Fast-tracking innovation with industry titans

In today’s fast-changing world, addressing complex issues requires out-of-the-box solutions.

To better tap NTU's research strengths and stay ahead of the competition, leading companies are establishing industry research labs directly on the University’s campus.

Researchers from the AUMOVIO-NTU Corporate Lab testing a vehicle simulator developed by the lab. The simulator integrates two key systems – one that monitors and profiles a motorist’s driving behaviour, and another for collision detection. Credit: NTU Singapore.

What these joint labs with NTU share is a powerful blend of academic and industry expertise.

Industry partners readily benefit from such labs, says Prof Lam Khin Yong, NTU’s Vice President (Industry), who leads the University’s efforts to speed up the translation of research into industry applications that address global challenges.

“Through NTU, leading companies can gain early access to top-notch research and innovations that can help them develop products and services to address real-world pain points and challenges. These collaborations will foster translational research, accelerate technological breakthroughs and fuel innovation,” he shares. “We look forward to forging stronger partnerships with industry leaders to create lasting value for both the economy and society.”

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Why NTU's partnerships with big industry work

“At NTU, we know that innovation with real impact is built on strong partnerships across academia, industry and public agencies. By bringing together complementary strengths, we create a collaborative environment where ideas are translated into technologies, and technologies into solutions that benefit people. 

With over 700 global industry partners to date, NTU has built a trusted ecosystem for co-innovation. Industry is engaged from the start of each project, jointly shaping the research direction and ensuring outcomes are relevant, scalable and ready for adoption.

Supported by world-class talent and advanced research infrastructure, NTU’s partnerships deliver innovation at speed and scale. Together with leading technology companies and industry players, we are steering the future of key sectors, strengthening Singapore’s innovation landscape, and creating lasting value for the economy and society.”

- Prof Lam Khin Yong, NTU’s Vice President (Industry)

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NTU’s research prowess has positioned it on the global stage as a world-class institution. The US News & World Report global university rankings for 2025 to 2026 place NTU top five worldwide in 10 areas, highlighting the University’s strengths in these fields:

• Electrical & electronic engineering
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Computer science
• Engineering
• Materials science
  
• Chemistry
• Condensed matter physics
• Physical chemistry
• Nanoscience & nanotechnology
• Energy & fuels

The University was also ranked first in the world for AI in Shanghai Ranking’s 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.

At industry labs in NTU, researchers work closely with partner companies right from the start, Prof Lam says. The deep market knowledge that businesses have helps guide scientific research to produce results that can be commercialised to benefit society.

For example, technology and electronics company AUMOVIO is looking to create new urban mobility solutions through a corporate lab it formed with NTU.

Mr Lo Kien Foh, President and Chief Executive Officer of AUMOVIO Singapore, explains: “Trailblazing research from the collaboration is helping AUMOVIO shape the future of mobility in AI, cyber security, advanced materials and wireless technologies. The high commercial value of the lab’s groundbreaking innovations is strengthening our portfolio and allowing us to create new products and services. The lab is also a strategic effort for AUMOVIO to forge deeper and forward-looking relationships with customers and new technology partners.”

Meanwhile, Nanofilm Technologies International (NTI Nanofilm), a startup spun out of nanotechnology research at NTU, is leveraging the University’s expertise in areas such as clean energy, materials science and smart electronics.

The company, Singapore’s first deep-tech unicorn to be listed on the Singapore Exchange, is collaborating with the University through the NTI-NTU Corporate Laboratory. The lab aims to drive innovation in advanced coatings and cutting-edge nanofabrication technologies.

Mr Pang Cheok Fun, Co-Director of the NTI-NTU Corporate Lab, says that the lab leverages the complementary expertise and capabilities of NTI and NTU.

“We are combining NTU’s expertise in research with NTI Nanofilm’s capabilities in commercialising research. By applying new breakthroughs from the University to our current products or to create novel solutions, NTI Nanofilm can remain on the cutting edge,” adds Mr Pang.

Companies can also plug talent gaps through industry labs in NTU. E-commerce giant Alibaba intends to develop green digital technologies by tapping a pool of researchers nurtured at a corporate lab it established with NTU.

“We have plans to engage students who have conducted research at the lab for potential roles at Alibaba after their graduation,” says Alibaba Chief Technology Officer Mr Wu Zeming. “These students will be an asset to Alibaba, as they will be well versed in technical skills and sustainable development practices after their lab stint.”

 

Major industry labs in NTU