ST Engineering Launches First of its Kind Research Collaboration Model to Accelerate Research Translation for Commercialisation

Singapore, 28 October 2021 –  ST Engineering today announced that it is partnering with the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and A*STAR in a first of its kind research collaboration model.

Named Research Translation @ ST Engineering, the model is designed to allow for the construct of multi-disciplinary teams, comprising partner researchers and ST Engineering technology and engineering teams in the same collaborative space to enable academia and practitioner engagements. This would foster a stronger working relationship between ST Engineering and its partners to drive impactful translational research that meets fast-evolving market needs and customer demands.  

Under the Research Translation @ ST Engineering model, ST Engineering will provide the translational development infrastructure located in ST Engineering premises. The collaboration will focus on customer-centric product R&D with the aim to accelerate development of technologies for real-world impact, translating research outcomes from laboratory to prototype development, and from pilot scale into commercially viable products. 

The announcement was made in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, Chairman of the National Research Foundation Singapore (NRF) and Chairman of Future Economy Council (FEC) Heng Swee Keat, who visited and toured the Innosuite, a showcase gallery at ST Engineering.

The five-year partnership will involve up to 100 researchers and about 200 ST Engineering scientists and engineers, with a target to collaborate on some 20 to 30 research projects at any one time. ST Engineering has identified eight technology areas that it will initially focus on developing with its respective partners:

• Smart Traffic Management
• Quantum Computing
• Advanced Energy Technologies
• Robotics and Autonomous Bus
• 5G and Future Communications
• Advanced Cybersecurity Technologies
• Digitalisation and Data Analytics
• Neuromorphic Computing

These areas of research will draw on the strengths of the partners to accelerate the translation of research into industry applications, with a view to create multi-partner collaborations in the above-mentioned areas and future new areas to develop world-class technologies. These will be adopted by ST Engineering for its commercial and defence businesses in the aerospace, smart city, and public security domains to generate enhanced solutions and new capabilities.

“The business landscape of today is fast-changing, complex and dynamic, thus we must innovate faster to remain future-proof. By harnessing the best minds in research and engineering within Singapore’s RIE ecosystem, we can hasten the process from research to commercialisation, which will in turn enhance ST Engineering’s global competitiveness and enable business growth, while doing our part to realise the NRF’s RIE2025 strategic goal of achieving more research translation for Singapore,” said Vincent Chong, Group President & CEO of ST Engineering.  

To underscore its commitment, ST Engineering will invest a total of $60 million over the five-year period, to which NUS, NTU, SUTD and A*STAR will receive $15 million each. It targets to achieve a total investment of $120 million with funding support. 

Prof Tan Sze Wee, Assistant Chief Executive (Enterprise), A*STAR, said, “We are excited to partner ST Engineering, to contribute A*STAR’s good science and research expertise, and add value through technology and innovation. We look forward to closer collaboration with our local enterprises and the Institutes of Higher Learning, to translate research outcomes into commercial products and solutions for the industry.”

“At NUS, translating research outcomes to solve real-world problems is central to our work. Research Translation @ ST Engineering builds on NUS’ existing strong research engagements with ST Engineering and Singapore’s defence ecosystem, and brings our collaborations to new heights through the translation of NUS’ innovations and co-development of advanced technologies and capabilities with commercialisation potential. We look forward to more fruitful partnerships with ST Engineering,” stated Professor Chen Tsuhan, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology).

“NTU and ST Engineering have been working together in the areas of energy technologies, advanced robotics, and autonomous systems to develop robust and practical solutions that will benefit society. The launch of the Research Translation @ ST Engineering research collaboration model is an extension of this longstanding partnership to catalyse translation of research outcomes for real-world applications. NTU, with its strengths and research capabilities in engineering and in developing industry-relevant research, has much to contribute, and I look forward to the innovative solutions borne from this collaboration,” shared NTU Senior Vice President (Research) Professor Lam Khin Yong.

SUTD President, Professor Chong Tow Chong echoed the same sentiments. “ST Engineering is an important partner to SUTD, in both research and education. Our past and existing collaborations range from a joint cybersecurity lab, to smart systems, aviation, robotics, and the Future Communications Systems. This new initiative deepens SUTD’s existing collaboration with ST Engineering, by advancing research collaborations to the translational stage and becoming industry ready. We look forward to creating impact together to benefit society and the economy,” he said.

Dr. Lee Shiang Long, Group Chief Technology and Digital Officer of ST Engineering said, “Research Translation @ ST Engineering allows for the easy plug-in of research outcomes for the testing of system performance, reliability and safety. The increased interactions between the researchers and engineers arising from this is mutually beneficial. Our partner researchers will gain more industry exposure and a stronger grasp of business realities, while our technologists and engineers will be able to deepen their knowledge and skills through collaborations with academic research experts as part of our talent development strategy.”

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