The flagship National University of Singapore (NUS) Grandes Écoles French Double Degree Programme (FDDP), the longest-running academic collaboration between France and Singapore, celebrated its  20^th anniversary with a forum to facilitate knowledge exchange and dialogue on the changing higher education landscape in Singapore and France. The forum was jointly organised by NUS and our partner Grandes Écoles, bringing together academia, industry partners, FDDP alumni and students. 

His Excellency Mr Marc Abensour, Ambassador of France to Singapore, was the Guest-of-Honour. Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President and Mr Eric Labaye, President of École Polytechnique as well as President of Institut Polytechnique de Paris, delivered speeches on the changing landscape of higher education in Singapore and France, respectively. Industry partners Thales Group and Total Oil Asia Pacific shared on industry developments and opportunities in their respective sectors, while three FDDP alumni spoke of how the programme shaped their career pathways, as well as their professional outlook and personal development. 

Mr Abensour said, “The FDDP is an outstanding cooperation between the prestigious National University of Singapore and six of France’s top engineering schools, which are elite academic institutions of more than 200 years. It is a great testimony of the long-standing and high-level collaboration that France and Singapore enjoys, and contributes to strengthening the relationships in education, science and industry between our two countries”. 

NUS is the only university in Singapore offering this prestigious programme, a uniquely intensive global immersion experience where students learn from the best of both worlds. The FDDP is the most demanding and intensive academic programme offered by NUS. Between four to six of NUS’ best Engineering, Science and Computing students may be selected for each of the six partner schools each year. 

Professor Tan said, “This event pays tribute to our synergistic partnership with the Grandes Écoles, and celebrates FDDP’s milestones and achievements over the past two decades.  It is through such collaborations with our strategic international partners that we are able to offer diverse and enriching education programmes that truly nurture our students as global citizens of the future.” 

In 1999, the FDDP was launched between NUS and École Centrale Paris and has since grown in strength. To date, some 370 NUS and French students have graduated from the programme. Over the years, the partnership has also expanded from one partner in 1999 to six Grandes Écoles today, namely, École Centrale Paris (now merged with Supélec as CentraleSupélec); École Polytechnique (l’X); École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris (Mines ParisTech);

Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées (ENSTA Paris); École Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (Télécom Paris); and École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (École des Ponts ParisTech).

FDDP alumni enjoy good employability and are well sought after by employers in diverse industries. Many of them go on to assume management positions at reputable Singapore-based and French companies. Many of these alumni contribute significantly to their respective fields, bringing positive impact to businesses or society. Others have set up their own start-up or businesses.  

“The French Graduate Schools of Engineering 'Grandes Écoles' involved in the FDDP are proud to be part of this Double Curriculum in France and in Singapore. The strong interest of companies worldwide for the FDDP alumni is proof of its success and relevance in today's and tomorrow's world. We are delighted to work with NUS and hope to keep such a great collaboration for many years still to come!” said CentraleSupélec, the first French partner of the programme, on behalf of all the Grandes Écoles.

The French delegation was also treated to a campus tour to NUS-Applied Materials (AMAT) Corporate Laboratory which seeks to accelerate the discovery and commercialisation of new materials for manufacturing next-generation semiconductors, and BLOCK71, an initiative by NUS Enterprise that catalyzes the start-up community by aggregating them at one location. 

Singapore’s Minister for Education Mr Ong Ye Kung will attend an evening gathering at the Residence de France to meet FDDP partners, as well as FDDP alumni, current students and representatives from companies.  The forum is supported by the Embassy of France as part of the Voilah! France Singapore Festival, which showcases French culture and innovation in Singapore.