Waseda University and Olympus Corporation Establish Research Institute in Singapore Waseda-Olympus Bioscience Research Institut

14-Jul-2004

Singapore. Waseda University and Olympus Corporation have officially opened the Waseda-Olympus Bioscience Research Institute, a joint research facility based in the Biopolis that will focus on the investigation of higher brain functions such as intellect and awareness. The research conducted at the institute will integrate Olympus' strengths in the bioscience research area gained through its wealth of experience developing biological microscopes and genome analysis systems, together with the research expertise offered by Waseda.

The institute has its origins with Waseda University's Institute for Biomedical Science where for two years Olympus had been sending its researchers and participating in other exchange activities that deepened involvement between the two organizations Situated at the information crossroads between the United States, Europe, China and India, Singapore provided the ideal location to establish the institute. The Singapore government has made efforts to forge the country into a bioscience research hub, boasting some 2,000 researchers. Biopolis is also home to Singapore government related research organizations and the R&D units of biotech related corporations. Given this favorable environment, the institute will work to take advantage of the world-class human network of researchers to foster the dissemination of knowledge.

"The Biomedical Sciences industry is a key driver for Singapore's economy, and several initiatives have been put in place to encourage and further develop the growth of this industry," said Philip Yeo, Chairman of the Agency for Science and Technology and Research and Co-Chairman of EDB, the Singapore government authority supporting the institute. "Substantial investments in infrastructure such as research laboratories and specialised workforce training have created the right, supportive environment for bioscience research projects such as the Waseda-Olympus Bioscience Research Institute."

The results of the research conducted at the institute will aid Olympus in the development of ubiquitous terminals, services, and other human-ware that utilize sensors to recognize expressions, emotions, and feedback from the brain activity of users. The institute's work will bring to fruition solutions that significantly enhance the quality of life and create the future value like a secure and safe society .

In order for Waseda-Olympus Bioscience Research Institute to deepen its roots and accelerate collaboration with local institutions, Waseda and Olympus plan to jointly fund the institute's incorporation sometime around October 2004. According to the mid-term plan, this change of status will mean the hiring of non-Japanese researchers and other activities.

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