51³Ô¹ÏÍø

John Lim, the recently appointed Chief Executive of Singapore NRF and Chief of the Public Sector Science and Technology Policy and Plans Office at the Prime Minister’s Office, led the delegation’s visit to the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Singapore hub at the CREATE campus.  

Mr Lim learnt more about how 51³Ô¹ÏÍø scientists and local partners are collaborating to rapidly scale new scientific breakthroughs and technology and tackle major global challenges such as the AI revolution in healthcare, pandemic preparedness, climate change, and the transition to net zero, in a way that maximises societal benefit and opportunities for commercialisation in Southeast Asia. 

Mr Lim was hosted by , Academic Director of , Viktor Schlegel, Deputy Director of the NRF funded healthcare cybersecurity research programme IN-CYPHER, and Paige Noyce, Associate Director for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Singapore. 

The strength of our academic, government and industry partnerships in Singapore is supercharging the rate at which together we can translate our ideas into real world impact. Professor Azra Ghani Academic Director for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Singapore

Professor Azra Ghani said: “The generous support of the National Research Foundation has been instrumental to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s research and collaboration success in Singapore.

She added "The research eco-system in Southeast Asia is a very exciting and vibrant one for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø to be part of, and the strength of our academic, government and industry partnerships here are supercharging the rate at which together we can translate our ideas into real world impact.” 

“We were delighted to welcome Mr Lim to learn first-hand about how IN-CYPHER, our convergence science programme which brings together bioengineering, biochemistry, and computing to transform healthcare cybersecurity, is positioning Singapore at the international forefront of artificial intelligence research and application.”   

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Singapore is based at the , an international research campus and innovation hub that hosts interdisciplinary research centres from top global universities and research institutes to work in collaboration with local institutions and partners. 

Protecting human health   

IN-CYPHER was the first NRF funded 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Singapore research programme, launching with a four-year grant in January 2024 and building on 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s longstanding strategic partnership with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore).   

Led by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s and , IN-CYPHER brings together complementary expertise to tackle existing security challenges, and to protect emerging sensing technologies – and their data – from being compromised. The team believe that the research will have applications for a range of devices such as continuous glucose monitors, smart electronic skin patches and activity monitors.  

In spring 2025, IN-CYPHER welcomed a new industry partner, , who bring specialist expertise in cybersecurity infrastructure and compliance, which is an integral aspect of bolstering technological resilience in AI driven healthtech.  

Powering towards a greener future 

In October 2024, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Singapore received a second major NRF research grant for a NTU Singapore partnership programme, this time from the CREATE Thematic Programme in Decarbonisation.  

Led by , Co-Director, Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), in collaboration with , from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Department of Materials, the team investigates how to develop direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells (DA-SOFCs) to create a more efficient and sustainable clean fuel source primarily for marine applications. It aims to enhance Singapore's capabilities in hydrogen utilisation and develop non-fossil fuel-based pathways for producing sustainable aviation fuel and high-value chemicals, which will contribute to the nation's long-term sustainability goals. Both Siemens Energy and Ceres Power have indicated their support for this project, acting in the capacity of industry advisors, providing expertise related to future scale-up and commercialisation of the technology developed by the team. 

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Singapore has also partnered with Singapore’s Maritimes and Port Authority to support the maritime industry transition to eco-friendly ports and shipping practices, reducing pollutants, ensuring energy security, and establishing a resilient framework that is essential for the future of marine transport and operations.

The five-year partnership, led on the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø side by , Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, aims to develop cutting-edge digital technologies, including smart port systems, and cybersecurity solutions for maritime Internet-of-Things devices, industrial control and operational technology systems.  

51³Ô¹ÏÍø and Singapore’s history of collaboration 

51³Ô¹ÏÍø Global Singapore’s commitment to cutting-edge convergence science and partnership working is brought to life in a diverse research portfolio that builds on a legacy of international collaboration.  

Today 51³Ô¹ÏÍø collaborates with the Ministry of Health and university partners on their , is partnering on a new collaboration to establish a South East Asia Dengue and Zika Genomics Network with the National Environment Agency (NEA) and philanthropic partner Temasek Foundation, and spearheads the , established by the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College Business School with the Singapore Management University, and backed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and leading global financial institutions. 

51³Ô¹ÏÍø is proud to currently host more than 350 students from Singapore and to have more than 3,000 alumni who call Singapore home.