swissnex singapore

60 Biopolis Street, #01-01/02 Genome, Singapore 138672 t: +65 6774 9360 f: +65 6774 9365 www.swissnexsingapore.org

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2008Initiative of the State Secretariat for Education and Research

Platform of the Embassy of Switzerland

Swiss Knowledge Network with outposts in Boston, San Francisco, Shanghai and Singapore

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contents

3 foreword

6 mission

7 highlights 2008

9 events 2008

14 common projects

15 presentations & regional activities

17 official delegations & visits

19 initiatives

21 website & newsletters

23 media coverage

24 finances

25 sponsors & partners

27 staff & interns

29 outlook

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Dear Reader,

This Annual Report 2008 will allow you to discover our wide range of activities offering a dynamic interactive platform to our users and promote excellence of Swiss science, education, art and innovation, while exploring boundaries and cross disciplinary synergies. In addition to some major events that you will discover in this report, swissnex Singapore has welcomed and assisted a number of official delegations from Switzerland and Singapore, given the impulse and support to individuals, institutions and start-ups from Switzerland looking for new challenges in Singapore and the region, and to Singaporean and South-East Asian stakeholders looking for opportunities in Switzerland.

To improve our services, we investigated new ways of promoting Swiss excellence in Singapore and the region by organizing interdisciplinary workshops, panel discussions and symposia on selected research and innovation themes, addressing stakeholders from a variety of horizons including the private and public sectors, academia and business.

This year, our events included more art related events such as the Swiss artists-in-labs exhibition and performances

“Lucid Fields” from the Zurich University of the Arts and the “Minimal Landscapes” exhibition and lecture series by scientist and artist Ariel Ruiz i Altaba, Louis-Jeantet Professor at the University of Geneva.

foreword

swissnex singapore 2008 foreword

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It is thanks to our sponsors and partners, as well as our colleagues from the swissnex network, that swissnex Singapore has become what it is today: a one-stop information and networking platform for students, researchers and high tech entrepreneurs from Switzerland, Singapore and the region.

I would therefore like to express our gratitude and my sincere hope to further develop this collaboration in the near future.

Dr. Suzanne Hraba-ReneveyExecutive Directorswissnex Singapore

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mission

swissnex Singapore is a physical and virtual information, coordination and networking platform of the Swiss Embassy in Singapore, fostering partnerships in the fields of science, education, art and innovation.

Our mission is to promote Swiss educational, scientific and technological landscapes and support the international activities of Swiss institutions of higher learning, research institutes, as well as high tech SMEs in Singapore and the region.

swissnex Singapore is a public-private initiative and a door-opener allowing its users to prospect opportunities in a low-risk environment. It is synergistically integrating governmental, academic and economic networks under one roof, in a proximity-effective environment. It is highly visible and easily accessible as the first foreign governmental structure in the heart of Biopolis.

bridging knowledge and competencies inscience, education, art and innovation

“Thank you very much for your kind message; I myself am looking forward with great eagerness and anticipation to our visit to swissnex. I have been here less than two months but at least one dozen people have already urged me to call on your organization.”

Klaus Herzog

Counsellor for sCienCe and TeCHnology, embassy of THe federal republiC of germany in singapore

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Education Fairs and EventsDuring various education fairs and events taking place in Singapore and the region, swissnex Singapore showcased the excellence of the Swiss Higher Education System.

Institutional AgreementsThanks to the support by swissnex Singapore, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between institutions in Switzerland and Singapore, enabling student and professor exchanges and in-depth cooperation in specific research topics.

Academic ProgrammesIn collaboration with local and Swiss partners, swissnex Singapore has sponsored a master program in Tropical Diseases and a Language Immersion program in Switzerland. Furthermore, it has provided support to internships and study trips for Swiss and South-East Asian stakeholders.

Hightech-related EventsIn collaboration with the Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technologies (SIMTech) and the Institute of Microtechnology (IMT) at the University of Neuchâtel, swissnex Singapore organized a Workshop on Microsystems for Medical Technology Applications providing prestigious speakers and guests from Switzerland and Singapore with a platform to network and launch collaborations.

Biotech-related EventsThe excellence of the Swiss Biotech and Life Sciences industry was the topic of the Bio & High-Tech Valuation and Forecasting event organized by swissnex Singapore together with Venture Valuation.

Leading scientists from around the world gathered on the premises of the National University of Singapore (NUS) to discuss their latest discoveries in the field of lipid research at the 2nd Singapore Lipid Symposium organized by swissnex Singapore.

highlights 2008

swissnex singapore 2008 highlights

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Art-related EventsThe Z-Node Mini-Symposium, supported by swissnex Singapore, provided the researchers of the Z-Node Program at the University of the Arts Zurich (ZHDK) and artists and scientists from Singapore with a platform to discuss the opportunities for trans-disciplinary know-how transfer between the arts, the technologies and the sciences.

In the framework of the International Symposium on Electronic Arts 2008 (ISEA 2008) held in Singapore, swissnex Singapore, in collaboration with the University of the Arts Zurich (ZHDK), presented intriguing performances and artworks by Swiss artists participating to the artists-in-lab program “Lucid Fields”.

Together with horao, an ETH Zurich spin-off, swissnex Singapore showcased NOVA, Swiss design technology at its best.

swissnex Singapore welcomed the series of science lectures and the art exhibition “Minimal Landscapes” by Prof. Ariel Ruiz I Altaba, a perfect example of how Art can meet Science.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation ProgrammesThe workshop on Innovation in Food Consumer Interactions, organized in partnership with Nestlé, gave the opportunity to an interested public to know more about the food of tomorrow.

As Dr. Georges Haour, Professor at IMD Switzerland in his presentation on “Innovation & Entrepreneurship in an Interdependent World” asserts, crises provide momentum for re-thinking old business habits and acknowledging the powerful role of technological innovation in creating jobs and wealth.

Support to Swiss Start-upsswissnex Singapore assisted Swiss high-tech SMEs and start-ups such as Venture Valuation in Singapore and the region by providing valuable knowledge networks, in a low-cost, low-risk and proximity effective environment.

Support to Singaporean Delegations to SwitzerlandStudents from the Victoria Junior College traveled to Switzerland to consolidate the partnership, initiated by swissnex, with the KMW Zurich High School.

The Singapore Public Service Commission conducted an official visit to Switzerland in early June and visited the University of Lausanne and ETH Zurich, where they previously sent scholars.

On the occasion of the biannual World Knowledge Dialogue Symposium (WKD) taking place in Crans-Montana in September 2008, swissnex Singapore successfully set up a Southeast-Asian delegation attending the event.

Support to Swiss Delegations to Singapore and Asia In 2008 many delegations traveled to Singapore, among them we had the pleasure to welcome Federal Counsillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, the State Secretary for Education and Research Mauro Dell’Ambrogio and the State Secretary for Economics Affairs Jean-Daniel Gerber.

Thanks to the support of swissnex Singapore, the visit of a delegation of the Directorate General of Higher Education (DGES) of the Canton Vaud to Singapore was successful in initiating the collaboration with local institutions of higher learning in various fields such as music, interactive digital media and health care.

Common Projects to the Swiss Knowledge NetworkIn collaboration with the Swiss Embassy, swissnex Singapore welcomed the Swiss Adventurer Louis Palmer who traveled around the world in a solar taxi. During his stop-over in Singapore his innovative solar taxi was showcased at the Nanyang Technological University and the Singapore Polytechnic.

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events 2008

Career 200828 February to 2 March 2008

The Career and Education Fair is organized annually since more than 20 years as the largest education and employment exhibition in South-East Asia. It includes multiple sections on education, career guidance as well as employment opportunities. Switzerland, represented by swissnex Singapore, shared the European Pavilion with nine other European countries. A presentation on education in Switzerland, consisting of a general overview about the Swiss Higher Education System and more specific information about individual institutions further highlighted the domains of excellence. Exchange students from Switzerland and representatives from some Swiss Universities who happened to be in Singapore supported the information activities.

swissnex singapore 2008 events

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events 2008perspectives. Not only did it provide the participants with a platform for prolific discussions and partnering activities, but also offered fertile ground for the identification of specific Asian innovation trends. Furthermore, the workshop acted as a promotional tool for the Swiss academic stakeholders of the event, namely the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences of the University of Geneva, the University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland HES-SO Valais and the Nestlé R&D Center Switzerland.

Swiss-Singapore Workshop on Microsystems for Medical Technology Applications 21 May 2008

Following last year’s successful workshop on “Microsystems for Harsh Environment Applications” jointly organized by swissnex Singapore, the Singapore

Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech) and the Swiss Institute of Microtechnologies (IMT), the three partners decided to organize a second workshop in the field of Microsystems as applied to Medical Technologies. The workshop offered an excellent platform for Swiss and Singaporean stakeholders from academia and business to exchange ideas on groundbreaking technologies and to create new opportunities for R&D collaborations in the field of Microsystems.

2nd Singapore Lipid Symposium5 to 7 March 2008

swissnex Singapore co-sponsored this symposium organized by Professor Markus Wenk from the National University of Singapore and University of Basel. The event provided an exchange platform to leading scientists from around the world including Switzerland, who presented their latest research advances in a workshop-style forum and in three main sessions on the biology of lipids, novel technology for lipid research and clinical aspects of aberrant lipid metabolism.

Swiss-Singapore Workshop on Innovation in Food Consumer Interactions7 April 2008

The workshop, organized by swissnex Singapore in partnership with Nestlé R&D Center Singapore, aimed at providing participants with an overview of innovative approaches related to food research, production and consumption from both the Eastern and Western

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Bio & High-Tech Valuation and Forecasting4 June 2008

Venture Valuation is a Swiss company recently established in Singapore and specialized in the assessment, valuation and monitoring of start-up and technology-driven companies in high growth industries. swissnex Singapore supported

Venture Valuation set up in Singapore by organizing a lunchtime seminar on the topic of valuation and forecasting of bio and high-tech products and companies. Participants were given a first-hand insight into the Swiss biotech industry, valuation and forecasting models as well as internationally applied standards, and the introduction of the global biotech company and product database “Biotechgate”.

swissnex singapore 2008 events

Public Service Scholarship and Careers Fair: Opportunities to study in Switzerland 5 July 2007

Organized by the Public Service Commission, the fair was conceived as a platform for top level students from Junior Colleges and Polytechnics willing to learn more about a career within the public service and the possibilities to study abroad. Country representatives including Japan, New Zealand, Australia, China, France, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, United States and Switzerland, represented by swissnex Singapore, showcased their respective domains of excellence and institutions of higher learning.

Research in Art and Science - Z-Node Mini-Symposium at Nanyang Technological University 24 July 2008

The Z-Node Mini-Symposium, a joint initiative by the Institute for Cultural Studies at the Zurich University of The Arts (zhdk) and the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), aimed at encouraging the development of trans-disciplinary know-how transfer between the arts, the technologies and the sciences in order to understand and compare various approaches to research from different perspectives. Subsequent to the symposium, the participants from Switzerland and Singapore had the opportunity to further liaise and network during a dinner organized and sponsored by swissnex Singapore at the Swiss Club.

“I’d like to thank you for your efforts on the successful VVS event on 4 June. I, Patrick, Prof. Lee, and Jonathan all we think that we had a great event and also that it is entirely due to your efforts. Thanks again.”

young sang CHo

direCTor, VenTure ValuaTion singapore

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Lucid Fields at International Symposium on Electronic Art 2008 (ISEA) 26 July to 3 August 2008

The International Symposium on Electronic Art is a biannual symposium that strives to act as a basis for academic conferences, workshops, artistic performances and exhibition of artworks

within the scope of electronic and digital media arts. Under the aegis of Singaporean institutions of higher learning, museums and the Art Council, the symposium took place at several venues in the heart of Singapore. The Zurich University of the Arts (zhdk) and swissnex Singapore brought the Swiss artists-in-lab program “Lucid Fields” to the Symposium, showcasing Swiss creativity in the dynamic setting of Southeast Asia. “Lucid Fields” presented performances and artworks at the LASALLE College of the Arts, fascinating and confronting the visitors with the factual fields of realities and paradoxes of today’s scientific environment.

NOVA – Swiss Design Technology in Singapore26 August 2008 In collaboration with horao, a spin-off company of the Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ), swissnex Singapore organized a demo session for NOVA, an animated full color 3D LED (light emitting diodes) display using a software developed at the ETHZ. The presentation was designed as a casual networking event

and took place at the St James Power Station multi-club mega complex. The event provided the audience, consisting of artists and scientists passionate about digital media, architects, media and interior designers, as well as communication and F&B managers, with an excellent opportunity to experience the fascinating world of 3D imaging in a unique and new dimension.

13 swissnex singapore 2008 events / common projects

Discover Europe for Your Future9 October 2008

The 4th “Discover Europe for Your Future” fair, held at the National University of Singapore (NUS), has been organized by the Delegation of the European Commission to Singapore in partnerships with the European Chamber of Commerce, the EU Member States and Switzerland. On the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Euro, a panel discussion on the subject “The Euro as the New International Currency” was held with prestigious speakers. Within the fame of a Career Fair, fifteen European companies showcased internship and recruitment programs and held Career Seminars for the students. Furthermore, the visitors had the opportunity to learn more about European countries at the cultural Pavilion. swissnex Singapore provided interested visitors with in-depth information about the Swiss Higher Education System and the cultural diversity of Switzerland.

Networking Event for New Students from Switzerland15 October 2008

swissnex Singapore, in partnership with the University of St. Gallen, welcomed new students from Switzerland in Singapore during the traditional welcome and networking event held at Biopolis. H.E. Jörg Al. Reding, Ambassador of Switzerland to Singapore, Prof. Klaus Spremann, Head of the St. Gallen Asia Term and the swissnex Singapore team greeted more than 60 exchange students from Switzerland, who had the opportunity to mingle with Swiss and local representatives of the academic, business and social communities.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship in an Interdependent World by Dr. Georges Haour, IMD, Switzerland 26 November 2008

Representatives of the local and international business communities as well as academia interacted lively at the very timely talk given by Dr. Georges Haour (Technology & Innovation Management, IMD). The presentation focused on the issue of the powerful role of technological innovation in creating jobs and wealth and more specifically on the novel approach of “distributed innovation” as a tool to boost the effectiveness of the value-creation process.

Study in Europe Higher Education Fair6 December 2008

For the third time, swissnex Singapore, in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Commission in Singapore and 13 EU Member States, organized what has become the most prominent European higher education fair in Singapore. The

“Study in Europe Education Fair”, held at Singapore’s Hilton Hotel, targeted students from Universities, Polytechnics, Junior Colleges and International Schools wishing to learn more about Europe’s excellent higher education opportunities. swissnex Singapore represented the participating Swiss Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences and promoted their outstanding reputation as Institutions of Higher Learning, as well as the attractive education environment Switzerland offers.

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Swiss Adventurer to Circle the World – Solar Taxi in Singapore25 to 26 March 2008

Swiss Adventurer Louis Palmer started his trip around the world in his solar energy powered vehicle, the “Solartaxi”, on the occasion of the European Sustainable Energy Forum in Lucerne, Switzerland, on 3 July 2007. It took three years and the support of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) and three Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences to build the Solartaxi. After having traveled overland from Switzerland through 18 countries including a stop-over in South Korea as well as Japan, where he was welcomed by the Swiss Science Counselors, Louis Palmer eventually arrived in Singapore in March 2008. The Embassy of Switzerland together with swissnex Singapore assisted Louis Palmer in the organization and promotion of various events such as a media conference, a road show in the city center, as well as several presentations for the research and academic communities.

common projects

Art meets Science23 October to 10 November 2008

swissnex Singapore had the opportunity to host the art exhibition “Minimal Landscapes”, as well as science and art lecture series by the Swiss based scientist and artist Ariel Ruiz i Altaba. The exhibition reached Singapore after having

travelled from swissnex San Francisco to Seoul and Tokyo where it was hosted by the Science Counselors. “Minimal Landscapes” was exhibited at the Geeleinan Gallery in Wessex Estate, a newly arising art hub in Singapore located in the heart of the research hubs Biopolis and Fusionopolis. Beside showcasing an “out of the box” thinking Switzerland, the event promoted the innovative understanding of art and its boundaries at the intersection with science.

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Information Sessions on Studying / Exchange Opportunities in Switzerland by swissnex and St. Gallen representatives

Higher Education Opportunities, Global Indian International School, 26 January 2008•NUS Student Exchange Program, 22 February 2008•Mensa-Ureca Colloquium at NTU, 22 February 2008•Seminar series at Career 2008, 28 February to 2 March 2008•Tanglin Careers Fair, 3 March 2008•Higher Education Day at Anglo-Chinese School, 5 March 2008•German European School Singapore, 21 April 2008•Public Service Scholarship and Careers Fair, 5 July 2008•NUS International Exchange Day, 4 September 2008•Discover Europe For your Future, 9 October 2008•Seminar series at “Study in Europe” Higher Education Fair, 6 December 2008•

presentations & regional activities

swissnex singapore 2008 presentations & regional activities

Presentations

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5th OCSC International Education Expo 2008, Bangkok29 to 30 November 2008

For the 5th time, the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) under the Prime Minister’s Office of Thailand organized the OCSC International Education Expo in Bangkok. swissnex Singapore, after having participated to 2007 edition, was in contact with the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangkok in order to coordinate and support the organization of the event. Unfortunately, due to unexpected and sudden changes in Thailand’s political situation, the representatives of swissnex Singapore were not able to travel to Bangkok and attend the fair, which however took place as scheduled.

Regional Swiss Ambassadors Conference, Kuala Lumpur6 to 8 October 2008

This regional meeting, held in presence of the Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey, allowed the participants including ambassadors, general consuls, directors of developmental agencies, peace-building advisors, directors of swissnex and Swiss Business Hubs in Asia, as well as major representatives of the headquarters in Switzerland to discuss strategies relating to economy, human security and global issues.

“Gerne sehe ich weiteren Kontakten mit Swissnex Singapur entgegen. Ich danke Ihnen und Frau Dr. Hraba-Renevey nochmals sehr herzlich für den freundlichen Empfang und die äusserst kompetente Begleitung durch das höchst interessante Besuchsprogramm.”

Hans ambüHl

general seCreTary, swiss ConferenCe of CanTonal minisTers of eduCaTion

Regional Activities

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official delegations & visits

swissnex singapore 2008 official delegations & visits

State Secretary for Economics Affairs Jean Daniel Gerber7 July 2008

The State Secretary for Economics Affairs Jean Daniel Gerber visited Singapore in July 2008 as a part of his official trip to South Asia. State Secretary Gerber had the opportunity among other, to visit the Novartis Institute for Tropical Diseases and meet representatives from A*STAR, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, as organized by swissnex.

Delegations to Switzerland Delegations from Switzerland

Southeast Asian Delegation to the World Knowledge Dialogue Symposium10 to 13 September 2008

The biannual World Knowledge Dialogue (WKD) Symposium, held in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, aims at bridging the gap and promoting the dialogue between natural/technical sciences and human/social sciences. Attracting great personalities from various branches, the symposium offers an excellent platform to network and to tackle issues of relevance to present-day society.

Mandated by the WKD Executive Committee, swissnex Singapore ensured the communication and marketing of the symposium in Singapore and the region and successfully set up a South-East Asian delegation attending the event.

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Indonesia Study Trip13 July to 3 August 2008

swissnex Singapore supported this program, co-organized by the Asia Research Centre of the University of St. Gallen and the School of Business Management at the Institute Teknologu Bandung, Indonesia. The visit confronted the participants, students from different universities in Europe and Asia, with Indonesia’s varied cultural and ethnic diversity.

State Secretary for Education and Research Mauro Dell’Ambrogio5 August 2008

swissnex Singapore had the pleasure to welcome the Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research Mauro Dell’Ambrogio and Mr. Mauro Moruzzi, Head of Bilateral Research Cooperation. Despite the very short stay, State Secretary Dell’Ambrogio could have an overview of the Singapore education landscape and meet distinguished representatives from both the Swiss and Singaporean community. State Secretary Dell’Ambrogio left Singapore the following day to attend the official opening of swissnex Shanghai.

Hans Ambühl, Secretary General of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education4 to 7 September 2008

Mr. Hans Ambühl, Secretary General of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education visited Singapore in early September, following his participation at the OCDE education conference in Seoul. Mr. Ambühl had the opportunity to meet representatives of the Ministry of Education, the Economic Development Board and the

National Institute of Education. Additionally Mr. Ambühl was welcomed by Mr. Hans Huerlimann, Principal of the Swiss School in Singapore.

Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey4 October 2008

On her way to the Regional Swiss Ambassadors Conference held in Kuala Lumpur, Federal Councilllor Micheline Calmy-Rey stopped over in Singapore and inaugurated the extension works of the Swiss School Singapore.

Direction of Higher Education of the Canton de Vaud (DGES)6 to 12 October 2008

swissnex Singapore welcomed a delegation of members of DGES and the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland (HES-SO) in Singapore. In view of the Asia tour of the Camerata de Lausanne directed by Pierre Amoyal scheduled for 2009, the primary goal of the visit was to liaise with local music institutions to discuss possible venues for the performance of the ensemble as well as Master classes by Pierre Amoyal.

Furthermore, swissnex Singapore organized meetings with several local Polytechnic schools to give HES-SO the opportunity to explore the possibilities for collaborations in form of student or professor exchanges, summer schools or industry attachments in niche fields such as Digital Media and Health Care.

Delegations from Switzerland

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Long-term Representatives at swissnex SingaporeThe University of St.Gallen has established a permanent representation office at swissnex Singapore. The St.Gallen representative, who is also in charge of the University of Applied Sciences of Eastern Switzerland, ensures efficient promotion and coordinates existing programmes. swissnex Singapore welcomes long term partners under its roof, as it fosters synergies between the various parties.

initiatives

swissnex singapore 2008 initiatives

Short-term Users at swissnex SingaporeTo allow Swiss institutions, organizations and start-up/SMEs from the high tech sector to explore the opportunities in Singapore and the region, swissnex Singapore provides the option to rent a fully equipped working space for a short period of a few months at a nominal fee.

Venture Valuation, a Swiss based company, took advantage from the swissnex Singapore premises to initially develop their activity before expanding in Singapore and setting up their own office. The partnership with Venture Valuation culminated in June 2008 with the organization of the “Bio & High-Tech Valuation and Forecasting” event.

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Academic ProgrammesIn collaboration with local and Swiss partners, swissnex Singapore has set up and sponsored Master, Exchange and Language Immersion Programmes for Swiss and Singaporean stakeholders.

Due to its great success, a new two years Master Program in Infectious Diseases, Vaccinology and Drug Discovery, jointly organized by the National University of Singapore, Novartis Institute of Tropical Diseases, Biozentrum of the University of Basel and the Swiss Tropical Institute will be launched in September 2009.

The Language Immersion Programme has allowed students from Singapore to go to the University of Fribourg for intensive German Language courses and will be followed by an exchange programme in the respective domains of studies in 2009.

Furthermore, study trips for students from Switzerland were organized in Singapore and the region, together with local academic and business partners, allowing the students to discover the Asian business and scientific research environments.

Student SupportNumerous enquiries from Singaporean students interested to study in Switzerland and searching for granting opportunities have been answered, mostly as a follow-up of the educational fairs attended. swissnex Singapore being a walk-in office, it also offers information materials on Swiss higher learning institutions to interested students.

Furthermore, swissnex Singapore administrated applications for the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) grants. This

grant is publicized on the website and information is also sent individually to eligible and interested students who have enquired with swissnex Singapore. For the application for Academic year 2008/2009, swissnex Singapore received and submitted one application, which was accepted and awarded the scholarship from the Swiss Confederation. swissnex Singapore assisted the scholarship recipient with the pre-departure enquiries.

Swiss students in Singapore are welcomed to Singapore during the annual welcome event held in October, are assisted with enquiries on job or internship opportunities, and are invited to join events organized by swissnex Singapore and the Swiss Association, as well as presentations given at the Swiss Business Association.

swissnex Singapore also mandated and coached a group of students participating to the Integration Seminar of the University of St. Gallen’s Asia Term in Singapore. The student’s project focused on finding companies and research institutes willing to offer internship opportunities to students from Switzerland.

Art Exhibitions at swissnexArtworks by Mrs. Natalie Laoué, a French citizen living in Singapore, were displayed at swissnex Singapore premises.

Additionally swissnex Singapore had the opportunity to host the art exhibition “Minimal Landscapes” by Prof. Ariel Ruiz i Altaba in its premises.

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The swissnex Singapore website is a dynamic platform communicating instantly upcoming events, reporting past activities and providing comprehensive information on education, research and innovation in Singapore and Switzerland. swissnex Singapore’s website enjoys good popularity, with a decrease in visits in June 08 most probably due to the change of web site address.

swissnex Singapore publishes a monthly Science-Asia Newsletter in collaboration with its colleagues in Tokyo, Beijing, Taipeh and Seoul on science, technology, research, innovation and education related topics.

swissnex Singapore continues to inform its growing number of users, partners, sponsors and interested circles on past events and future activities through the quarterly e-newsletter.

website & newsletters

swissnex singapore 2008 website & newsletters

“Es freut mich immer sehr, wie die Swissnex Singapore unsere Studenten einbindet und informiert. Herzlichen Dank für Ihre Mühen.”

JudiTH HolzHeimer asia/paCifiC sTudenT exCHange offiCer, federal insTiTuTe of TeCHnology zuriCH

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Total number of unique visitors: ????? Monthly average: ????

Visitors to swissnex Singapore website

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media coverage

swissnex singapore 2008 media coverage / finances

Jan 08 Relax Swiss House Singapore becomes swissnex Singapore

Jan 08 Impulse Swiss House Singapore becomes swissnex Singapore

May 08 Neue Zürcher Zeitung “ETH-Forschungszentrum für Singapur”

May 08 DRS Radio Interview with Mr. Gsteiger

May 08 Relax SIMTech-IMT Workshop on Medical Technologies

May 08 ImpulseSwiss Singapore Workshop on Innovation in Food Consumer Interactions

May 08 Cuisine & Wine Asia “Perceiving Flavours: More than just a bite”

May 08 The Business Times “A place for a meeting of minds”

Sep 08 Swiss Label Asia“swissnex Singapore: bridging knowledge and competencies in science, education, art and innovation”

Sep 08 SER NewsletterVisit of the Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research Dell’Ambrogio to Singapore

Sep 08 The Straits Times “Stop these degrees courses, school told”

Sep 08 The Straits Times“Trust private Schools here? How to? When so many offer shady, shoddy and sub-stabdard courses?”

Sep 08 The Straits Times“270 Shines College students here in a fix. Course loses accreditation but any transfer would be to similar varsity”

Oct 08Swiss National Science Foundation

“SCIENCEsuisse - 25 Kurzfilme und ein Buch zur Spitzenforschung in der Schweiz“

Nov 08 SF Nano Science Counsellors’ and swissnex network in Asia

Dec 08 swissinfo La Suisse, la science et le monde

Dec 08 swissinfo Practising the Science of Diplomacy

Dec 08 Neue Zürcher Zeitung „Aussenbeziehung für die Wissenschaft“

Dec 08 Impulse Discover Europe and Study in Europe Education Fairs

Dec 08 Relax Discover Europe and Study in Europe Education Fairs

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financesThe State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) covers the running costs as well as the core events costs of swissnex Singapore. In 2008 around 2/3 of the projects costs was sponsored by third parties.

Allocated Budget by SER 2008 (CHF)Projects 70,000Travel 15,000Representation 10,000Running costs 70,000Personnel 191,000Total 356,000

ProjectsBudget from SER (CHF)

Contributions from Partners (CHF)

Si 1/08NUS Language Immersion Program 20,000 -

Si 2/08Career 2008 2,630 480

Si 3/082nd Singapore Lipid Symposium 3,750 -

Si 4/08Swiss Singapore Workshop on Innovation in Food Consumer Interactions 15,000 30,170

Si 5/08Swiss-Singapore Workshop on Microsystems for Medical Technology Applications 7,670 16,810

Si 6/08Bio & High-Tech Valuation and Forecasting 680 5,030

Si 7/08Lucid Fields at International Symposium on Electronic Art 2008 15,000 74,000

Si 8/08Art meets Science 14,180 5,450

Si 9/08OCSC 5th Education Expo in Bangkok 320 3,500

Study in Europe 2008- Higher Education Fair - 10,460

Si 10/08Minimal Landscapes 6,720 4,300

Si 11/08Power of Innovative Visualization 920 -

Compare events under event section with the table

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sponsors & partners

swissnex singapore 2008 sponsors & partners

art-management.comBasler & HofmannCLS Communications LtdCTI (Swiss Innovation Promotion Agency)CRUS (Rectors’ Conference of the Swiss Universities)Conference of the Universities of Applied Sciences Switzerland (KFH)DGES Etat de VaudEcole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL)Elchrom Scientific AGFederal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ)Graduate Institute of Int. and Dev. StudiesGreater Zurich AreaHolcim Pte LtdInstitute for Infocomm ResearchIBF (Institute of Banking and Finance, Singapore)Institute of Microtechnology (IMT)ISEP (International Senior Executive Program St.Gallen-ETHZ)Kalaidos University of Applied SciencesLASALLE College of the ArtsLaurent Bernard ChocolatierLes Roches International School of Hotel ManagementLight10 Laboratories Pte LtdLombard Odier Darier Hentsch & CieMarché MövenpickNestlé Singapore (Pte) Ltd

Presence SwitzerlandPro HelvetiaRicola Asia Pacific Pte LtdSCTE (Swiss Conference of Rectors of Schools for Teacher Education)SIMTech (Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology)Singapore Design FestivalSingapore Developmental Biology ClubSingapore Science CenterSwatchSwiss Bankers AssociationSwiss Business Hub ASEANSwiss Association SingaporeSwiss International AirlinesSIX Swiss ExchangeUniversity of Applied Sciences Chur (HTW Chur)University of Applied Sciences Northwestern SwitzerlandUniversity of BaselUniversity of BernUniversity of FribourgUniversity of GenevaUniversity of LausanneUniversity of NeuchâtelUniversity of St.GallenUniversity of ZurichUniversity of LuganoVenture ValuationVivoCityWorld Knowledge Dialogue SymposiumZurich University of the Arts

Sponsors

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Stakeholdersswissnex Singapore is partnering with a variety of stakeholders including institutions of higher learning, research institutes, economic promoters, governmental offices, business associations as well as consulting services.

Swiss Club

Large-Scale events addressing the Swiss Community have been organized at the Swiss Club. Numerous swissnex events are advertised and reported in the Relax magazine reaching out to the Swiss Club members.

Swiss School Singapore

swissnex Singapore facilitates talks and visits at the Swiss school for iconic personalities like Claude Nicollier and gets assistance from the Swiss school in all matters regarding primary/ secondary education in Switzerland.

Swiss Association Singapore

The association aims at providing a common platform to the growing Swiss community in Singapore. Under an informal agreement with swissnex, Swiss students in Singapore are welcomed to join events organized by the Swiss Association.

Collaborations with Swiss Community in Singapore

Swiss Business Hub ASEAN (SBH)

The Swiss Business Hub ASEAN advises small and medium-sized Swiss companies willing to develop their international activities in Southeast Asia. Enquiries in the economic sector addressed to swissnex Singapore or SBH are considered in a pragmatic fashion by both entities. Whenever an overlap of tasks exists, knowledge is shared. Some exclusive services that swissnex Singapore offers include contacts to R&D and high tech related networks, as well as rental of a working space at swissnex Singapore at a nominal fee.

Swiss Business Association

Potential speakers for Swiss Business Association events are proposed periodically to the chairman. Swiss students in Singapore also may attend events organized by the SBA.

swissnex Singapore is member of the Swiss Business Association in Singapore and BioSingapore (Biotech Association).

Partners

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Dr. Suzanne Hraba-Renevey, Executive DirectorDr. Suzanne Hraba-Renevey was awarded a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and was active several years in academia and research. She created the position of Science Counsellor at the Embassy of Switzerland in Singapore, and was instrumental in the implementation of the Swiss House Singapore, presently swissnex Singapore. She presently conceives, manages and communicates swissnex activities, leading a three-member team.

staff & interns

Simona Cereghetti, Personal Assistant since 10 December 2007Before joining swissnex Singapore Simona Cereghetti has been active in major Swiss banks as an assistant in the Private Banking sector and has accumulated more than 10 years of experience in this domain. She is proficient in Italian, English, German and French. Ms. Cereghetti is responsible for the accounting and for the administration at swissnex Singapore. She is also in charge of answering enquiries, organizing the meetings of visitors and updating the website and contact database. She writes the Science-Asia Newsletter and contributes to the swissnex Singapore e-newsletters.

swissnex singapore 2008 staff & interns

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Period Name Qualifications Major Projects

Jan to June 08

Isabel Diezig Bachelor of Arts(Law and Economics),University of St.Gallen

Career 2008, Swiss Singapore Workshop on Innovation in Food Consumer Interactions

Feb to Jul 08

Daniel Knecht Bachelor of Arts (International Relations), University of St.Gallen

Solartaxi in Singapore, SIMTech Workshop, Bio&High-Tech Valuation, Lucid Fields at International Symposium on Electronic Art 2008

Jul to Dec 08

Nina Kaufmann Master of Arts (International Relations), Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

Z-Node Mini-Symposium, NOVA, Swiss Design Technology, Visit of DGES Delegation to Singapore, World Knowledge Dialogue Symposium, 5th OCSC Fair Bangkok, Study in Europe Education Fair

Aug 08 to Jan 09

Irina Dettling Bachelor of Arts (International Business Management) 2009, University of applied sciences of Nord Western Switzerland, Berufsakademie Lörrach, Germany,Université Haute Alsace Colmar, France

Art meets Science, Discover Europe, Study in Europe

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Leveraging on the momentum created by our growing collaboration in the heart of the Swiss Knowledge Network with swissnex outposts located in Bangalore, Boston, San Francisco, Shanghai and Singapore, we strive to offer even better services to our stakeholders in 2009.

Our key future events will include a Swiss Pavilion at Biomedical Asia 2009, performances by the Camerata de Lausanne including master classes by Pierre Amoyal, a SIMTech-IMT Workshop on microfluidics and an ECAL Luxury Design Exhibition in the frame of the Singapore Design Festival.

We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your continuous support and look forward to welcoming you soon at one of swissnex Singapore’s events!

The swissnex Singapore Team

outlook

swissnex singapore 2008 outlook

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“Jolie inspiration que celle de trouver la Suisse installée au coeur de Biopolis à Singapour. On ne peut que souhaiter que le swissnex dans la cité-Etat fasse la même impression que le «Swiss Nest» au cœur de Pékin: tenir haut le nom de la Suisse! Meilleurs vœux.”

ambassador pierre Combernous

poliTiCal affairs diVision ii asia-paCifiC, federal deparTmenT of foreign affairs