NUSRI will leverage on NUS' expertise to promote research, education and entrepreneurship in Suzhou and China; Four collaborative agreements inked
Newswise — Suzhou, China, 29 May 2013 ― The National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute (NUSRI), a collaboration between NUS and the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee (SIPAC), inaugurated its facilities in Suzhou, China, today.
The official opening ceremony was attended by Singapore Education Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat; Mr Wang Hongsheng, Vice Mayor, Suzhou City; Mr Jiang Hongkun, Secretary of CPC Suzhou City Committee of Jiangsu Province; Mr Wang Xiang, Party Secretary, Suzhou Industrial Park; Mr Yang Zhiping, Director, SIPAC; scholars and other guests. The completion and operation of NUSRI heralds a new chapter in the friendship and partnership between Singapore and China.
NUSRI is fully funded by SIPAC and managed by NUS. Located within the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District (SEID) in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), NUSRI is NUS' first overseas research institute. It is also the first research institute in China that is set up independently by a foreign university.
In conjunction with the official opening, NUSRI inked four collaborative agreements with Suzhou-based education institutions and industry partners:• A joint centre on Singapore studies with Renmin University of China Suzhou Campus;• Pre-master programmes with Wuhan University Suzhou Research Institute; and• Collaborations with Suzhou Great Elevator and Jurong International Constructors (Suzhou) in a broad spectrum of areas, including product development, executive training and student internships.
These new collaborations mark NUSRI's active involvement and contribution towards China's development in education, advanced manufacturing and urbanisation.
A hub for research, training and entrepreneurshipThe NUSRI building is a purpose-built facility providing 21,000 square metres of space for research, training and entrepreneurship activities for researchers, students and companies in Singapore and China. For a start, the new building will be home to about 50 researchers and 20 administrative staff. At steady state, NUSRI is expected to house 200 to 300 researchers working on a broad spectrum of research projects of benefit to Singapore and China.
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan, NUS President, said, "Our vision for the NUS (Suzhou) Research Institute is to contribute towards the goals of the Suzhou Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation in the Suzhou Industrial Park, while expanding and deepening NUS' research expertise and connections in China. We are delighted that NUSRI is making excellent progress."
"The completion of NUSRI's physical facilities will provide a significant boost to the research, education and entrepreneurship activities that it has been actively spearheading. We look forward to working closely with our partners in Suzhou and China to generate knowledge and innovations that will bring positive impact to both Singapore and China."
As an active and key member of a new zone within the SIP, NUSRI aims to contribute to the growth and transformation of SIP by working closely with research institutions and companies based in the area.
Mr Wang Hongsheng, Vice Mayor, Suzhou City, said, “Over the past two years, the NUS (Suzhou) Research Institute has made significant contributions by providing scientific and technical support and manpower training. NUSRI is carrying out a variety of scientific and technological projects at the provincial, city and national level, and it is also involved in nurturing talents and equipping them with a global mindset and technical capabilities.”
“NUSRI’s activities are aligned with the local economic development needs, and at the same time, it epitomises a new model of research collaboration between China and our overseas partners. This is a project that we are very pleased to promote throughout the city, and the Suzhou Municipal Government will give this great project our fullest support.”
ResearchLeveraging on NUS' excellent research expertise in a broad spectrum of areas, NUSRI will contribute towards knowledge creation and technological development that will benefit Singapore, Suzhou and China.
NUSRI focuses on six key research areas: advanced electronic devices; biomedical science and engineering; energy and environment technology; agricultural and food science and technology; interactive multimedia and software development; as well as nanomaterials and applications.
A total of 11 research projects led by NUS principal investigators have been set up. To date, NUSRI has successfully secured research funding totaling RMB 18 million (about S$3.7 million) from funding agencies in China.
EducationNUSRI serves as a platform to bring together professionals and scholars from Singapore, China and around the world to learn and share knowledge and experiences. This is achieved through conducting professional seminars and workshops for business executives, as well as cultural immersion programmes for NUS students and international students.
For instance, NUSRI will provide executive training programmes and workshops for Chinese senior officials in niche areas such as, intellectual property management, entrepreneurship, risk management and public policy.
NUSRI has also been organising programmes for NUS students to gain exposure in Suzhou and other parts of China. To date, about 300 NUS students have benefitted from educational programmes organised by NUSRI.
NUS schools and faculties are also leveraging on NUSRI as a base to strengthen their presence in China. The NUS School of Design and Environment, for example, has set up a design laboratory and research entity in NUSRI to consolidate its academic activities in China.
EntrepreneurshipAnother strategic thrust of NUSRI is the promotion of entrepreneurship-related activities between Singapore and China. NUSRI provides technology services and facilitates the commercialisation of research breakthroughs for the benefit of Jiangsu Province, Suzhou City, Suzhou Industrial Park and beyond.
NUSRI's Centre for Technology Transfer and Enterprise (NUSRI TTEC), which comprises a business incubator and a technology transfer centre, was set up in November 2012 to serve and incubate new technology startups and companies that designate China as a base for R&D and commercialisation activities.
There are currently four incubatee companies based in NUSRI: Pat Snap; SA Biotech; KAI Square; and GCoreLab. Another five NUS-related companies are also associated the NUSRI TTEC, although they are not housed within NUSRI.
NUSRI creates opportunities for networking and business development by providing platforms to bring together Chinese and Singapore entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, service providers and government agencies.
About National University of Singapore (NUS)
A leading global university centred in Asia, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university which offers a global approach to education and research, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. NUS has 16 faculties and schools across three campuses. Its transformative education includes a broad-based curriculum underscored by multi-disciplinary courses and cross-faculty enrichment. Over 37,000 students from 100 countries enrich the community with their diverse social and cultural perspectives. NUS has three Research Centres of Excellence (RCE) and 23 university-level research institutes and centres. It is also a partner in Singapore’s 5th RCE. NUS shares a close affiliation with 16 national-level research institutes and centres. Research activities are strategic and robust, and NUS is well-known for its research strengths in engineering, life sciences and biomedicine, social sciences and natural sciences. It also strives to create a supportive and innovative environment to promote creative enterprise within its community. For more information, please visit www.nus.edu.sg.
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