31 January 2007

MEDIA RELEASE

REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC AND AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INK COLLABORATION FOR R&D WORKS IN WIRELESS SYSTEM SOLUTIONS

§         First Agilent fully integrated wireless lab with an institute of higher learning in South Asia

§         “RP-Agilent Wireless Solutions Lab” aims to create breakthroughs in wireless systems

Singapore 31 January 2007 – Republic Polytechnic and Agilent Technologies are establishing the industry’s first ‘RP-Agilent Wireless Solutions Lab’, a fully integrated platform for design, modeling, simulation, characterization, verification, testing and measurement of wireless systems.

The launch was announced today at the Collaboration Agreement signing between Republic Polytechnic and Agilent Technologies at RP’s new Woodlands, Singapore, campus. The Collaboration Agreement was signed by Mr. Fong Yew Chan, Director of the School of Engineering, Republic Polytechnic School of Engineering, and Mr Dennis Au, Vice President for South Asia Pacific, Agilent Technologies.

Witnessed by RP’s CEO & Principal, Prof Low Teck Seng and Mr. Peter Tan, President & Managing Director, Asia Operations Flextronics Technology (S) Pte Ltd, the landmark collaboration aims to enhance RP’s academic standing and offerings, undertake further cutting-edge research in technology development, and provide value-added services to the industry, in particular to the small and medium-sized enterprises through training and services.

Mr Fong Yew Chan said, “RP is a wireless campus to begin with, so such collaboration means that the learning process in RP will be even more exciting and challenging. The broadband wireless communication and the seamless connection are changing the way we work and live. As such, RP must continue to pioneer new ideas, create new partnerships and open new opportunities so that Singapore will always remain at the forefront of the wireless wave.”

As its technology partner, Agilent will provide full support for the establishment of the necessary infrastructure to make the RP-Agilent Wireless Solutions Lab an industry model and reference point for R&D works in wireless solutions. In the process, Agilent and Republic Polytechnic’s School of Engineering will also be sharing expertise and assisting each other in networking with other key industry players.

Mr Dennis Au elaborates on the collaboration: “Agilent has always supported endeavours to bridge the gap between educational institutions and the industry. We understand the need for the engineers of tomorrow to become more application-savvy. By exposing students to the state-of-the-art equipment being used in the industry, we are preparing them for what lies ahead.” 

“The partnership between Agilent and RP is an example of strategic collaboration and merger of strengths between private and education sectors. We plan to develop pilot programmes, commercialise viable projects and encourage the exchange of knowledge on key emerging technologies amongst industry, staff and students,” added Mr Fong.

Through the newly established wireless solutions lab, both RP and Agilent hope to play a significant role in making further in-roads in wireless solutions. In the pipeline, the RP-Agilent Wireless Solutions Lab will also be looking at organizing technology conferences and seminars as well as providing technology updates and introduction of new products.

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About Republic Polytechnic

The first educational institution in Singapore to adopt the Problem-Based Learning approach for all its diploma programmes, Republic Polytechnic has five schools offering nineteen diploma courses in Information & Communications Technology, Engineering, Applied Science, Technology for the Arts, and Sports, Health & Leisure. Republic Polytechnic is committed to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurial learning in an environment that develops problem-solving process skills and a life-long learning attitude. Its holistic, broad-based curriculum, covering culture, enterprise development and cognitive processes, prepares students for an active and meaningful role in society. Republic Polytechnic strives for excellence by achieving various national and international accreditations, including People Developer Standards, ISO9001, ISO14001, OHSAS 18001, Singapore Quality Class, Singapore Innovation Class, and the Singapore Health Awards (Gold). For more information, visit www.rp.sg.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company's 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenue of $5.0 billion in fiscal year 2006. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

For media enquires, please contact:

Emma Sue (Ms)

Senior PR Consultant

Office of Corporate Communications, Republic Polytechnic                                          

Hp: 9735 7760          Tel: 6222 8968                                                                                 

Email: emma_sue@rp.sg

Theresa Khoo (Ms)

Corporate Relations Manager, Agilent Technologies Inc.

Tel: 6215 8524          Fax: 6822 8623

Email: theresa-kt_khoo@agilent.com