Introduce emerging topics such as Space and Nuclear Technology into the curriculum

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling, East Coast GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether there are plans to build more formal curriculum to educate students in areas of space technology and nuclear technology; and (b) whether exchange programmes can be facilitated to further their interests overseas.

Response

1. In schools, the curriculum builds strong fundamentals in the subject disciplines to enable students to understand our world and pursue diverse courses in higher education. In science, students learn about gravity and the motion of satellites, as well as the medical and industrial applications of nuclear radiation. Students are also introduced to applications of emerging technologies and how they impact humanity.

2. For students who wish to pursue a career or further their studies in space or nuclear technology, the Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) enable them to gain the practical and research skills required via courses and modules in areas such as physics, AI, robotics, materials science, or engineering. For example, NUS offers a minor in Medical Physics, which provides students with a foundation in the application of nuclear technology in medicine and healthcare. The Singapore Nuclear Research and Safety Initiative (SNRSI) in NUS also offers scholarships to Singapore students to pursue postgraduate studies at top international universities to build up Singapore's expertise in fields related to nuclear technology and radiological safety.