Address by Guest-of-Honour Mr Andrew Gan, President of Singapore Society of Cosmetic Scientists
at the Launch of the Diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic Science
Tuesday, 17 November 2009, Singapore Polytechnic

Good afternoon, Dr Thomas Chai, Senior Director, Singapore Polytechnic, Industry Guests,
Staff and students of Singapore Polytechnic. Teachers and students from secondary schools, Ladies and gentlemen,

It is said that beauty is only skin deep. I say that beauty goes all the way to the dedicated people
behind the scenes, working in the laboratories of the beauty industry. They are the people who make
possible the miracles of anti-aging wrinkle creams, hair loss reversal shampoo and stretch mark
repair formulations. Even your run-of-the-mill shampoo and body wash come in a multitude of
features – organic or natural, mint or citrus, dry or oily skin and so on. All these extra functions
underline the need for skilled laboratory professionals to research and develop them.

By offering the Diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic Science (DPCS), Singapore Polytechnic (SP) has
now entered the business of training more of such professionals for the perfumery, personal care and cosmetic industry.

We are seeing an economic slowdown in many sectors in recent years but consumers worldwide are
still clamouring for more beauty products so that they can outmaneuver the ravages of aging and
stay youthful forever. The global market for consumer products was estimated to have hit S$340
billion in 2005, and the industry is expected to continue its ascent by reaching almost S$400 billion in
2010, reflecting the unyielding demand for these goods. These include functional food products,
cosmetics, personal care items, experiential lifestyle and hospitality services.

Singapore is right in the centre of this phenomenal growth as EDB envisions Singapore to become
the hub of the luxury goods and retail market both locally and internationally. Eight out of the top ten
global flavours and fragrances houses have set up shop in Singapore. Singapore is fast changing
from being a sole importer and retailer to becoming a manufacturer. On 5 March 2008, Procter &
Gamble (P & G) selected Singapore as the home of its first perfume plant in Asia, making the republic a billion dollar base for the P&G brands.

Regionally, Asia's market for beauty products is also growing at more than 20% annually. Locally,
Singapore market consists primarily of perfumes, skincare and makeup products and is estimated to
be worth S$120 million annually, with an annual projected growth rate of 30%.

To ride on this rising wave, Singapore has to provide a critical mass of skills and talents to cooperate
and compete on the world stage. Before today, there is no educational institution that offers formal
training in this area. But I am proud to declare that with the launch of this new diploma, a new breed
of graduates can fulfil the demand of expertise in fragrance and flavour houses and cosmetic
companies.

DPCS is the only local diploma programme that offers training in the areas of chemistry, perfumery
and cosmetic science, preparing its graduates to service the corresponding industries. With its stateof-the-art Cosmetics and Fragrance Centre (CFC) in SP, this new course will play a significant role in fulfilling EDB’s call to make Singapore a flavour and fragrance hub.

Past collaboration (under the now defunct Diploma in Chemical Process) with industrial partners has
successfully commercialised a room scent and the Romancing Singapore series of perfumes. Just as
importantly, these collaborative efforts offered SP students a unique opportunity to engage
multinational corporations and make a difference in the world. The Romancing Singapore perfumes
have since made news in many parts of the world - by itself already a milestone in the fragrance
industry.

Even though no job may be considered recession proof, the DPCS graduate comes close to clinching
such a job. The personal care, cosmetics, fragrance and chemical industries cover a wide range of
companies from giant multinational corporations such as L’Oréal, Johnson and Johnson to small and
medium enterprises. The DPCS graduate is well positioned to seek employment in these industries
as he holds the monopoly on the relevant expertise. I am certain he will proceed to make new waves
in the industry as he steps into the bold new world beyond SP.

I congratulate Singapore Polytechnic on the launch of its Diploma in Perfumery and Cosmetic
Science, and wish it all the best.

Thank you.