NUS and Cisco to Collaborate on Innovation and Research to Boost Singapore’s Digital Economy

National University of Singapore (NUS) and global technology leader, Cisco, have agreed to collaborate on innovation and research in key emerging technologies, with the aim to boost Singapore’s knowledge-based innovation-driven digital economy. 

Both NUS and Cisco will promote joint research and development activities in the areas of Data Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), Automation, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Software Defined Networking.

The collaboration will see the two sides identify joint research projects and sponsored chairs, as well as exchange scientific, academic and technical information. The research projects will focus on key areas and sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, customer experience and Smart Nation. In addition, they will make use of the NUS Kent Ridge campus as a living laboratory for the co-creation, exploration and evaluation of innovative ideas, technology and scenarios in real-life use cases.

Professor Chen (fifth from left) and Mr Naveen Menon, President ASEAN, Cisco (fifth from right), signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 25 June to collaborate on innovation and research. (Photo Credit: Cisco)

These technologies are key not just to successful digital transformation of businesses, but also to efforts of governments across the world as they look to digital adoption to improve citizen services. Singapore is among the global leaders on that front with its Smart Nation initiative, which focuses on:

• Digital Economy: Aimed at digitalising industries to increase business efficacy, and create new jobs and opportunities
• Digital Government: Using data, connectivity and computing decisively to transform the way citizens and businesses are served, and the way public officers are enabled to contribute fully to their work
• Digital Society: Digital inclusion to ensure all Singaporeans have access to technology and are equipped with the skills to use technology safely and confidently. This is to empower Singaporeans to maximise the opportunities of a digital society.

Irving Tan, Senior Vice President and Chief of Operations at Cisco, said: “Technology has always played a key role in Singapore’s economic growth. As we move towards becoming a Smart Nation, future growth of the digital economy will be driven in a large part by building local innovation capabilities. At Cisco, we are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with NUS to co-create solutions that help address issues for local business and have global relevance. Our global expertise in areas of Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Software Defined Networking, Automation and Artificial Intelligence, coupled with NUS’ understanding of the local landscape and its research capabilities, will help us develop technologies that contribute to the long-term growth of the country.”

Professor Chen Tsuhan, Deputy President for Research and Technology at NUS, said: “Global digital transformation is continually transforming all aspects of our lives and presents a plethora of opportunities – and NUS is ready to seize these opportunities through our digital innovation activities. This collaborative partnership with Cisco symbolises NUS’ deep commitment to translational research and co-creation of new knowledge in areas of strategic importance that will not only improve the way we live, work and play, but also propel Singapore’s position as true Smart Nation globally.”

Source: NUS