From November 14 to November 16, 2024, Vice President Liu Weidong of Shanghai Jiao Tong University led a delegation to visit Singapore. During the visit, the delegation visited key partners such as Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). They also attended the first steering committee meeting for the "Carbon Negative Synthetic Biology (CNSB)" project under the Singapore "Excellence Research and Technology Enterprise" (CREATE) initiative, a collaborative effort between Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Singapore Graduate School and NUS.

At Nanyang Technological University, Liu Weidong held talks with Vice President Lee Pei-Shih. Both sides defined the framework for joint degree programs and discussed the feasibility of establishing a Technology Transfer Center, as well as adjustments to the quota for joint doctoral programs. The two sides also exchanged views on the World University Student Innovation Alliance project and explored potential collaborations in areas such as the "Top Talent Program" and joint laboratories.

The delegation then visited the National University of Singapore (NUS) and held talks with Associate Vice President George Loh. The discussions focused on collaboration in the field of climate change research, particularly the plan to jointly establish an Advanced Institute for Climate Change Studies. They also exchanged views on the renewal of the joint doctoral program.

On the afternoon of November 15, Liu Weidong was invited to attend the first steering committee meeting of the "Carbon Negative Synthetic Biology (CNSB)" project (Carbon Negative Synthetic Biology for Biomaterial Production from CO2), jointly undertaken by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the National University of Singapore. The committee was co-chaired by Liu Weidong and Professor Chng Wee Joo, Vice President of NUS.

The meeting heard reports from Professors Peng Yinghong and Lin Zhiqun, the project directors, on the research progress, achievements, and funding usage since the project's launch in March this year. The committee expressed confidence that the project will make significant contributions to sustainable innovation and synthetic biology in the future. Committee members included Professor Subodh Mhaisalkar (Executive Director of the CREATE Program, National Research Foundation of Singapore), Mr. Ni De En (Director of Urban Solutions and Sustainability), and relevant researchers from both Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the National University of Singapore.

During the visit, the delegation conducted an on-site investigation of the Singapore Graduate School and the Antai Asia-Pacific Center at our university. Led by Professor Peng Yinghong, Dean of the Singapore Graduate School, and other faculty members, Liu Weidong and his team toured the laboratory and were briefed on the progress of the projects. Subsequently, they visited the newly completed Antai Asia-Pacific Center, which opened last year, to observe the state-of-the-art teaching facilities. They also held discussions with Dean Chen Fangruo of the Antai College of Economics & Management and others on ways to further expand Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s presence in Singapore. Liu Weidong encouraged everyone to continue to deepen efforts in overseas markets, pursue diversified development, and engage in differentiated competition.

Personnel from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Zhiyuan College, Pu Yuan School of Future Technology, and the School of Mathematical Sciences joined the delegation on the visit.