03
December
2018
|
19:07
Asia/Singapore

NUS, Tianjin University set up joint institute in Fuzhou

From left: Director of the Education Department of Fujian Province Mr Lin Heping, Prof Tan, Prof Zhong, and Mayor of Fuzhou City Mr You Mengjun at the signing ceremony  

NUS has collaborated with Tianjin University (TJU), the People’s Government of Fuzhou City and the Education Department of Fujian Province to establish the TJU-NUS Joint Institute in Fuzhou, which aims to engage in strategic and innovative research activities and talent development for greater scientific, social and economic impact. 

Two agreements were signed on 1 December to this effect — a Collaboration Agreement between NUS and TJU, and a Cooperation Agreement between NUS, TJU, the People’s Government of Fuzhou City and the Education Department of Fujian Province.

NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye called the TJU-NUS Joint Institute in Fuzhou a timely and exciting extension of NUS’ relationships with universities, industries and government offices in China through scientific and technological cooperation. “We look forward to contributing our know-how in chemistry, material science and engineering, as well as working closely with TJU researchers, to co-create new capabilities and drive innovation in Fuzhou’s industrial sector. We are confident that the Joint Institute will become a vital innovation platform for knowledge creation, technology transfer and talent cultivation,” he added.

We are confident that the Joint Institute will become a vital innovation platform for knowledge creation, technology transfer and talent cultivation.
— Prof Tan Eng Chye, NUS President

The new Institute will house three distinct research centres to pioneer novel and transformative technologies — the Emerging Optoelectronics and Flexible Electronics Centre, which will focus on flexible electronics and emerging optoelectronics based on organic semiconductors, 2D materials, quantum dots and functional nanomaterials; the Advanced Manufacturing Centre, which will research and develop advanced manufacturing technologies; and the Energy Materials and Catalysis Centre, which will look into green and renewable energy and environmental research.

The TJU-NUS Joint Institute in Fuzhou will be fully funded by Fuzhou and located at the TJU (Fuzhou) International Campus in China. It is expected to have about 210 researchers and up to 240 doctoral students working in 30 research groups by 2023.

A Steering Committee will be set up with representatives from both universities and the Fuzhou local government to oversee the activities of the Institute, including determining research themes, reviewing project proposals and setting funding priorities. 

In addition, each year the Institute will host up to 60 NUS PhD students who will participate in its research projects and spend their time in both Singapore and China.

“NUS, a world-class university, is among our most valued strategic partners. The TJU-NUS Joint Institute in Fuzhou under the strong support from local government is a joint endeavour for education and research collaboration with an aim to prepare talents more globally competent and produce influential research outcomes…TJU is ready to work closely with NUS colleagues in the areas of common interests and therefore contribute to the socioeconomic development of the city, the province and more broadly the country,” said TJU President Professor Zhong Denghua.

See press release.