A*STAR is Singapore’s lead public sector agency that spearheads economic-oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology.

At A*STAR, our biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research institutes drive impactful research making advancements in basic science, to patented inventions, and ready-to-use technologies. Our facilities are centred around Biopolis and Fusionopolis, the adjacent twin research campuses that focus on biomedical and physical & engineering sciences.

A*STAR has built strength in biomedical R&D activities in the field of Asian nutrition, bioimaging, biodevices and diagnostics, bioprocessing, clinical analysis, computational biology, delivery and packaging, drugs/biologics discovery and development, encapsulation, formulation, human development, immunology, molecular and cell biology, modelling and simulation, skin and hair biology, and systems biology.

A*STAR's physical sciences and engineering capabilities span a wide range of fields, including advanced manufacturing, chemicals, communications, computational sciences, data storage, materials, metrology and microelectronics.

A*STAR has also developed various symbiotic public-private partnerships, which help enhance the capabilities of the public R&D sector and drive the development of knowledge-intensive enterprises.

Young Scientist Awards

The Young Scientist Awards (YSA) recognises young researchers, aged 35 years and below, who are actively engaged in R&D in Singapore, and who have shown great potential to be world-class researchers in their fields of expertise. This award is administered by the Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS) and supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).

There are two categories of Awards, namely: Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Physical, Information and Engineering Sciences.

President's Science and Technology Awards

The President's Science and Technology Awards (PSTA) are the highest honours bestowed on exceptional research scientists and engineers in Singapore for their excellent achievements in science and technology. These national awards are given annually to recognise and celebrate outstanding and invaluable contributions by individuals or teams to the research and development landscape in Singapore.

2009 marked the first year that the President's Science & Technology Awards were presented. The awards, formerly known as the National Science & Technology Awards since 1987, were elevated to the status of the President's awards to highlight and give due recognition to the important role research scientists and engineers play in Singapore. The prestige of the President's awards underpins Singapore's efforts to raise the level of excellence in research and strengthen the growing community of scientific talent in Singapore.

The President's Science & Technology Awards is made up of three different awards, namely, the President's Science & Technology Medal (PSTM), the President's Science Award (PSA) and the President's Technology Award (PTA). The winners of the respective awards have been carefully chosen through a rigorous process by a selection committee comprising key representatives from the government, industry, academia and public research institutes.

A*STAR houses over 30 research institutes, programmes and initiatives. Their capabilities span a wide range of research fields, in both biomedical and physical and engineering sciences.

About Science Centre Singapore. Our Vision: Where Science befriends and transforms the minds of millions. Our Mission: To promote interest, learning and creativity in science and technology, through imaginative and enjoyable experiences, contributing to the development of Singapore’s human resource.

While formal educational institutions make sure we are raising a nation of “science literate people”, Science Centre Singapore takes this to the next level. We make science accessible and engaging, creating an environment where Singaporeans are empowered to advance their own learning and, hopefully, are inspired to do something incredible with their futures. Some of the ways we do this are by: Setting up exhibitions to illustrate the principles and powers of science and technology in everyday life. Conducting school programmes to complement the school science syllabus. Producing scientific magazines and natural history guide books. Organising promotional activities to bring science closer to the people of Singapore

Science Centre Singapore was opened on 10 December 1977 by Dr Toh Chin Chye, then the Minister of Science and Technology. Today, the Science Centre Singapore, together with Omni-Theatre and Snow City, receives more than 1 million visitors annually.

In 1969 the Government decided to convert the National Museum into art and historical museum and build a new institution devoted to scientific and technological education. The Science Centre building – comprising the Main Building, the Annexe, Outdoor Gardens, Omni-Theatre and Snow City – was designed by Mr Raymond Woo.

The Omni-Theatre, Singapore’s only IMAX dome theatre, was established in 1987. In 1989, Science Centre Singapore opened Southeast Asia’s largest Observatory, which now receives more than 10,000 visitors annually.

From 1998 to 2003 the Centre carried out a complete refurbishment of its 14 exhibition galleries. An expansion project in 2000 introduced an integrated complex consisting of the Annexe Building, Kinetic Garden and Snow City – Singapore’s first and only permanent indoor Snow Centre. In 2014, The Cliff, a world-class sport climbing wall, was added to Snow City. Two months later, the Centre launched KidsSTOP™, a children’s science centre that focuses on enriching learning for children aged 18 months to 8 years.

The Future: into the 21st century

Science Centre Singapore’s aspiration has shifted from being a world-class science centre to a place where science befriends and transforms the minds of millions. The Science Centre Singapore is a leading Science Centre in the region housing twelve exhibition galleries with more than 1,000 interactive exhibits.

Come for some sun and a whole lot of fun!

Get ready for a tropical adventure at Universal Studios Singapore. Meet King Kahula, the fast-talking and music-loving tiki, as he welcomes you to his island in an all-new interactive meet and greet. Catch your favourite characters dressed up for the occasion, including the debut of Guy Diamond from DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls. You’ll also get to let loose and hang ten on our thrilling rides and enjoy the delicious island flavors around the park.

Guests with bookings for visits between 16 May and 13 June 2021 will be allowed entry, but subject to the cap on maximum capacity and changes to operating days.

Aloha Talk with King Kahula

All Hail King Kahula! He’s the King of Fun and for good reason! This fast-talking and music-loving tiki loves meeting and joking with visitors to his home – Walamak Island. Be sure to introduce yourself and share a little about Singapore!

Tiki Time with the Stars!

See your favourite characters as they join King Kahula to show off their tropical island outfits. There’ll also be hip-swaying hula characters and tiki stilt-walkers, so get your cameras ready!

Meet and Greets

Meet with your big-screen and small-screen buddies and take some tropical, shareable pictures. Grass skirts, garlands, shades; you name it, they’ve got it!

Frolic in RWS Contest

Come in your best tropical paradise outfit and you could be the weekly winner to get a free ticket to Universal Studios Singapore (with Universal Express) and S.E.A. Aquarium!

Taste The Tropics

Fuel up for more fun by digging into a special spread of tropical treats. You’ll almost taste sunrays and sea breezes in every bite!

Hula Hero Challenge

Show us your skills! Spin a hula hoop for 20 seconds without dropping it, and stand a chance to win a One-Day Ticket to Universal Studios Singapore! To enter, simply spend SGD30 in a single receipt at Loui’s NY Pizza ParlorTM between 6pm and 8pm.

The island adventure you’ve been waiting for!

Put on your shades and get ready for a hula of a time at Resorts World Sentosa. Step into a lagoon pool right from your room in the Island Escape of your dreams. Enjoy some Tropical Thrills at Universal Studios Singapore as your favourite characters get into the island groove. Enter the depths of S.E.A. Aquarium and discover amazing tropical marine life. There’s a surprise waiting everywhere you go in the resort, as Yoyo discovered.

Grab Announces GrabForGood Fund to Benefit Grab Partners and Southeast Asian Communities

Grab plans to create endowment fund with initial funding of [$275] million in cash and Grab shares, including [$25] million personal pledge in Grab shares from Co-founders and President of Grab

Grab Holdings today unveiled plans for the GrabForGood Fund that seeks to support programs that will have lasting impact on the quality of life for its driver-, delivery- and merchant-partners, and the broader community of Southeast Asia.

Grab will seed the fund with $50 million in cash and $200 million in expected value of Grab shares. In addition, Grab Group CEO and co-founder Anthony Tan, co-founder Tan Hooi Ling and President Ming Maa have pledged a combined $25 million in personal contribution of Grab shares (expected value). This brings the total initial fund size to $[275] million, based on today's value expectations.

"Since our founding, Grab has been dedicated to our mission of creating economic empowerment for everyone in Southeast Asia. The GrabForGood Fund will be a key pillar of our efforts to uplift Grab partners and our broader community, and represents a meaningful next step in our long-term commitment to Southeast Asia," said Grab Group CEO and co-founder Anthony Tan.

Tan added, "The GrabForGood Fund will commence immediate work on meeting the urgent need for COVID-19 vaccines, where it's not easily available. Over time, we're planning to introduce other programs that will provide the foundation for social and economic mobility, and give more people access to opportunities to upgrade and improve their lives. Our aspiration is to create lasting positive impact in every country we operate in."

The Fund will support a mix of programs aimed at delivering long-term social and environmental impact, including in areas such as education, financial support for underserved communities, and environmental issues. A 'Fund Advisory Board' will be formed to give Grab partners and the broader Southeast Asia community strong representation in providing feedback and recommendations over how the funds will be spent.

Near Term Initiative: Up to [$20] million to provide free COVID-19 vaccination for Grab partners

COVID-19 has impacted livelihoods across Southeast Asia. As an immediate commitment, Grab has allocated up to [$20] million in cash from the fund to fully subsidise the cost of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine administration of eligible[1] driver- and delivery-partners who are not covered by a national vaccination program. This is in response to the findings from February 2021 survey which found that[2], an average of 92% of Grab users continue to be worried with the COVID-19 situation.

Grab has started sourcing for vaccines, and will look into setting up vaccine centres to inoculate eligible partners locally.

Grants and financial support for longer-term social and environmental impact

Structured as an endowment to ensure the Fund's long-term sustainability, the GrabForGood Fund will start to support other initiatives after it exceeds a certain targeted value. While more details will be determined and disclosed over time in partnership with the Fund Advisory Board, anticipated areas of support include:

For Grab partners:

GrabInsure Subsidy: Based on a May 2020 survey, the insurance ownership rate amongst Grab partners is low at an average of 13%[3], with affordability of premiums being the main barrier to purchasing insurance. Grab plans to tailor a GrabInsure program to enable Grab partners to purchase insurance products at discounted rates. The range of insurance products could include life, critical illness, family-member insurance coverage and investment insurance products, and will be customized to the needs of our partners in each country. This is on top of existing region-wide complimentary insurance coverage (Grab Personal Accident Program) that covers all driver- and delivery-partners in event of accidents or death while in service on the Grab platform, subject to the terms and conditions of such coverage.

Education Scholarships: Merit-based financial aid for the most underserved of the Grab-affiliated community

Financial Aid to Persons with Disabilities (PWD): Financial aid for PWDs to gain mobility and access to income by funding car/bike modifications, driving school fees and necessary hardware such as wheelchairs and hearing aids to enable their use of Grab's platform for income creation opportunities.

For broader community in Southeast Asia:

Financial and Digital Literacy Programs: Partnerships with financial/educational institutions to provide educational content and co-develop tools to improve digital access, productivity and financial standing.

Climate Change Resiliency: Grants or incentives towards low- or zero-emission technology and waste reduction solutions, addressing climate change and waste pollution respectively.

Catastrophic Relief: Financial aid support for vulnerable groups to rebuild lives in the event of natural disasters.

Creation of the The GrabForGood Fund is a significant milestone building on the success of many existing Grab's initiatives to empower Southeast Asia, such as the Small Business Booster Program which helps small businesses to digitalize, and upskilling programs for Grab partners through free access to Microsoft's e-learning digital literacy modules via the Grab driver app.

Grab plans to ensure the GrabForGood Fund will maintain structures and policies that comply with local laws, regulations and compliance requirements.

About Grab

Grab is the leading superapp platform in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto over 214 million mobile devices, giving users access to over 9 million of drivers, merchants, and agents. Grab offers a wide range of on-demand services in the region, including mobility, food, package and grocery delivery services, mobile payments, and financial services across 428 cities in eight countries. For more information, visit grab.com.