THE first batch of 15 American science and engineering graduate students on Monday started their eight-week summer stint in Singapore under the inaugural East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) programme.

The scheme, started by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in 1990, aims to introduce US graduate students to science, engineering and research activities undertaken in East Asian and Pacific universities and research institutions.

Others in the programme include Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Taiwan.

The programme has benefited more than 1,600 participants since its inception.

The programme in Singapore, from June 16 to Aug 8, will provide opportunities for the visiting students to cultivate relationships with Singapore organisations which may foster future collaborations, said a statement on Monday from NRF and the US National Science Foundation (NSF).

Candidates were selected based on merit through a review process conducted by an external NSF review panel. Successful candidates were matched with an appropriate host institution and host researcher.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) will host the 15 students this year. Other research organisations will participate in future programmes.

Of the 15 EAPSI candidates, 10 are attached to NUS and five to NTU.

The graduate students come from US universities such as MIT, University of Washington, University of Michigan and University of Minnesota.

Following a two-day orientation programme hosted by NUS, NTU, A*STAR and NRF, these students will undertake research projects in disciplines like Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Mechanical and Computer Engineering as well as Education in Science, under the supervision of the NUS and NTU professors.

Said Chief Operating Officer of NRF, Dr Francis Yeoh: 'The EAPSI programme is a good co-operation programme that allows Singapore to partner with international scientific organisations like the US National Science Foundation to promote the exchange of ideas in science and technology research. It is an excellent platform for outstanding young US graduate students to be introduced to Singapore's vibrant research environment.'

Director of the Office of International Science & Engineering (OISE) in NSF, Dr Thomas Weber, said: 'The East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes programme is NSF?s flagship International Research programme for US graduate students wishing to conduct research in Singapore and a very good way for the US scientific community to begin developing research relationships in Singapore that last a lifetime.'

One of the visiting students, Mr Edward McCumiskey, a PhD candidate from Virginia Commonwealth University, said: 'I plan to conduct research that synergises the interests and expertise of my graduate advisor in the US and my host research supervisor in Singapore.

'Aside from research, I want to immerse myself in the very unique Singaporean culture, and savour her world-famous cuisine. I am sure the programme will be a tremendous success in Singapore because of her openness to international visitors and strengths in scientific research.'