Keppel, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Vietnam National Innovation Centre join hands to groom Asia’s next-generation talents and start-ups

07 Jul 2023

Partners will co-create innovation and entrepreneurship programmes to train Singapore and Vietnam talents over the next three years.

Keppel Corporation Limited (Keppel), Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC) have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the co-creation of talent development programmes for tertiary students from Singapore and start-ups from NIC. They include internships and entrepreneurial events to be conducted at Keppel's overseas offices, starting with Vietnam, as well as innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up related programmes.

The MOU was signed at the 7th Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) held in Hanoi today, in the presence of Mr Le Minh Khai, Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and Dr Tan See Leng, Singapore's Minister for Manpower & Second Minister for Trade and Industry. The signatories were Mr Linson Lim, Chief Representative (Vietnam) of Keppel Corporation, Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal & CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and Mr Vu Quoc Huy, Director of Vietnam National Innovation Centre.

The tripartite collaboration between Keppel, NP and NIC exemplifies the shared commitment to foster talent development, innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. By combining their expertise and resources, the partners seek to make a lasting impact on the education and start-up landscape in Vietnam and Singapore, creating a conducive environment to nurture global-ready talents and start-ups in both countries. The three-year initiative is expected to kickstart by Q4 2023.

Mr Linson Lim, Chief Representative (Vietnam) of Keppel Corporation, said, "Keppel seeks to make a positive impact on the community, wherever we operate. In line with this, we are pleased to embark on this partnership with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Vietnam National Innovation Centre to co-create talent development programmes, and contribute to nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurial, innovative leaders. As a global asset manager and operator with strong capabilities in infrastructure, real estate and connectivity, Keppel will be able to expose participants to different sectors through meaningful internship opportunities and mentorship."

Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal & CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic, said, "Ngee Ann Polytechnic is honoured to partner with Keppel and Vietnam National Innovation Centre to develop enriching internships and talent development opportunities for our students. The collaboration is timely as it underscores NP's vision of grooming global-ready talents in fast-growing economies like those in Southeast Asia. Together, we will support and nurture the growth of innovation and entrepreneurship in Vietnam and Singapore, and provide students with the tools to seamlessly traverse borders, cultures and industries in a rapidly changing world."

The SRBF is a high-profile, inclusive, and constructive platform for top business leaders, government officials, thought leaders and policymakers to explore policy development, economic vision, and business and investment-related opportunities in the region.

The 7th SRBF, held for the first time outside of Singapore, commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Singapore and Vietnam.

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About Keppel
Keppel Corporation is a global asset manager and operator with strong expertise in sustainability-related solutions spanning the areas of infrastructure, real estate and connectivity. Headquartered in Singapore, Keppel operates in more than 20 countries worldwide, providing critical infrastructure and services for renewables, clean energy, decarbonisation, sustainable urban renewal and digital connectivity. Through its quality investment platforms and asset portfolios, Keppel contributes to advancing sustainable development, the energy transition and the digital economy, while creating enduring value for stakeholders.

Keppel's Real Estate Division has been in Vietnam since the early 1990s. Over three decades, Keppel has grown with Vietnam to become one of the largest foreign real estate investors in the country today. In Vietnam, Keppel is well known for its quality residential developments, such as Estella Heights, Celesta Rise and Empire City, as well as Grade A commercial developments like Saigon Centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

About Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Ngee Ann Polytechnic started in 1963 and is today one of Singapore's leading institutions of higher learning with over 13,000 enrolled students in about 40 courses across diverse disciplines. It seeks to develop students with a passion for learning, values for life, and competencies to thrive in a global workplace. The polytechnic also supports Continuing Education and Training (CET) through its CET Academy, which offers a wide range of part-time programmes and short courses. It works closely with industry partners to curate programmes for emerging skills, develop talent pipeline for the industries and help adult learners stay agile in today's rapidly changing global economy.

About Vietnam National Innovation Centre

Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC) is a unit under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, established by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1269/QD-TTg dated October 2, 2019 with the function of supporting and developing Vietnam's start-up and innovation ecosystem, contributing to renewing the growth model based on science and technology. The Centre is built with the most advanced model and practice, suitable to the Vietnamese context, with specific, superior and competitive mechanisms and policies compared to the region and the world. The Centre now has its headquarters in Hanoi and is expected to open its operating base in Hoa Lac in October 2023. Along with that, investment capital to build the Centre will be mobilised and contributed from domestic and foreign enterprises in various and appropriate forms and through investment socialisation; do not use investment capital from the state budget.

For more information about NIC, visit nic.gov.vn/en

Enquiries

• Keppel
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• In Vietnam
• Trang Le (Ms)
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• Ngee Ann Polytechnic
• Sangeetha Naidu(Ms)
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• Ngee Ann Polytechnic
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• Vietnam National Innovation Centre
• Le Huyen Trang (Ms)
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