On August 1, 2024, Singapore's Minister for Health, Mr. Ong Ye Kung, led a delegation of Singaporean government officials and business representatives on a visit to the NUS Guangzhou Research Translation and Innovation Institute (NUS-GRTII). The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Chen Jie, Member of the Standing Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of Guangzhou.

The visiting dignitaries were welcomed by Professor Hang Chang Chieh, President of the NUS-GRTII and Innovation Institute Council, along with Associate Professor Yu Haoyong, Associate Director (Research) of NUS-GRTII.

During the visit, Associate Professor Yu presented an overview of the institute's establishment, development, key initiatives, and future vision. He highlighted the institute's role as a collaborative effort between the Guangzhou Municipal Government, the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City Administrative Committee, and the National University of Singapore. The institute aims to serve as a new paradigm for the integration of education, research, and innovation.

A highlight of the presentation was a demonstration of the institute's Occupational Exoskeletons, a key research project. Minister Ong showed great interest in the exoskeleton suit, inquiring about its working principles and potential applications. Associate Professor Yu, the project lead, provided detailed explanations.

The Occupational Exoskeletons is designed for scenarios where full automation is not feasible, such as healthcare and luggage handling. It offers long-term protection for workers engaged in repetitive heavy-lifting tasks and helps extend the careers of older workers. The robot has already been successfully deployed to assist Singapore Armed Forces personnel during the recent National Day Parade gift bag packing process.

Associate Professor Yu emphasized the growing global potential for such exoskeleton suits, particularly in light of aging populations worldwide. He expressed the institute's intention to leverage the resources and supply chains of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to further develop and commercialize the technology.

The delegation also toured the institute's exhibition hall, where Minister Ong was introduced to other noteworthy research projects. The visit concluded with a group photo, symbolizing the strong support for the institute's role as a hub connecting talent, enterprises, technology, and resources between Guangdong and Singapore.

This visit underscores the fruitful collaboration between Guangdong and Singapore, which has resulted in nearly 200 cooperation agreements and memoranda over the past 15 years. It also highlights the institute's potential to foster "two-way mobility" of enterprises and talent between the Greater Bay Area and Singapore.

Moving forward, NUS-GRTII is committed to aligning with the development goals of both regions. By leveraging NUS's strong capabilities and rich resources, the institute aims to drive research, talent cultivation,and innovation incubation, ultimately contributing to the integration of industry, academia, and research in both the Greater Bay Area and Singapore.