Minister Lawless concludes mission to Singapore, deepens research and skills cooperation
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 29 July 2025
- Last updated on: 29 July 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, has concluded a successful official mission to Singapore, where he met with senior government officials, university leaders, and innovation agencies to deepen cooperation between Ireland and Singapore in research, skills and higher education.
Over two days, Minister Lawless engaged with key institutions across Singapore’s education and research landscape, including Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), Singapore Management University (SMU), A*STAR (the Agency for Science, Technology and Research), and SkillsFuture Singapore. He also held a bilateral meeting with Singapore’s Minister for Education, Mr Desmond Lee.
The visit focused on shared priorities between Ireland and Singapore as two small, globally connected and innovation-driven economies. Discussions highlighted mutual strengths in areas such as semiconductors, AI, life sciences, sustainability, and education-to-employment pathways.
Speaking after his meeting with Minister Lee, Minister Lawless said:
“Ireland and Singapore share common interests open economies, a strong commitment to education, and a belief in the power of research and innovation to secure our future prosperity. This visit has reaffirmed the enormous potential for partnership between our two countries, particularly in areas where we are both investing like AI, green innovation, talent development and lifelong learning.”
The mission also highlighted shared approaches to linking research, skills, and enterprise across the education system. Both governments are investing in modular learning, structured training with industry, and talent pipelines in priority sectors from digital and green technologies to advanced manufacturing and care services.
As Ireland continues to position itself as a global hub for research and talent within the EU, the Minister emphasised that strong partnerships with like-minded nations such as Singapore will be critical:
“Singapore is an innovator in how education, skills and research policy can come together to serve a national economic mission. Ireland is doing the same and I look forward to deepening this partnership through institutional links, researcher mobility, and shared innovation agendas in the years ahead.”