NUS has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Guidance Tamil Nadu, the Government of Tamil Nadu’s investment promotion agency, to advance cooperation in postgraduate education, talent development and knowledge exchange. The first such agreement between NUS and an Indian state government, the MOU was signed during a two-day series of engagements in Chennai from 28 to 29 August 2026.
Spanning industry, government, academia and prospective students, the programme also included an Industry Networking Session and the inaugural NUS Postgraduate Fair. Organised by NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education , the Chennai engagements are part of NUS’ broader efforts to build sustained international partnerships and create more opportunities for students, researchers, industry and institutions to exchange knowledge, develop capabilities and collaborate across borders.
Bridging academia and industry The Industry Networking Session on 28 August brought together senior representatives from NUS, the Tamil Nadu Government and industry to exchange perspectives on emerging industry and talent needs; and explore opportunities for closer collaboration in areas such as talent development, knowledge exchange and innovation. “India presents opportunities and challenges that are often very different from those we encounter in Singapore.
Its scale and diversity expose us to a rich range of perspectives, possibilities, and complex realities. A great university should not only export its ideas but also learn from different contexts that broaden the questions we ask and challenge how we think.
I would therefore welcome deeper intellectual connections between NUS and Tamil Nadu - not only to contribute, but also to learn,” said Professor Wong Lim Soon, Acting Dean of the NUS Graduate School . Expanding knowledge exchange NUS and Guidance Tamil Nadu signed a first-of-its-kind three-year MOU on 29 August to deepen cooperation in postgraduate education, talent development and knowledge exchange.
The agreement creates opportunities for government agencies, industry and universities in Tamil Nadu to explore collaborations with NUS in areas including student exchanges, industry-linked projects, immersion programmes, masterclasses and seminars. It also provides a framework to explore scholarship and co-funding arrangements that could support postgraduate and doctoral education and exchange between NUS and Tamil Nadu.
“Our partnership with Guidance Tamil Nadu gives us a platform to build deeper and more sustained connections in postgraduate education and knowledge exchange. By creating more opportunities for students, educators and institutions to learn from and work with one another, we hope to develop talent with the knowledge, networks and perspectives to contribute across India, Singapore and the wider region,” said Professor Ang Wee Han, Acting Vice Provost (Masters’ Programmes and Lifelong Education) at NUS.
Showcasing postgraduate opportunities The engagements culminated in the inaugural NUS Postgraduate Fair 2026 in Chennai, which brought together 14 NUS Colleges, Schools and Faculties to showcase postgraduate education opportunities across the University. More than 3,500 prospective students and accompanying guests turned up on the day, reflecting strong interest in NUS’ postgraduate programmes and opportunities for advanced study in Singapore.
By NUS School of Continuing and Lifelong Education