National University of Singapore Business Analytics Centre (NUS BAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Zhejiang University (ZJU) Innovation Institute International (ZIII)
19 December 2019
9 December 2019 – National University of Singapore Business Analytics Centre (NUS BAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Zhejiang University (ZJU) Innovation Institute International (ZIII) to indicate their intent to collaborate and take part in researches to further the understanding of big data, business analytics and artificial intelligence technologies and their applications to the transformation of enterprises as well as talent development in these areas.
Ms Tao Hong, Executive Dean of ZIII, took stage with Associate Professor James Pang, co-director of NUS BAC, and together, they officiated the collaboration at a signing ceremony, during the Zhejiang Entrepreneurs Summit 2019 held on 9 December 2019 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, under the witness of Dr Matthew Wang Yang, Executive Dean of ZIII, Mr Chen Xiaofeng, Deputy Dean of ZJU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute, Professor Mohan Kankanhalli, Dean and Provost’s Chair at NUS Computing, Dr Melvyn Sim, Professor and Provost's Chair at the Department of Analytics & Operations, NUS Business School.
Mr Chen Xiaofeng, Deputy Dean of Zhejiang University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute,
Dr Matthew Wang Yang, Executive Dean of ZIII,
Ms Tao Hong, Executive Dean of ZIII,
Associate Professor James Pang, Co-Director of NUS BAC,
Professor Mohan Kankanhalli, Dean and Provost’s Chair at NUS Computing, Provost’s Chair,
Professor Melvyn Sim, Professor and Provost's Chair at the Department of Analytics & Operations, NUS Business School
During the event, ZIII also announced the inauguration of their Singapore Innovation Centre, set up with NUS BAC within NUS. It is the 5th in the world. Representatives from both organisations took part in the opening ceremony and the plaque prepared for the freshly minted centre was unveiled by Dr Wang and Professor Mohan, under the witness of Ms Flora Zhao Haixia, Honorary President of Zhejiang University Alumni Association Singapore, Mr Qiu Yuanfu, President of Zhejiang University Alumni Association Singapore, Ms Tao Hong, Mr Chen Xiaofeng, Deputy Dean of ZJU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute, Dr Melvyn Sim, Associate Professor James Pang, Associate Professor Huang Zhiyong and Mr Quek Khor Ping, both Deputy Directors of NUS BAC.
Dr Wang shared in his keynote that the centre is critical to connect talents from both Singapore and Zhejiang. He hopes that this collaboration leverages on both universities’ resources in Asia to cultivate and accelerate start-up efforts as well as bridge research gaps, enhance international exchanges as well as project collaborations.
“The Singapore Innovation Centre is an important hub and part of the global network for technology transfer, entrepreneurship and economic innovation,” Dr Wang shared in his keynote speech, Global Case Studies of Successful “Open Innovation” and its Practice in China. “We are very excited to partner NUS BAC to open the Singapore Innovation Centre as Singapore is an important player in both economic and technologic innovation in Asia. Setting up the centre in Singapore will bring about opportunities for both parties to work together in areas such as entrepreneurship, education, innovation and commerce. This partnership also serves as a blueprint for future collaborations in both Singapore’s and China’s technology and business industries.”
Ms Flora Zhao Haixia, Honorary President of Zhejiang University Alumni Association Singapore,
Mr Qiu Yuanfu, President of Zhejiang University Alumni Association Singapore,
Mr Quek Khor Ping, Deputy Director, NUS BAC, Visiting Senior Fellow, NUS Business School,
Ms Tao Hong, Executive Dean of ZIII,
Mr Chen Xiaofeng, Deputy Dean of ZJU Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute,
Dr Matthew Wang Yang, Executive Dean of ZIII,
Professor Mohan Kankanhalli, Dean of NUS Computing, Provost’s Chair,
Dr Melvyn Sim, Professor and Provost’s Chair of Department of Analytics and Operations, NUS Business School,
Associate Professor James Pang, Co-Director,
Associate Professor Huang Zhiyong, Deputy Director, NUS BAC, Professor at NUS Computing
Associate Professor Pang expressed his excitement towards the collaboration between NUS BAC and ZIII. Following the signing and opening ceremony, he reiterated its importance in his keynote speech titled “The Synergy between AI, Big Data and Blockchain”, “We are in an era which the technology and business environment is ever-changing and is constantly growing. AI, Big Data and Blockchain Technologies are making profound impact in different industries and our daily life. The pace of innovation is getting faster, and the only way to bring innovation to market quickly is for institutions to join efforts and capitalise on our complementary strengths and capabilities to create impact and value to the society.”
Dr Wang also chaired a roundtable discussion session, with participation of Professor Pey Kin Leong, Associate Professor Huang Zhiyong, Mr. Qiu Yuanfu, Mr. Diep Tung, and Ms Liu Yan. They shared the views of technology focus, translational research, investment in start-up, and education respectively.
Mr Qiu Yuanfu, President of Zhejiang University Alumni Association Singapore,
Mr. Diep Tung, Global Leader of IBM CIO Network Engineering Deploy,
Dr Matthew Wang Yang, Executive Dean of ZIII,
Professor Pey Kin Leong, Associate Provost, SMU,
Associate Professor Huang Zhiyong, Deputy Director, NUS BAC,
Ms Liu Yan, Co-founder of Panshi Information Technology Co. Ltd
At the end of the roundtable discussion, the audiences interacted by asking questions and sharing their opinions.
The ZIII team visited NUS the following day to begin discussion and exchange ideas on immediate steps.
Associate Professor Huang Zhiyong, Deputy Director, NUS BAC, Professor, NUS Computing,
Mr Quek Khor Ping, Deputy Director, NUS BAC, Visiting Senior Fellow, NUS Business School,
Associate Professor Khoo Siau Cheng, Co-Director, NUS BAC, Professor, NUS Computing,
Associate Professor James Pang, Co-Director, Professor, NUS Business School,
Dr Matthew Wang Yang, Executive Dean, ZIII,
Ms Tao Hong, Executive Dean, ZIII,
Mr Chen Maosong, Investment Director at Cybernaut International Investment,
Ms Kathy Deng, Administration Director Integrated Management Centre, ZIII,
Mr Xie Mutian, Assistant to Chairman of Cybernaut International Investment,
Ms Lilian Yang, Assistant to the Dean Integrated Management Centre, ZIII
ZIII is an institute focused on international innovation within ZJU, which is ranked sixth in Asia. The new Singapore Innovation Centre, following ZIII’s first in Silicon Valley in 2018 as well as one in each of the following countries: Berlin, Tokyo and Lausanne, is designed to connect business leaders and entrepreneurs, while utilising the resources of universities to develop cutting-edge technologies that would add value to the ecosystem for entrepreneurship and innovation.