Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Fostering R&D in the Construction Productivity, Built Environment and Environment Sustainability 11 Aug 2016 The education and research arm of the Building & Construction Authority (BCA), BCA Academy (BCAA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) on 27th July 2016 during the inaugural FIRST Workshop. The SUTD-BCA MOU marks a commitment to develop scientific research and development, and promote technology transfer in the areas of built environment, environment sustainability and productivity. One key focus of the MOU is to implement research collaborations that enable new approaches to problems faced in the built environment, solutions for environment sustainability and technologies to increase construction productivity. An example of such collaborations includes projects between SUTD faculty and BCA to study tropical daylight and comfort model and develop smart green building management system. These projects are aligned with the BCA’s S$52 million Green Building Innovation Cluster (GBIC) programme that is funded by National Research Foundation to look into the research, development and demonstration of energy-efficient technologies and solutions for the built environment over the next five years. Another key focus of this MOU is manpower development – in particular, to sharpen the employability of Singaporeans through initiatives in manpower training through graduate-level programmes and training with SUTD. Examples of initiatives being discussed include creating graduate-level scholarships, providing industry internship opportunities, and tapping on SUTD’s Capstone programme and design-oriented methodologies. Under the MOU, representatives from SUTD and BCA will also work closely to continue defining new areas of collaboration. The three-year MOU was signed by Er Lam Siew Wah, Managing Director of BCA’s Built Environment Research and Innovation Institute, and Professor Yeo Kiat Seng, SUTD’s Associate Provost for Graduate Studies & International Relations. It was witnessed by Mr Cheng Tai Fatt, Deputy Managing Director of BCAA, and Professor Ricky Ang, SUTD’s Director of Graduate Studies.