Hie. Indeed, this was my first time at the A*STAR (Agency Science, Technology and Research) headquarters consisting of A*STAR HQ, Biopolis and Fusionopolis at Buona Vista. Also, this was my first training offered by SIMTech. The place was awesomely great, so, i thought a share of thinker is kinda refreshing here.

Very brief, A*STAR is a governmental agency in research of latest science and technology : Engineering, Biomedical, Aerospace, Biotechnology, etc. There are approximately 12 RIs (Research Institute) comprising of different research areas spread all over Singapore. One mission of unity, all RIs shall be relocated at one coordinate, and yes, researchers like us do benefit on our new facilities.

A*STAR Headquarters building (could be seen directly from the Buona Vista MRT)

On the precedence to reach the venue, the sight of view would be rather high profile with expatriates and locals walking around at a professional pace. Cars and taxi are at a minimum size and the light throttle of shuttle buses could be a coherence all in all.

Training details :

Time : 9.00am - 5.00pm

Date : 15th and 16th December 2008

Venue : Level 5 -- The Matrix, Biopolis

Title : Effective Presentation Skills

Biopolis brick road

The uphill schematic was rather intriguing under the wet weather. Feeling very christmassy as i descended down due to slight decorations all way along.

SIMTech has been arranged to join this environment in Fusionopolis Phase II in two years time. Up till now, only Phase I has been completed and recently opened 2 months ago. I also did witnessed the platform of Phase II has been concurrently flat, and functions as a temporary car park. I guess 2 years down the road is not too promising after all?

Garden in the midst of business and technicality.

For meal breaks, it's not anymore monotonous food courts available in the vicinity. For my choice of lunch, i would rather pack and sit under the superb rain tree facing the luscious fish pond. In terms of second priorities, there are cafes and restaurants (eg: O'Brien, local namely ones, etc) amidst. Well, of course quality comes with a price as well.

Sky bridges are one of the highlights of their majestic features.

Coincidently, these links are located at the same level of our training room, so we could have a great view and feel about how's it like to be up there! Not forgetting the views upfront from that level itself are breath-taking too!

Great architecture, field of view and facilities : RFID lifts and auto flush for toilets. One thing lack is probably the safety for unknown virus carried out for research at these building. The last thing we want is an unexpected biological warfare in Singapore. I wonder if I would quit the old school habit at NTU (where food is cheap and a core of libraries to suffice) and adapt into the new environment likewise. Changes of life, trading campus jay-walking with corporate stylo?

i wonder where this road will lead me to

As things emerged one by one

Instance of guiding torches

To proceed beyond the dark and unseen

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

WISHING ALL A GREAT BULK YEAR AHEAD IN 2009!