Page 11 - Nanyang Technological University

ON A RAPID RISE
Agency for Science, Technology and Research and
National Healthcare Group. The aim is to improve
patient outcomes across the healthcare ecosystem.
Research in robotics and autonomous systems
will get a leg-up at our new joint research lab with
ST Engineering. This will improve airport operations
and disaster rescue efforts. The S$100 million
Photonics Institute, a tie-up with the University of
Southampton, is one of the most advanced of its
kind in the world, and is doing very cutting-edge
work in photonics and optics research.
Together with top industry players, NTU is
spearheading efforts to overcome challenges faced
in tropical megacities like Singapore. For example,
BMW Group and NTU have a electromobility
research programme together, conducted at the
Future Mobility Research Lab on the NTU campus.
This is BMW Group’s first joint laboratory in
Southeast Asia.
NTU is also working with industry partners in our
eco-campus initiative to transform NTU’s 200-
hectare campus into a super test-bed for research
projects in cutting-edge green technologies. French
energy and transport giant Alstom is one of those
who have come on board and our researchers
are developing a unique system to integrate and
manage multiple power sources.
Through our collaboration with Thales Alenia Space,
Europe’s largest satellite manufacturer, and Thales
teams in Singapore, new concepts and technologies
for small satellites are being developed. This is
a boost to our satellite programme, which has
greatly pushed the frontiers of space technology
in Singapore.
In terms of student and employee achievements,
what was a source of pride for you last year?
Faculty, staff and students have brought glory to
NTU in their own distinctive ways, from building
and racing Singapore’s first urban solar electric car sports complex, the region’s first energy-saving
to being named among the world’s most influential
scientific minds.
And helping to communicate NTU’s achievements
is the in-house Corporate Communication team
that was once again lauded internationally in every
aspect of its communication strategy, bringing their
total awards won to 32 since 2011. The team also
won the Best In-House Team of the Year trophy
at the 2015 PRWeek Awards Asia.
Having restructured the central administration
from 23 to eight departments, we have greatly
streamlined administrative processes to improve
NTU’s organisational capability and business
performance. The shared services department
has consolidated common transactions in
human resources, finance, IT and procurement.
Initiatives like greater automation and refreshed
online services have led to a 10% decrease in
administrative operating costs in FY2014. We are
confident that the University will meet the target
of 15-20% savings by FY2016. I am happy to
see everyone in the University embracing service
excellence.
In closing, what are the three most exciting
changes to the NTU campus that we can expect
in the coming year?
The unused spaces at the North Spine and a small
section of the carpark will be transformed into a retail
plaza. We have listened to what people hope to
have in this area, and the ideas range from essential
services such as postage and travel services to
suggestions for various new types of eateries and
spaces for greater social interaction. It will become
a new playground, marketplace and creative space
for the NTU community.
The new Experimental Medicine Building that is part
of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine will also
open its doors soon. This seven-storey building is
outfitted with cutting-edge facilities like an advanced
Learning Studio for team-based classes and
collaboration spaces that nurture a spirit of inquiry.
An integral part of NTU’s life sciences cluster, it is
connected to the School of Biological Sciences
by a beautiful sky bridge.
As a university with a strong sports culture, we
also look forward to the completion of our new
sports hall. This has many eco-friendly features
and will be a stunning addition to the campus with
its striking curved timber roof that provides better
heat insulation. It breaks new ground in sustainable
construction methods, like many of the other new
NTU developments, and I look forward to seeing
it become the stomping ground of our national
athletes and the larger university community.
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