The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) extended its existing MOU for another two years today. The MOU was first signed in 1996 and extended in 1998. It will allow the MPA and NUS to continue work on the R&D projects embarked upon to increase the Singapore port's operational efficiency, enhance safety of navigation and improve the marine environment. It will also encourage the development of innovative maritime-related products and systems
Mr Chen Tze Penn, Director-General, MPA, and Professor Chow Shui Nee, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, NUS, signed the MOU.
Also announced for the first time was the setting up of an R&D Office by the MPA. Said Mr Chen Tze Penn, "Our move to establish an R&D arm bears testimony to our commitment in encouraging more co-operative R&D efforts among the local and overseas research institutions, the maritime industry and MPA. The new R&D Office will look into the research and development of maritime initiatives and collaborations. It will also look at how to harness new maritime technologies and innovations for the Singapore port."
In the last five years, NUS has taken a big leap in its efforts in research collaboration and technology transfer with local and global organisations. The University presently has some 100 ongoing co-operative agreements and memoranda of understanding with multi-nationals, small-and medium sized enterprises and government organisations. The Faculties of Engineering, Science and Business pursue over 200 projects with industry and government organisations. These R & D agreements have provided excellent opportunities for transfer of research results to Industry
Since 1996, the R&D MOU with NUS has resulted in the successful completion of several significant projects. One specific project involves optimising the use of large amounts of dredged and excavated soils for land reclamation. This project, which was jointly developed by the Housing and Development Board, NUS and MPA, allows the recycling of soils more cost effectively, thereby reducing disposal and reclamation costs. Additionally, it helps prevent the illegal and indiscriminate dumping of soils in the Singapore port waters and on land.
About 50 guests attended the signing ceremony for the renewal of the R&D MOU between MPA and NUS.
To date, the MPA has signed a total of 8 R&D-related MOUs with local organisations, namely, the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), Institute of High Performance Computing, Centre for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (CRISP), Economic Development Board (on the Local Industry Upgrading Programme), CSO, and the Singapore Polytechnic. Another was signed with the Research Council of Norway in March this year.
End of Release.
