On the 23rd of April 2015, in a collaborative partnership between the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and TUM Asia, a scientific dinner talk titled “Functional Chemosensation: Implications for Nutrition, Health and Wellness” was held at the Shangri-la hotel in Singapore. The speaker was Professor Thomas Hofmann, Senior Vice President of Technische Universität München (TUM). Also serving as the Chair of Food Chemistry and Molecular Sensors, Professor Hofmann is an experienced researcher and lecturer in the areas of functional chemosensation and its implications for nutrition, health and wellness. With Singapore steadily becoming an emerging global hub in this area, the topics discussed also addressed experts from the industry and research institutes in the areas that the food nutrition industry can work towards with respect to research and development.
The dinner talk was meant to foster interaction as well as the academic transfer and exchange of knowledge between Germany and Singapore. “Since TUM Asia’s establishment in 2002, TUM Asia is honoured to be able to work actively with the DAAD and other prominent organizations and institutions in organizing and hosting events”, mentioned Dr. Markus Wächter, Managing Director, TUM Asia.
For the betterment of science and technology, frequent interaction and exchange of ideas is very important. A technical university, such as TUM, should be continuously providing students with the relevant skills and what the industry requires. “There needs to be more convergence of local competences to allow for greater integrated research and development. Moreover, it is not enough to just improve in technology, but also in sciences. It is necessary to inject more natural sciences into engineering; the effect of this is a better society”, affirmed Professor Thomas Hofmann.
“In 2015, Singapore not only celebrates its Jubilee year, but also 50 years of strong bilateral relations between Germany and Singapore”, stated Sascha Kienzle, Head of Science Affairs, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. Like Munich, Singapore can continue to advance further due to the proximity of many renowned companies and research partners. “This generates a breeding ground for future research, where partners utilize each other’s potentials and grow together”, stated Professor Hofmann. Moving towards internationalization, it is important to form alliances between research institutions and universities, which improves the quality of the faculty and contributes the best students to society. This is the example that TUM has set for TUM Asia. TUM Asia has been successful in leveraging the high academic standards of TUM as the foundation for industry-focused education programmes that equips graduates with relevant industry skills and prepare them for leadership roles in the global economy. “TUM Asia is one of our strongest partners in Asia. Through our collaborative efforts, we hope to continue to bring our knowledge of higher education and science to the world”, affirmed Claudia Finner, Director, DAAD Information Centre Singapore.