If Singapore can progress towards a common goal in the next 50 years, social sciences research can make a larger contribution

At the launch of the book 50 Years of Social Issues in Singapore edited by SMU Behavioural Sciences Institute Director Professor David Chan and the book People Matter authored also by Professor Chan, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat agreed with Professor Chan's conclusion in the book on the approach to understanding and addressing social issues. Professor Chan also said that although there may not be a consensus on some of the points raised by the chapter authors, multiple disciplines and perspectives are needed to understand social issues and identify important questions. He noted that it is better to have a partial answer to an important question than a complete answer to a trivial question.