These are just a few steps being taken to equip Singaporeans with the manpower required for the push into the life-sciences industry.

The EDB will use four approaches to develop the mix of expertise needed to start a life-sciences industry here:

1) 20 Life Sciences Postgraduate Scholarships will support postgraduate training in life-sciences disciplines at local universities and top universities abroad.

2) The MBBS-PhD Scholarships will be available for up to 10 candidates a year to train a new breed of doctors called 'clinician-scientists' at NUS. These individuals will have a combination of clinical skills and basic-science knowledge. However, this is only for non-medical graduates who are willing to spend another eight years learning medicine while obtaining a doctorate.

3) Life Sciences Fellowships will be offered to a dozen bright individuals now pursuing post-doctoral training in overseas institutions.

4) Exchange programmes with renowned institutions overseas for up to 10 research scientists and doctors from Singapore's universities, research institutes and centres and hospitals will also be held.

As for NUS, according to Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, dean of the Medical Faculty, the intake of medical students, which was raised from 150 in 1996 to 180 in 1997 and to 200 in 1998, will be increased further.

The faculty will take in 215 students this year and 230 from next year. This will include students in the MBBS-PhD programme.

Plans for a collaborative effort between the Singapore General Hospital and the Nanyang Technological University to develop a medical or life-sciences faculty will also be determined in another six months.