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Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award

The Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award was first set up in May 1986 with the goal to encourage and promote creativity and innovation in science and technology. The competition is open to Singaporeans and permanent residents aged 35 and below (Open Section) as well as students aged 18 and below (Student's Section). Students from tertiary institutions participates in the Open Section. In 2001, the Defence Science Award was introduced under this Award scheme.

In January 1986, Professor Yang Chen Ning, a Nobel Laureate, was in Singapore as the leader of an international advisory panel on engineering and physical sciences. He made an observation that Asian students including Singapore students were good learners but lacked originality in scientific research. He then suggested giving invention awards which could help to encourage youth to be innovative and creative. The Tan Kah Kee Foundation accepted this suggestion and offered the Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award annually from May 1986.

Since 1995, the former National Science and Technology Board (currently known as the Agency for Science, Technology and Research or A*STAR) rendered its support to the award to provide assistance to the young inventors in the further development of their inventions. In 2001, the Defence Science Award was launched under the umbrella of the Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award. This award is given in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). The award aims "to promote greater interest in defence science and technology among Singapore's youth."

Award Categories
Student's Section
Gold Award : a gold medal and S$5000 cash
Silver Award : a silver medal and S$2000 cash
Merit Award : a certificate and S$500 cash
Commendation Award : a certificate and S$200 cash
Cash awards : S$3000, S$2000 and S$1000 will be given to the top three schools with the most numbers of shortlisted inventions after the first round of selection.
Special Awards : a medal and a certificate (These are for the foreign student winners studying in Singapore)

Open Section
Gold Award : a gold medal and S$10,000 cash
Silver Award : a silver medal and S$5000 cash
Merit Award : a certificate and S$3000 cash
Commendation Award : a certificate and S$1000 cash
Special Awards : a medal and a certificate (These are for foreigner winners residing in Singapore)

Criteria for the awards include originality, degree of practical application and commercial potential. Judges include professionals from the government and private sectors, as well as the academics from the local universities. Submissions of entry forms are usually at the end of the year (November or December). Entry forms and more details can be obtained from the Tan Kah Kee Foundation or A*STAR.



Author
Jane Wee



References
Challenge for young inventors. (1990, June 20). The Straits Times, p. 28.

34 vie for young inventors award. (1988, September 18). The Straits Times, p. 19.

Tan Kah Kee Foundation. (n.d.). Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award. Retrieved February 13, 2003, from http://www.tkk.wspc.com.sg/tkk/foundation/young/invest_eng.shtml

Agency for Science, Technology and Research. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2003, from
http://www.a-star.edu.sg/astar/ibrowsej.jsp?cat=75&type=9&parent=39&root=39


Further Readings
Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry. (1993).Tan Kah Kee Young Inventors' Award: Taking young minds to new frontiers. Singapore: Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
(Call no.: YRSING 608 TAN)



The information in this article is valid as at 1999 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Events
Contests--Singapore
Awards--Singapore
Singapore--History--1965-1990
Science and technology

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>> Tan Kah Kee
>> Tan Kah Kee Foundation


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