The Singapore University of Technology and Design signs research collaboration agreement with Mexican top private University, Tecnológico de Monterrey

27 Oct 2022

• The three year agreement marks the beginning of the SUTD-Tecnológico de Monterrey research collaboration on the improvement of cyber-physical learning through the SUTD campusX initiative.

• The agreement will result in the improvement of cyber-physical learning, resulting in new pathways for the future of education.

The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Tecnológico de Monterrey (Tec) through its Institute for the Future of Education, signed a research collaboration agreement to improve the cyber physical learning of students and teachers in Singapore and Mexico.

Through this three year agreement both parties will share practices and experiences in the configuration and usage of cyber-physical learning infrastructure to create new opportunities for educational innovation and research, resulting in new pathways for the future of education.

The SUTD-Tec’s Institute for the Future of Education agreement will foster the exchange and sharing of practices of cyber physical learning, and evaluation of the effectiveness of associated educational delivery models. Both parties will conduct joint experiments involving students and instructors to explore domains such as technology-enabled learning, translational pedagogical innovations, learning analytics, and personalised and engaging learning.

This research collaboration will have its main focus in the SUTD campusX initiative, that focuses on the needs and experiences of students and instructors using data analytics and learning sciences with the purpose of creating a safe, inclusive and enjoyable space for students to learn, interact and optimise their learning outcomes.

Professor Phoon Kok Kwang, SUTD Provost, signed the agreement with Dr Michael Fung, Executive Director of the Institute for the Future of Education of Tecnológico de Monterrey, with Mr Lee Tzu Yang, SUTD Chairman and Education Minister, Mr Chan Chun Sing as witnesses. Juan Pablo Murra, Rector for Higher Education of Tecnológico de Monterrey also witnessed via holographic telepresence technology.

Regarding the campusX and its impact on the future of education, Professor Phoon Kok Kwang, SUTD’s Provost said: "Both Tec and SUTD share a common vision of cyber-physical learning, with similar interests and understanding of the challenges in areas of applying human-centric technology and design to the practice of pedagogy and andragogy in actual higher learning environments. This forms a strong basis on which many more projects can be conducted between Tec and SUTD. The current research collaboration is an important start and SUTD looks forward to furthering the partnership with Tec in years to come. In a similar vein, SUTD also looks forward to work with more like-minded partners across academia and industry and from local and global landscapes to make cyber-physical learning a reality."

Regarding this research collaboration between the two renowned higher education institutions, Juan Pablo Murra, Rector for Higher Education of Tecnológico de Monterrey expressed his satisfaction for the signing of the agreement: "To advance in today's education challenges and design the future of education, collaboration is key. Tec has pioneered educational innovation in Mexico and Latin America, and we are aiming to expand our projects and initiatives to have an increasingly global relationship and impact. In particular, we’re developing an initiative to strengthen linkages with Asia and — since we have a long-standing relationship with Singapore and SUTD — we’re pleased to extend collaborations with them through research, education and technology."

Furthermore, Michael Fung, Executive Director of the Institute for the Future of Education of Tecnológico de Monterrey emphasised the importance of this kind of agreements between both universities: "Conducting joint experiments to test innovative cross-border educational models will be key to developing effective cyber-physical learning environments. This collaborative project with SUTD’s campusX initiative will increase learning opportunities for global higher education audiences, capitalising on the intercultural exchanges between Singaporean and Mexican students and professors, and developing best practices with an international perspective."

The research activities framed in this agreement are due to start during the first quarter of 2023 and the experimental and simulated learning environment trials will result in the identification of best practices in digital education delivery models supported by effective cyber-physical technology platforms.