The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced on Friday 18 January that the executive chairman of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Mr Lim Chuan Poh, will retire from public service on April 1 2019.
He has spent 38 years in public service, having served as Chief of Army, Chief of Defence Force and Permanent Secretary of Education among other appointments. Mr Lim has been A*STAR chairman since Apr 1, 2007.
Mr Lim drove technological innovation at A*STAR
“Under Mr Lim’s stewardship, A*STAR spearheaded mission-oriented research in Singapore that not only advanced scientific discovery and technological innovation, but also created economic growth and improved the lives of Singaporeans”, said MTI in a press release on Friday.
Mr Lim led A*STAR to play a critical role in Singapore’s Research Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) landscape by working closely with public sector agencies, Research Institutes (RIs), universities, hospitals and private enterprises, amongst others.
He oversaw the formation of many long term strategic partnerships between A*STAR and global industry leaders, which led to several state-of-the-art research facilities being set up in Singapore and the creation of good jobs for Singaporeans.
New A*STAR leader well placed for the role
Ms Chan Lai Fung, Permanent Secretary (Education), will be appointed as Non-Executive Chairman of A*STAR on 1 April 2019. She has extensive public sector experience which has covered many different portfolios, therefore is well placed to lead A*STAR in charting its strategic directions and priorities for future growth and development.
Recognising the important role of A*STAR, a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will also be appointed to assume the executive leadership role and responsibilities. More details of the CEO appointment will be announced in due course.
Mr Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary for MTI, said, “I would like to express MTI’s deep appreciation for Chuan Poh’s many invaluable contributions. His strong leadership of A*STAR has strengthened Singapore’s position as a Global Asia node of technology, innovation and enterprise. I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome Lai Fung to the MTI family. I am confident that the new leadership team will build on Chuan Poh’s excellent work and bring A*STAR forward in its next phase of growth.”
