MIT sets up research center in Singapore
DATELINE: SINGAPORE
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Wednesday set up a research and technology center in Singapore, which is also its largest international research endeavor outside the United States.
The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Center will be ready in the next two to three years, according to a joint statement.
It will focus on research in five interdisciplinary research groups, such as Infectious Diseases and Environmental Sensing and Modeling.
Chairman of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Tony Tan said: "MIT's strong commitment to marry excellent teaching and research with innovation and entrepreneurship has spawned a host of scientific breakthroughs, technological advances and high- growth companies".
"It is a model which our own universities seek to emulate - the development of a culture of academic entrepreneurship that will contribute significantly to the economic development of Singapore, " he added.
MIT Provost Rafael Reif said: "This groundbreaking collaboration for NRF and MIT provides an excellent opportunity for MIT to engage in research with Singapore and global researchers based here."
Singapore's Ministry of Education will be matching dollar for dollar for the gifts and donations to the new research center, for the establishment of Singapore Research Professorships.
The professorships will be held by senior MIT faculty or scientists who are actively involved in the center's research program in Singapore.