Page 42 - NYAA Annual Report 2024

EcoFriend Award Selection Panel
The ED participated as a member of the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) EcoFriend Award Selection
Panel. Chaired by former NYAA Council Chairman Professor Leo Tan, the panel convened at the Ministry of
Sustainability and the Environment to evaluate nominees.

The panel reviewed candidates across five categories: Public Sector, Private Sector, Non-Government
Organisations & Grassroots Volunteers, Educational Institutions, and Youth & Students. After rigorous
deliberation, 12 outstanding individuals were selected.

EcoFriend Award Recipient 2024
The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director attended the 16th EcoFriend Awards Ceremony, graced
by Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations.
NYAA was pleased that another HSBC NYAA Youth Environmental Award recipient, Mr Tan Shi Zhou, an NYAA
Gold Award holder, was conferred the EcoFriend Award 2024.

Dr Lim See Yew, Senior Director and Head of the School of Engineering at ITE College Central and a strong
supporter of NYAA, was also recognised with the EcoFriend Award. Both the Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, Mr Stanley Loh, and the Executive Director congratulated Shi
Zhou on his achievements and contributions.

NYAA is proud to have laid the foundation for many EcoFriend Award recipients through the HSBC NYAA
platform over the past 25 years.

Sustainable and Buildable Solutions Conference
During the Sustainable and Buildable Solutions Conference, Dr Eugene Seah, NYAA Gold Award holder and
Chairman of the NYAA Council, also the Chief Operating Officer of Meinhardt Singapore, underscored the
importance of collaboration in advancing sustainable and buildable solutions.

Meinhardt Singapore recently announced a partnership with Ngee Ann Polytechnic to nurture young talent
and co-create resilient and sustainable urban solutions. This initiative aligns with NYAA’s mission to inspire
and develop youth leadership in sustainability.

Assistive Technology for the Elderly
With Singapore’s rapidly ageing population—projected to see one in four citizens aged 65 and above by
2030—preparations to enhance elderly care are imperative. The NYAA ED and Deputy ED convened a meeting
with Dr Ken Ong, a scientist, and Mr Roddy Mu, a business leader—both NYAA Gold Award holders—and Dr
Lim See Yew, Senior Director of ITE College Central’s School of Engineering and Assistive Technology Centre
and his team.

The meeting explored a joint project to develop practical tools for elderly mobility, fall alert, and prevention.
The proposed initiative involves creating a walking cane integrated with AI technology for fall detection and
early warnings about curbs and uneven pavements. This tool aims to prevent falls while encouraging regular
physical activity and reducing the risk of cognitive decline among older people.

The meeting was a testament to the compassion and dedication of all involved, reflecting a shared commitment
to improving the quality of life for Singapore’s ageing population.

The Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director attended the final project meeting with Autodesk. This
company provided the software used in designing the AI-assisted walking stick at ITE College Central.

The Executive Director offered constructive feedback to strengthen the design and recommended conducting
additional trial runs in hospitals to ensure practical effectiveness. NYAA also invited Dr Choo Pei Ling, Assistant
Professor in the Health and Social Sciences Cluster at the Singapore Institute of Technology, to provide expert
advice on the project.

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