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An unforgettable experience in my life
Germany brings new science knowledge to Asia....Yet another US MBA introduced in Asia is hardly news. But top German science masters degrees offered in Singapore? That is something new.
Professor Wolfgang Herrmann, Presidnt of TUM
At a degree ceremony in Singapore on 6 July 2004, 20 industrial chemistry students from 8 different Asian countries created academic history. They were the first graduates to receive joint masters degrees as a result of the first ever German-Asian university partnership.
Through its groundbreaking collaboration with Singapore’s two leading universities, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has provided the first opportunity for ambitious young scientists to advance their knowledge in a way that combines both German and Asian teaching and experience. At the recently formed German Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in Singapore, chemistry and other science graduates from all corners of the world can follow 18 month masters programmes based in Singapore and with a spell of research and work experience in Germany.
'Science is our future, therefore Science is passion!' is the inspirational
maxim of TUM President, Professor Wolfgang Herrmann
GIST is the first ever German university campus abroad. For many years, the USA and Australia, and more recently UK and France, have been establishing campuses of their universities throughout Asia. Now TUM has pioneered globalisation of German universities by creating GIST in partnership with National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
TUM is one of the most innovative institutions of higher education in Germany and a leading university in Europe. It is dedicated to generating and communicating highly specialised research and to providing excellent academic education. ‘Science is our future, therefore Science is passion!’ is the inspirational maxim of TUM President, Professor Wolfgang Herrmann whose proud boast is that: ‘TUM holds a leading place in many respects.We are the first German university with a 'branch' abroad.’
Ranking among the finest universities in the Asian-Pacific region, NUS aims to be a global knowledge-enterprise, actively promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
There are 23,000 undergraduate students enrolled in 10 faculties and 9,000 graduate students in 9 schools. NUS maintains its high status of international recognition by offering top-level professional training and multidisciplinary studies, while also providing special programs with leading international tertiary institutions.
NTU is also one of Asia Pacific’s premier universities, having grown in 20 short years from a small engineering institute into a leading centre of learning for industry and business. The university is poised for the knowledge-based economy, adopting many new initiatives to meet the challenges of knowledge revolutions in the 21st Century.
Aiming to be a world-class university, NTU's mission is to nurture high level manpower and leaders for the professions, industry and business, and to advance research and development in the academic and professional disciplines.
GIST commenced operation in Singapore in 2002 with its pioneer Master of Science in Industrial Chemistry programme. It is supported by both the Singapore and the German Governments. Professor Wolfgang Hiller, President and CEO of GIST, says: ‘GIST is proud to facilitate the partnership of TUM, NUS, NTU and with industry to enable and enhance academic and industrial exchanges in Singapore, Asia, Europe and internationally.’
GIST currently offers joint Master of Science programmes in Industrial Chemistry (in partnership with NUS) and in Industrial Ecology (in partnership with NTU). All programmes are conducted in English and more are being planned for the July 2005 intake. The masters degree programmes in GIST claim to be unique as participants are immersed in both theoretical and practical aspects of their specialisations. First they go through 10 months of coursework in Singapore taught by an international team of staff including industry specialists and Nobel Laureates. Then they perform 2 months of internship with an industrial partner in Asia or Europe and conduct 6 months of research work (done at TUM, NUS/NTU or with an industry partners) to complete a Master's thesis.
'Living in Germany, especially in Burghausen, for me is really a challenge. But it's fun on the other side, and it would be an unforgettable experience in my life.'
