On 15 November 2016, Rainer Klump, President of the University of Luxembourg, took part in the signature event of a research agreement between Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Singapore. The two organisations agreed to intensify their collaboration in scientific research and implement joint research projects in materials science and finance technology.

Joint call due early next year

FNR and NRF will take turns to organise joint calls for collaborative research projects. The inaugural joint grant call, which will provide funding of up to 1.25 million dollars per project, is expected to be launched in the first half of 2017. The signature was witnessed by the Prime Ministers of the respective countries; Mr Xavier Bettel and Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

Professor Klump also took the opportunity to visit Singapore Management University (SMU), together with Prime minister Xavier Bettel. The University of Luxembourg sends its students in the Wealth Management Master programme to SMU for one week per year to participate in lectures. Professor Klump discussed with Arnoud de Meyer, President of the SMU, the possibilities of starting exchanges in the field of research.

Professor Klump also visited the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and discussed future possible cooperation with its President, Professor Tom Magnanti.

Square photo, from left: Rainer Klump and Xavier Bettel during the research collaboration visit in Singapore