Government R&D
National Science and
Technology Board (NSTB) established a network of research institutes and
universities for research. The
purpose is to establish a knowledge base to support Singapore’s current
and future needs for manpower and technology.
Total R&D spending in 1999 represented about 1.84 percent of
Singapore's gross domestic product. [1]
The
industries served are:
-
Electronics and Manufacturing Technology
-
Life Sciences
-
Material, Chemical and Environmental Technology
-
Telecommunications and Information Technology
To
build up Singapore's technology infrastructure, the NTSB focused on
establishing Research Institutes and Centers (RICs). These RICs form the
bridge between the basic research carried out in the universities and the
applied R&D that is carried by the industry.
Currently, NSTB oversees 13 RICs in Singapore. Together, these
organizations provide the R&D infrastructure, resources, skills,
knowledge, products and processes from which the industry can tap upon.
[2]
Research Funding
Public sector research funging reached S$1 billion in 1998.
This money went to research institutes and centers, and tertiary
institutes. [3] For public
research, the NSTB implemented a funding scheme for the RICs which is
called the Core & Matched Funding Scheme. This funding scheme was
effective in April 1999. It
is designed to encourage the RICs to collaborate more closely with locally
based organizations, including private companies and public sector
agencies. Together,
the Gross Expenditure on R&D for the public and private sectors was
S$2.8 billion in 1998. [4]
[1] National Science Technology Board
[2] Solomon, Emanual. 2000. Singapore Gets Strong on R&D commitment Computer
World. 19, April
[3] ibid
[4] Tham, Irene. 2000. CNET.
25, August.