Global Startups Program: Innovating with Singapore

With the aim of enhancing the internationalization of the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile) have joined forces to implement the Program Global Startups, which fosters international partnerships for startups connected to UC Chile through internships opportunity for highly qualified students who can support these companies in reaching their national and international goals. 

This program was created by the Office of Global Mobility of the Office of the Vice President for International Affairs in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President for Research, to encourage cultural exchange in learning, benefitting from the creative nature of Singaporeans, Asia's leading country in entrepreneurship and innovation. 

The program considers opportunities for undergraduate and master students at the National University of Singapore to participate in internships focus on innovation for 35 hours a week for 10 months. In this first edition UC Chile is hosting a delegation of 11 Singaporean students who are here for a year to study at UC and work in UC-friendly startups, starting on August 12th. This exchange and startup work program will be repeated twice a year, and the Office for Global Mobility is preparing to receive seven more students in March 2025. 

In addition to the professional internship, students will enroll in one course per semester within the UC, mainly on innovation and entrepreneurship. The program includes advice and accompaniment for each of the students from the application and obtaining of temporary residence visa and during their stay in the country. Prior to their arrival, two sessions of "Global insights" were held where students from Singapore and those from Chile who have gone to Singapore got to know each other, having cultural exchanges, and fostering networks. 

"The collaboration between UC Chile and the National University of Singapore enriches our innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. This partnership fosters intercultural experiences for students and professionals, allowing them to immerse themselves in diverse cultures while sharing their own. Together, we can approach global challenges through joint projects focused on technology and ethics, promoting international mobility. Global Startups highlights innovation and creativity, reflecting the unique essence of our university", stated President Ignacio Sánchez about this alliance and its effects in the university community.

UC-friendly Startups

There are seven startups that will participate in this version of Global Startups, which stand out for being creative, innovative, and technological and with the "green light" UC Chile. One of them is "OK to Shop", a Chilean startup that has a free mobile application that allows users to know what they are consuming by providing information on the suitability of food, providing accurate nutritional data. 

“Ok to Shop” will host two NUS students, which CEO Sebastian Wilson values highly: “For us, this is a very important instance, as we recognize the high educational level of the National University of Singapore. In particular, the trainees who come to work with us have knowledge in artificial intelligence that will be very useful for the next steps we want to take. In addition, it is not only about having people from an academy who bring fresh knowledge, but they also come from a culture that is very different from ours, with a different writing system. This will enrich our perspective and help us in the future."

On the other hand, the startup Lazarillo -an GPS application specialized in providing mobility tools for people who are blind or have low vision - will host NGUYEN Thu Hoai, a business analytics student at the National University of Singapore. Regarding her participation in the program, Hoai stated: “I am so excited to be here. As a pioneer batch, I hope to contribute to its success. I'm very happy at how welcoming Chile has been, and I believe that I will have an amazing time being here, learning about Latin America, social enterprise, space, and Latin American art.”.

Meet and Greet

The first intercultural approach was developed during Meet and Greet, a launching activity organized by the Global Mobility Office that took place August 7th in the Extension Center of Oriente Campus. The event was attended by UC Chile authorities, NUS and UC Chile students, representatives from the startups, and members of the university community.

Part of the experience was a tour led by Vice President for International Affairs, Lilian Ferrer and Vice President for Research, Pedro Bouchon, through the exhibition halls "Casa Violeta Parra" and "Aula de Arte y Artesanía de los Pueblos Originarios", two art galleries hosted in the UC Chile campus that illustrates the richness of Chilean culture. Through in-depth questions, the attendees were invited to reflect on the role of creativity and cultural roots in the process of innovation. 

The activity was the kick-off of the program and included an immersion experience in Chilean culture. These activities are part of the integral programs that UC Chile offers, initiatives that will allow the development of global competencies and networking with different actors. 

Javiera Ballesteros, Coordinator of Study Abroad & International Internships, highlights the role of the programs in enhancing interculturality and the development of global competencies in its participants. "We want international students to have an enriching experience filled with opportunities to learn about and develop a critical understanding of the socio-cultural, historical, and territorial influences that impact innovation and creative spaces. This connection with the environment reflects our social commitment as an institution, motivating us to seek intercultural experiences that enable us to develop global competencies and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world." Furthermore, these programs aim to generate cultural growth for international students, as well as for the UC Chile community and Startups.

The first version of the Global Startups program will run for 12 months, and its participants will be able to stay up to two years in Chile. For further information about special programs, internships and practices in UC Chile, please contact the Head of Study Abroad and International Internships, Cristián Bonilla, at cbonillam@uc.cl.