News

S'pore to invest S$30m to enhance IT infrastructure, manpower development

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:07:11 GMT

Singapore will spend some S$30 million to boost its infocomm and technology sector during the economic downturn.
And there will be discounted rates for computers and broadband services for low-income families.

8,000 workers to be trained as 32 hotels sign up for SPUR

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 03:27:27 GMT

32 hotels have joined the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR).

The Food, Drinks and Allied Workers' Union and the NTUC Learning Hub have come together to provide a one-stop training co-ordination role for the industry. They aim to train some 8,000 workers in the hospitality sector.

Advisory on Influenza A (H1N1)

Thu, 21 May 2009 09:02:25 GMT

Advisory for Singaporeans/Singapore residents returning from countries affected by Influenza A (H1N1)

If you are travelling from an area with evidence of community transmission of Influenza A (H1N1-2009) (eg, Mexico, the US and Canada – please check www.moh.gov.sg for the latest updates), you are strongly advised to:

monitor your temperature daily
check yourself for the following symptoms
- High fever (> 38 deg C)
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Body aches
- Runny nose
- Headaches
- Tiredness.

Please delay your travel plans if you are unwell. Do see a doctor promptly, and ensure that you are fully recovered before you travel.

On your return to Singapore, you should continue to monitor your health for 7 days. If you develop the above symptoms within the 7 days, please put on a surgical mask and call 993 promptly. An ambulance will come round to bring you for medical assessment and treatment.

Please provide accurate information on the following to the doctor attending to you:

where you have been over the past 7 days
whom you have been in close contact with.

To do this, you may find it useful to keep a record of your movements for 7 days after your return.

Antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®), are known to be effective in treating people with Influenza A (H1N1), and the drugs are available in Singapore. Based on observations so far, most people with Influenza A (H1N1) are expected to recover fully if prompt medical attention is delivered within the first 48 hours. However, the drugs should be prescribed by a doctor, and you are strongly advised not to medicate yourself with the drugs.

Influenza A (H1N1) can be spread through droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. It can also be spread when a person touches a contaminated surface and then touches his nose or mouth. To protect yourself and others around you against Influenza A (H1N1), you can:

Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water, especially before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Turn quickly away from anyone near you if you are about to cough or sneeze.

Cover your nose and mouth with a piece of tissue paper when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of the tissue paper properly in the dust bin after use.

Avoid crowded places if you are unwell and wear a surgical mask to cover your nose and mouth. Seek prompt medical attention.

Stay home when you are sick. Do not go out, to work or to school.

For more information, visit:

www.flu.gov.sg

www.moh.gov.sg

Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts

Ministry of Health

Singapore

More Attractive for Experienced Lawyers to Return

Thu, 14 May 2009 06:36:19 GMT

Background

2. The admission regime announced in February was that generally, overseas graduates would need to take:

Part A of the Bar Examination, which would test their knowledge of Singapore law;
Part B of the Bar Examination, which would include a 5-month practical law course; and
A 12-month Training Contract, at least 6 months of which would have to be done at a Singapore Law Practice after passing Part B.

The former Diploma in Singapore Law (DipSing) would no longer be a requirement for returning overseas graduates.

Refinements to the Admission Requirements

3. The admission requirements have been refined for the following categories of Singaporean citizens or Permanent Residents from approved overseas universities:

(a) Lawyers who are qualified in a common law jurisdiction and who have gained at least two years of legal experience

These graduates can now be admitted to the Singapore Bar after passing Part A of the Bar Examination. They need not take the Part B examination or fulfil any Training Contract requirements as they would have acquired the necessary training if they had qualified in other jurisdictions and had obtained at least two years of legal experience.

The kind of work experience recognised will be formal legal training (including pupillage) or practice as a qualified lawyer in a law firm, or equivalent experience as in-house counsel in a commercial entity. This experience can be obtained in Singapore or overseas.

(b) Overseas graduates, whether qualified in a common law jurisdiction or not, who have gained at least six months of legal experience

These graduates will still be required to take Part A and Part B of the Bar Examination, and the prior six months of legal experience they have obtained will reduce their 12-month Training Contract requirement by six months. Again, the kind of work experience recognised will be formal legal training (including pupillage) or practice as a qualified lawyer in a law firm, or equivalent experience as in-house counsel in a commercial entity. This experience can be obtained in Singapore or overseas.

The key change is that under the revised regime, we will now allow them to complete the six-month Training Contract after passing Part A, rather than after passing Part B.

4. These changes are further steps in creating an increasingly vibrant legal services landscape. With the announcement of the six Qualifying Foreign Law Practice licences last year, new foreign law firms have registered in Singapore, and existing practices are seeking to expand. These steps will make it more attractive for local lawyers who have been based abroad to return. Minister Shanmugam said, "We have received feedback from experienced lawyers overseas that they want to return to Singapore to practise law. We have an opportunity to enhance our position in the global competition for talent and these changes enable us to take full advantage of the window of opportunity. Singapore will continue to be an important legal and arbitration hub for the region. The return of our experienced lawyers will augment our talent pool and make our legal sector more vibrant."

5. The National University of Singapore (NUS) will hold the first Part A Bar Examination later in November, with the three-month optional preparation course commencing in August. In view of the changes, NUS has extended the deadline for applications for the optional course by one month to 15 June 2009. More details are available at http://law.nus.edu.sg/prospective/postgrad/graddip/partA_bar_course.htm

For more information, please click here.

Employers welcome government's move to expand SPUR

Wed, 06 May 2009 06:35:50 GMT

Global unemployment is expected to reach 7.1 per cent this year and yet, Singapore has managed to maintain one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world - at 3.3 per cent.

This is proof that government schemes are working, and employers welcome the news that the Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience (SPUR) will be expanded.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

National Research Foundation (NRF) launches Grant Call on "Sustainable Urban Systems"

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:08:57 GMT

This scenario-based CRP scheme aims to draw out research projects relevant to a highly urbanized, densely populated city such as Singapore. Such projects are expected to be multi-disciplinary in nature, and have a strong science base. The intent is for Singapore to become a world-class originator of innovative technologies, products and devices. Principal Investigators are invited to identify a key urban challenge which Singapore will face in the future and propose a R&D programme to address this challenge. Proposals submitted should have high potential impact, if successfully developed. Incremental improvements of existing know-how and technologies are unlikely to be supported.

Find out more.

TNT opens S$20m re-modelled regional hub in Singapore

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:24:47 GMT

Global logistics firm TNT has opened its S$20 million re-modelled regional hub in Singapore.

The company first set up its regional office in Singapore in 1964.

National Research Foundation awards funding to 10 young scientists

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:05:36 GMT

The National Research Foundation (NRF) is hoping to increase the talent pool of researchers in Singapore.

It has awarded funding to 10 young scientists and hopes this will help invigorate Singapore's research community.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

1,100 positions filled in public healthcare sector since Jan 2009

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:24:47 GMT

Some 1,100 people have been recruited to work in the public healthcare sector since the start of 2009, and the Health Ministry says it still has another 2,600 job vacancies to be filled immediately.

All these are part of the ministry's commitment to create 4,500 jobs in the next two years.

Of the 1,100 jobs taken up so far, the ministry says 60 per cent or 660 jobs were filled by Singapore citizens.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

GE Water & NUS to set up Water Technology Centre

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:36:38 GMT

A S$150million (US$100 million) research centre will be set up in Singapore by the middle of this year to look at water science and technology.

It will develop new solutions for low-energy seawater desalination, water reclamation and water reuse.

E Water, a business unit of GE Energy, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) signed an agreement on Thursday to establish the NUS-GE Singapore Water Technology Centre on the campus of NUS.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

NTU partners University of California in scientific research

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 06:19:20 GMT

Singapore's Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the University of California, Berkeley (UCB) have started collaboration in three globally significant areas of scientific research.

The two institutions are holding a two-day workshop in Singapore to discuss latest research and developments, and explore deeper partnership possibilities in stem cells, energy efficiency, and synthetic biology.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

Singapore tops in innovation and competitiveness

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:36:10 GMT

Singapore is the world leader in terms of innovation and competitiveness while South Korea ranks fifth and Japan ninth, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Other countries in the top 10 of the study by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) were Sweden (2), Luxembourg (3), Denmark (4), the United States (6), Finland (7), Britain (8) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) region of Canada, Mexico and the United States (10).

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

Abbott opens S$450m nutritional facility in Singapore

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:31:37 GMT

Global pharmaceutical giant Abbott has opened a new manufacturing facility in Singapore, aimed at tapping into the growing demand for child nutritional products.

The 52,000-square metre plant, costing US$300 million (S$450 million), is Abbott's biggest investment in Asia to date. It is looking to further expand its presence in the region, it said.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

Illumina sets up manufacturing facility in Singapore

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:25:51 GMT

In a boost to Singapore's efforts to enhance its range of biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, gene chip manufacturer Illumina has set up a manufacturing facility in Singapore, investing S$30.5 million into its new plant in Woodlands.

It will produce chips used for DNA analysis, and the technology will be shipped to clients on a global scale.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

Zuellig Pharma opens S$40m logistics headquarters in Singapore

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:21:16 GMT

Specialist logistics group Zuellig Pharma has opened a S$40 million distribution facility in Singapore.

The 290,000 square foot centre will also be the regional headquarters for the firm's clinical trials and anti-counterfeiting solutions division.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

Drug discoveries set to grow in region, attracting more R&D centres into S'pore

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:05:12 GMT

Singapore is proving a favourite location for research and development centres thanks to its sound infrastructure. More companies are setting up such facilities in the country.

The latest to do so is biomedical and environmental technology firm PerkinElmer. It is opening its second research facility less than a year after its first one. This trend is also expected to drive drugs development in the region.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

NRF announces S$150m investment in fourth research excellence centre

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:35:42 GMT

Despite the economic downturn, Singapore is investing S$150m in its fourth research centre of excellence in efforts to keep the economy competitive.

The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Ministry of Education announced on Friday that S$150m will be spent over 10 years to support the Research Centre of Excellence in Mechanobiology.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

Singapore committed to developing Seletar Aerospace Park

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:32:28 GMT

Singapore will press on with development plans for the Seletar Aerospace Park and grow the research and development (R&D) efforts for the aerospace industry.

The aviation industry has taken a nosedive amid turbulent economic conditions. But the Economic Development Board (EDB) believes that long-term prospects remain positive.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

Research centre on earth sciences aims to be an asset to the region

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:26:56 GMT

Singapore's first Research Centre of Excellence (RCE) dedicated to the study of earth sciences has opened its doors.

With some S$150 million of funding for the next 10 years and a strong Southeast Asia focus, the centre is set to push the understanding and prediction of major natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes in neighbouring countries further.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.

Japanese gaming giant KOEI looking to further expand in S'pore

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:56:43 GMT

It's still game on for some companies despite the tough economic conditions. Among them is Japanese electronic gaming giant, KOEI, which is looking to expand in Singapore.

Having successfully launched popular games like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Online, KOEI now plans to increase the production of such games from its Singapore office.

Read more on Channel NewsAsia.