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The Republic Polytechnic (RP) Technology Series Seminar titled “Functional
Foods: The New Frontier?” was held on 22 November 2006 at our campus. This is
the second of a series of Technology Seminars which aim to promote R&D
collaboration between RP and the industry, other research institutes and
Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs).
In his speech, Prof. Low Teck Seng,
Principal and CEO of Republic Polytechnic shared with the audience the potential
opportunities of nutraceutical applications in functional foods with the
increasing demands from better educated and more affluent consumers for
healthier foods. Prof Low was then invited to witness the formalization of
partnership between RP and the three highly-esteemed SMEs namely Foodedge
Gourmet; Papitto Gelato; and TopTaste, all from the food industry. Dr Terence
Chong, Director for the School of Applied Science (SAS), represented RP in the
signing of formalization with the three SMEs in an iconic RP paperless way on a
tablet PC using tablet stylus pens. Once signed, the three formalization
contracts were immediately projected onto the big screen in the lecture theatre
for all to see.
Immediately following that, our keynote speaker Dr Alex Teo from Cerebos Pacific
Limited provided extensive industry insights to the frontiers in functional
foods. Next, Ms Leung Wai Leng from Spring Singapore brought us on a world tour
where we examined current and emerging trends in the food industry around the
globe. She summed up her talk with insights to the local scene, as well as
strategies to stay ahead of competition in the global market. Mr. Victor Wong
from the Health Sciences Authority was up next with comprehensive explanations
in the area of Chinese Proprietary Medicines. Finally, our colleague Dr.
Michelle Siow from SAS closed the seminar by talking about the innovations in
functional foods.
Apart from the presentations, there were staff/student project exhibitions on
functional foods and cosmoceuticals. Chocolates that are high in calcium, as
well as ice-cream and lollipops with nutraceuticals incorporated in them were
the main highlights at the functional booth. In particular, the nutraceuticals
ice-cream was formulated and developed in collaboration with Papitto Gelato. The
cosmoceuticals booth was manned by young beautiful girls who exhibited using the
natural based cosmetics developed by Dr. Tan Lay Pheng (Manager, Extramural,
SAS).
This event was also widely covered in the media, with mentions in the dailies
and coverage on major TV stations.
* For RP Staff - Click here to view the rest of the photos from this event
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