NUS and Stanford Forge Global Learning Pathways for Future Innovators

The National University of Singapore (NUS) has made a quantum leap in deep tech innovation with the establishment of two key co-investment collaborations and a global education programme in partnership with Stanford University. The announcement on 16 September 2025 represents a new era in Singapore's higher education innovation plan and further cements its status as a world hub for deep tech start-ups and university-industry collaborations.

At the heart of this initiative lies NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the university. This has led to the establishment of a co-investment framework with SG Growth Capital and a S$20 million partnership with Lotus One Investment. These NUS Enterprise funding agreements are meant to channel capital into suitable ventures and NUS spin-offs to, in turn, strengthen the NUS deep tech ecosystem and support the growth of deep tech start-ups in Singapore. The strategic combination of active venture capital in academia with institutional innovation objectives embraces the greater trend worldwide toward research-based start-up ecosystems powered by higher education.

Similarly, NUS and Stanford University are initiating a S$2 million pilot program, enabled by a philanthropic gift from the Khetan Foundation. The program, dubbed the NUS Stanford global learning programme, allows NUS students to work with international partners such as Meta and Venture Corporation on real-life problem-solving innovation challenges. The Khetan Foundation Stanford programme is one of the foremost examples of how philanthropic funding can serve as a vehicle to advance international university partnerships and take innovation and entrepreneurship education across borders.

The launch was attended, and a powerful education speech was made by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who touched on Singapore's dedication to research, education, and innovation in the long term. NUS, he explained, has assisted in the development of the country by nurturing talented graduates, anchoring world-class research, and helping to seed entirely new industries vital to Singapore's economic competitiveness. This goes to show the importance of university-government collaborations in shaping national innovation ecosystems.

The worth of NUS's deep tech investment deals goes beyond capital in dollar terms because it also comes with the strategic guidance that they offer. By tying funding to innovation outcomes, NUS is developing an ecosystem that is both more robust and sensitive in response to funding requirements for early-stage ventures as well as long-term research prowess. These initiatives are connected to an overall NUS research and innovation strategy that also fuses academic rigour with entrepreneurial agility. Singapore's rise as a world hub for deep tech innovation is further enhanced by these trends. The city-state's science and technology policy has long placed greater emphasis on higher education research partnerships, international innovation hubs, and cross-border innovation programs. NUS's success in this area illustrates how universities can be anchor institutions in international and domestic innovation ecosystems.

For UK universities, the NUS model is worth learning from. Under the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement, there is increasing potential for bilateral cooperation in education and technology. NUS's method of developing deep tech innovation, through combining co-investment, international collaborations, and student involvement, offers a template for UK institutions looking to build greater global presence. Through taking on similar university-industry collaborations and integrating venture capital mechanisms within academic institutions, UK universities can build greater competitiveness and be part of international research and innovation agendas.

Collaborative endeavours between universities across the globe exemplify the reason for coupling NUS and Stanford University in enhancing learning for students and innovation. The focus of the program on real-world challenges and engagement with global industries aligns with current trends in innovation and entrepreneurship education; it also reflects a recognised belief to prepare students in complex technology-based environments.

The NUS deep tech innovation 2025 initiative is an ambitious and far-sighted strategic move in shaping the future of higher education and research. Through highly focused funding, international partnerships, and an incisive innovation strategy, NUS not only empowers deep tech start-ups in Singapore but is also repositioning the role of universities in the international innovation network. In its strides to enhance research and entrepreneurial strength from an international perspective, NUS remains a benchmark for excellence, agility, and vision.

Editor's Note:

Singapore's National University's newest deep tech initiative is not just a milestone, but a strategic indication of where the world's higher education is going. By marrying focused investment, global partnership, and student involvement, NUS is demonstrating how universities can drive innovation not only in their own backyard but through networks around the world. The co-investment partnerships and the Stanford partnership demonstrate a mature, progressive model for research and entrepreneurship. This is not merely about prestige or funding. It is about constructing systems that link academic rigour and real-world influence. NUS's model, rooted in agility, global applicability, and institutional sense of purpose, is a helpful point of reference for universities around the globe, particularly those in the UK looking to open up and realise more of their potential under the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement.

In an age where learning must die to keep pace with ever-accelerating technological change, NUS is at the forefront. The strategic positioning of NUS with its international partners reflects a repositioning in the overall positioning of universities in the global systems of innovation. NUS is not only rendering itself more competitive but is also preparing the future higher education models around the world by incorporating real-world collaborations within scholarship programmes and aligning investments with institutional performance. These advances demonstrate that innovation is no longer confined to laboratories or classrooms but is driven by fast-paced collaborative work, flexible funding systems, and global collective drives to tackle even the most complicated problems.

As per Skoobuzz, the NUS deep tech innovation 2025 program indeed serves as robust evidence that universities have the power to define the future of education, research, and entrepreneurship. By taking bold investments, forging strategic partnerships, and emphasising student involvement, NUS is redefining the world-class institution model in the digital era.

FAQs

1. What is the NUS–Stanford global education initiative?

The NUS–Stanford global education initiative is a S$2 million pilot programme designed to provide NUS students with hands-on experience in global innovation. It enables them to collaborate with international partners such as Meta and Venture Corporation on real-world problem-solving projects, fostering cross-border learning and entrepreneurial thinking.

2. Who funds the NUS–Stanford collaboration?

The collaboration is funded by the Khetan Foundation, whose philanthropic support has made it possible to launch the pilot programme and facilitate international academic partnerships between NUS and Stanford University.

3. How much investment is NUS securing for deep tech growth?

NUS is securing over S$22 million in investment to accelerate deep tech growth. This includes a S$20 million agreement with Lotus One Investment and a co-investment framework with SG Growth Capital, both aimed at supporting NUS spin-offs and early-stage ventures.

4. What is the role of SG Growth Capital in NUS innovation?

SG Growth Capital is a key partner in the co-investment framework established by NUS Enterprise. Its role is to provide strategic funding to promising deep tech start-ups emerging from the university, thereby strengthening the commercialisation pipeline and supporting Singapore’s innovation ecosystem.

5. What is NUS Enterprise’s role in Singapore’s start-up ecosystem?

NUS Enterprise serves as the entrepreneurial arm of the university, playing a central role in nurturing start-ups, facilitating venture creation, and building a robust innovation ecosystem. It connects academic research with industry needs and provides the infrastructure, mentorship, and funding necessary for start-up success.

6. How is NUS contributing to Singapore’s digital economy?

NUS contributes to Singapore’s digital economy by fostering deep tech innovation, supporting research commercialisation, and developing talent equipped for the digital age. Through initiatives like the NUS–Stanford programme and strategic investment partnerships, it helps seed new industries and drive technological advancement.

7. What is the impact of the Lotus One Investment partnership?

The S$20 million partnership with Lotus One Investment provides targeted capital to NUS spin-offs and innovation ventures. It enhances the university’s ability to scale deep tech start-ups and reinforces its position as a key player in Singapore’s research-driven innovation landscape.

8. How do NUS students benefit from Stanford collaborations?

Students benefit through exposure to global innovation challenges, mentorship from international industry leaders, and opportunities to work on interdisciplinary projects. This experience enhances their problem-solving skills, global outlook, and readiness for leadership in high-tech sectors.

9. What did Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong say about NUS?

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong praised NUS for its longstanding contributions to Singapore’s development. He highlighted its role in nurturing skilled graduates, anchoring world-class research, and helping to seed industries vital to national competitiveness.

10. How can UK universities collaborate with Singapore institutions?

UK universities can collaborate through frameworks such as the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement, focusing on joint research, innovation programmes, and student mobility. The NUS model offers a blueprint for cross-border partnerships that integrate academic excellence with industry engagement.