Nagoya University News: Strengthening Research Partnerships with Singapore Through High-Level Delegation Visit
A delegation from Nagoya University, led by President Naoshi Sugiyama, recently visited Singapore from September 4 to 7, 2025, to advance research partnerships with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and strengthen existing collaborations developed over the past decade.
Meetings with National University of Singapore
During the visit, President Sugiyama engaged with NUS President Tan Eng Chye to explore the expansion of student exchange programs and the development of new research facilities. Approximately 100 students from Nagoya University are currently enrolled in various programs in Singapore, with plans to increase the number of NUS students studying at Nagoya University to 80 in the upcoming fiscal year.
Engagement with SG Innovate
The delegation also met with Dr. Jui Lim, CEO of SG Innovate, which manages a S$200 million fund aimed at supporting research-driven startups. The discussions focused on creating internship opportunities for deep tech startups, venture building training, and potential investment strategies in line with Nagoya University’s research initiatives.
Collaborations with National Research Foundation
Further discussions were held with Subodh Mhaisalkar, Executive Director for Academic Research at the National Research Foundation (NRF). The talks highlighted Nagoya University’s intention to bolster its research capabilities through the establishment of a physical lab in Singapore, facilitated by partnerships with the NRF. Currently, the university operates 32 virtual satellite research laboratories across 10 of its graduate schools in Singapore.
Interactions with Flagship Programs
The delegation’s itinerary included interactions with students from several flagship programs at Nagoya University. This group comprised students from the Department of Nursing, NUS Overseas Colleges, the Doctoral Program for Innovation and Interdisciplinary Engineering, and the Tongali entrepreneurship educational program. President Sugiyama addressed the students during an introductory welcome session.
Meetings with Japanese Embassy
Additional meetings took place with Ambassador Hiroshi Ishikawa at the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, as well as with representatives from NUS’s Mechanobiology Institute, where a lecture was provided to students in the Doctoral Program.
Establishment of Alumni Branch
The visit concluded with the establishment of the Nagoya University Alumni Singapore Branch, designed to foster connections among graduates in the region. The branch currently has around 120 members, with 60 attending its inaugural ceremony, which was also graced by officials from the Embassy of Japan in Singapore.
Conclusion
This ongoing collaboration between Nagoya University and institutions in Singapore illustrates the university’s commitment to enhancing its international research initiatives and its role within Southeast Asia’s academic landscape.
(Source: Nagoya University News)
