On monday 18 November, a Letter of Intent was signed by Design Academy Eindhoven, Technical University of Eindhoven (TU/e) and the Singapore University of Technology and Design. The three educational institutions made the first step towards their future collaboration. The signing of this letter was part of a two-day working visit to Singapore by the Mayor of Eindhoven, Rob van Gijzel, and an Eindhoven delegation representing DAE and TU/e.
Technology and Design
The Singaporese University of Technology and Design is a world renowned University that claims to be the first that truly combines and integrates technology and design in the program. There is a close connection to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): the former dean of MIT, Thomas Magnanti, is now the president of SUTD. SUTD also has a partnership with Zhejiang University (ZJU), one of the top 9 Universities of China. Eindhoven, and especially DAE and TU/e, is the new European partner.
Worldwide partnerships
SUTD, TU/e and DAE have already explored the areas where they will combine their efforts, exchanging knowledge, experience, students and professors. An important topic for both the Netherlands and Singapore is the ageing society. DAE students and lectors have already researched this theme in the CRISP program, and TU/e has gained a lot of knowledge on the topic as well.
Unique synergy
Igor van Hooff, Director of Operations at Design Academy Eindhoven, was in Singapore to sign the Letter of Intent. "During my visit in Singapore I experienced the unlimited potential of this Letter of Intent. The collaboration between two universities with an academic approach and a more creative and practical Design Academy creates a unique energy and synergy. We will further concretize the project in December, and I expect it to start running in the second quarter of 2014. Singing the Letter of Intent was the start signal for an enduring relationship between TU/e, SUTD and DAE.”
Photo:
From left to right: Thomas Magnanti (President SUTD), Arnout Brombacher (Professor TU/e), Chong Tow Chong (Provost SUTD), Rob van Gijzel (Mayor of Eindhoven), Igor van Hooff (Director of Operations DAE), Jacques Werner (Dutch Ambassador Singapore).