National University of Singapore (NUS) and Imperial College London have announced a new partnership to strengthen research collaborations. The three-year partnership will see the two universities explore cooperation in early-stage research and ideas that might not otherwise be pursued.

The universities will explore potential research projects in areas such as health, sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI) and the digital economy.

NUS has long-standing links with Imperial, and the two universities’ new partnership will strengthen links between London and Singapore.

The new agreement will help fund exploratory research and see increased mobility of scientists and students between NUS and Imperial, with researchers spending time in each other’s laboratories in Singapore and London working on joint projects and sharing knowledge and data.   

Professor Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS, said “This latest partnership empowers academics, researchers and students from two leading global universities to drive influential research and build impactful networks. We share a common dedication to boosting exploratory research which is crucial for developing innovative solutions to the wicked problems of today. We look forward to the enriching exchange of knowledge and experience in the coming years.” 

Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, said “By joining forces with one of Singapore’s top universities we are poised to make significant advancements in areas such as sustainability, healthcare innovation, and the digital economy. This collaboration will not only enhance our research capabilities but also provide invaluable opportunities for our staff and students to expand their international networks and experience.”

NUS and Imperial have worked together successfully on many previous projects including successfully engineering common baker’s yeast to produce a key ingredient for dementia medicines.