Senior minister of state in the prime minister's office and
NTUC Deputy secretary-general
Mr. Desmond Tan
Mr Desmond Tan is the Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC since 30 June 2022.
As Group Director of the NTUC Training and Transformation Group, Mr Desmond Tan oversees NTUC’s Transformation Office and the NTUC Training & Placement ecosystem, which comprises the NTUC Industry Training & Transformation Department, NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), NTUC LearningHub and the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute (OTCi). He is also the Executive Secretary of the Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union (SISEU) and Advisor to the Supply Chain Employees’ Union (SCEU).
Mr Desmond Tan is also Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. He is the Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (Pasir Ris Central) since July 2020.
Prior to joining NTUC, Mr Desmond Tan served as the Minister of State for Home Affairs, and Sustainability and the Environment. He was also the Chief Executive Director (CED) of the People’s Association (PA) where he led the community support effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent 28 years in the military and held various key appointments in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces. These included Chief of Staff (General Staff), Director of Joint Operations, Chief Guards Officer and Director Public Affairs.
Mr Desmond Tan graduated from the University of Manchester, U.K. with a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Aeronautical Engineering and holds a Masters in Business Administration from the Nanyang Business School. He enjoys sports and loves spending time with his family. He is married with 3 children.
The SSIA Summit 2024: Our Speakers
Dr. Edna Chan
Centre Director of the Data Science and Analytics Centre (DSAC), Singapore PolytechnicLing Keok Tong
Executive Director, National Quantum Office (NQO)Professor Steven Wong
Director of SIT’s Centre for Digital EnablementAnuj Mahendru
Global Director Semiconductor & Hi-Tech Industry, RockwellRamon Sagarna Ph.D.
Principal Data Scientist, Lam ResearchRafal Janik
Chief Operating Officer, Xanadu Quantum ComputingProfessor Graham Reed
Director, and Professor of Silicon Photonics, Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, UKAngela Yeh
Senior Director, Realtek Semiconductor Corp.Sreekanth Menon
Global A.I. Lead, GenpactLaurence Liew
Director of AI Innovation, AI SingaporeDon Ong
Head of Innovation, Director, AdvantestUnity through art
The Semiconductor Dinner Shaping Hearts Silent Auction
Brought to you in partnership with the NORTH EAST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
What This Auction Represents
As part of SSIA’s commitment to fostering a culture of giving back and promoting community inclusion, we are proud to present a special silent auction at the SSIA Semiconductor Dinner 2024. Curated in collaboration with Shaping Hearts, an initiative by the North-East Community Development Council (NECDC) this initiative emphasises the importance of recognizing the abilities and creative expressions of differently abled artists. Our Sponsors will be given the privilege of participating in this auction, a cornerstone segment of our Semiconductor Dinner this year, and ultimately contributing to the empowerment of these artists and the broader special needs community.
How You Can Make a Difference
The silent auction will be open from 6:00 PM upon the commencement of the Semiconductor Dinner. You are encouraged to place your bids on the paintings displayed in the auction area. You may place your bids discreetly using the provided bid sheets.
Recognizing Your Contribution
At the conclusion of the auction, the highest bidders for each painting will be honoured during a special awards ceremony at the Semiconductor Dinner. The winners will be invited onstage to receive their artwork in a moment of celebration, recognizing their significant contribution to this meaningful cause.
Additionally, your company’s involvement will be prominently featured across SSIA’s social media platforms and in the upcoming issue of VOICE magazine.
This is more than just an auction—it’s a powerful statement of our industry’s dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and community support. We encourage you to participate, place a bid, and join us in making a lasting impact together.
25 September 2025, Thursday*
Morning Summit
SSIA Summit
The SSIA Summit is a premier annual event that brings together leaders and innovators from the semiconductor industry to explore and discuss the latest advancements and future directions. This year’s theme, “Synergizing Silicon: Pioneering the Future with AI and Quantum Technologies,” highlights the critical role of the semiconductor industry in driving innovation in these cutting-edge fields. The Summit serves as a platform for sharing insights, discussing current trends, and charting the course for the technological integrations that will shape our future. It’s not just another conference, it’s the convergence of the brightest minds and most influential industry leaders in the semiconductor sector.
*Subject to change
25 September 2025, Thursday*
Evening Dinner
Semiconductor Dinner
Following the Summit, the Semiconductor Dinner offers a relaxed and celebratory atmosphere featuring the who’s who of the industry – where participants can network, forge deeper connections, and celebrate the industry’s achievements. This year, the Semiconductor Dinner will feature a special segment for the Workforce Transformation Award (WTA) presented by WSG, recognizing outstanding contributions to workforce development within the industry. Additionally, we will be announcing the winners of the Charity Art Auction organized by Shaping Hearts, an initiative of NECDC, adding a meaningful philanthropic dimension to the evening. With growing attendance, sponsorship, and support each year, the SSIA Dinner has solidified its status as a cornerstone of the semiconductor industry in Singapore and the region. Seize this opportunity to be part of something greater, to drive transformation, and to propel the industry forward together with SSIA.
*Subject to change
How 2024 went...
Business Connect 2024 showcased the SSIA’s commitment to uniting MNCs and SMEs within the semiconductor ecosystem, highlighting the pivotal role of shared knowledge and collaboration in driving innovation and competitiveness. The event emphasized key focus areas such as additive manufacturing, automation & AI, cybersecurity, internationalization, and sustainability. Participants engaged in valuable discussions around enhancing industry resilience and addressing contemporary challenges, including supply chain disruptions and the need for digital transformation. Through insightful presentations and networking opportunities, the forum successfully facilitated connections that empower businesses to navigate the evolving semiconductor landscape.
How 2023 went...
In 2023, SSIA celebrated 55 years of the semiconductor industry in Singapore, marking it as a pivotal year that highlights the industry’s remarkable achievements and evolution. The SSIA Summit 2023 was a key event focusing on resilience, particularly in the supply chain, and aimed to solidify Singapore’s position as a global leader in the semiconductor industry.
The summit culminated in the Singapore Semiconductor 55 Dinner, the industry’s largest physical dinner gathering since 2018. This dinner provided an essential networking opportunity, connecting industry leaders, government agencies, and various institutions. The event emphasized the significance of the 55th (Emerald) Anniversary, symbolizing abundance, growth, and the amalgamation of technology, agencies, companies, and digitalization – reinforcing SSIA’s commitment to driving new industry frontiers and supporting Singapore’s vision of Advanced Manufacturing 2030.
Our 2024 Guest-of-Honour
Our Guest of Honour,
MINISTER OF STATE, TRADE AND INDUSTRY, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH
Alvin Tan
Mr. Tan was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2020, and appointed Minister of State for both the Ministry of Trade & Industry (MTI), and the Ministry of Culture, Community & Youth (MCCY). He is also a Board Member at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). At MTI, he is involved in growing Singapore’s economy, focusing on the tourism, tech start-up, agri-food tech and advanced manufacturing sectors, and securing free trade agreements with Latin America. At MCCY, he is working on empowering youths, promoting mental well-being and mentoring, strengthening racial and religious harmony and supporting Singapore’s sports, arts and culture sectors. At MAS, he is helping develop Singapore’s financial sector, including as a fintech, green finance and digital assets hub.
Premium Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Supported By
Agenda
8:50 AM – Guests to be seated
9:00 AM – Opening Address by SSIA Executive Director, Ang Wee Seng
9:10 AM – Keynote Speech: Catherine West, UK Government, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific)
9:20 AM – Speaker: Ling Keok Tong, Executive Director, National Quantum Office (NQO)
Presentation title: “Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy: Opportunities for the Semiconductor Industry”
9:45 AM – Speaker: Rafal Janik, COO, Xanadu Quantum Computing
Presentation title: “Quantum Photonics Meets Semiconductors: Xanadu’s Path to Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing”
10:10 AM – Speaker: Professor Graham Reed, Director and Professor of Silicon Photonics, Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, UK
Presentation title: “Silicon Photonics: An Enabling Technology”
10:35 AM – Bio Break
10:50 AM – Speaker: Laurence Liew, Director of AI Innovation, AI Singapore
Presentation title: “Building an AI-First Nation”
11:15 AM – Panel Discussion: Shaping the Future – AI and Quantum Technologies in Global Semiconductor Strategies
Moderator: Richard Wong, Senior Vice President, Global Head of Security Market Advisory, Frost & Sullivan
Panellists:
- Ling Keok Tong, Executive Director, National Quantum Office (NQO)
- Rafal Janik, COO, Xanadu Quantum Computing
- Laurence Liew, Director of AI Innovation, AI Singapore
- Professor Graham Reed, Director and Professor of Silicon Photonics, Optoelectronics Research Centre, University of Southampton, UK
1:30 PM – Speaker: Prof Steven Wong, Director of SIT’s Centre for Digital Enablement
Presentation title: “Generative AI in Education”
1:50 PM – Speaker: Dr. Edna Chan, Centre Director of the Data Science and Analytics Centre (DSAC), Singapore Polytechnic
Presentation title: “Unlocking the Potential of Data and AI for Digital Transformation”
2:10 PM – Speaker: Sreekanth Menon, Global AI Lead, Genpact
Presentation title: “Unleashing the Power of AI: A Roadmap for Semiconductor Innovation”
2:30 PM – Speaker: Angela Yeh, Senior Director, Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Presentation title: “The Role of AI in Streamlining Design and Innovating Products”
2:50 PM – Bio Break
3:05 PM – Speaker: Don Ong, Head of Innovation, Director, Advantest
Presentation title: “Customizing Smart Manufacturing Automation: The Four Pillars Explored”
3:25 PM – Speaker: Ramon Sagarna, Ph.D., Principal Data Scientist, Lam Research
Presentation title: “Smart Tools for AI Challenges: Machine Learning, Smart Metrology and Adaptive Equipment”
3:45 PM – Speaker: Anuj Mahendru, Global Director Semiconductor & Hi-Tech Industry, Rockwell
Presentation title: “Empowering Efficiency, Reducing Emissions: AI for Greener Fabs”
4:05 PM – Tea Break / End of Summit / Exhibition and Networking
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Cocktail Session begins
7:00 PM – SSIA Opening Video
7:05 PM – Welcome Address by Jennifer Teong, Chairman, SSIA
7:15 PM – Opening Address by Mr. Desmond Tan, Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC, Group Director of NTUC Training & Transformation, and Executive Secretary of Singapore Industrial and Services Employees’ Union
7:25 PM – WSG-SSIA Video
7:30 PM – Workforce Transformation Awards (WTA) by Workforce Singapore (WSG)
7:50 PM – Commencement of Dinner
8:30 PM – Announcement of Charity Auction Winners
8:45 PM – Dinner resumes
10:45 PM – Dinner ends
What to Expect
Ignite Innovation: The Semiconductor Conference
Dive into the latest semiconductor trends with industry thought leaders, featuring dynamic technology presentations that ignite fresh ideas and drive innovation.
Showcase Innovation: Exhibition
Explore a vibrant display of cutting-edge products and services at our dedicated booths, running alongside the conference to give you a comprehensive view of the industry’s offerings.
Connect & Collaborate: Networking Opportunities
Forge valuable connections and engage in meaningful conversations during our onsite networking sessions, designed to maximize interaction and foster collaboration among participants.
Engage & Explore: Beyond the ConferencE
Join us for interactive sessions that spark innovation and deeper industry insights during our highly anticipated beer-and-networking events. Connect with peers and leaders to discuss ideas and build lasting relationships.
Your questions answered
Frequently Asked Questions
We’re thrilled that you want to be part of our journey in driving semiconductor innovation forward! For inquiries about sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at secretariat@ssia.org.sg.
Past industry events have welcomed a diverse group of professionals and leaders from the semiconductor sector, including:
- Industry leaders from both multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Senior management and decision-makers who guide their companies’ strategic directions.
- Department and procurement leads focused on operations and acquisitions.
- Representatives from government agencies involved in policymaking and support.
- Partners from institutes of higher learning and research institutes contributing to innovation and development.
Most MNCs in the SSIA network are invited, ensuring strong global representation. SME participation includes startups seeking collaboration, solution providers showcasing innovative technologies, and businesses looking to expand into new markets. For more detailed information, write to us at secretariat@ssia.org.sg.
We always aim to curate a diverse group of experts and industry leaders to provide valuable insights and discussions at our events. If you have someone in mind, please write in and pitch it to us at secretrariat@ssia.org.sg—we welcome suggestions for industry leaders and speakers! As we confirm our lineup, we will update this event page with their profiles and session details. Please stay tuned for the announcement.