AsianScientist (Dec. 17, 2013) – A*STAR and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) have signed a MOU to symbolize their growing bilateral cooperation in the field of biomedical sciences.
Aside from spurring biomedical science and medical technology (med-tech) research and development, this collaboration between the two national agencies also hopes to promote talent exchange and development, and facilitate the commercialization of joint projects.
As part of the collaboration, a US$5 million A*STAR-KHIDI Joint Research Fund has been established, with the first grant call taking place in 2014. Plans are also in the works for a potential Biomedical Sciences Development Center to be set up in Singapore by KHIDI, the key driver of health technology R&D in Korea. Student exchange programs between A*STAR and Dongguk University are also being planned.
First proposed by the Republic of Korea, the MOU is a progression for both countries, given the complementary nature between Singapore’s Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE) and President Park Geun-hye’s “Creative Economy.”
The past year has seen increased bilateral R&D engagement in biomedical sciences, including two joint A*STAR-KHIDI Medtech/Biotech workshops in August and November this year.
“Singapore and Korea’s biomedical research and innovation strategies are highly complementary, and this synergy has enhanced our research partnerships over the past year, culminating in this memorandum,” said A*STAR’s managing director, Dr. Raj Thampuran.
“This MOU between Korea and Singapore is not only for joint research but also commercialization for global markets in the medical healthcare industry,” said Dr. Ko Kyung-Hwa, president of KHIDI.
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Source: A*STAR.
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