Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands inaugurates Centre for Aquatic Science Research

24 Oct 2009

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Netherlands His Excellency Dr Jan Peter Balkenende, together with Chairman of NUS Board of Trustees Mr Wong Ngit Liong, inaugurated the Centre for Aquatic Science Research (CASR) on 23 October 2009. H.E Dr Balkenende also unveiled the Albert Winsemius Lane which connects the upcoming Centre and a Park Connector. The lane is named in honour of the late Dr Albert Winsemius, who had contributed significantly to Singapore's economic development. Gracing the inauguration ceremony were distinguished guests, including RADM (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts.

Said H.E Dr Balkenende: "This alliance embodies the spirit of collaboration between our two nations, two countries both left uncertain by water issues." He noted that he was proud of the friendship between Singapore and the Netherlands, the collaboration between Dr Winsemius and Minister Mentor Lee and the alliance.

Slated to be ready by mid 2010, CASR is a result of the synergy of Singaporean and Dutch know-how in water management. It is one of the key initiatives by the Singapore-Delft Water Alliance, a joint Centre of Excellence for Water Knowledge funded by the Environment and Water Industry Development Council, NUS, the Public Utilities Board and Deltares (formerly known as Delft Hydraulics). The first of its kind in Asia, the Centre serves a dual role as an urban freshwater research centre and a public education facility. Current research areas include an aquatic rhizosphere ecosystem model, vegetated rooftop experimental set-up, hydrophytic adaptation of terrestrial plant and study of algae growth under eutrophic conditions in the absence of plants.

At the inauguration ceremony, NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Prof Tan Eng Chye said: "Singapore and the Netherlands are both relatively small countries with limited natural resources. Actually, the greatest resources we both have are those created by our own knowledge and innovation. The Singapore-Delft Water Alliance, or SDWA for short, is one such concrete example of synergetic knowledge creation."

A press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that H.E. Dr Balkenende was on an official visit from 22 to 24 October 2009 in Singapore where he had called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Singapore President S R Nathan.