On 29 and 30 April, Nanyang Technological University Singapore hosted a second meeting with the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (UCT Prague) and the prestigious University of Singapore. This followed a February workshop in Prague and the January signing of a Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation. The main objective of the April meeting was to define specific joint research tasks in the fields of sustainability, food safety and nutrition, and biomedical sciences.

UCT Prague also invited representatives from Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU Prague) and the Brno University of Technology (BUT) to the meeting because of their complementary expertise in electromobility, hydrogen fuels, electrode materials, and related areas. “This is the birth of a new Czech research consortium with a clear goal and the potential for participating in international bilateral grant projects,” says Pavel Kotrba, Vice-Rector for Science and Research, UCT Prague and one of the organizers of the tour.

The UCT Prague delegation was led by Rector Karel Melzoch, accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology, Karel Bouzek, and other our leading experts: Prof. Hajšlová, Prof. Krýsa, Doc. Pulkrabová, Associate Professors Pumera, Sofer, Bartáček, and Dr. Kubička. Representatives of NTU Singapore at the meetings included the Vice Presidents of the University, Prof. Ling San and Prof. Alan Chen, as well as Prof. Subodh Mhaisalkar, who is also Director of the Energy Research Institute. The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Singapore, Ivan Hotěk, also attended the first day of the meeting.

The meeting concluded with an agreement about the creation of a platform for cooperation in science and research in the areas of sustainability and food safety. A framework for a student exchange program was negotiated and concrete cooperation between UCT Prague and NTU Singapore was launched for the following research areas:

Electrochemical Energy Storage for Mobility: Doc. Pumera, Prof. Mhaisalkar [Energy Research Institute @ NTU; Assoc. Vice President of NTU – Strategy and Partnership]

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell/Electrolysis Cell: Prof. Bouzek, Prof. Siew Hwa Chan [School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; Energy Research Institute @ NTU]

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: Prof. Bouzek, Doc. Sofer, Prof. Siew Hwa Chan [School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; Energy Research Institute @ NTU]

Photo Membrane Reactor - Concept II: Prof. Krýsa, Doc. Bartáček, Dr. Teik-Thye Lim [Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute]

Multifunctional Structured Catalysts Derived from Layered Double Hydroxides: Dr. Kubička, Dr. Poernomo Gunawan [School of Chemical and Biomedicinal Engineering]

Food Safety (microbial through metabolomics; point-of-care mycotoxins detection), Security (nutrition for aging population) and Authenticity (imported food): Doc. Pukrabová, Prof. Hajšlová, Doc. Pumera, Prof. William Chen [Director, Food Sci and Technology Programme;  School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering]

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EM3E-4SW – call for application

The call for application (master edition 2019-2021) is now open. Erasmus Mundus scholarships are available.

The Master in Membrane Engineering for a Sustainable World (EM3E-4SW) offers an advanced educational programme related to membrane science and engineering at the interface between materials science and chemical engineering and focused on specific applicative fields. It involves 6 Higher Education Institutions of 5 European countries:

• Université de Montpellier (France), coordinating organisation,
• Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier (Toulouse, France),
• University of Chemistry and Technology Prague (Czech Republic),
• Universidade Nova de Lisboa (Portugal),
• Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain),
• University of Twente (Netherlands).

Associated partners are:

• Università della Calabria (Italy),
• Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium).

The pedagogical project of the master comes from the close collaboration between partners through the European Research Network of Excellence NanoMemPro.

The Master course has a duration of two years: 4 semesters spent in at least 3 different countries. In the first year, theoretical and practical fundaments are provided. After an integration week, students enter the Master either at Université de Montpellier or at Université Toulouse 3 Paul Sabatier. During the second semester, students follow mandatory teaching units to acquire knowledge and skills on process modelling and simulation at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague. During the second year, students choose to pursue their training in one of three university in order to acquire specific skills in an application field: Nanosciences and Nanotechnology (Universidad de Zaragoza), Energy and Environment (University of Twente), and Biotechnologies, Food and Health (Universidade Nova de Lisboa). The last semester is devoted to a 6 months master thesis in a university or an industrial company. The number of enrolled students is maximum 30.

The language of instruction is English. Students will be awarded with a multiple Master’s degrees from the three hosting universities, together with a Diploma Supplement.

Deadline for submission of applications for admission with an Erasmus Mundus scholarship: January 31st 2019 (mid-night CET).

Deadline for submission of applications without an Erasmus Mundus scholarship: May 31st 2019 (mid-night CET).

For more information

• See the EM3E-4SW website
• Download information sheet
• Contact Dr. Ing. Vlastimil Fíla, Vlastimil.Fila@vscht.cz