Aquaculture Innovation Centre (AIC) deploys the AIC Specialist Scheme to engage consultants to help in specific areas. Here’s the specialist team.
Overview
Aquaculture Innovation Centre (AIC) adopts an inclusive and collaborative approach operating on a consortium model, being the first of its kind in Singapore. We aim to support the aquaculture industry in applied research, skill training and development, and consulting services.
With the rapidly developing and growing aquaculture industry in trying to meet the nation’s nutritional needs by 2030, AIC has been actively expanding in both capacity and capabilities as well as her industry network so as to be able to provide a wide array of industry-centric services.
Objectives:
AIC strives to support and develop the SMEs in the aquaculture industry with the aim of enhancing farming productivity through the following:
Facilitate new growth areas by regularly scanning the environment; identifying and developing emerging technologies or other areas of growth that are important for capability building to support sustainable development and growth of the aquaculture industry.
Drive farm productivity and product quality by providing product evaluation or testing services, applied research and innovative technology development including precision technologies that could help drive sustainable and intensive aquaculture.
Support safety, environmental sustainability and manpower productivity by educating and training manpower in aquaculture standards and best practices for better farm operation, biosecurity, environmental sustainability and workplace safety.
Raise resource efficiency and sustainability for applied research and services through cooperation, co-sharing of existing resources, space and pooled expertise from institutes of higher learning, agencies and research institutes.
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Goal
Sustainable intensive aquaculture production with innovation and technology
Aims
“Grow More with Less”: For a sustainable and higher farm productivity
“Zero Waste Management”: For greater environmental sustainability
Developing technologies that would lead to LESS:
Water usage – water technology that could support intensive cultivation for urban farms
Land usage – vertical growing on smaller footprint; containment culture systems with controlled environment
Manpower reliance – smart or precision technology: IoT, sensor and automation; self-cleaning technology for tanks and net cages
Environmental pollution – animal waste treatment or by-product recycling; digestible
Production cost – cost-effective and efficient. Examples:
✔ Healthier produce through development of vaccine and sensitive fieldable tests
✔ Faster growing through improving feeds and feeding management, as well as research in developing quality broodstock and hatchery
✔ Training manpower for better farm productivity, food produce traceability, farm operation and biosecurity
AIC Technical Community (TC) is a gathering of like-minded individuals from the IHLs, industry partners and collaborators. The intent of the monthly discussion, which is thematic-based, is to encourage brain-storming and opportunities for collaboration amongst the technical community. The outcome is for the collaborators to work towards grant applications and submissions. The TC works on the possible problem statements from the industry to help solve the problems in the industry.
The 4 Technology Clusters are:
A. Feed & Feeding Management
B. Husbandry & Disease Management
C. Genetics & Breeding
D. IoT & AI
The TC Meeting Schedule based on the above clusters for the period of Aug 2022 to July 2023 is as appended.
2022 |
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Cluster |
19 |
23 |
21 |
18 |
16 |
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C |
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D |
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2023 |
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Cluster |
20 |
17 |
24 |
14 |
19 |
23 |
21 |
A |
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B |
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C |
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D |
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Associate Professor (Dr) Shabbir Moochhala
Research Consultant
He is currently both Innovation Director at Fifth Sense (a pharmaceutical and neutraceutical company), Director at G.R.A.I.N. International (a plant science solution provider) and Director of Chemtron Pte Ltd (a solution provider for additive technology). He is concurrently holding adjunct associate professorship position at National University of Singapore @ Department of Surgery and Pharmacology. He holds consultation positions at Temasek Polytechnic (TP) with School of Applied Science (ASC) and Aquaculture Innovative Centre (AIC).
He was for several years Centre Head for Centre of Molecular Diagnostics and later as Head Centre for Research and Opportunities in Plant Sciences (C.R.O.P. S.) at TP. Concurrently he was serving as a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS) at DSO National Laboratories, where he also served as Program Director of Combat Care and Performance, and Head of Screening & Diagnostic Laboratory.
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Dr Meliana Riwanto
Technical Consultant
Dr Meliana Riwanto is the Director of Ascelon, specializing in Quality, Regulatory Affairs, and Sustainability Practices in the pharmaceuticals, bio/medtech, and logistics companies in the Asia Pacific region. She is a Pharmacist by training, a qualified ISO Auditor, and a Singapore Certified Management Consultant. Recipient of numerous grants/awards, including the prestigious Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Society of Cardiology Young Investigator Award, she has published articles and book chapters in high impact scientific journals. She serves as Advisory Board member and auditor in Raffles International Certification and URS Holdings. She is also a Consultant to the Asian Development Bank. As experienced entrepreneur, she currently mentors several young startups in Singapore and Europe through the Erasmus Entrepreneur program.
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Mr Khoo Hock Lai, William
Director & Founder
Unison Aqua Pte Ltd
Technical Specialist/AIC
He comes with an engineering background of which 10 years was in the oil and gas industry. William has 15 years’ experience in breeding of freshwater and marine species like cichlids, arowana, stingrays, tilapia, crayfish and mud crabs. He also designs, builds and does installation of indoor/outdoor aquaculture systems for crustaceans and finfish. He had also designed farm and hatchery process and layout in addition to live feed culture, algae, rotifers and artemia. He was directly involved in AIC’s collaboration with MTI, ESI, MPEDA and other Indian farmers which took him on overseas assignments to India for waterless packing project. Currently he serves as adjunct lecturer teaching the SGUS Programme (Entrepreneurship in Aquaculture).
AIC is deeply engaged with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) in various projects through the Associate IHL Member Scheme. We showcase the members and their labs.
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Dr Li King Ho, Holden
Nanyang Technological University
Core Technology
Microfluidics is the technology platform that deals with the flow of liquids through microscopic channels. It allows high-throughput screening and experimentation that takes advantage of several advanced techniques, such as microchips, miniaturised nozzles and micropumps. These technologies are used for processing and manipulating small amounts of analysts, cells and microbiomes using channels down to micrometer dimensions.
Core Capability
Miniaturisation of testing capabilities, based on microfluidics technology, opens up vast opportunities towards rapid testing and identification of aquaculture diseases and pathogens studies. Such portable devices enable quick field tests and adaptation to on-site on-demand applications. Designing and prototyping of microfluidic devices for aquacultural based bio-sample studies and analysis. This includes customisation of specific microfluidic platform, design of portable devices for field application and support on training of handling of microfluidic devices.
Conducts Masterclass on Microfabrication and Microfluidics for industrial users.
The NTU Micro-Sensors Lab offers the following:
- System architecture design for microfluidics devices customisation and implementation
- Micro sensors and electronics instrumentation integration with microfluidics to provide characterisation and analysis of biological samples
- Data analysis with advanced machining learning algorithms and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Prof Lim Chwee Teck
Director, Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech)
Department of Biomedical Engineering
National University of Singapore
Core Capability
Prof Lim works with an interdisciplinary team of engineers, life scientists and clinicians to address important scientific and biomedical problems, and develop innovative technologies to better detect, diagnose and treat diseases.
Effective containment of disease outbreak and pathogens requires rapid and accurate detection of pathogens. However, most tests are carried out in laboratories with specialised and expensive equipment causing delays in the results and leading to lower aquaculture yield. Miniaturisation using microfluidics based molecular diagnostics for aquaculture diseases and pathogen studies offers point-of-care testing for field/farm use. This offers multiple advantages – lower costs due to lesser reagents used (and allowing for more frequent testing), shorten the sample to answer time to under an hour and simple workflow not requiring trained personnel.
The CT Lim Lab has frequent collaborations with industrial partners to develop and translate technological solutions to some of the challenges and needs encountered in the biomedical and life sciences fields.
AIC Training
AIC has been actively engaged in manpower development in the aqua sector through various formalised and certifiable programmes. Details here.
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Institute of Technical Education (ITE) is setting up an Aquaculture Technology Hub, within their College East campus, as a capability building strategy to support Singapore’s ’30 by 30’ food security vision. The hub, set to be ready by first quarter of 2023, features a Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) for the training of engineering skill sets related to the aquaculture industry. Augmented Reality (AR) for the predictive maintenance of the aquaculture machinery and equipment, IoT and data analytics for water monitoring and optimization of fish feeding are some examples of technologies that will be deployed to improve efficiency of farming operations.
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James Cook University (JCU) Singapore is recognised internationally as a leader in aquaculture research and training, with research expertise that specialises in the sustainable production of tropical aquaculture species, including finfish, marine shrimp, abalone, and ornamentals. The staff at the JCU Singapore campus are world-class experts in aquaculture selective breeding, nutrition and feed development, hatchery production and aquatic animal health. With a strong focus on industry-relevant outcomes JCU is ready to partner to conduct high-quality scientific R&D with commercial industry, government institutions, universities, polytechnics and other stakeholders.
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Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) host the Centre for Aquaculture Diagnostics and Vaccines (CADV) within the School of Chemical & Life Sciences. In this centre, isolation and identifications of microbial pathogens from diseased aquatic animals can be conducted. The centre has the capability to do microscopy, molecular biology, protein technology, and microbial fermentation for the purpose of making prototype vaccines. CADV also holds a licence to Possess Veterinary Biologics (For Research & Development Purpose) obtained from the Animal & Veterinary Service, NParks. The centre undertakes projects such as development of autogenous fish vaccine, development of technologies for mangrove crab grow-out, fattening, and meat quality assessment
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Nanyang Technological University (NTU) hosts two national research centres of excellence – the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering (SCELSE) – that are tackling important questions in environmental sustainability and public health. The university also offers a Food Science and Technology programme to train students with adequate skills needed for the demands of national food security and associated new food industry, by developing modern technology for urban farming (agriculture and aquaculture) and increasing environmental sustainability.
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National University of Singapore (NUS)’s Department of Biological Sciences is a research-intensive department with a focus on developing multi- and inter-disciplinary research platforms using various organism models, from plants to animals, that thread across different scales, i.e., from atomic, molecular, cellular, tissue, systems to organismal levels. It hosts both freshwater and marine aquarium facilities, used for the study of hatchery technology, feed development, spawning and rearing of marine fish. For larger running seawater aquariums, NUS has access to the facilities of the Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI) on St John’s island, thus extending the possibilities at NUS for multidisciplinary marine research.
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Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) hosts a Centre for Aquatic Science and Technology within their School of Life Sciences and Chemical Technology, established to help improve farm productivity and explore new initiatives in sustainable aquaculture through research and consultancy projects, in areas such as feed development and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). NP has expertise in molecular DNA and protein analysis, water purification technology, microbiology, and feed formulation for aquaculture.
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Republic Polytechnic (RP) hosts a 180-square-metre Aquaculture Centre within their School of Applied Science, featuring both an indoor and outdoor laboratory, which supports research in marine science and aquaculture technologies. A joint-laboratory agreement was signed with James Cook University (JCU), which saw part of the aquaculture facility retrofitted with equipment for marine conservation and exploration cum surveillance work. The centre undertakes projects which include fish feed formulation, horseshoe crab and coral conservation, water quality management, anti-fouling and mathematical modelling approaches to optimise aquaculture.
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Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) was established as the Nation’s fifth Autonomous University, with vision to be a leader in innovative university education by integrating learning, industry and community. SIT espouses an applied learning pathway and offers degrees with a focus on science and technology. Our academic staff work closely with the industry in translational research and innovation as well as consultancies to address industry challenges. Through our nexus with industry, our graduates are exposed to deep skills/ industry training and attuned to the needs and demands of the future economy. In the urban agrifood and aquaculture sectors, SIT has deep expertise in technologies spanning the engineering and infocomm tech disciplines such as advanced sensors and instrumentations, Internet-of-things, data analytics, artificial intelligence, efficient energy utilisation, coating technology, and asset management and maintenance to enhance production yield, optimise land and water use, and reduce manpower needs. SIT also has expertise in food technology and nutrition, in particular food processing technologies and scale up to complement our engineering knowhow in advancing agrifood and aquaculture growth. The SIT new campus in Punggol, which will be powered by renewable energy resources and modern information technology infrastructure, will be an ideal testbed to support and scale smart urban farming and agritech initiatives, working closely with the industry and agencies.
Our Services
- Feed development & performance analysis
- Feed quality testing
- Live feed enrichment & production
- Fish meal replacement with alternative protein source
- Evaluation of feed or product efficacy
- Breeding, hatchery & larviculture
- Selective breeding & seedstock development
- Investigation & lab testing
- Vaccine development
- Pathogen challenge trials
- Water technology & waste treatment strategies
- Material development for Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
- Smart urban aquaculture technology development
- Consultancy for certification of Good Aquaculture Practice
- Customised training, certification programmes, webinars & workshops
International Technical Mission, Community Universities in Brazil (22 November 2022)
A team of 26 members, mostly deans of 19 universities from the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, visited Aquaculture Innovation Centre (AIC) on 22 November 2022. The visit started with a presentation from the delegation, then by Dr Lee Chee Wee (Centre Director/AIC), followed by tour of the facilities. The delegates were treated to a sumptuous meal by the students at Top Table.
This initial visit is hoped to open up more opportunities for AIC to network and collaborate with the delegation. We are looking forward to the negotiations and discussions after this engaging and meaningful visit.
MOU Signing with Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) - 18 May 2022
TP (acting for Aquaculture Innovation Centre) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Centre of Technical Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) on 18 May 2022 with the intent of collaborating in the following areas:
- Research & development
- Development of education and training programmes to support manpower capability development in Sarawak
- Industry project consultancy services to meet the needs of local companies interested in aquaculture in the respective country
- Staff and/or student attachment, visits and/or learning trips
This collaboration enables AIC to venture into the international region as the national aquaculture centre of Singapore.
Pictures of the MOU signing and visit of AIC Facility provide more glimpses of the day.
Launch of The Aquaculture Innovation Centre
AquaSG’19
This is the first event co-organised by AIC since its inception in July 2019. AquaSG’19 Conference was officially opened by Mr Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman, Singapore Food Agency. Besides the keynote speech, and thematic speakers, there was also the Yield Lab Aquaculture Innovation Pitch which was received very well by the audience as 5 teams competed against each other. The 3rd day ended with farm visits including the visit of AIC facility.
A*CCELERATE NOW 2019
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ST Online (26 June) reported on the launch of the Aquaculture Innovation Centre and how it was officiated by Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry. The AIC is the first innovation centre to adopt a consortium model which allows it to leverage on the expertise of other educational institutions and organisations.
Crab-in-a-lab Project a Sustainable and Clean Way to Restock Dwindling Numbers in the Wild
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Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.
ST featured our R&D initiatives which have seen our scientists successfully produce 300 crabs within 15 months. The outcome is a significant increase from the three or four mud crabs the project had initially started with five years ago.
Crabs Reared Sustainably to Help Boost Singapore's Food Security
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Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.
The Straits Times and TNP featured the launch of the Aquaculture Innovation Centre, that was officiated by Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade & Industry. The articles spoke about how the centre will focus on optimising nutrition for food fish during its first three years of operations and other ongoing projects that the centre is involved in.
Aquaculture Innovation Centre To Promote Innovation And Training
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Source: Lianhe Wanbao © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.
Wanbao, Zaobao and Tamil Murasu also shed light on the centre’s consortium model and how it would collaborate with other organisations such as A*STAR, Singapore Food Agency, NP, RP, NYP, NUS and NTU.
New Innovation Centre at Temasek Polytechnic to Drive R&D in Aquaculture
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Centre Director Dr Lee Chee Wee and Dr Saravanan Padmanabhan, Assistant Director of Technology Development at the School of Applied Science were featured in television interviews by Channel NewsAsia, Channel 8 and Vasantham.
Contact Details
AIC Management
Dr Lee Chee Wee Centre Director 6780 6400 LEE_Chee_Wee@TP.EDU.SG |
Ms Susila Krishnasamy Deputy Manager, Marketing/Outreach 6780 4002 Krishnasamy_SUSILA@TP.EDU.SG |
Dr Diana Chan Pek Sian Deputy Centre Director 6780 5338 Diana_CHAN@TP.EDU.SG |
General Enquiries
- Susila Krishnasamy
- aic@tp.edu.sg
- 67806968
- 8.30 am to 6.00 pm (Mon to Fri) Closed on Sat, Sun & Public Holidays
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Aquaculture Innovation Centre (AIC)
Temasek Polytechnic
Block 8A, Level 1, Unit 4,
21 Tampines Ave 1
Singapore 529757