Launch of the Sembcorp Water Technology Prize, a Platform to Groom Young Water Technologists

Jun 28, 2010 22:10 JST

Source: Sembcorp Industries Ltd

SIWW, Singapore, Jun 28, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - The Sembcorp Water Technology Prize, an inaugural national competition sponsored by Sembcorp Industries and co-organised by PUB - Singapore's national water agency, the Nanyang Technological University (NTU)'s Singapore Membrane Technology Centre (SMTC) and Singapore Polytechnic (SP), was launched today at a networking event for young water talent held on the sidelines of the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW).

The competition opens today for applications from students from Secondary Two to Year Two of Junior College. It aims to encourage and guide students in developing potential solutions to address challenges facing the water industry today. Competing teams will be mentored by top researchers from SMTC based within NTU, as well as by lecturers from SP. Winners will be selected based on their hands-on projects.

The first year of the competition will feature the theme of membrane and bioreactor technology. Selected teams will build their very own multi-thousand-dollar hollow fibre membrane systems over a period of five months to explore means of reducing energy consumption in the membrane system.

The high degree of mentoring, guidance and training featured in the competition will allow budding talent to learn about membrane technology and advanced equipment which they may otherwise be unfamiliar with. Dr Adrian Yeo, the creator of the Sembcorp Water Technology Prize, commented, "By exposing young minds to the important field of water technology and mentoring them to come up with practical solutions to real-life problems, I hope they will be inspired to play their part and to think of new ways in tackling water and environmental issues. This could also spur students' interest in pursuing related courses in water and the environment, adding to the wealth of talent in the industry."

Dr Yeo is a Research Fellow at the SMTC, and also the founder and General Manager of Membrane Instruments and Technology Pte Ltd (MINT), a start-up company based within NTU that specialises in membrane sensing technology. He is the winner of the inaugural Don Quixote Fund Award 2009 set up by Dr. Andrew Benedek, who previously won the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize in 2008.

Mr Yap Kheng Guan, Director of 3P Network, PUB, remarked, "It is important for the young people to know how Singapore has used technology to ensure a sustainable water supply and to understand issues on environmental and water sustainability."

Mr Tang Kin Fei, Group President and CEO of Sembcorp Industries said, "As a leading local water company, Sembcorp is very pleased to support this competition. By giving youths an introduction to water technology and guiding them in trying their hand at developing solutions to address challenges facing the water industry today, we hope the Sembcorp Water Technology Prize will excite young people about water technology and encourage the development of a future generation of talent to support the growth of our industry."

For more information on how to apply for the Sembcorp Water Technology Prize, please contact Ms Diana Cheong at diana_cheong@pub.gov.sg.

About Singapore Membrane Technology Centre (SMTC)

The Singapore Membrane Technology Centre (SMTC) was established in January 2008 to do fundamental and applied research in membrane technology. In particular, it has a mission to be a world class research centre in membranes for the environment and water technology industries (EWT). SMTC is part of the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI) 'ecosystem', and is supported by NTU, EWI and industry. The Director of SMTC is Professor Tony Fane and the Deputy Director is Associate Professor Wang Rong.

Contact:

Ms Fock Siu Ling
PR Counsel
Sembcorp Industries
DID: +65 6723 3152
Email: fock.siuling@sembcorp.com

Ms Alancia Winnie Neo
Manager, Group Corporate Relations
Sembcorp Industries 
DID: +65 6723 3249
Email: alancia.neo@sembcorp.com

Lim Siew Wee
Senior Communications Manager
PUB, the national water agency
Mobile: +65 97300823
E-mail: lim_siew_wee@pub.gov.sg

Source: Sembcorp Industries Ltd
Sectors: Water, Environment, ESG