The delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) visited SJTU-APGI

On September 24, 2024, a delegation from the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), led by Vice Minister Mr. Qiu Yong, visited the National Research Foundation (NRF) in Singapore. This visit included stops at key institutions such as the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Asia-Pacific Graduate Institute (SJTU-APGI) and the Singapore-ETH Centre (SEC).

The delegation, which also included the Science and Technology Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore, Ms. Yu Haiying, and several other officials from MOST andthe Chinese Embassy in Singapore:

• Ms. Zhuang Jia, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation
• Mr. Xiao Wei, Director, Department of International Cooperation
• Mr. Li Jian, Deputy Director, Executive Office
• Ms. Zhong Wenyan, Senior Consultant, Department of International Cooperation
• Ms Gao Xinyue, Interpreter, China Science and Technology Exchange Center
• Ms Chen Pan, Second Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore
• Ms. Lu Miao, Third Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Singapore

Senior Director (Strategy) of NRF Ms. Elizabeth Heng also attended the visit.

Professor Peng Yinghong, Dean of SJTU-APGI, gave an in-depth presentation that covered the history, vision, and major milestones of SJTU-APGI. Key highlights of his presentation included the Energy and Environmentally Sustainable Solutions for Megacities (E2S2) programme, a collaborative initiative between the National University of Singapore (NUS) and SJTU. He also introduced the newly launched Carbon Negative Synthetic Biology for Biomaterial Production from CO2 (CNSB) programme, detailing its objectives and framework.

During the discussions, Mr. Qiu asked about the CREATE programme’s framework and operating mechanisms. Ms. Elizabeth Heng explained that the CREATE programme serves as an international research and innovation hub, hosting interdisciplinary research centres from leading global universities and institutes. Professor Peng emphasized that the CREATE programme not only facilitates collaborative research but also supports the development of young scientists by providing an ideal environment for their growth.

In addition, Assistant Head (Academic Research) of NRF Dr. Loh Zhi Yang, CNSB Track PI Professor Tong Yen Wah from NUS, Track Co-I Professor Miao Xiaoling from SJTU, along with SJTU-APGI staff and students working on the CNSB programme, also attended the visit.

This visit reaffirmed the growing China-Singapore partnership in scientific and technological innovations, inspiring the teams at SJTU-APGI and the CNSB programme to further strengthen their collaborative efforts.