Singapore NMC Delegation Visits KRISS

▲ KRISS-NMC Delegation Group Photo

The delegation from Singapore's NMC*, led by Executive Director Prof. Gregory Goh, visited KRISS on February 18th. The delegation also included manager from A*STAR**, reflecting their strong interest in exploring research collaboration opportunities with KRISS.

  *  NMC: National Metrology Centre

**  A*STAR: The Agency for Science, Technology and Research

 

Prof. Gregory Goh and Dr. Chua Sze Wey, Director of the Metrology and International Relations Office, arrived a day earlier than the scheduled meeting to hold a discussion with the APMP* Secretariat team. During the APMP 2024 GA**, Prof. Gregory Goh was elected as the successor to Dr. Park Hyun Min, the current APMP Chairperson. Prof. Goh expressed high expectations for the 2025 APMP GA, which will be held by KRISS in celebration of its 50th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of the Metre Convention. He also called for expanded collaboration within the APMP community. This visit is expected to be a great opportunity for KRISS and NMC to broaden their cooperation to include international organizations.

  * APMP (Asia Pacific Metrology Programme)

** GA: General Assembly

▲ Delegations from KRISS and NMC in discussion on collaboration

The KRISS-NMC meeting began with presentations by the heads of the international cooperation departments from both organizations, covering their institutional introductions and the current status of their research and development activities. KRISS introduced recent R&D achievements, the international activities of its researchers, and its long-standing partnership with NMC. NMC shared information about the structure of its parent organization, A*STAR, Singapore’s national quality infrastructure, and the history and role of NMC.

 

In particular, NMC showed great interest in measurement standards for quantum technologies, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability as key areas for future measurement capability development. Dr. Lee Ho Seong, President of KRISS, highlighted KRISS’s contributions to time standards, referring to the Korean Positioning System (KPS) project and the creation of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) using optical clocks.

▲ Lab tour session

In the afternoon lab tour session, the NMC delegation visited a total of six groups and ten research laboratories. Given the areas of interest to NMC, the delegation attentively listened to researchers' explanations about KRISS’s R&D status, the application and expected impacts of research outcomes. Despite the long schedule, the delegation actively asked questions, reflecting their strong enthusiasm for research collaboration.

 

KRISS and NMC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2012, and they have continued to exchange in various forms, including personnel exchanges and research equipment exports. Moving forward, both organizations are expected to strengthen their scientific and technological capabilities through close collaboration and contribute to the global measurement standards community.