The Singapore-based non-profit company IPI and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday 26 April, making NTNU IPI’s first Network Partner in the Nordic region. The alliance also gives NTNU, which is Norway’s main technological university, premier access to Singapore industries that could commercialize the university’s innovative research.
NTNU is Norway’s second largest university and the only university in Norway with a technological main profile. In a recent European ranking, NTNU was ranked as the 4th best university in the world when it comes to collaboration with industry (based on the frequency and totality of joint publications).
The partners chose to sign their two-year agreement on World Intellectual Property Day, to underscore the importance of intellectual property to the MOU and to the two organizations. They also signed the agreement “virtually,” via live feeds and Smart Boards for the actual signing.
NTNU’s Pro-Rector for Innovation, Dr Johan E. Hustad, said he also has high hopes for NTNU’s collaboration with IPI.
“We will use the collaboration with IPI as a platform to revitalize and strengthen ties to Norwegian companies with a strong presence in Singapore, in the short term in particular companies involved in shipping or other maritime areas,” Dr Hustad said. “We feel confident that such future efforts will be actively supported by the relevant public authorities in Norway, such as the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and Innovation Norway”.
IPI is a non-profit company established by Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry under the Research, Innovation & Enterprise 2015 Plan (RIE2015) to help Singapore-based enterprises source, acquire and adopt enabling technology and know-how.
