National University of Singapore (NUS) and University of the Philippines (UP) officials discussed prospects for stronger academic collaboration between the two universities during the meeting held in the UP Board of Regents Room, Quezon Hall, UP Diliman, on February 19, 2019. The NUS delegation aimed to “learn about UP’s plans on research, innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization, which could be building blocks that will facilitate the flow of ideas, talent and access to markets, and funding opportunities between Singapore and the Philippines.”
The NUS officials also visited the UPSCALE Innovation Hub at the National Engineering Center, College of Engineering, UP Diliman, and listened to presentations on some of the research initiatives being developed at the Hub.
UP President Danilo L. Concepcion provided the NUS officials with an overview of UP’s constituent universities, academic programs, and faculty, staff and student constituencies in UP campuses across the nation. He also mentioned that since there is still no formal memorandum of understanding to effectively start academic collaboration between NUS and UP, the officials should immediately consider this.
NUS President Tan Eng Chye introduced his university to the UP officials, citing a large constituency of about 38,000 students (28,000 undergraduate students and 10,000 graduate students), 1,600 faculty in research, 5,000 administrative staff, 4,000 research personnel and close to 300,000 alumni. He added that they hope the number of Filipino alumni from the NUS would increase.
Chye talked about the more than 20 years of focus of NUS on innovation and enterprise and its enhanced collaboration with industries. He said the NUS aims to establish an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network, a network of innovator hubs via universities located in the big cities in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and East Timor, to harness the tremendous potentials seen in Southeast Asia. Universities develop entrepreneurs, incubate start-ups, translate research, and facilitate the flow of ideas, talent and access to markets and funding opportunities, he explained further.
The NUS officials also discussed how they conduct their student exchange program or mutual exchange internships in Singapore, establish the platforms for start-ups, and connect with companies and investors that help start-ups to succeed.
UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita D. Padilla noted that UP’s partnership with the NUS can serve as a platform for UP products and innovations to reach ASEAN countries.
The NUS delegation consisted of: President Tan Eng Chye; Vice President (University and Global Relations) Andrew Wee; Dr. Lily Chan, CEO of NUS Enterprise; Prof. Wong Poh Kam, director of the NUS Entrepreneurship Centre and director of NUS Overseas College; Mr. Jonathan Chang, NUS Enterprise; Prof. Eduardo Araral, co-director of the Institute of Water Policy and an associate professor in Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; Mr. Banderlipe Mc Ronald I. Simbajon, manager of Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy; Director Bernard Toh of the Office of Alumni Relations; Mr. Ng Shan Jun, senior executive of the Office of Alumni Relations; Director Edi Fung of the NUS Development Office; and, Mr. Andy Loo, senior associate director of the NUS Development Office.
The UP delegation consisted of: President Danilo L. Concepcion; Regent Angelo A. Jimenez; Executive Vice President Teodoro J. Herbosa; Vice President for Academic Affairs Cynthia Rose B. Bautista; Vice President for Public Affairs Elena E. Pernia; Prof. Gil S. Jacinto, assistant vice president for Academic Affairs (International Linkages); Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jose Wendell P. Capili; Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Rica D. Abad, and also the director of the Office of Alumni Relations; Prof. Aura C. Matias, chairperson of the UP System TWG on Technology Entrepreneurship; Chancellor Michael L. Tan of UP Diliman; Chancellor Carmencita D. Padilla of UP Manila; Vice Chancellor for Research and Development Fidel R. Nemenzo, UP Diliman; Executive Director Eva Cutiongco-de la Paz of the National Institutes of Health; Executive Director Cynthia P. Saloma of the Philippine Genome Center; Director Adeline A. Pacia of the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, UP Diliman; Director Lourdes Marie S. Tejero of the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, UP Manila; Prof. Jose Marie Abilay, Business Development manager of the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, UP Los Baños; Director Concepcion P. Ponce of the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, UP Visayas; Dean Jose V. Camacho Jr. of the Graduate School, UP Los Baños; and, UPSCALE Manager Jhaze Asuncion.
