A night with biomedical leaders in Singapore
In recent years, I have been introducing myself as “BAC” instead of “Ben”. Some have asked me why.
I shared that it is because there are many people with the same name as me, and they suggested adding my surname instead. So what should I do in this situation, when there is another “Ben Chua” in the house?
And trust me, it’s not the first encounter. 😅
Anyway, it was a pleasant evening interacting with leaders from the Singapore biomedical and pharmaceutical industries with Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN). Due to my multidisciplinary background, I have always felt that there are things which can be brought from one industry to another. For instance, during one of the presentations, preventive maintenance was discussed, and my experience in the RSAF immediately came to mind.
Some of those whom I interacted with also expressed curiosity about why I, a public officer from MOE, was attending the event. Actually, I was attending the event after work in my private capacity, and I think there are many merits in doing so.
Many people would think that there are great differences between the public and private sectors. While there are differences, what I have also observed in my stints in both private and public sectors is that there are actually many similarities as well. More importantly, it is the potential that we can harness when the private and public sectors work in synergy.
As an individual and as a Singaporean, I really do not care much whether one is in the private or public sector. To me, only two questions matter:
1. Am I maximising my potential as an individual?
2. Am I putting Singapore in the best possible position on the global stage?
Some of us do it in private corporations. Some of us do it in public agencies. But ultimately, what truly makes a difference is whether we are shaping the world to become a better place with our time and energy.
We do not have to do much. We just have to leave it in a better state than we found it.
There are some things which do not matter, such as whether people call me Ben or BAC, so long as it achieves its purpose. Likewise, whether we devote our time to private corporations or public agencies does not matter, so long as we produce meaningful outcomes through our involvement.
Attending a biomedical industry networking event in Singapore can be quite an enlightening experience, especially when you come from a multidisciplinary background like mine. One of the key takeaways from such gatherings is realizing how industries often share foundational concepts that can be transferred and adapted creatively. For example, during a discussion on preventive maintenance, my previous experience in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) immediately resonated with the biomedical applications. This cross-industry insight sparked engaging conversations and new perspectives. Interestingly, though I work as a public officer in the Ministry of Education (MOE), my participation at the Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN) event was entirely in a private capacity after working hours. This decision reflects a broader mindset I believe more professionals should adopt: stepping beyond one’s usual environment to broaden understanding and foster connections across sectors. Many people tend to view the public and private sectors as completely separate worlds. However, from my experience working within both, the reality is more nuanced. While operational differences do exist, the underlying values and goals often overlap significantly. Bringing the public and private sectors together can create powerful synergies that benefit the nation as a whole—particularly in innovative fields like biomedicine and pharmaceuticals. At the heart of this engagement lies a simple but powerful philosophy: what truly matters is not the label of one’s workplace but the impact of one’s contributions. Are we maximizing our potential as individuals? Are we contributing to elevating Singapore’s standing on the global stage? These questions guide my commitment to integrating knowledge and effort across sectors. In the biomedical context, this means supporting advancements not just through direct research or business but also by sharing expertise from different fields and creating collaborative opportunities. Industry leaders and participants often appreciate such holistic views, which encourage thinking beyond conventional silos. Ultimately, nights like these reaffirm the importance of leaving every environment—whether professional, social, or industrial—in a better state than we found it. Whether one is known as Ben or BAC, the name does not matter as much as the meaningful outcomes generated from engagement. These experiences inspire me to continue bridging gaps and championing the collaborative spirit necessary for Singapore’s success in the biomedical arena and beyond.