MINDEF, SUTD SIGN PACT TO BOOST DEFENCE R&D

Three Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed between the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) on 24 Apr, at the SUTD Dover Campus. The strategic partnership between the two was announced by President Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam during his speech at the university's matriculation ceremony on 7 May.

The MOUs between MINDEF and SUTD provide the framework for cooperation in research and development and the establishment of a laboratory for defence research in SUTD named Temasek Lab@SUTD (TL@SUTD) and formalised the centre for interdisciplinary research in Trustworthy Infocomm Systems (iTRUST).

"With the signing of the three MOUs, SUTD becomes a de-facto member of our defence technology ecosystem, part of our inter-dependency, dynamics and evolution," said Professor Quek Tong Boon, Chief Defence Scientist and Chief Research & Technology Officer, MINDEF, during his speech on 24 Apr.

Added SUTD President Prof Thomas Magnanti: "We are very excited at the collaboration and the many opportunities which it will precipitate. I believe that, together with MINDEF, we will do great things in the years to come."

TL@SUTD is the 3rd Temasek Laboratories set up by MINDEF, joining the two similar laboratories at the National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University. This latest laboratory will focus on areas such as unmanned systems, infocomm systems, soldier systems and engineering systems for defence. It will become operational in May this year.

"I hope that our collaboration with SUTD will enable our soldiers to have smartly-designed devices and systems that are well-optimised and integrated for the intended missions," said Prof Quek.

"I hope that the three laboratories will also explore and embark on cross-laboratory, cross-university and even international collaborations to leverage on the strengths and networks of the three universities."

The iTRUST research centre will focus on research into the design and evaluation of trustworthy infocomm systems. It is slated to become operational by end 2012. "While technology can never be wholly safe, secure and reliable, the challenge is how to make our systems safe, secure and reliable enough for us to entrust them even our lives to it," explained Prof Quek.

The Strategic Partnership in Research and Development MOU was signed by Dr Tan Kim Siew, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) and Prof Magnanti. The TL@SUTD and iTRUST MOUs were signed by Prof Quek and Prof Chong Tow Chong, Provost and Director TL@SUTD.

Also present at the ceremony were senior officers from MINDEF, staff from the Defence Science & Technology Agency, DSO National Laboratories as well as staff from SUTD and other universities.