The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Thales have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), paving the way for deeper collaboration on R&D, and the development of innovative solutions for mission critical systems design.
As industry needs evolve in the wake of rapid digitalisation, this partnership is reflective of Thales’ strong commitment to research and technology. Over the years, Thales has demonstrated this commitment through engagements with customers and partners in user-centered innovation, co-designing, prototyping and testing of new concepts across various sectors including defence and security, aerospace, air traffic management and smart cities.
SUTD being a multidisciplinary university is well-positioned to undertake research and seek solutions to these aviation challenges by bringing their design and technology expertise in the various research areas. Working together, Thales will strengthen its capabilities in the digitalisation and development of cutting-edge local solutions for key topics that include drones, robotics and cybersecurity.
Thales has a strong legacy of academic partnerships in Singapore with the country’s renowned institutions, including two joint labs at the Nanyang Technological University, one of which is with the French CNRS research agency.
Over the last six years, Thales and SUTD have worked closely on innovation topics at Thales’ Innovation Hub. Thales has also hosted 10 SUTD interns since 2013 and participated in SUTD’s Capstone Programme, a final year student project based on real-world problems set by the industry. This MoU reinforces that collaboration, with Thales translating academic research into innovative practical solutions while cultivating a talent pipeline from SUTD by offering an experience to work on real-world projects.
(L-R) Nicolas Bouverot (Vice-President for Thales in South East Asia), Kevin Chow (Country Director & CEO, Thales in Singapore), Lim King Boon (General Manager for Partnership, Innovation and Enterprise, SUTD), Prof Chong Tow Chong (President of SUTD)
“Thales, with its strong commitment to research and technology, is a valued industry partner for SUTD. We are pleased to see that our collaborations with Thales have blossomed over the years and this partnership will strongly benefit our students and faculty, keeping them constantly abreast with the latest industry developments. With this new round of research projects jointly identified under the MOU, we will further advance our research partnership. Together with Thales, SUTD hopes to co-design and co-develop novel solutions in the aviation sector that can eventually benefit Singapore and the world.” Mr Lim King Boon, General Manager of Partnership, Innovation and Enterprise, SUTD
“Thales is aware that digital technologies are constantly evolving at a rapid-fire pace. These solutions have to be applicable to real-life challenges and use-cases, and there is no better way than to do it in direct collaboration with design experts. As two organisations driven by the excitement of digital technology, I’m thrilled that Thales will be working with SUTD on topics like unmanned air mobility and cybersecurity, in mission critical systems, to develop smarter solutions that can answer to Singapore’s digital ambitions.” Kevin Chow, Country Director & CEO, Thales in Singapore
