By EurekAlert
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Singapore's leading science and technology university is ramping up its efforts in promoting international collaboration in top-level research and in student and faculty/staff exchanges with new tie-ups with four top universities in Turkey.
This first-ever partnership between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Turkish universities will also see collaboration in joint research activities, including organising joint workshops and the supervision of PhD students. The collaboration also aims to promote the exchange of information, including research publications and library materials.
The Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between NTU and four Turkish universities - Middle East Technical University, Istanbul University, Istanbul Technical University and Yildiz Technical University - was signed today by the Presidents of the five universities.
"NTU is pleased to partner these four leading Turkish universities. The collaboration will further enhance the learning experience and research opportunities for our students, faculty and staff by tapping the individual expertise and strengths of the four universities. This inaugural partnership between NTU and Turkish universities is also expected to open up a new dimension of academic and research collaboration between Singapore and Turkey. We look forward to the start of an exciting and fruitful relationship with each of these universities," says NTU President, Dr Su Guaning.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Acar, President, Middle East Technical University (METU), agrees that the collaboration signals the start a fruitful and enduring relationship between the two universities which will contribute to future developments in science and education.
"We hope that the relationship between NTU and METU will lead to collaboration in research and education, while strengthening ties between the two countries. METU takes an active part in and manages many national and international research and education related activities. It currently offers 19 international joint degree programmes with European and American universities at undergraduate and graduate level. To further develop such international relationships, METU aims to establish quality collaboration with leading global universities like NTU," says Prof Dr Ahmet Acar.
For Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul University and Yildiz Technical University, the cooperation with NTU is significant as it is their first-ever tie-up with an educational institution in Singapore.
"We are very excited about signing this collaboration with NTU as we are planning on developing dual degree programmes in the graduate and undergraduate level," says Prof Dr Muhammet Sahin, President, Istanbul Technical University. "We are also anticipating cooperation between our technoparks as Istanbul Technical University has the most successful technopark in Turkey."
Prof Dr Yunus Soylet, President, Istanbul University says that pursuing academic collaboration is as important as promoting bilateral relations between Turkey and Singapore. "Promoting student and academic staff exchanges and embarking on joint research projects are important activities for Istanbul University and we are ready to play our role in this partnership. We hope that our partnership with NTU will lead to further collaboration with other universities in Singapore and the region," says Prof Dr Yunus Soylet.
"Our university is ready to work with NTU to explore opportunities for collaboration in the fields of science for the benefit of both our universities and also for our two countries," says Prof Dr Ismail Yuksek, President, Yildiz Technical University. "Such collaboration transcends borders and allows nations to reach common objectives through science for the betterment of mankind. As the value of knowledge grows when it is shared, we would like to share our knowledge and experience with NTU so as to build new bridges between both our countries."
The Presidents of the four Turkish universities are part of the Turkish Higher Education Board (YOK) delegation visiting Singapore from 16 to 20 November.
This is YOK's first visit to Singapore. The visit aims to explore bilateral cooperation in areas such as science, technology and academic research fields with NTU and other local institutions.
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