What is the process for application/approval? Prospective applicants will approach host professor/PI to discuss his/her research interests over email. If there is mutual interest, an in-principle approval over email must be given by the host professor/PI to the applicant.·
After receiving the approval, the applicants may formally apply for the fellowship. Once the application is acknowledged by the host institution, a joint committee between SNAS, AMS and SAEng will be constituted to review the applications in accordance with the review criteria.8. Are SASEA Fellows considered staff in the host institution? Yes, the SASEA fellow will be a research staff in the host organisation.
Regarding Zhengxianling - China's first pan - international talent recruitment platform
Zhengxianling is developed and operated by Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. The company mainly provides international services such as talent job-seeking and recruitment, recruitment and introduction of high-level talents / science and technology innovation-related talents (Overseas Excellent Young Talents, Qiming Plan, online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), academic exchanges, and software development. In due time, we will launch language platforms and APPs in AI English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. to meet the needs of global users. Up to now, the company has established communication channels with national ministries and commissions such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Science and Technology, talent offices of the Organization Departments of some provincial and municipal Party committees, departments of human resources and social security, industry and information technology, science and technology, trade unions, chambers of commerce, academic societies, associations, 985 and 211 universities in various regions across the country, HRs of some enterprises, the International Academician Consortium, the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA, and some international institutions in countries such as Russia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, Canada, and QS World's top 100 universities (MIT, Oxford, the University of Melbourne...).
Service items are as follows:
A. Recruitment and introduction of international high-level / science and technology innovation-related talents (doctors, post-doctors, academicians) (online and offline job fairs, campus recruitment, social recruitment, online recruitment, headhunting, etc.), overseas enterprise study tours, academic exchanges, and software development.
B. Operation of Zhengxianling® (The types of talents on the platform and official account are not limited. Note: The official website is undergoing upgrading and renovation).
Service-supported regions:
China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, the United States, Canada, etc. (covering more than 100 countries and regions).
Main service content: Online and offline special high-level talent job fairs for cities, parks, and employers, talent-introduction activities related to science and technology innovation (project solicitation, screening, roadshow... implementation, etc.), investment promotion, academic exchange conferences, online job-seeking and recruitment, and offline services are available in the above-mentioned designated countries.
In the past 2024, we have successively joined the Hubei Chushang Federation in China and the World Federation of Inventors' Associations [IFIA], and have established the grand goal of building Zhengxianling into China's first pan-international talent recruitment platform (Language platforms and APPs in AI English, Korean, Japanese, French, German, etc. will be launched in due time. The establishment of the International HRD (HR) Alliance is in progress), and in the future, it will serve billions of users in more than 200 countries around the world. As of December 31, 2024, we have received a reply from the chairman of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA, welcoming Yuntong Technology and Zhengxianling to join the cooperation of the United Nations Science and Technology Commission WDTA in 2025. Starting from 2025, we will cooperate with the International Academician Consortium and may participate in activities such as the FCPAE (Federation of Chinese Professionals in Europe) European Forum to facilitate international talent exchanges and cooperation, thereby promoting scientific and technological innovation, driving employment, serving global economic construction, and promoting friendly cross-border cooperation to create a better future. Thus, we can better serve users from all over the world.
The Chinese full name of IFIA: World Federation of Inventors' Associations. Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and San Francisco, the United States. In February 2024, after being reviewed and approved by the 47th Global Executive Committee of IFIA, Shanghai Yuntong Information Technology Co., Ltd. [Zhengxianling] joined the organization. For details, please refer to the official website of IFIA:
https://www.ifia.com/ifia-47th-executive-committee-meeting-held-on-feb-2024/
Our company's recruitment platform will officially launch a paid service starting from February 1, 2025. For details, please refer to:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YmOxE1snwAAvskZgwm5RxA
Currently, we are organizing online and offline special job fairs for high-level talents of international organizations. For details of the event, please refer to the push article on the schedule plan of the international high-level talent recruitment activities of Zhengxianling®:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UGfNhxHRoIs1KZF7Thsfxg
Zhengxianling® recruits a large number of overseas high-level talents and innovative talents all year round. For details, please refer to the official account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/8YaCD8xaXiDeC93a1foUKQ
Regarding the invitation letter for the initiation of the International HRD (HR) Alliance, please refer to the official account introduction:
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/fdg6QB82KAJCeTi0VZVZKQ
We welcome HRs of employers from all over the world, heads of universities and research institutes, academic leaders, young doctors / post-doctors / academicians and other talents to contact us or register to join our platform，The talents we recruit will be preferentially recommended to work in universities, research institutions and other units in China or various countries around the world.
