Monash University has formed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Institute of Technology to advance AI-driven projects. These will address a range of large-scale industry challenges shared across Singapore, Australia and other countries in areas such as healthcare, financial services and manufacturing.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Craig Jeffrey along with dignitaries at the SNAIC launch event. Image credit SIT/Keng Photography
Projects could leverage the University's expertise in using AI to improve complex workflows, processes and systems, applicable to challenges like staff rostering, pathfinding for warehousing, and cyber risk detection.
The partnership will also leverage the University's pioneering expertise in generative AI across multiple formats (text, image, audio and video) to boost personalisation, sophisticated task performance, computer-human interaction and creativity.
The partnership leverages the newly established Singapore Institute of Technology - NVIDIA AI Center (SNAIC), launched in Singapore on Thursday. Monash is one of the inaugural academic and industry organisations set to collaborate on a range of AI-driven projects through SNAIC.
The partnership will see Monash academics collaborating with other SNAIC partners on projects that will benefit from Monash's specific areas of advanced AI capability and resources, including the largest Department of Data Science and AI in the Asia-Pacific region.
Knowledge exchange is a key benefit of the collaboration, with joint seminars, workshops and other academic activities planned. Deputy Vice Chancellor (International) and Senior Vice-President, Professor Craig Jeffrey, said it will also help Monash achieve its ambitions to increase student mobility through exchanges and learning opportunities that build intercultural competencies, global networks, support scholastic and career progression, and enrich our overall student experience.
"This agreement reinforces Monash's role as a global university, building stronger ties with Singapore's dynamic research and industry ecosystem. It will enhance student mobility and accelerate cross‑border collaboration in an area of strategic importance," Professor Jeffrey said.
Director of the Monash AI Institute in the Faculty of Information Technology (IT), Professor Shonali Krishnaswamy, said "AI is the most influential technology today and through this new partnership we look forward to real-world translational impact while leveraging our strong research in AI and Machine Learning. This partnership will address challenges faced by developing AI innovations while better equipping students to be entrepreneurs and experts in leveraging AI."
The other organisations first scheduled to partner with SNAIC are Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Prudential, SMRT, Chulalongkorn University, and Vietnam National University-University of Economics and Law (VNU-UEL).
Professor Ann Nicholson, Dean of Monash's Faculty of IT, said "Initiatives and entities like SNAIC create important platforms for global research and educational leaders like the organisations involved in this partnership, to combine their unique expertise for greater impact and benefit for the world. We're pleased to be paving the way."
The SNAIC launch event in Singapore was attended by Professor Craig Jeffrey; the Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, Professor Ann Nicholson; and Associate Dean (Innovation) of the Faculty of Information Technology and Monash AI Institute Director, Professor Shonali Krishnaswamy.
