International collaborations are successful and sustainable when complementary competencies generate added value for both partners and create opportunities for new value creation. Fraunhofer Singapore Model follows a strategy with clear principles: value creation - in and with - applied research for both, our partners in Singapore and Fraunhofer, as well as positive effects for both Singapore and Germany’s society, are essential goals of our strategic collaboration and engagement.
The Fraunhofer Singapore Model for Excellence in Applied Research
With the Fraunhofer Singapore Collaboration Model and our research centres we are bridging effectively academic and applied research for the benefit of society and industry.
Fraunhofer Singapore Model
The Pillars of our Collaboration Model
The Fraunhofer Singapore Model is based on the guiding principles of strategic collaboration between Fraunhofer and local industry and academic partners, notably the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The following illustrates its core pillars where both parties strongly support working together towards long-term future cooperation and new value creation.
NTU and Fraunhofer look back to almost 20 years of successful scientific cooperation and research and development activities focused on emerging technologies and exploring mutual interests in science and technology, contributing to the economic well-being of Singapore and the Asian region.
Fraunhofer Singapore Research Ltd is a legally independent private research organization based in Singapore. The operations are structured into Fraunhofer Singapore Research Centres defined by their own strategic focus and fields of activities with a dedicated service portfolio. The core portfolio addresses industrial contract research and technology development. Each research centre cooperates closely with Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany. Fraunhofer Singapore is fully integrated into the network of the Fraunhofer Institutes in Germany. Fraunhofer Singapore builds a bridge between the Fraunhofer Institutes and local market in Singapore and a platform for Southeast Asia.
Fraunhofer Singapore provides outreach activities and professional skills training in collaboration with Fraunhofer, providing opportunities for additional business expansion and a platform for cooperation in applied research.
The Collaborative Research Centre NTU-Fraunhofer Singapore FSR@NTU depends legally on Nanyang Technological University and is a research centre together and in collaboration with Fraunhofer (previously IDM@NTU, renamed in April 2022).
Strategic Academic Partnerships
Universities, which unite research and education, are the heart of the scientific system. They play a key role in shaping scientific, cultural, social and business development in Germany and Singapore. For Fraunhofer Singapore, it’s a matter of course to work closely with universities, in Singapore in particular with the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). By doing this, excellent research is linked to practical application in professional business infrastructures, leading to a new level of quality in applied fields.
Joint offering in science and technology transfer
The basis for this close collaboration is the joint collaboration of outstanding researchers at NTU and other universities and Fraunhofer Singapore. Through close personal ties on all levels, the results of university research can be applied efficiently and the joint science and technology transfer service expanded in a targeted manner. At the same time, integrating Fraunhofer scientists into university teaching broadens the provision for students.
Improving innovation capacity
Constructive local collaboration helps to pool complimentary skills and build partner profiles. Fraunhfoer Singapore numerous industry contacts and bridge to the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany offers a wide range of networking opportunities and act as a catalyst for transfer and opening up research to society. Joint initiatives allow strategic topics to emerge and for excellent research infrastructure to be used in a collaborative way. Excellence and international networking in innovation-focused research can be boosted in unison, young scientific talent can be promoted and flexible career paths can be forged. As such, the active collaboration between FSR and NTU is effectively a focal point for practical application of concepts, further supporting both countries Germany and Singapore.
Fraunhofer Singapore is currently bundling its research activities under two competence centres. Fraunhofer Singapore Research Centre for Applied and Integrated Security (FSR-CAIS) focuses on translational research, professional training, and contract research with our partners from industry. The Collaborative Research Centre NTU-Fraunhofer Singapore FSR@NTU is bridging academic and applied research with our strategic partner NTU.
The centres are currently in reformation due to Fraunhofer Singapore's internal restructuring process and will be finalized in May 2022.