Looks more like high class secret society dealings!!
LONDON: Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam has been conferred the prestigious King Charles II Medal by the Royal Society. It is the world's oldest science society, with a history of breaking new ground.
The medal is awarded to foreign heads of state or government who have made contributions to furthering scientific research in their country. There have been only four recipients so far, the most recent being then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in 2011.
Dr Tan said: "The award is a strong recognition of the progress that Singapore has made in scientific research and technological development in our short history. It is also a tribute to the strong bilateral co-operation that exists between Singapore and the UK in science and technology."
President Tan added that UK and Singapore share similar challenges like urbanisation, healthcare and ageing, as well as environment and sustainability, and such challenges cannot be solved by any one nation. Instead, he said, the future of research lies in international and multi-disciplinary collaborations.
President Tan had also announced that the UK-Singapore Partners in Science Agreement will be renewed on the sidelines of his state visit. The initiative was launched in 2004, and the agreement encouraged joint work on a wide range of scientific topics benefiting both countries.
Ten years on, the commitment is being expanded to include innovation and a wider research agenda. Both governments said in a statement that this is expected to allow both countries to respond to challenges and changes, increasing competitiveness and improving standards of living.
Implementation of the partnership will be coordinated by the National Research Foundation in Singapore and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in the United Kingdom.
President Tan also met key business leaders at an event.
Also on Wednesday, Dr Tan met British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street - the official residence and office of the prime minister. Dr Tan was also hosted to a lunch by Mr Cameron.
LONDON: Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam has been conferred the prestigious King Charles II Medal by the Royal Society. It is the world's oldest science society, with a history of breaking new ground.
The medal is awarded to foreign heads of state or government who have made contributions to furthering scientific research in their country. There have been only four recipients so far, the most recent being then Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in 2011.
Dr Tan said: "The award is a strong recognition of the progress that Singapore has made in scientific research and technological development in our short history. It is also a tribute to the strong bilateral co-operation that exists between Singapore and the UK in science and technology."
President Tan added that UK and Singapore share similar challenges like urbanisation, healthcare and ageing, as well as environment and sustainability, and such challenges cannot be solved by any one nation. Instead, he said, the future of research lies in international and multi-disciplinary collaborations.
President Tan had also announced that the UK-Singapore Partners in Science Agreement will be renewed on the sidelines of his state visit. The initiative was launched in 2004, and the agreement encouraged joint work on a wide range of scientific topics benefiting both countries.
Ten years on, the commitment is being expanded to include innovation and a wider research agenda. Both governments said in a statement that this is expected to allow both countries to respond to challenges and changes, increasing competitiveness and improving standards of living.
Implementation of the partnership will be coordinated by the National Research Foundation in Singapore and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills in the United Kingdom.
President Tan also met key business leaders at an event.
Also on Wednesday, Dr Tan met British Prime Minister David Cameron at 10 Downing Street - the official residence and office of the prime minister. Dr Tan was also hosted to a lunch by Mr Cameron.
