First Joint PhD Programme Established Between Two Local Universities In Singapore
Singapore, 26 November 2015 – The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) signed an agreement to establish a Joint Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree programme in Engineering today. This is the first such programme between two local public universities in Singapore, and an inaugural collaboration between NUS and SUTD for education programmes.
The joint programme is timely as engineering problems nowadays are getting more complex, hence multi-disciplinary research is critical to solving them. For example, designing methods to harvest waste heat will require expertise from areas such as materials, electrical and mechanical engineering. The challenges facing the world today require complex solutions that integrate many disciplines to solve them. Since SUTD and NUS have different strengths and expertise, this would be advantageous for students as they will be able to learn more from both sides. Each student will have two supervisors, one from each university, and is required to spend at least one year in the partner (or “host”) university. They will also have access to both universities’ facilities and expertise during their candidature, giving them greater resources and research flexibility.
NUS and SUTD expect to enrol the first intake of JDP students in January 2016 and subsequent intakes in August and September 2016. Both universities aim to enrol up to five students each annually to this four-year scholarship programme.
Professor Yeo Kiat Seng, SUTD’s Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and International Relations said: “This collaboration with NUS is indeed a milestone that will greatly benefit not just the faculty and students of both universities, but also the industry in Singapore and beyond. With both NUS and SUTD’s extensive range of multi-disciplinary expertise and resources, this inter-university collaboration will catalyse fresh perspectives and research thinking that will create new opportunities, technologies and possibilities for our joint PhD students.”
Professor Mohan Kankanhalli, NUS Vice Provost (Graduate Education), said: “NUS is excited to partner SUTD in the training of engineering researchers who will contribute towards the creation of new knowledge as well as advancement of industry. As with our various other joint, double, and concurrent degree programmes, the synergy from this collaboration will facilitate cross-pollination of ideas between researchers and doctoral students from both institutions, resulting in innovative solutions that will benefit industry and the society at large.”
SUTD and NUS representatives (from left) Prof Chua Kee Chaing, Dean, Faculty of Engineering (NUS), Prof Yeo Kiat Seng, Associate Provost, Graduate Studies and International Relations (SUTD), Prof Mohan Kankanhalli, Vice Provost, Graduate Education (NUS), Prof Pey Kin Leong, Associate Provost, Education (SUTD) at the signing ceremony.