A New institute was launched yesterday that promises to pump money and brain power into green research in Singapore.

The institute, Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (Newri) will focus on turning ideas like managing trash and detecting pollution into reality.

Located at the Nanyang Technological Institute was part of three initiatives launched yesterday by the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.

The Singapore Government has earmarked research into green solutions as a pillar of economic growth, said Dr Yaacob.

In the last two years, international water companies, which do everything from treatment to consultancy, have set up branches in Singapore. The firms, which include Siemens and CH2MHill, have helped to spur demand for water-related research, including purification.

“We function as an ecosystem, with different entities working together to pursue a common vision of environmental research,” said Newri’s executive director, Professor Ng Wun Jern.

Two new centres under Newri banner - the Singapore Membrane Technology Centre (SMTC) and the DHI-NTU Water & Environment Research Centre and Education Hub (DHI-NTU Centre) - were also launched yesterday.

Helmed by Professor Anthony Fane, the SMTC will focus its research on the use of thin films, called membranes, that act as super filters separating contaminants from water.

“We hope to build on the initiating success of Singapore’s water technology,” said the former director of the United Nations’ Centre for Membrane Science.

The two centres along with six others under Newri’s purview, will focus on environmental and water research. including urban water and garbage management.

Also high on the agenda is building on the existing pool of PhD students through training and education programmes, said Prof Ng.

The two centres hope to produce some 30 PhD students over a five-year period.

The environmental arm of the National Research Foundation - NRF, has committed $30million over five years to postgraduate scholarships.

“Young talent is critical in driving our research,” said Prof Ng.

Via - The Straits Time