Lien’s Foundation will invest 1.05 million to support Ngee Ann polytechnic efforts in researching water technology over the next three years. This move is to spur Singaporeans’ interest in environmental and social problems in Singapore and encourage Singaporeans youths to further their studies in water related technologies.
Tan Jia Sheng, a Level 3 Civil & Environmental Engineering student, was one of the two individual winners of the PUB Watermarks Award 2007. In his invention, ozone and rain water is transported to the mixer in which the rainwater would be sterlised and disinfected by the ozone in an instant. Given the current capacity of the mixer, up to 280 litres of potable water can be produced and the portable version of this machine was just patented by Ngee Ann polytechnic earlier on this year.
Senior lecturer Mr Lin Run said that South-east Asia has many water-deprived areas and with this invention, we can go to places like Cambodia. If there is a drain nearby, this machine can give the inhabitants drinking water immediately.”
Ngee Ann polytechnic will hold a competition in June 2008 for the first time in a bid to stimulate research and development in water and promote the spirit of conservation. It will be an international competition coming up next year and up to 30 teams would be competing against each other in coming up with their ingenious inventions. Interested students can check out for more details at www.np.edu.sg
Personally, I feel that this would make it more enticing for students and undergraduates to further their studies in water technologies. Furthermore, by channeling funds into such activities, this shows that there is a growing importance for environmental conservation in Singapore especially in water. Water is a very precious resource in Singapore due to its scarcity. In addition, water can be considered as our nation’s security and cannot be compromised upon. Hence, it would be very wise for Singapore to be self-sufficient in this area.
Filed under: Education, Technology | Tagged: breakthrough, competition, environment, global, Ngee Ann polytechnic, Technology, water
