Dr Low Zhen Luan was a nurse for four years at Singapore General Hospital, but felt she could do more for her patients.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Singapore News - Two of Singapore's largest universities have decided not to hold in-person graduation ceremonies for now amid a recent spike in Covid-19 cases. The National University of Singapore (NUS) will shift ceremonies online, and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has opted. Read more at www.tnp.sg
Universities fear researcher pipeline is under threat
With increasing global and regional competition for doctoral students to fuel expansion in technology-based industries, even top universities in Asia are beginning to worry about a continued pipeline of well-qualified students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) areas as countries expand research in key areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, genetics, nanotechnology, robotics and other areas.
Global competition has been enhanced by the rivalry between China and the United States in technology, with the US also pressuring Europe and Japan to curb research with China that is deemed sensitive.
For Asian countries attracting foreign STEM PhD students, the largest contingent has come from China. Countries such as Japan are already talking of more stringent vetting of PhD students from countries including China for more strategically sensitive PhD subjects, and having to rely on local stude
New and strengthened research priorities post-pandemic
COVID-19 has led to a realignment of research spending priorities as governments announce future research funding. The pandemic has underlined the importance of investing in research and development to prepare for pandemic shocks and for increasing health and economic resilience.
Adjustments in research priorities and future preparedness for pandemics and health emergencies have been the hallmark of budget planning in several Asian countries in recent months, alongside stepping up digitisation – spotlighted by a move to online teaching and online research collaboration.
South Korea, in a government announcement in January, said it would spend KRW41.9 billion (US$37 million) to develop treatments and vaccines against new infections as part of a KRW5.8 trillion (US$5.2 billion) science and ICT budget for this year – a 12% rise on 2020 with a focus on basic research, as well as new technologies such as artificial intellige
This comes after allegations of sexual harassment made against him by two women.
In an e-mail to its alumni yesterday evening, the university s Office of Alumni Relations said it would discontinue all projects with him and his communications consultancy firm, Strategic Moves.
The NUS statement said this was in the light of the allegations made by stand-up comedian Sharul Channa and doctoral researcher Kiran Kandade against Mr Viswa.
NUS said that the university does not condone any behaviour or action that is disrespectful and disparaging of individuals, regardless of ethnicity, gender, religion or age . It added that the incident between Mr Viswa and Ms Sharul took place during the online interview series, Inconvenient Questions.