NParks, NUS unveil $60m national research institute to bolster Singapore's coasts and blue economy

The government will invest $60 million to fund the newly launched National Institute for Marine and Ocean Sciences (NIMOS), unveiled by the National Parks Board (NParks) and the National University of Singapore (NUS) on Tuesday (Sept 22).

The national research institute aims to strengthen Singapore's capabilities in protecting its marine environment and sustainably managing its coastal and marine spaces through research and innovation.

NIMOS will be hosted at NUS with Nanyang Technological University as a partner institution, along with St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory as a key national facility.

"NIMOS will serve as a new national platform that brings together our Institutes of Higher Learning, researchers, and students, combining their expertise across different disciplines in marine and ocean sciences," said Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat at the launch today at NUS.

He pointed out that Singapore has steadily strengthened its marine science capabilities through different national research efforts, covering areas such as coastal resources, marine biodiversity, climate change, and coastal protection.

Director for NIMOS, Associate Professor Huang Danwei, highlighted that the institution will build on the sizable marine science research community in Singapore, which is comparable to mid-sized institutions in North America, such as the University of California Santa Barbara Marine Science Institute, based on a study in 2024.

Instead of competing for limited funding, Assoc Prof Huang encouraged research teams with experts from across various disciplines to take on projects co-developed by NIMOS and NParks.

NIMOS will also adopt a systems-level, whole-of-coast approach.

"By looking at these interconnections, I believe we can better understand the cumulative effects of climate change, human activity and other pressures on our marine environment over time," Minister Chee added.

Assoc Prof Huang explained that the institute's research framework will be guided by four pillars: biodiversity and nature, environment and climate, ecosystem resilience and harnessing technology.

$60m investment in marine science

Minister Chee also said that the $60 million in research funding falls under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 Plan.

NIMOS will bring together expertise across universities, research institutes and public agencies to address how Singapore can develop conserve marine ecosystems, advance its blue economy, build local talent and establish the nation as a regional thought leader in marine science.

To support the growth of local expertise for academia, government and industry, the institute will offer up to 12 PhD Research Scholarships for Singapore Citizens and permanent residents over the next 10 years.

NUS has also committed 10 additional PhD Research Scholarships for NIMOS projects.

NIMOS’ research projects will also create internship and training attachment opportunities for undergraduate and polytechnic students in marine science laboratories across institutes of higher learning.

NIMOS will also convene the inaugural Singapore Annual Symposium for Marine and Ocean Sciences in 2027.

"The symposium will serve as a national platform for researchers, policymakers, industry partners and public agencies to share findings, identify emerging priorities and accelerate the translation of marine science into coastal planning and ecosystem management," said Huang.

NIMOS will begin operating as a virtual institute to allow research collaborations to start immediately while longer-term facilities are being developed.

The future space on the NUS campus, including wet science laboratory facilities and collaborative office space for project teams, will house NIMOS staff, NUS researchers and collaborators working on the research institutes' projects.

The institute will also build on existing research ties with various institutions worldwide, including those in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, and engage a regional network of institutions in Southeast Asia.

"We must ensure that nature remains an integral part of Singapore by safeguarding biodiversity, strengthening our climate resilience, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our marine environment," said Minister Chee.

laili.abdeen@asiaone.com

政府将投资 6000 万美元，资助新成立的国家海洋科学研究所 (NIMOS)。该研究所由国家公园局 (NParks) 和新加坡国立大学 (NUS) 于周二（9 月 22 日）揭幕。

该国家研究机构旨在通过研究和创新，加强新加坡在保护海洋环境和可持续管理其沿海和海洋空间方面的能力。

NIMOS 将设在新加坡国立大学，南洋理工大学是其合作机构，圣约翰岛国家海洋实验室是其重要的国家级设施。

“NIMOS 将作为一个新的国家平台，汇集我们的高等学府、研究人员和学生，结合他们在海洋科学不同学科领域的专业知识，”国家发展部长徐芳达今天在新加坡国立大学的启动仪式上表示。

他指出，新加坡通过不同的国家研究工作，稳步加强了海洋科学能力，涵盖沿海资源、海洋生物多样性、气候变化和海岸保护等领域。

NIMOS主任黄丹伟副教授强调，该机构将依托新加坡庞大的海洋科学研究群体，根据2024年的一项研究，该群体可与北美的中型机构（如加州大学圣巴巴拉分校海洋科学研究所）相媲美。

黄副教授没有让大家争夺有限的资金，而是鼓励来自各个学科的专家组成的研究团队承担由NIMOS和NParks共同开发的项目。

NIMOS还将采用系统级、全海岸线的方法。

“通过研究这些相互联系，我相信我们可以更好地了解气候变化、人类活动和其他压力对海洋环境的长期累积影响，”徐顺全部长补充道。

黄副教授解释说，该研究所的研究框架将以四大支柱为指导：生物多样性与自然、环境与气候、生态系统韧性以及技术利用。

向海洋科学领域投资6000万美元

徐顺全部长还表示，这6000万美元的研究经费属于“2030年研究、创新和企业计划”的范畴。

NIMOS 将汇集大学、研究机构和公共机构的专业知识，探讨新加坡如何发展和保护海洋生态系统，推进蓝色经济发展，培养本地人才，并将新加坡打造成为海洋科学领域的区域思想领袖。

为支持学术界、政府和产业界本地专业人才的发展，该研究所将在未来 10 年内为新加坡公民和永久居民提供多达 12 个博士研究奖学金。

新加坡国立大学还承诺为NIMOS项目提供10个额外的博士研究奖学金名额。

NIMOS 的研究项目还将为高等院校的海洋科学实验室的本科生和理工科学生创造实习和培训机会。

NIMOS 还将于 2027 年召开首届新加坡海洋科学年度研讨会。

黄表示：“本次研讨会将作为一个国家平台，供研究人员、政策制定者、行业合作伙伴和公共机构分享研究成果，确定新兴优先事项，并加速将海洋科学转化为沿海规划和生态系统管理。”

NIMOS 将以虚拟研究所的形式开始运作，以便在长期设施建设的同时，立即开展研究合作。

未来位于新加坡国立大学校园内的空间，包括湿科学实验室设施和项目团队的协作办公空间，将容纳NIMOS工作人员、新加坡国立大学研究人员以及参与该研究机构项目的合作者。

该研究所还将巩固与世界各地（包括澳大利亚、英国和美国）各机构现有的研究联系，并与东南亚的区域机构网络开展合作。

“我们必须通过保护生物多样性、增强气候适应能力以及确保海洋环境的长期可持续性，来确保自然仍然是新加坡不可或缺的一部分，”徐顺全部长说。

laili.abdeen@asiaone.com