Ms Caryn Lim, Chief Executive Officer of the Employment and Employability Institute,
Ms Belinda Bay, Chairperson of ASPRI Women’s Wing,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introduction
1. Good morning. I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the launch of the ASPRI Women’s Wing and the brilliant women in Singapore’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields and industries.
2. It is timely that we acknowledge and recognise the contributions of women in the engineering sector and the launch of the ASPRI Women’s Wing today, especially after we celebrated International Women’s Day and its theme of “Accelerate Action” last month.
3. Over the years, more and more women have taken on roles in STEM fields and industries. In 2024, 33% of science and engineering professionals in Singapore were women. This is good progress, and we can do more to attract female engineers to the STEM fields and industries.
4. I am encouraged that the ASPRI Women’s Wing will create an inclusive and diverse environment to support more women in taking on meaningful careers in the process industry through more resources, mentorship, and opportunities.
Contributions of our female scientists and engineers in the energy & chemicals sector
5. Singapore is a small nation with limited natural resources. Yet, manufacturing contributes to around 20% of our GDP, and Singapore is a global hub for high-value manufacturing, including in the energy and chemicals sector. This is made possible by the contributions of our people, including the many female engineers, scientists, and managers in our midst.
6. Today, we are joined by some inspiring women who have made an impact in their professional roles and contributed bold solutions that drive the industry forward.
a. For example, Ms Belinda Bay, Chairwoman of ASPRI Women’s Wing and CEO of Uniweld Products, enhanced Uniweld’s welding processes by introducing lighter, easier-to-handle welding equipment that made for more precise welds.
b. She also introduced Singapore’s first-ever Augmented Reality Welding Simulators into skilled trades, utilising technology to support welders in refining their techniques. The digitalisation and gamification of a skilled trade like welding have also demystified such engineering processes and made them more accessible to aspiring engineers.
7. As the energy & chemicals sector pivots towards growth areas in sustainability, our female leaders continue to be trailblazers in enabling the green transition in their fields.
a. For example, Ms Jennifer Tan, Project Manager at Asia Projects Engineering, used her knowledge and expertise in business and engineering to manage the development of the District Cooling Plant at Marina Bay Sands and the Marina South District Cooling Network.
b. These district cooling initiatives help reduce carbon emissions by reducing the energy consumption of air conditioners when buildings share and optimise their cooling loads.
c. I look forward to seeing more female talent leading the charge on implementing sustainability solutions in Singapore, in line with Singapore’s net zero ambition.
8. Of course, these achievements are possible because of the collective efforts to ensure equal opportunities for women in the energy and chemicals sector.
a. When ASPRI Secretary Ms Huang Wen Jia started her career in the process industry twenty-two years ago with Cuestar Industries, she found that women were underrepresented in the industry.
b. However, her colleagues were generous, inclusive, and supportive in creating a welcoming environment which allowed her to learn and thrive.
c. Ms Huang continued to hone her skills and is now General Manager of Cuestar Industries, where she leads her team in ensuring high standards of safety and operations for the company.
Creating spaces in STEM-related fields to nurture talents in youth and women
9. Our work does not end here. We want to continue nurturing talent from all groups, men and women alike, so that the energy and chemicals sector thrives amidst the green transition. A big part of this effort is creating positive spaces and environments to nurture female talent within the energy and chemicals sector.
a. The ASPRI Women’s Wing could be an example of such a space and platform. It can create a supportive community for like-minded women to encourage each other, share how they have overcome challenges, and promote equal opportunities for all.
10. We will continue to support partnerships between educational institutions, companies, and industry leaders andcreate more spaces to foster an inclusive and supportive ecosystem for aspiring engineers and scientists in the energy and chemicals sector.
a. I am heartened that today’s event is a joint effort between the ASPRI Women’s Wing and NTUC Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to allow our youth and budding engineers to explore opportunities in the energy and chemicals sector. You have a job fair in Hall 3 and a showcase of industry opportunities from ASPRI partner booths in Hall 2. I encourage our aspiring engineers to participate actively in today's programmes and panels.
11. Such programmes and platforms are invaluable as we nurture future leaders and strengthen the talent pipeline for Singapore’s process, construction, and maintenance industry.
Conclusion
12. In closing, ASPRI’s Women Wing is a meaningful step towards empowering women, fostering inclusivity, and creating opportunities. I hope this initiative will inspire and open doors for many people, especially young women, who desire to make a difference.
13. To all the students and aspiring engineers here today, I encourage you to explore the boundless opportunities in engineering careers. It’s not just about solving technical problems but also about shaping the future and creating smart, sustainable, safe systems and industries. The world needs more talented and creative minds like every one of you.
14. So dream big, take bold steps, and embrace the exciting possibilities ahead. The future is yours to create. Thank you.