PROJECT PASCAL FORUM

 

Harnessing Emerging Technologies for sustainable future

Dr. Basil Lui, Founding Partner August Global Partners

Host: Taeyoung Kang

Organized by Project Pascal

 

 

Navigating the Impact of Emerging Technologies on Education and Work

In the ever-evolving landscape of education and employment, the influence of emerging technologies cannot be overstated. Dr. Basil Lui’s insights into this prevailing mega-trend shed light on the transformative potential and challenges it presents. For young enthusiasts eager to prepare for their future studies and careers in this dynamic field, Dr. Lui offers invaluable guidance rooted in his extensive experience and expertise.

 

Embracing STEM Education: A Foundation for Success

Dr. Lui emphasizes the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education as a cornerstone for success in the rapidly evolving technological landscape. Encouraging parents to nurture a love for STEM disciplines in their children from a young age, Dr. Lui underscores the significance of building a solid foundation in hard sciences. Stemming from his own scientific background, Dr. Lui advocates for tackling challenging concepts early on, laying the groundwork for future academic and professional endeavors.

In Singapore, where STEM education is prioritized, Dr. Lui finds joy in collaborating with government agencies and industry leaders who share a commitment to innovation and progress. This emphasis on STEM not only cultivates a workforce equipped with essential technical skills but also fosters a culture of innovation and problem-solving.

 

Beyond STEM: Lifelong Learning and Adaptability

While STEM education forms the bedrock of knowledge, Dr. Lui stresses the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability in navigating the complexities of the modern world. In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, where new advancements emerge at an unprecedented pace, Dr. Lui underscores the need for continuous learning and curiosity.

Drawing from his experience, Dr. Lui acknowledges the limitations of traditional education pathways in keeping pace with technological advancements. He encourages individuals to remain receptive to new ideas, technologies, and ways of thinking, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and seeking answers.

 

The Power of Curiosity and Continuous Learning

Dr. Lui’s insights extend beyond the realm of education and into the broader ethos of personal and professional development. He advocates for a mindset characterized by curiosity, resilience, and a thirst for knowledge. In a world where the only constant is change, Dr. Lui’s message resonates deeply: “never retire from learning”.

By embracing a lifelong commitment to learning, individuals not only remain relevant in their careers but also contribute to societal progress and innovation. Dr. Lui’s emphasis on continuous learning as a means to delay cognitive decline underscores the profound impact of intellectual stimulation on overall well-being.

 

Fostering a Culture of Innovation and Growth

Dr. Basil Lui’s insights shared at the Pascal Forum illuminate the path forward in harnessing emerging technologies for a sustainable future. His emphasis on STEM education, lifelong learning, and adaptability serves as a guiding light for young enthusiasts seeking to navigate the dynamic landscape of education and work.

As we collectively strive for progress and innovation, Dr. Lui’s wisdom reminds us of the importance of curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to lifelong learning. By embracing these principles, we can chart a course towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.

 

About Dr. Basil Lui

Dr. Basil Lui is the Founding Partner of AGP. Prior to this, he was an Advisor and Managing Partner at EDBI where he oversaw investments in Healthcare and Emerging Technologies. Dr. Lui was a key member of EDBI’s Investment Committee for ~50 investments with 10 exits. On the healthcare front, he was involved in several investments for EDBI, including Doctor Anywhere a full-stack online-offline healthcare service; Hummingbird Bioscience a clinical-stage precision medicine company; MiRXES a developer of RNA early disease detection tests; US2.ai an AI software platform for echocardiography to fight heart disease; and a pre-covid investment into mRNA vaccine platform Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA). Basil has a strong interest in regenerative technologies that can restore cellular health and resilience.

Additionally, Dr. Lui drove early stage deep-tech fund-of-funds investments at EDBI, covering regional healthcare funds, and as a LPAC member in portfolio funds, worked closely in partnership with funds to invest in Singapore and the region. He also spearheaded EDBI’s investments in areas that would have an impact to the future of healthcare and the bioeconomy such as synthetic biology, gene edits, robotics, AI, blockchain, AR and VR. Dr. Lui pioneered EDBI’s post-investment value creation and communications efforts, ensuring strong support to portfolio companies through market access, talent recruitment, strategic financing, partnership & guidance; and is often a speaker in global technology events and panels.

Prior to EDBI, Dr. Lui was a McKinsey consultant covering South East Asia, an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Keppel-NUS Corporate Laboratory, the APAC President of a global semiconductor electronic design automation company, an Assistant Professor at National University of Singapore Electrical & Computer Engineering, and a post-doctoral researcher at the Cambridge University Engineering Department. Basil is the inventor of several patents and holds a BA (1st class), MA and PhD from the University of Cambridge. He was awarded a Commonwealth scholarship, a Singapore Government Public Service Commission scholarship, and a Research Fellowship from Trinity College Cambridge.

 

About EDBI 

Investing since 1991, EDBI is a Singapore-based global investor in select high-growth technologies spanning sectors across Information & Communication Technology, Emerging Technology and Healthcare. As a value-creating investor, we support companies aiming to expand in Asia and globally through Singapore with our extensive network, resources and expertise. For more information, visit www.edbi.com.

 

About August Global Partners

August Global Partners (AGP) is an independent fund management company spun out from EDBI, a Singapore state-owned strategic fund, with former top and senior executives as the fund’s founders. Armed with a robust track record and years of success, and having managed significant assets-under-management (AUM) previously, this team will now manage two funds, the AGP Continuation Growth Fund (AGPCG) and a second fund, the AGP Healthcare Fund (AGPHC), to capture new and exciting opportunities. AGPHC is a pure commercially driven fund with Living Better and Aging Better themes.

For more information, visit www.augustglobalpartners.com