The National University of Singapore (NUS) Guangzhou Research Translation and Innovation Institute (NUS GRTII) marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of its new building in Guangzhou, China. The institute, a collaborative venture between NUS, the People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality, and the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City Administrative Committee, is poised to drive research translation, incubate startups, promote entrepreneurship, and offer educational programmes aimed at nurturing talents in Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area.
NUS GRTII, the university’s fourth overseas research institute in China, joins a prestigious lineup including the NUS Suzhou Research Institute, the Tianjin University-NUS Joint Institute in Fuzhou, and the NUS Chongqing Research Institute. Strategically located within the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, NUS GRTII aims to become a flagship initiative in the Greater Bay Area.
During the inauguration ceremony, NUS GRTII sealed strategic collaboration agreements with 13 partners, including leading Singapore enterprises, Huangpu District companies, and other industry players and organisations. Notable among these partnerships is the collaboration with WeRide in autonomous driving technologies, where NUS GRTII will engage in research projects focused on autonomous driving R&D and commercialisation.
NUS GRTII also welcomed its first cohort of 9 startups, set to be incubated within its state-of-the-art facilities, as part of its mission to foster entrepreneurial activities between Singapore and China. Through providing business incubation, technology transfer, and facilitating the commercialisation of research breakthroughs, NUS GRTII aims to benefit Singapore, Guangzhou, and the Greater Bay Area.
Among the startups joining NUS GRTII is JN Medsys, an innovative Digital PCR technology company based in Singapore. Dr Johnson Ng, Founder & CEO of JN Medsys, expressed optimism about starting the company in Guangzhou due to its favorable business environment and strategic location. Another startup, Yimiji Technology, an AI-based medical image processing analysis platform and smart surgical robotic technology, looks forward to leveraging NUS’ research development and capabilities to accelerate its growth and product development in the Guangzhou market.
In the realm of education, NUS GRTII pledges to train over 2,200 Chinese PhD and Master’s students, post-doctoral fellows, and professionals over the next decade, supporting talent development in the Greater Bay Area. Scholarships will be offered by the Huangpu District Government, Guangzhou City Government, and corporate sponsors to support aspiring Chinese students in pursuing their postgraduate studies at NUS in Singapore.
Established in September 2023, NUS GRTII is dedicated to research translation, technological innovation, startup incubation, and talent development in Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area. Its focus areas include Smart Cities, Information and Communication, Electronic Science and Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Biomedical Technology, and FinTech. The collaborations unveiled during the inauguration underscore NUS’ commitment to contributing to the scientific research, technology transfer, and postdoctoral training programmes in Guangzhou.
Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President, expressed excitement about NUS GRTII’s role in the vibrant hub of entrepreneurship and innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He highlighted NUS GRTII’s focus on key areas aligned with the technological developments and market demands in Guangzhou City, underscoring its potential to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
Professor Meng Qiang, Director of NUS GRTII, emphasised the institute’s dedication to advancing scientific research, nurturing exceptional talents, and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. He believes that NUS GRTII will serve as a dynamic hub for science and innovation, forging partnerships with government agencies, enterprises, and key industry players to drive technological innovation and industrial transformation in Guangzhou and beyond.
