SINGAPORE: Two agreements have been signed between Singapore and Luxembourg on Tuesday (Nov 15) to deepen partnerships in areas of research and development. These will pave the way for millions of dollars in funding for joint projects.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel witnessed the signing of the agreements during his two-day working visit to Singapore.
This morning, Mr Bettel toured the Agency for Science, Technology and Research’s (A*STAR) premises in one-north and was briefed on projects that the agency had worked on.
It was also where he witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Centre for 3D Printing and the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology.
The centre expects S$10 million to S$20 million to be invested in cooperative ventures which will broaden the scope of its work, which is currently focused on metals and ceramics. With the funding, researchers can work on applying 3D printing to composite materials, which have a wide variety of industrial applications.
The other agreement signed was between the Luxembourg National Research Fund and the National Research Foundation (NRF), witnessed by Mr Bettel and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
(Photo: Mr Bettel’s Twitter page)
It will foster science and innovative collaborations. The first call for potential projects to be funded is set for the first half of 2017. Up to S$1.25 million will be set aside for each project, with up to three projects supported for each call.
The projects will run for three years.
A key criteria for selection is to have a high degree of cooperation and collaboration between the research teams of both countries in planning, developing and executing the project.
“They can collaborate to develop new technologies relevant to the needs of both countries,” said Professor Low Teck Seng, NRF’s chief executive officer. “NRF is confident that our continued efforts to strengthen collaborations with top researchers overseas will contribute significantly to building Singapore’s technological capabilities and creating value for our economy and society.”
LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY: LUXEMBOURG PM
Mr Bettel also delivered a lecture on the digital age and its impact on political leadership at the Singapore Management University.
(Photo: Mr Bettel’s Twitter page)
He said it was crucial for governments to leverage technology in connecting with citizens: “Luxembourg, similar to Singapore in Asia is emerging as a digital hub in Europe. It’s small, agile enough to perceive change and to react quickly. Where others think, analyse, analyse and think and analyse and think and do study and counter-study, we decide. That makes the difference.”
At the Istana in the evening, Mr Bettel was hosted to dinner by Mr Lee.
Both leaders reaffirmed the warm bilateral relations as well as discussed regional and international developments.
