Channel NewsAsia 19 Mar 08;
SINGAPORE : Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is expanding its research efforts in environmental and water technologies.
To do this, it is getting researchers to work even more closely with industry partners. And this is the role of the new Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute (NEWRI).
Tests carried out in the labs have a big impact on Singapore's long-term needs, when it comes to how the country manages its environmental and water resources. That is why NTU has decided to set up an institute to coordinate the efforts of various research groups.
NEWRI will facilitate and present the latest technologies in the environment and water industry.
It also hopes to encourage more partnerships between NTU and the industry.
Professor Ng Wun Jern, Executive Director, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, said, "R&D does not happen naturally, you need the translation to come in so that the results of the research can be understood by the people who are working out in the industry. And then they can do the developmental work."
NEWRI also aims to expand its partnerships to the region and the other parts of the world.
It has already established links with organisations in Japan and the United States.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Environment and Water Resources Minister, said, "Singapore is ready to take on a leading role in the environmental and water technology sector. Our investments in research and technology over the past few decades have given rise to significant local capabilities in this field. In the last two years, we have also seen the industry and R&D eco-system continue to evolve and grow."
NEWRI also plans to promote collaborations between researchers and industry players, beyond the environment and water industry. - CNA/ms
New hub to turn green ideas into reality
Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute to oversee 2 water research centres
Tania Tan, Straits Times 20 Mar 08;
A NEW institute was launched yesterday that promises to pump money and brain power into green research here.
The Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (Newri) will focus on turning ideas - from managing trash to detecting pollution - into reality, officials said.
Located at the Nanyang Technological University, the institute was part of three initiatives launched yesterday by the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.
Dr Yaacob also opened two centres dedicated to environment and water research and awarded three scholarships.
The Government has earmarked research into green solutions as a pillar of economic growth, said Dr Yaacob. By tapping into a 'wellspring of ideas for research', the institute is an added boost to Singapore's burgeoning water-related industry, he said.
In the last two years, international water companies, which do everything from treatment to consultancy, have set up shop here.
The firms, which include Siemens and CH2MHill, have helped to spur the demand for water-related research, including purification.
'We function as an ecosystem, with different entities working together to pursue a common vision of environmental research,' said Newri's executive director, Professor Ng Wun Jern.
'Our mission is to meet industry demand.'
Two new centres under the Newri banner - the Singapore Membrane Technology Centre (SMTC) and the DHI-NTU Water & Environment Research Centre and Education Hub (DHI-NTU Centre) - were also launched yesterday.
Helmed by Professor Anthony Fane, the SMTC will focus its research on the use of thin films, called membranes, that act as super filters separating contaminants from water.
'We hope to build on the existing success of Singapore's water technology,' said the former director of the United Nations' Centre for Membrane Science.
The two centres, along with six others under Newri's purview, will focus on environmental and water research, including urban water and garbage management.
Also high on the agenda is building on the existing pool of PhD students through training and education programmes, said Prof Ng.
The two centres hope to produce some 30 PhD students over a five-year period.
As Singapore aims to woo more research and development companies, PhD researchers are becoming an increasingly important commodity.
For example, the environmental arm of the National Research Foundation - NRF (Environmental and Water Technologies) - has committed $30 million over five years to postgraduate scholarships.
'Young talent is critical in driving our research,' said Prof Ng.
Already on their way to doctoral degrees are Mr Winson Lay and Mr Shi Jing Sheng. They received PhD scholarships yesterday at the Newri opening ceremony.
They were joined by Miss Sri Hernani, who was awarded a scholarship to pursue a master's in environmental engineering.
'Getting this scholarship is like opening a gateway to water research,' said Mr Lay, who will be pursuing his degree at the SMTC.
Miss Hernani's scholarship is funded by NRF (EWT) and United States-based water company Black & Veatch.
