Karolinska Institutet increases collaboration with university in Singapore
[PRESS RELEASE September 18, 2009] Karolinska Institutet (KI) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore's leading science and technology university, have started a new collaboration on a joint Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme in Biomedical Science.
A delegation from KI led by President Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson is currently visiting NTU to launch the NTU-KI joint PhD programme and to strengthen bilateral ties.
"Higher education is now global, and universities must produce researchers with the necessary skills to operate not only nationally, but also on the world stage," says Professor Wallberg-Henriksson. "Our collaboration with NTU offers a unique opportunity for a broader approach within the technical field, in line with our existing strategy with the technical universities in Sweden. This will hopefully attract many more researchers for future projects between KI and Singapore."
The joint PhD programme began in August 2009, and offers up to four places each year. Entry to the programme is expected to be competitive, as the programme offers candidates opportunities for top-level research and the exchange of scientific ideas, as well as a unique cultural learning experience. Students are expected to spend roughly equal proportions of their PhD candidature (approximately two years each) at KI and NTU. The exact proportions of time spent will depend on the nature of the research project.
After the four-year programme, graduates will be awarded a PhD degree from KI and a PhD degree from NTU. Candidates admitted to the programme will be eligible for the Nanyang President Graduate Scholarships or the NTU Research Student Scholarships.
A general collaboration framework agreement was signed between the two universities in October 2008. NTU and KI had also signed an agreement in January 2008 to promote undergraduate and faculty exchange. The Memorandum of Understanding for the NTU-KI joint PhD programme was signed by KI's President, Professor Harriet Wallberg-Henriksson, and Professor Bertil Andersson, NTU Provost.
"I am pleased to note that Karolinska Institutet is our partner for NTUs first joint PhD programme in biomedical science research," says Professor Andersson. "Together, we will strengthen existing research projects, foster collaborations that can capitalise on KI's strength in translational research, and expose students to cutting-edge bioscience investigations aimed at improving the health of people."
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a research-intensive university ranked among the world's top 100 universities. NTU has four colleges comprising 12 schools in the field of Engineering, Science, Business and Humanities. NTU is Singapore's main science and technology university and enjoys a strong and broad international reach covering academic and research partnerships with top institutions in the US, Europe and Asia.