AY25/26 Partnership Expansion for APAC-SCA (Student Chapter)

With the turn of the academic year, APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) welcomes its incoming committee. This year, the chapter expands to introduce students from Republic Polytechnic into its main committee.

"Matthias, De Kang, Nur Amylia, and Kaniesha from the School of Applied Science, Republic Polytechnic, will serve as the main committee for the APAC-SCA Student Chapter AY25/26," says Dr Wong Kak Ming, Republic Polytechnic lecturer. "With prior experience in club organisations and a strong belief in the potential of cellular agriculture, they are committed to raising awareness and fostering interest in this emerging field among students and the broader community."

Group photo with AY25/26 Partners & Representatives | Meet them here: Partners & Representatives | APAC-SCA (Student Chapter)

Over the past year, APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) has led multiple initiatives in its goal to engage students in the field of cellular agriculture. This article serves to outline the activities the chapter has carried out.

On 14 October 2024, the APAC Society for Cellular Agriculture (APAC-SCA) officially launched its student chapter with its inaugural symposium titled "Tasting Tomorrow with Today’s Youth: Student Chapter For Future Food". The event marked a significant milestone with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) and Temasek Polytechnic, formalising the partnership to foster student engagement in cellular agriculture. The event also featured a tasting session of cultivated chicken satay, providing attendees with a first mouthful experience of future food technologies. Feedback gathered via a tasting survey provided vital insights for a summary report on consumer perception and acceptance of cultivated meat in Singapore.

On 23 January 2025, the chapter held the APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) Cellular Agriculture Poster Showcase 2025, aimed at engaging students in the current developments of cellular agriculture by providing academia and industry pioneers a platform to share their research in a more accessible manner.

In addition to bridging the gap between young talents and other industry players, APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) also aims to raise awareness and foster a preference for cultivated meat among the next generation of consumers. To support this mission, they have produced a three-part series of factsheets based on current scientific research that address the myths and misconceptions surrounding cultivated meat and seafood, while highlighting the benefits of their widespread adoption as a sustainable food source.

The Cellular Agriculture Talent Development Programme 2025 is an ongoing mentorship programme organised by APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) with support from The Good Food Institute Asia Pacific. Designed to nurture the next generation of talents, the programme is an opportunity for young minds to learn from professionals in the field. The current cohort will conclude on 13 August 2025 with a poster competition, allowing mentees to showcase the knowledge they have gained from the programme.

AY24/25 President, Akimi Goh's Statement:

In retrospect, collaborating with the advisors and my committee to plan and execute the events for AY24/25 was a rewarding experience that I will cherish. As I step down as president, I’m confident the incoming committee will elevate the society, creating a larger platform for like-minded individuals to share their ideas on cultivated meat.

AY24/25 Vice-President, Tan Mei Zi's Statement:

As the founding Vice President, I take great pride in the society’s accomplishments within its first year, which is made possible by the commitment of my fellow committee members. Moving forward, I’m excited for the society’s continued growth and the global recognition of cultivated meat.

Current and previous year's partners and representatives gather for a memorable group photo, capturing the spirit of collaboration and camaraderie.

APAC-SCA (Student Chapter) is Singapore's first student society dedicated to fostering a community of students across Asia Pacific who share the view of shaping the future of food through cellular agriculture. Find out more about APAC-SCA (Student Chapter).

APAC Society for Cellular Agriculture is a collective focused on establishing, implementing, and developing strategic frameworks to spur innovation in the cellular agriculture space. Find out more about APAC-SCA.

Temasek Polytechnic is a tertiary education institute with a Future Foods Domain that works to strengthen Singapore's food supply resilience and contribute to food security and safety. Find out more about TP.