AsianScientist (Jul. 23, 2013) – Eight years after their first research partnership, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Rolls-Royce are taking their research alliance to greater heights with a new multi-million dollar collaboration.
The centrepiece is the Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab, which was launched today at a joint investment of S$75 million by NTU, Rolls-Royce and the National Research Foundation (NRF), Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore.
It is also the first lab to be supported under the NRF’s newly launched Corp Lab @ University scheme.
This research tie-up will focus on three core research areas – Electrical Power and Control Systems, Manufacturing and Repair Technologies and Computational Engineering, and kick start 32 new projects over the next five years, tripling the existing number of projects between Rolls-Royce and NTU.
Research in these fields are aimed at inventing more efficient and reliable energy delivery systems, developing innovative manufacturing technologies to complement more robust power systems, and extracting information from equipment and processes so that operators can make timely and informed business critical decisions.
NTU President Professor Bertil Andersson said this latest joint lab with Rolls-Royce is a milestone for NTU, although the two have been ramping up their alliance over the years since their first engagement in 2005.
“This lab will combine the strengths of both organisations – NTU’s cutting-edge research in engineering and science plus our world-class professors, students, and infrastructure, with the strong industrial capability of Rolls-Royce’ leading engineering and services activities for civilian and military customers in over 80 countries,” said Prof Andersson.
The lab will work closely with the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N) as well as the university’s four engineering schools: the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; the School of Materials Science and Engineering; the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; and the School of Computer Engineering.
“Rolls-Royce has a long and proud history of delivering engineering excellence and innovation to support our expanding global customer base especially in the Asia Pacific region’s aerospace, marine and energy markets,” said Professor Ric Parker, Director of Research and Technology, Rolls-Royce.
“We are deeply committed to supporting Singapore’s innovation and education goals and extend the Group’s world-class skills, technology and expertise to this unique initiative. NTU and Rolls-Royce share a common vision and awareness of the need to support research and development in fields closely aligned to Singapore’s core strengths. The Rolls-Royce@NTU Corporate Lab is a practical step toward this goal, and we are very pleased to partner with the National Research Foundation and NTU in this exciting and unique opportunity.”
The lab will have a team of more than 300 top-level talent comprising research staff and technical experts. This includes Rolls-Royce staff and NTU faculty, as well as the training of up to 70 researchers, 40 PhD and 25 Master’s students, in addition to a number of NTU undergraduates.
In 2009, the Rolls-Royce Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) was set up at NTU. The same year, NTU embarked on a five-year research partnership with Rolls-Royce to conduct research in the areas of manufacturing process technology and power electronics.
In September 2011, NTU launched the joint Master of Science degree program in Project Management with the University of Manchester (UOM) along with Rolls-Royce, which aims at developing core competency skills in project management.
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Source: NTU.
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