New academy to send students abroad for internships at start-ups
To groom future innovators with a global view, a programme has been launched to send Singapore students abroad for internships at companies or start-ups that undertake entrepreneurship and innovation.
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced this at the opening of Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (Switch) yesterday.
He said the Global Innovation Alliance Innovators Academy, which was launched by the Economic Development Board, is one of several new initiatives being rolled out to get innovators to develop their tech capabilities and collaborate with others globally.
The academy will facilitate overseas internships in 17 cities for more than 1,300 students from the autonomous universities over the next few years. It will enhance the schools' existing overseas programmes with funding and networks.
Mr Heng said: "By exposing Singapore students to a diverse range of innovation ecosystems abroad, the Innovators Academy hopes to groom future innovators and business leaders with a global perspective."
Separately, the National Research Foundation (NRF) has developed the National Quantum Engineering Programme to grow Singapore's quantum engineering sector.
The $25 million programme, which aims to translate quantum science into industry-ready solutions, will be set up and hosted at the National University of Singapore, said Mr Heng.
It will conduct research in areas such as quantum cryptography, to safeguard against cyber-security threats, advanced manufacturing capability as well as enhanced imaging and sensing technology.
Mr Heng said Switch, Asia's flagship tech and innovation gathering, provides opportunity for the exchange of ideas and innovation across sectors and countries. The event is organised by the NRF and Enterprise Singapore.
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