Nanyang Technological University (NTU) of Singapore and the University of California signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today for expanding academic and research opportunities and collaborations in both the institutions.
Professor Subra Suresh, NTU president and Janet Napolitano, president of University of California signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of their respective institutions.
Under the terms of agreement, both the educational institutions will explore activities over a five-year time frame to further the exchange of faculty and students, as well as joint research efforts in areas that include climate change, health, technology and innovation.
“Both NTU Singapore and University of California are globally recognised for research, education, innovation and commitment to societal impact. By combining our strengths and by deepening our collaboration, we can magnify this impact to address a number of global challenges,” said Professor Subra Suresh, NTU president.
“I’m excited to be in Singapore this week to explore new opportunities for UC to collaborate with leading higher education institutions such as NTU Singapore,” said Janet Napolitano, president of University of California.
“With its teaching, research, and public service mission, the University of California is committed to boldly confronting the most pressing global challenges. Establishing robust international partnerships is critical to this effort,” she added.
Janet Napolitano and her delegation are on a two-day visit to Singapore. On Monday, she gave a lecture and participated in a dialogue in front of an audience of some 300 students, faculty, and members of the public.
The discussion centred on the integral roles that individuals, institutions and universities can play in meeting the global challenges of climate disruption and other emerging threats, and in uniting the world through research and innovation.
This memorandum of understanding builds on NTU's existing academic and research collaborations with UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Los Angeles, UC San Francisco, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz.
Currently, some 180 students from NTU participate in academic exchanges in the US annually, and another 175 students participate in exchange programmes at US partner-universities under the Global Engineering Education Exchange network that enables undergraduate engineering students to study and intern abroad.