To increase research into Food Science and Technology, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is partnering Holland's Wageningen University.

The Netherlands is the world's second largest exporter of agricultural products, after the United States, and the food sector accounts for more than 10 per cent of the Dutch national gross domestic product.

This partnership will provide NTU students with new opportunities in education and research in this highly interdisciplinary field, by looking at various new undergraduate modules specialising in Food Science and Technology, said an NTU statement on Friday. The tie-up between both universities was officially signed by both university president's and witness by Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, who is in NTU as part of her official visit to Singapore.

NTU's Provost, Professor Freddy Boey said: "Big food companies could also be developing research labs in Singapore focusing on high value food processing, so we want to move fast and position ourselves firmly in this field so as to benefit our students, faculty and Singapore as a whole."