Nanyang Technological University (NTU) cemented its position as a pioneer in the field of environment and water technologies with the launch of Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI) in 2008. With some 400 researchers actively engaged in pioneering projects, NEWRI represents more than two decades of university efforts in academia, research and innovation in the environmental and water space. NEWRI “!s vision is to emerge as the key environmental science and engineering research and education provider in Singapore and the region.
With an ever-increasing worldwide demand for clean water, water has been dubbed as the oil of the 21st century and NEWRI is NTU “!s and Singapore “!s response to the quest for sustainable supplies of water. NEWRI leads efforts for development of the clean water sector in Singapore, recognized worldwide as a leading adopter of new water technologies, especially membrane applications.
To date, the Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute has forged successful partnerships with key environmental players such as Sembcorp Industries and Toray Industries Inc, a multinational corporation headquartered in Japan. It also worked with the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) Hai Phong Co. Ltd in research, education and feasibility studies at the 1,600-hectare industrial park located in Hai Phong, Vietnam.
Professor Ng Wun Jern serves as the Executive Director of NEWRI, in addition to the role of Director of NEWRI Community (NEWRIComm). His research interests are largely in the area of water and wastewater management, thereby, aligning his own personal vision with that of NEWRI. The focus of his efforts has been on investigations into water quality, treatment science, and development of treatment technologies. These investigations span the water quality spectrum – ranging from ultra-pure water to high strength and potentially inhibitory industrial wastewaters.
NEWRIComm, the philanthropic arm of NEWRI, works to improve the living conditions of Asia “!s developing communities with education and implementation of clean water and sanitation projects through its Lien Environmental Fellowship (LEF) programme. NEWRIComm provides foundations, businesses and individuals a platform for impactful social investments supported by NEWRI “!s technologies.
On 3 May 2013, the Minister of Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan officiated NEWRI “!s move to Singapore “!s first eco-business facility, CleanTech Park, located adjacent to NTU campus within the Jalan Bahar district. NEWRI “!s new home occupies levels 5 and 6 of CleanTech One building, where its lab capabilities takes up approximately 65% of its 6,000sqm space with the balance used to house its researchers and staff from its 8 co-ordinated units, allowing the NEWRI family to operate seamlessly as an ecosystem. NEWRI “!s relocation also allows proximity with industry players who operate and differentiate their businesses through environmental sustainability efforts, thereby fostering physical interactions that lay the basis for better understanding of industry needs and directions, lending greater credibility to NEWRI “!s translation efforts.