Three new centres established at NUS (Suzhou) Research Institute to focus on China's business landscape, public policy and urban issues

The National University of Singapore (NUS) today announced the set up of three new centres within the NUS (Suzhou) Research Institute (NUSRI), further expanding and deepening its research and education initiatives in China. The new centres are: NUS Business School China Business Centre, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Suzhou Centre and Institute of Real Estate Studies (IRES) Global Logistic Properties Research Centre.

The three new centres will conduct research on China business management, innovation in social management, industrial economic research with Chinese characteristics as well as other topical issues that are relevant to China's social development. Studies conducted at these centres will enhance the overall know-how, capacity and capability of the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) in managing issues relating to public administration, commerce, finance, real estate economics and urbanisation.

NUS President Professor Tan Chorh Chuan and Mr Yang Zhiping, Director of Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee, signed a Framework Agreement this afternoon to formalise the strategic collaboration between the three new centres and the Suzhou Industrial Park.

Prof Tan said, “NUS is delighted to take our collaboration with SIP to a new level with the introduction of three new research centres in the NUS (Suzhou) Research Institute (NUSRI). Since its establishment in 2010, NUSRI has made excellent progress. The three new Centres will enable NUSRI to integrate its academic resources and broaden its spectrum of research to include public policy, business and urban issues. This is in line with NUSRI's commitment to conduct high impact research and quality education programmes that will contribute towards the progress of SIP and Suzhou City, further advancing cooperation between Singapore and China.”

NUSRI, jointly set up by NUS and SIP, is the first research centre in China borne out of international collaboration. Within a short span of three years, NUSRI has successfully launched over 30 research projects, attracted more than 40 internationally renowned scholars, secured about RMB 27 million (approximately S$5.6 million) in research funding, conducted training for more than 1,000 participants. It is currently also incubating 14 startups. NUSRI has also established itself as an important platform for international academic exchange and technology transfer between China and Singapore.

In addition to three new research centres, NUSRI will also host the new Singapore-China (Suzhou) Innovation Centre. The Centre aims to promote China-Singapore technology, innovation exchange and commercialisation; showcase Singapore technologies and startups in Suzhou; and establish a platform for technology transfer, commercialisation and startup incubation.

Earlier this afternoon, Mr Teo Chee Hean, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, visited NUSRI as well as the new centres to understand bilateral cooperation in new areas such as research and development, policy studies, as well as other emerging areas. Mr Teo is making an official visit China from 26 to 28 October 2014 at the invitation of Mr Zhang Gaoli, Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China.

NUS Business School China Business Centre

Managed by the NUS Business School, the China Business Centre aims to be a world-class resource centre and a leading platform for China business research and education. The Centre will engage in a wide spectrum of activities to facilitate teaching and research with China themes, encourage dialogue between scholars and practitioners and groom business leaders and senior executives in China-related business areas.

The Centre will conduct extensive studies on management challenges and issues facing businesses in China, case studies on business strategies in China, and training programmes that provide business leaders with China contextual knowledge and global insights. Some exciting research initiatives to be spearheaded by the China Business Centre include the establishment of a local centre for financial research, China-related databases and indices that are jointly developed with local partners, as well as a centre for post-doctoral business research.

Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy Suzhou Centre

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKY School) Suzhou Centre will leverage on the resources of the Suzhou Industrial Park to integrate itself into the Chinese environment through education and research.

This new Centre is expected to play a significant role in supporting the social, economic and public management transition in China. It aims to offer advanced public administration degree programmes that systematically combines theory and practice. It will also provide short-term training courses focusing on social management, urbanisation, modernisation of governance system, environmental and water resources management, sustainable development and other topics.

The Centre also plans to conduct studies on innovations in local government and experiences and lessons related to public governance. In addition, it will provide opportunities for LKY School students to immerse in China to gain a better understanding of the country's development and its public policy.

IRES Global Logistic Properties Research Centre

Jointly set up by NUS Institute of Real Estate Studies (IRES) and Global Logistic Properties (GLP), one of the world's leading providers of modern logistics facilities, this new Centre is committed to research and the education of leaders in both the public and private sectors in China. The Centre will plan and organise thought leadership activities that will engage and prepare policymakers and industry leaders in China for the complex challenges of tomorrow. In so doing, it will offer a multi-stakeholder platform in analysing and strategising issues in urbanisation, logistics and other related sectors.