Singapore-Stanford Biodesign and South Korea’s Dongguk University sign a three-year agreement to develop talent in medical technology biodesign and innovation

Singapore — Singapore-Stanford Biodesign (SSB) and Dongguk University (DU) signed a three-year ‘SSB-Korea Innovation Partnership’ (SKIP) that aims to foster development of talent in medical technologies innovation and gain insights into the medtech ecosystem in Singapore, Korea and the region. The Collaboration Agreement is a major milestone in the A*STAR-KHIDI Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement signed in December 2013.

Under the SKIP programme, SSB will conduct three Biodesign workshops for 15 Korean students from DU for three years. The Korean students will get to understand Singapore’s clinical needs challenges and be trained to become medical device innovators. In exchange, Singapore’s SSB Fellows will attend clinical immersion sessions facilitated by DU at Korean hospitals for them to identify unmet clinical needs in the South Korean healthcare system and to develop medical technologies for the country.

Apart from the talent exchange, the SKIP programme helps enrich the content taught at the SSB Innovation Class. DU will send faculty members to Singapore to provide participants with insights into the Korean medtech market and innovation landscape. In exchange, SSB faculty members will be sent to South Korea as advisor to key Korean medtech stakeholders at meetings facilitated by DU. 

A/Prof TAN Sze Wee, Deputy Director, Biomedical Research Council, A*STAR said “We have seen tremendous progress since the signing of the A*STAR-KHIDI MOU slightly over a year ago. The Korean Health Industry Development Institute-A*STAR Medtech Development Centre was set up in Biopolis last year with the aim of attracting South Korean medtech companies to Singapore. There are currently four Korean medtech companies co-innovating here, thanks to the Centre. The SKIP programme focuses on the other aspect of the MOU, namely talent development. Today’s signing event strengthens the already strong Singapore-Republic of Korea partnership by cementing the ways in which SSB and Donggkuk University will institutionalise the training of future medtech innovators of the region.”

Professor Sung Min Kim, Chair of the Department of Medical Device Industry stated, “We expect Korea’s medical device industry to experience massive growth in the near future. To fuel this, we are training more manpower skilled in medtech innovation to help lead the industry on to the global stage. Today’s signing between Dongguk University and SSB is a big step in that direction by sending our brightest to Singapore to enrol in the best education programme on medical technology innovation.”

Mr. Kevin Lai, Executive Director, Biomedical Sciences and Consumer Businesses, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) said, “Singapore is committed to support the growing medical technology sector in the region through initiatives such as the Singapore-Stanford Biodesign (SSB) programme. The SSB programme aims to develop specialised talent for innovating and commercialising new healthcare solutions for Asia and beyond. We welcome this partnership with Dongguk, and we are confident that this will strengthen SSB’s expertise and networks to the region.”

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About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector agency that spearheads economic oriented research to advance scientific discovery and develop innovative technology. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit society.

As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by contributing to societal benefits such as improving outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. 

We play a key role in nurturing and developing a diversity of talent and leaders in our Agency and Research Institutes, the wider research community and industry. A*STAR oversees 18 biomedical sciences and physical sciences and engineering research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. 

For more information on A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg

About Singapore-Stanford Biodesign (SSB)

The Singapore-Stanford Biodesign Programme is a joint partnership between the Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR), the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and Stanford University's Program in Biodesign.

SSB's main goal is to nurture and train the next generation of Asian medical device innovators in Singapore for the world.

For more information on SSB, please visit www.ssbiodesign.com.sg

Founded in 1906 by Korea's ecumenically minded Jogye Order, Dongguk remains one of the few Buddhist affiliated universities in the world. Students and professors from around the globe enhance the quality of education on each of Dongguk's four campuses by bringing together dramatically diverse life experiences and cultures in a common educational mission.

Graduate and undergraduate students alike are exposed to the latest theories and practical training in every area of university study. Dongguk consistently ranks among Korea's top universities. Yet an equally important ingredient in any collegiate experience is development of the self, a maturing process enhanced by exposure to people of diverse backgrounds, opinions and value systems.

For thousands of new students each year, Dongguk continues to serve a great first step on a lifelong journey of self-discovery, service to others, and spiritual enlightenment.

For more information on Dongguk University, please visit www.dongguk.edu

About Department of Medical Device Industry, Dongguk University

In May 2013, Ministry of Health and Welfare selected Dongguk University as a graduate school for medical device in order to satisfy the demand of professional manpower in medical device industry.

Dongguk University has been accumulating know-how of medical device development with medical device development promotion center and school of medicine, pharmacy, Korean medicine and business. Based on this experience, we are operating curriculums to train the professional talented people create knowledge value with New Business Development Track and Start-up & Business Manager Track. Also, we are trying our vest train the practically talented students suitable for the global age through the enterprise internship, field training and exchange with foreign prominent universities.