A horticulturist by training, Professor Lee Sing Kong’s interests are in agrotechnology, urban forestry and plant tissue culture. He has been involved in the greening of the island of Singapore since 1975. In 1991, he joined the National Institute of Education and embarked on the research into aeroponics. He developed the aeroponic technology and adapted it for the production of temperate vegetables in the tropics through rootzone modification. This technology has been licensed for the establishment of two commercial farms, one in Singapore and the other in Malaysia.

 

Professor Lee has received several awards for his achievements in this field, including the National Technology Award of Singapore 2000, the Urban Agriculture 2000 Award from the Urban Agriculture Network (under the auspices of FAO), the Chevalier dans l’Ordre Palme Academique from the French Ministry of Education in 2000, and the Asian Innovation Award (Bronze) from the Far Eastern Economic Review in 1998.

 

Apart from his responsibilities as Director of NIE, Dr Lee provides consultancy services in aeroponics and urban forestry to several corporations locally and internationally.

 

 

In recognition of his accomplishments and contributions, the Faculty of Science honours Professor Lee Sing Kong with the 2009 Distinguished Science Alumni Award.