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The LSA scheme allows staff to acquire new knowledge, insights and professional competencies, through research attachments or development projects in other local or overseas organisations. By doing so, the scheme hopes to augment the staff's personal and professional development, as well as bring fresh ideas into DSO for the benefit of the defence community at large.
For his LSA, Gee Wah chose to study the up-and-coming research field of Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, which links diverse fields of neuroscience, cognitive science, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, biology and mathematics. It is relevant to data fusion, as well as human-inspired computing.
"It has always been my desire to do some research within this area, to further explore and find solutions towards building smart systems for the SAF," he says. "And, after completing my PhD in 1996 and working in DSO for ten years, I guess it is good to refresh and update myself with new knowledge!"
Over the year in Boston, Gee Wah was attached to not just one, but two of the city's most prestigious universities, Boston University (BU) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Both universities are well-known for their strong backgrounds in science and engineering, particularly in his field of interest.
Gee Wah would shuffle between five laboratories and departments in total: BU's Department of Cognitive and Neural Systems (BU / CNS), and Center for Memory and Brain; and MIT's Department of Brain and Cognitive Science (MIT / BCS), Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (MIT / CSAIL), and Media Lab. He attended 7 courses during the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 semesters, as well as workshops jointly organised by BU, MIT and even the neighbouring Harvard University.
Applying to both universities, he says, was a tricky task - but one worth the effort. "The application process was not straightforward, but not impossible. This way, I got the chance to tap on the best of both universities," he adds. In addition to working with Professor Stephen Grossberg from BU / CNS, Gee Wah also co-supervised a joint project between DSO and MIT, collaborating with Professor Eric Grimson from MIT / CSAIL.
For Gee Wah, being back in a collegiate environment was refreshing, as students and researchers were usually more open to discussion. "University researchers are generally quite carefree about sharing on their research areas, without the constraints of classified material. But to speak to faculty staff, one would need to know them, understand their expertise and be able to strike a conversation around their area of interest." Apart from the new knowledge gained, he also sharpened his time management skills and self-discipline by having to conduct independent research.
Outside of his studies, Gee Wah also found time to indulge in a few recreation activities. "I guess my enjoyment in doing research is my recreation," he says with a laugh. "But having said that, I did join the Cultural Connection class to interact with other people on most Fridays, and attended church activities on Sunday. My family was also with me in Boston."
All in all, Gee Wah is thankful for the support given to him by his then-director Mr Yeo Kee Kong, and Programme Director (Info Exploitation), Dr Kenneth Kwok, to go on his LSA. "This LSA has given me the time and opportunity to study and research into a new field that I may not have been able to do otherwise." |