The University of Edinburgh and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) inks an agreement for exchange of undergraduate chemistry students. A memorandum of understanding was signed by Professor Geoffrey Boulton, Edinburgh's Vice Principal for International Relations, and Professor Lee Soo Ying, Chair of the School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, NTU, in a ceremony at Edinburgh's School of Chemistry on 9 May 2006. NTU has invested in a new chemistry & biological chemistry department inclusive of a brand new building currently under construction and will be among the best designed chemistry building in Asia-Pacific. NTU set a target to attract >250 chemistry majors per year at steady state, which is expected to be achieved in 2009. (Good news! NTU has achieved this target in record time in its second year of operation with 265 quality students, as at 15 June 2006, opting to read chemistry & biological chemistry in the coming academic year 2006/7 which starts on 31 July 2006!)
Each year, up to six of Edinburgh's Master of Chemistry students will spend six months at NTU and a further six months gaining industrial experience at chemical research and manufacturing sites in Singapore, China or India before returning to their final year studies in Edinburgh. The programme has attracted considerable interest from students in Edinburgh and will complement existing year-long student placements in UK and other European chemical companies and universities. Discussions are already underway between Edinburgh and NTU to develop an exchange programme for postgraduate research students.
On signing the agreement, Professor Boulton said "This agreement emphasises the importance of international exchanges in providing invaluable international experiences for Edinburgh students. We also look forward to developing our relationship with NTU and extend a warm welcome to the Singapore students who study in Scotland." Professor Lee said: "This historic agreement between a renowned University of Edinburgh and a vibrant, dynamic and rapidly growing centre of chemistry at NTU for Singapore and the region presents exciting opportunities for students and faculty members of both universities to interact, to learn from each other, and to create new knowledge in the chemical sciences."
This exchange programme comes at a time of huge changes for university chemistry and for the chemical industry in Scotland. The ScotCHEM research pooling initiative ensures a brighter future for chemistry in Scotland than in many other parts of the UK. Chemical science departments here are closely involved in supporting the Scottish Chemicals Industry's initiative which has a 20 year vision to develop a vibrant industry in Scotland. Despite these positive developments, much of the chemical, pharmaceutical and agrochemical manufacturing that was formerly undertaken in Europe has now been relocated to the Far East as a result of increasing globalisation in these industries. There is a stark contrast between the Singapore and UK governments' investment in chemistry, with Singapore currently investing more than £4 billion over 4 years in its chemicals industry.
Professor Lesley Yellowlees, Head of the School of Chemistry at Edinburgh commented "This exchange programme is an important component of training and education for our students seeking careers in the global chemicals industry. We can now offer them a fantastic opportunity to live and study in the vibrant atmosphere of Singapore where they can also benefit from placements in exciting research and company environments. The programme will help us build on Edinburgh's position as a recognised international provider of chemistry skills."
Further information
ScotCHEM
http://www.scotchem.ac.uk/
Scottish Chemicals Initiative
http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/chemicals
Nanyang Technological University
http://www.spms.ntu.edu.sg/CBC