Yeah! Singapore is going to enter into the prestigious Stockholm Junior Water prize competition. Read the news here on Channelnewsasia.
The team representing Singapore is from NUS High School of Mathematics and Science where the team designed a portable device to desalinate water using thermal distillation.
Its been 2 years since I was in Stockholm for the World Water Week 06, as part of the exhibition team. It was an eye opener indeed. The Stockholm World Water Week is well known and the awards are prestigious to anyone with an interest in water.
Almost always, the research in water areas is based on technology improvements. There is hardly any research going on in the regulations or managment of water. It seems that technology is the one that sells or provide instant, quick-fix solutions to the water challenges in the world. I pray that I have chosen the right research topic focusing on water regulations though. I believe that technology and regulations go hand-in-hand. Regulations is the focus on the management of technologies in ensuring a sustainable, long term solution for water challenges. It is usually a governmental function, and not one that see results immediately. Sadly, it meant that there is less funding available. Singapore focuses obviously on technology, as regulations are important, "but not crucial".
Looking back, My life has been one led by the Holy Spirit in choosing the path less travelled or with the most resistance. A list of such things to ponder:
a) Primary school - got into acting at TCS, while other played on weekends. Well, it was fun while it lasted.
b) Secondary School - Joined the scouts, even though everyone joined NCC or NPCC, and had a great time learning scout craft and made some good friends. BTW, I volunteered for 10 years after I left. It was encouraging to see the boys grow up.
c) Junior college - Instead of following the majority going into poly, I chose to do the A levels with my pathetic results and ended up joining the softball team, where I became captain. Also joined ODAC, which involves lots of time outdoors. Stayed back another year to repeat my yr 1, even though many quit to go the poly route.
d) University - took up civil engineering, the last choice of engineering cohort in my year, and had a wonderful time learning about structures and environment. Took up modules for structure and bridge engineering, one of those areas people tend to avoid.
e) Job - joined the environment ministry, even though I was the only non-scholar to do so at the time, and had been there in different jobs every 2 years or so since. Met my Godma and other good friends there.
f) MSc - choose to do a new MSc without funding and support from my agency. Few think I can make it, given that I am a non scholar and have no funding at all. Yet here I am, finishing up.
In all, life isn't so bad, isn't it? You might say that I choose to make life easier by taking the path with less competition, but sadly, life without much competition or going away from the crowd ain't easier. I have to try harder and I would never be able to do so with Jesus being there every step of the way. Who knows what happen in the future? I can only trust in God's providence.
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