Agency for Science, Technology and Research Act 1990

suing and being sued;

acquiring, owning, holding and developing or disposing of property, both movable and immovable; and

doing and suffering such other acts or things as bodies corporate may lawfully do and suffer.

the Chairperson or a Deputy Chairperson of the Agency; and

an employee of the Agency who is authorised by resolution or otherwise in writing (either generally or specially) to act in that behalf.

a Chairperson; and

not less than 8 and not more than 20 other members.

to initiate, promote, stimulate, encourage, facilitate and assist in the development of an environment that is conducive —

to the creation and development of world class research and development capabilities in science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology in Singapore;

to the development and nurture of scientific talent and technical capability in scientific and technological knowledge, research and development that is desirable to support the private sector and public sector, and to the creation of intellectual capital in Singapore; and

to the commercial application of scientific knowledge or technology in Singapore;

to support, direct, stimulate and undertake research and development in the areas of science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology;

to stimulate, encourage, facilitate, coordinate and direct scientific and technological research and development by the Government, educational institutions and research communities within and outside Singapore, and to facilitate cooperation, communication, collaboration and exchange of ideas and knowledge between them;

to provide financial assistance for research and development in the areas of science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology;

to promote manpower training and development in the areas of science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology;

to provide advice and guidance to the Government in the formulation of its policies and laws on all aspects of science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology, and on any matter relating to or affecting the commercial application of scientific knowledge or technology;

to establish, develop and manage public institutes and research institutes in the areas of science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology;

to undertake the promotion of science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology among youths and to create, foster and encourage public awareness and understanding of the importance of science and technology in Singapore;

to create, develop, apply for, acquire and hold intellectual property and rights and enter into arrangements for the commercial application of any such intellectual property and rights on such terms as to royalties or otherwise as the Agency thinks fit; (j)to represent Singapore internationally in respect of matters relating to science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology;

to serve as the national body in the area of metrology, and to advise the Government and industrial, commercial and other organisations in respect of matters relating to metrology; and

to promote and facilitate the national metrology programme and the participation of Singapore in international metrology activities.

have regard to the needs of Singapore and its resources;

have regard to the policies and directions of the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council established under the National Research Fund Act 2006; and

promote developments, commercial applications and innovation in areas of science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology that increase the economic growth, productivity and employment opportunities in Singapore, that enjoy good export market prospects and that will enhance Singapore’s international competitiveness.

the Agency is deemed to be fulfilling the purposes of this Act; and

the provisions of this Act apply to the Agency in respect of such additional functions.

appoint committees or councils consisting of persons who may or may not be members of the Agency and delegate to any such committee or council such of its powers and functions which, in the opinion of the Agency, would be better regulated and managed by means of such committees or councils;

form or participate in the formation of any company or enter into any joint venture or partnership for the purposes of this Act;

establish institutes for the conduct of research and development in the areas of science (including biomedicine and metrology), engineering and technology;

provide financial assistance (including scholarships) —

for the training and development of manpower in Singapore required for or conducive to the conduct of scientific and technological research and development, or to the commercial application of scientific knowledge or technology; or

to any person in the public or private sector for scientific and technological research and development, or for any commercial application of scientific knowledge or technology, in areas defined by the Agency;

provide or develop incubator facilities for new enterprises, and business support facilities to growing enterprises, which are based on or involved in the commercial application of scientific knowledge or technology developed by any public institute, research institute, educational institution, hospital or other specialty centre, whether or not funded by the Agency;

establish a national standard of weights, measures and other quantities, hold custody and disseminate the measurement parameters of standards of such weights, measures and other quantities, and verify and develop methods for the measurement of such weights, measures and other quantities;

develop, verify and calibrate instruments and equipment and issue certificates to the effect that an instrument or equipment complies with the specifications applicable to it and control the use of such certificates;

undertake such measurement activities as the Agency considers necessary for the upgrading of quality standards in industry or for gaining international recognition;

establish, administer and operate any scheme considered by the Agency to be necessary or desirable for the development of the metrology infrastructure;

provide information resources on matters relating to metrology;

conduct proficiency tests on matters relating to metrology;

initiate and undertake or enter into contractual testing, consultancy, research or development projects for the purposes of its functions;

collect, compile, analyse and disseminate by any convenient means information of a statistical nature or otherwise concerning matters relating to its functions;

receive, acquire, develop or hold, or sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of any property, movable or immovable, or any interest in the property;

establish and maintain offices within and outside Singapore;

promote or undertake publicity in any form;

publish or produce, or sponsor the publication or production of, periodicals, booklets, films and other materials in written, electronic or other media;

receive donations and contributions from any source and raise funds by all lawful means;

with the approval of the Minister, establish any scheme for the payment of gratuities, pensions, provident fund or other superannuation benefits to such employees or classes of employees of the Agency as it may determine on their death in or retirement from the service of the Agency or on their otherwise leaving the service of the Agency; and

generally do anything incidental to or consequential upon the exercise of any of its powers or the discharge of its functions under this Act.

is absent from duty or Singapore; or

is, for any reason, unable to perform the duties of the office.

uses a symbol or representation that is identical to the Agency’s symbol or representation; or

uses a symbol or representation that so resembles the Agency’s symbol or representation as to deceive or cause confusion, or to be likely to deceive or cause confusion,shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.