Role of scientific academies and scientific societies in promoting science and technology: experiences from Singapore

The example of the Singapore National Academy of Science (SNAS), its well as its constituent scientific societies, is used to illustrate the point thin an "invisible college cum voluntary cadre" model affords tremendous scope fur jump-starting the formation of scientific academies and scientific societies. Over the years, this model of operation has been effective ill establishing H diversified portfolio of programmes and activities ill it cost-effective manner. and this has contributed significantly to the promotion of science and technology ill Singapore, thus complementing/supplementing official efforts ill this direction. Some lessons for developing countries based on the Singapore experience are suggested.