Message from the Director

China and Singapore enjoy a deep-rooted and enduring friendship, marked by ever-expanding cooperation. Following the 2023 elevation of bilateral ties to an "All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership," the National University of Singapore Guangzhou Research Translation and Innovation Institute (NUS GRTII) was established. It serves as a strategic nexus for science, education, and innovation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Building on this foundation, we are advancing toward a new frontier of discovery. As a global scientific revolution—fueled by Artificial Intelligence—reshapes the world, the National University of Singapore (NUS) remains at the vanguard of this transformation. By leveraging NUS’s world-class research and expansive global network, NUS GRTII will champion the university’s innovation agenda. By bridging NUS’s expertise with Guangzhou’s industrial prowess, the Institute aims to become a premier international platform, driving growth and synergy across the Greater Bay Area.

True to its name, innovation is the core mission of NUS GRTII. We focus on strategic emerging sectors—specifically Artificial Intelligence applicaion, Biomedical Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing—partnering with global industry leaders and academic institutions to forge a seamless industry-academia-research ecosystem. By fostering interdisciplinary synergy, we empower researchers to navigate uncharted frontiers and solve critical technological bottlenecks. Through the incubation of high-growth ventures and the development of globally-minded entrepreneurs, NUS GRTII serves as the definitive bridge for China-Singapore innovation, spearheading a new era of bilateral cooperation.

The landmark year of 2025 stood as a historic confluence of milestones: the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, the 120th anniversary of the National University of Singapore, 35 years of China-Singapore diplomatic ties, and the 15th anniversary of the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City. Amidst these celebrations, our Institute also marked its second year of progress. Carrying the momentum of these achievements into this new chapter, I am deeply mindful of the responsibility we uphold, yet equally energized by the horizon ahead. Guided by our founding mission, we remain steadfast in our commitment to an open, collaborative spirit. We invite partners from every sector to join us as we leverage our roots in the Greater Bay Area and our global perspective to drive transformative innovation in Guangzhou and beyond.

—— Professor Zhao Dan