ZJU explores collaborative opportunities with Singapore’s National Research Foundation

In a promising step towards fostering enhanced research ties, REN Shaobo, chairman of the Zhejiang University Council, met with a delegation led by Beh Kian Teik, CEO of the National Research Foundation of Singapore (NFR). The meeting, held on August 23rd, marked the initiation of a dialogue to fortify future collaborative endeavors.

Also present at the meeting were Kok-Kwang Phoon, deputy chief scientific advisor of the NFR and provost of the Singapore University of Technology and Design, and HE Lianzhen, vice president of Zhejiang University.

REN Shaobo extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation. He provided an overview of the University's distinctive strengths and academic features, highlighting ZJU's recent strides in fostering interdisciplinary research and global engagement. Anticipation brimmed as REN Shaobo expressed the University's eagerness to collaborate actively with Singaporean counterparts in the fields of clean energy, smart cities, and public health with the support of the NRF, thereby contributing significantly to sustainable development on a global scale.

Beh Kian Teik acknowledged Zhejiang University’s remarkable progress and fruitful partnership with Singapore. He stressed that many challenges faced by Singapore are global in nature and cannot be addressed by any single nation alone. Underscoring the NRF’s commitment to cross-disciplinary and cross-border cooperation, Beh Kian Teik expressed support for collaborative academic research on sustainable development themes such as energy and health among researchers from both countries.

Besides, special seminars were organized where Vice President HE Lianzhen, along with professors from ZJU’s College of Energy Engineering, College of Chemical and Biological Engineering, and School of Materials Science and Engineering, provided detailed introductions. The delegation also visited the School of Physics and the International Design Institute to gain a deeper understanding of ZJU's research into quantum and digital technologies.

The NRF, established in 2006, is a department within the Prime Minister’s Office. It boasts five Research Centers of Excellence and an international collaboratory, the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) which houses research centers set up by top universities. It also funds strategic initiatives and builds up R&D capabilities by nurturing research talent.