Budget 2022: Capacity of R&D centres in polytechnics, ITE to increase over next 5 years

THE capacity of centres that engage in technology, innovation and enterprise activities, located in polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs), will be increased over the next 5 years, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday (Feb 18).

The current network of more than 80 centres across the polytechnics and ITEs work with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to undertake industry projects.

Over the next 5 years, the centres will target close to 2,000 innovation projects in the agri-tech, construction, food manufacturing, precision engineering and retail sectors. This would be 8 times the number undertaken in the past 5 years.

"Such collaborations are a win-win - SMEs get to tap on the R&D capabilities in our polytechnics and ITEs, while students can contribute meaningfully to these projects and gain valuable hands-on industry experience," Wong said in his Budget speech in Parliament.

Wong noted that the government has steadily increased its investment in research and development (R&D) at 1 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product.

He also noted that the government has S$25 billion set aside under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise strategy to sustain its investments in R&D.

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