International Cooperation in Science & Technology

Science & Technology at International Forums
A*STAR welcomes international cooperation in Science & Technology. A*STAR represents Singapore on Science & Technology matters at international forums, including the ASEAN COST and APEC ISTWG.

ASEAN COST
The ASEAN Committee on Science & Technology (ASEAN COST) was formed in the late 1970s with the objective to strengthen and enhance the capability of ASEAN in science & technology, so as to promote economic development and achieve a high quality of life for its people.

It has 9 sub-committees which manage, coordinate, evaluate and implement projects in various areas, as follows:

  • Food Science and Technology
  • Meterology and Geophysics
  • Microelectronics and Information Technology
  • Materials Science & Technology
  • Biotechnology
  • Non-conventional Energy Research
  • Marine Science & Technology
  • Science & Technology Infrastructure and Resources Development
  • Space Technology and Applications.

APEC ISTWG
The APEC Industrial Science & Technology Working Group (APEC ISTWG) is one of several APEC working and expert groups formed to enhance cooperation amongst member economies. APEC member economies recognise that improved levels of industrial science and technology will enhance economic growth, quality of life, environmental protection and development of a well-balanced industrial structure.

Projects supported by the ISTWG aim to achieve the following objectives:

  • improve researcher exchanges and human resources development
  • improve the flows of technological information and technology
  • facilitate joint research projects
  • improve the transparency of regulatory framework
  • contribute to sustainable development.

To date, Singapore has participated in 31 ISTWG projects, which include seminars, workshops, exhibitions and researcher networking events. Singapore hosts the APEC Coordinating Centre for Good Clinical Practice.

International R&D Collaboration
Research collaborations are most effectively driven by research institutions and their individual researchers and research groups. A*STAR encourages its research institutes (RIs) to collaborate with other research institutions, and welcomes other research institutions to make contact with our RIs to explore collaboration opportunities in areas of common interest.

A*STAR itself also has agreements on cooperation in Science & Technology with agencies in several countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Canada and Germany, that aim to foster research collaborations, the exchange of researchers and students, and joint symposia, seminars and workshops.