a) How would the IVS benefit both the EWT COI and the SME?

Through the IVS, SMEs can work with EWT COI in adopting technology to try out their innovative ideas and benefit from tapping on the EWT COI’s expertise, technical know-how and facilities in the following areas:

(i) Water & Wastewater Technology - Engineering Design & Innovation, Performance Evaluation Treatment
(ii) Waste Management - Resource Conversion, Recycling & Reuse
(iii) Clean Energy - Sustainable Energy, Energy Management, Energy Auditing
(iv) Pollution Control - Monitoring System Development & Enhancement, Pollutant Detection and Characterisation

The EWT COI can assist the SMEs in bringing their new technology ideas into fruition as well as enhancing or developing new products and processes, thereby making their businesses more competitive.  The opportunity to work together will help towards building better links for future partnerships or possible spin-offs in other consultancy projects.

b) What type of services can the SMEs seek from EWT COI with IVS? Where can SMEs get more information on the EWT COIs' capability and track record?

SMEs can get more information on EWT COI’s capabilities and track record from our website: http://www.np.edu.sg/coi/ewt/Pages/default.aspx

Some supportable services are:

(i) Technical Feasibility Studies
• Assessment of new technology
• Early stage R&D and prototyping
• Adoption and development of new products/ processing technology/ applications/ practices/
• Operations
• Upgrading of existing products/ processing technology/ applications/ practices/ operations

(ii) Technical Support Services
• Product design and development including rapid prototyping & interoperability test
• Process design, development and optimization including computer simulation, software development and process optimization for yield enhancements
• Testing, evaluation and validation with analysis/ conclusion of findings including pilot testing and reliability evaluation

(iii) Technical Skills and Knowledge Development
• Specific training courses customized to the technology needs of the company e.g workshops and courses for upgrading technology capabilities

EWT COI will be happy to discuss with SMEs 1-on-1 on our capabilities and track record of projects. This is more effective and strategic in meeting the needs of the SMEs.

c) How have SMEs benefitted from the services provided by EWT COI since its launch?

Since our launch, SMEs have been engaged with us through consultancy projects, technical advisory services, technology seminars, short courses or workshops.  To date, we have signed collaborative agreements with 6 enterprises (Sembcorp, Hach, Matten Plant, Siemens, Alpha Biofuels), 3 trade associations (SWA, SEAS, WMRAS) and 1 institution of higher learning (Temasek Polytechnic - Fuel Cell Community Project) to partner each other on project-specific and long term programmes which are mutually beneficial to both parties. 

d) How many SMEs have engaged EWT COI for project consultancy? What is the success rate of completing the projects so far?

About 50 SMEs are engaged with our EWT COI for advisory and consultancy projects.  All projects are successfully completed or ongoing with the SMEs. We have also completed 10 other projects with MNCs or their subsidiaries. We are currently negotiating with another 20 SMEs on potential project collaborations.

e) Would there be a situation where the EWT COI is unable to provide technology services requested by the SMEs? If yes, how can EWT COI assist SMEs to resolve the issue?

Where the area of technical knowledge or expertise required for a project extends beyond the capability/areas of focus of our COI, we will draw resources from or refer them to our partners or associates from the other institutes of higher learning or even external consultants to assist the SMEs. In cases where the technology areas and expertise knowledge reside in the COIs of other institutions, we will refer the SMEs to our counterparts in other COIs.

f) How is a typical process like, from the point when the SME first approach the EWT COI for assistance in a potential project to the final delivery of the project?

Typically, our staff consultants with expertise in their respective fields will discuss with the client to scope the project in a meeting led by our Director. Our staff consultant will then put up a project proposal for acceptance by the client, following which consultancy work and services will begin on a date mutually agreed by both the client and our staff consultant.  The consultancy project is deemed to have been completed with the signing of the Letter of Completion at the conclusion of the services.

g) How flexible is the EWT COI in working with the SMEs? What are the service standards which SMEs can expect from the EWT COI?

Generally, the scope and extent of the consultancy services should follow the terms laid out in the project agreement but where necessary, the EWT COI can assist to accommodate some degree of flexibility as long as the request is within the spirit and intent of the terms of agreement. SMEs can expect a project to be completed within the time frame set out in the project agreement. We will also put SMEs in touch with relevant economic agencies, in particular SPRING, that may provide funding assistance for relevant projects.

h) How connected are the COIs and will there be any opportunities for the COIs to collaborate through IVS?

The COIs are all inter-linked through the Spring framework in assisting SMEs to provide applied R&D expertise and technology resources to local enterprises as they move up the technology value chain.  EWT COI and COIs of other polytechnics share experiences in working with industry and knowledge on work in each COI. In fact, EWT COI has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Temasek Polytechnic to collaborate with its Fuel Cell Community on projects or share information and knowledge.

Depending on the area of expertise required, cross referrals can be made from one COI to another in the other polytechnics. The COIs can work and synergise with each other in areas which call for multidisciplinary approach that deploys the expertise and technical know-how of the respective COIs.