WATER technologies developer GE Water is partnering its first university in Asia in an effort to develop safe drinking systems to many parts of the region.
Its scientists and engineers will set up shop at the National University of Singapore (NUS) by the middle of the year.
They will be working at the new NUS-GE Singapore Water Technology Centre, a $150 million collaboration between the university and the multinational corporation.
The centre is the product of an agreement between the two sides in 2006 to collaborate together. Under the partnership, there is already ongoing projects between the two sides on turning seawater into safe drinking water.
The centre, expected to open in May, will focus on technology to provide clean water to regions such as China, India and the Middle East.
What the partnership means for NUS researchers, said director of the NUS Environmental Research Institute, Professor Michael Saunders, is that they will have easier access to industry specialists who can guide them better on the market viability of their research ideas.
Prof Saunders added: 'Now, we can talk to GE, ask them 'what do you think, guys?' and they can say 'we don't know, let's try it'.'
This is GE Water's first collaboration with a university in Asia-Pacific. Its general manager for the Asia-Pacific region, Mr Kevin Cassidy, said that this new environment gave the company access to 'talented researchers from a world-class institution committed to working with industry'.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
