On Thursday 20^th February Professor Mike Shipman, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) led a senior Warwick delegation to visit the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore. The two institutions signed a renewal agreement to recognise our shared commitment to the Warwick - A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP) in Molecular Biomedicine.

Warwick and A*STAR have collaborated for many years through research partnerships and student exchange. In 2017 the first cohort of students commenced the Warwick - A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP) in Molecular Biomedicine, a fully funded four-year doctoral training programme.

Created to give students the opportunity to grow as experimental scientists, projects are designed and supervised jointly by a Warwick and an A*STAR supervisor, and training and support is given at both institutions. The students undertake research to the highest international standards whilst working for extended periods in collaborating laboratories at Warwick and an A*STAR research institute in Singapore.

Professor Karuna Sampath, University of Warwick ARAP Director said;

“The ARAP programme is a rare opportunity for PhD students to experience unique, fully-funded, high-quality international training in experimental biology. To date 13 students have been selected on to the programme and the renewal of our agreement with A*STAR means that a further four cohorts of up to five students will have the opportunity to benefit from studying at leading research institutes in the UK and Singapore.”

A*STAR drives mission-oriented research that advances scientific discovery and technological innovation. Their vision is to be a catalyst, enabler and convenor of significant research initiatives among the research community in Singapore and beyond.

Professor Sudhesh Kumar OBE, Dean Warwick Medical School, said;

"Warwick Medical School is delighted with the success of the ARAP programme with A*STAR, Singapore that is providing outstanding PhD students from A*STAR research institutes in Singapore the opportunity to undertake research at the highest International level through collaborative research projects working with leading scientists at Warwick University. Continuation of the programme will help tackle some major biomedical problems through International collaboration between leading laboratories in UK and Singapore."