From November 14 to 15, 2024, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) Vice President Professor Liu Weidong visited the SJTU Asia-Pacific Graduate Institute (SJTU-APGI) and attended 1^st Steering Committee (SC) Meeting of the "Carbon-Negative Synthetic Biology for Biomaterial Production from CO₂ (CNSB)" programme in Singapore.

On November 14, accompanied by Professors Peng Yinghong, Dean of SJTU-APGI, and Chen Fangruo, Dean of Antai College of Economics and Management, Professor Liu toured the Antai Asia Pacific Centre, which was launched on December 9, 2023. During the visit, Professor Xi Junfang, Vice Dean of SJTU-APGI, introduced the history of Antai's educational initiatives in Singapore. Additionally, a discussion took place regarding the strategies for scaling SJTU’s presence and impact in the region.

On November 15, Professor Liu engaged directly with the CNSB programme team during his visit to SJTU-APGI. He interacted with project PIs, explored the CNSB office and laboratories, and reviewed progress on this ambitious initiative.

Later that afternoon, the first Steering Committee Meeting for the CNSB programme was convened. Co-chaired by Professor Liu and Professor Chng Wee Joo, NUS Vice President (Biomedical Sciences Research), the meeting focused on updates from the CNSB team led by Programme Director Professor Peng Yinghong from SJTU and Co-Director Professor Lin Zhiqun from NUS. Research advancements and financial updates were presented, with the team noting that key performance indicators, particularly in invention disclosures and patent applications, had already exceeded Year 1 goals.

The delegation attending the Steering Committee Meeting included the SC Member Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar, Executive Director (Academic Research), NRF; the SC Member Mr Ni De En, Director (Urban Solutions and Sustainability), NRF; Professor Liu Bin, Deputy President (Research and Technology), NUS; Mr George Loh, Associate Vice President (Strategic Partnership); Professor Xu Min, Vice-Dean of SJTU-APGI; Professor Matthew Chang. NUS; Professor Tong Yen Wah, NUS; Associate Professor Jin Xin, SJTU; Professor Miao Xiaoling, SJTU; Assistant Professor Julius Fredens, NUS; Dr Loh Zhi Yang, Assistant Head (Academic Research), NRF; Ms Loh Chin Siew, Senior Associate Director (ODPRT), NUS. SJTU Professor Fan Chunhai, Professor Xu Ping, Professor Tian Changlin, Associate Professor Zhang Zhitao and NUS Associate Professor Yew Wen Shan attended the meeting virtually.

The Steering Committee praised the progress made and expressed optimism about the programme's future contributions to sustainable innovation and synthetic biology.

The visit and discussions during SJTU Vice President Professor Liu Weidong’s trip to Singapore showcased SJTU's significant strides in both education and research. These advancements were reflected in Antai College's efforts to cultivate regional leadership and the CNSB programme's innovative contributions to sustainability-focused research.