Singapore : PhD scholarships in Visualization

PhD scholarships in Visualization, Shape Modeling and Shared Virtual Reality, AI, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

PhD Projects on visualization, shape modeling and shared virtual reality in Co-Space
Function-based modeling, visualization and interaction in shared virtual environments

This topic unifies several PhD projects which will contribute towards the NRF funded project entitled “Visual and Haptic Rendering in Co-Space”. The work will be carried out at the Centre for Advance Media Technologies (CAMTech) of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The goal of the project is to propose an efficient interoperable mathematical model defining geometry, visual appearance and tangible physical properties of objects in Co-Space which is a new paradigm of a shared virtual world where the real and virtual objects co-exist and virtual objects can even be touched. The object definitions must be small in size and invariant to the rendering platform used in Co-Space. The particular goals of the project include development of the fast interactive definitions by implicit and explicit functions, description of complex geometry using parametric partial differential equations, introduction of function-defined physical properties to objects in Co-Space, and development of several exemplar applications illustrating the usefulness of the proposed approach, including an ability to establish physical contact with other party in Co-Space through haptic devices. The projects will also address GPU-based rendering and general purpose computation on GPU, grid-based rendering and interactive free-form shape modeling, 3D reconstruction.

Projects on AI
Cyber-learning in cyberworlds

Cyber-learning is an important and vital part of university education. However, when more and more information is provided electronically, it often results in disorientation and exhaust of the students. The students become more and more interested in personalized education where, ideally, their personal mentors would be able to help with solving any problem. Creating and using educational cyberworlds with cyber-instructors may become an excellent teaching tool implementing personal mentoring of students at affordable cost. Design and implementation of cyber-instructors requires the following research and development work to be done:

1. To study the existing educational cyberworlds and intelligent talking agents (chatbots)
2. To propose a concept of cyber-education where virtual instructors will augment and even replace real instructors. Cyber-learning with cyber-instructors must incorporate elements of fun and games.
3. The proposed concepts can be implemented within a shared virtual world or as a stand-alone version. The candidate has to design and implement cyber-instructors, which will be able to maintain conversation with the students as well as offer different educational services. There must be designed and developed interactive software tools with user-friendly interfaces allowing the lecturers to add content to the “brains” of the cyber-instructors.

Requirements to the candidates

• Solid background in mathematics and/or physics
• Advance programming skills (C, C++, Java)
• Experience in computer graphics (undergraduate course at least, former projects will be an advantage)

Further advantages will be given to candidates with:

• Experience in web (Java Script, Perl, etc.) and 3D web (VRML, X3D, AW RWX, SL scripts) programming.
• Knowledge of Grid and/or cluster computing.
• GPU programming.
• Experience in volume graphics, ray tracing, etc.

The detailed topic will be defined after discussing it with the applicant.

Other requirements and the application procedure are available here.

Application procedure
The application process takes about 6 months to apply and complete all the paper work. Datelines for the final submission of the in-principally approved applications for international candidates: 10 October for January intake and 10 June for August intake.

To initialize the application process, email me your extended CV, graduate transcripts (in English), and a detailed essay about your knowledge of the area of research, proposed research topic and skills and experience you have with reference to it and the above listed requirements. The next step is an oral interview (~45-60 min) which is normally done by skype or phone for foreign students. The purpose of the interview is to check you language skills as well as professional knowledge and personal traits. TOEFL and GRE are normally required but sometimes can be replaced by our own tests (by skype and email). The applicants will be also required to pass a professional test (by email).

Scholarship description
The graduate projects start in January or August and last normally 4 years. This is a full time research project which has to be done in Singapore at NTU. The workload is quite high, especially during the first year. The working environment is excellent. The students will receive a monthly stipend of S$ 2,000 during the first 1.5 year, and after passing the confirmation examination, $2,500 during the subsequent years. About S$ 800-1000 will pay for meals and accommodation. Exceptional candidates can be awarded a special stipend of S$3,000. No part-time job is allowed however there can be a paid teaching job offered. During the project, the student has to take 3-6 graduate subjects up to the School’s discretion.

Contact:
Alexei Sourin, Ph.D., M.Eng.,
Associate Professor

Division of Computer Science, School of Computer Engineering
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Office: N4-02a-10 Phone: +65-67904292 Fax: +65-67926559
Email: assourin@ntu.edu.sg

Asian Graduate Students Fellowship Programme 2009:Singapore

Asian Graduate Students Fellowship Programme 2009, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore

The Asia Research Institute of NUS invites applications from citizens of Asian countries enrolled for a fulltime advanced degree at a university in an Asian country (except Singapore) for consideration for the award of Asian Graduate Student Fellowships. These fellowships are offered to current graduate students doing their Master’s or PhD degrees and working in the Humanities and Social Sciences on Southeast Asian topics, and will allow the recipients to be based at NUS for an `in residence fellowship’ for a period of three months. The aim of the fellowship is to enable scholars to make full use of the wide range of resources held in the libraries of NUS and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. Scholars will be expected to commence on 4 May 2009, and to make a presentation on their work at the Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asian Studies at the end of July 2009.

Successful candidates can expect the following benefits:

1) A monthly allowance of SGD$1,750 (inclusive of housing allowance).
2) A one time round trip travel subsidy by the most economical and direct route on a reimbursement basis upon being accepted for the fellowship.
3) Access to library and computer resources on campus.

Applicants are invited to e-mail/facsimile/mail their curriculum vitae, a 2-page outline of their research proposal in English (this may be accompanied by a longer statement in a Southeast Asian language) to the address below by 15 November 2008. Arrangements should also be made by which at least two letters of reference, one of which is from your principal supervisor, are sent confidentially to the same address by the same deadline.

The 2-page research proposal must include the following details:

1) Whether the data collection or fieldwork stage of the research has already been completed;
2) how the fellowship will contribute to the research;
3) the types of sources to be consulted in Singapore;
4) proposed work plan during the fellowship.

You can look forward to excellent library and internet computer facilities at NUS’ main library (http://www.lib.nus.edu.sg/), the library at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) http://www.iseas.edu.sg/library.html) and the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at the National Library (http://www.nlb.gov.sg) to facilitate your research for the dissertation. NUS’ main library has
2 million volumes covering all topics while ISEAS’ library has 200,000 on Southeast Asian topics, half of which are in Southeast Asian languages.

Selvi
Asia Research Institute
NUS Bukit Timah Campus
469A Tower Block #10-01
Bukit Timah Road,
Singapore 259770
E-mail : arikk@nus.edu.sg
Fax: 65 67791428
Website: http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/

Closing date: 15 November 2008

PhD Scholarships in Acoustic Signal Processing : Singapore

PhD Scholarships in Acoustic Signal Processing for Next-generation Human-machine Interface, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

We are inviting highly qualified candidates to apply for fully-funded Ph.D. scholarships in the fields of Acoustic Signal Processing for next-generation human-machine interface. A monthly stipend is included in this package. As a member of the STATINA team, you will conduct state-of-the art research leading to your Ph.D. degree. On top of your Ph.D. degree course work, you will be exposed to a wide variety of research topics particularly in the area of acoustic signal processing. You will be largely responsible for developing novel adaptive and non-adaptive algorithms for acoustic/speech enhancement as well as for the audio beam engine in STATINA. Your contribution into these research topics will enhance STATINA’s capability so as to satisfy its overall objective of being the next-generation human-machine interface.

Other research activities include participating in international conferences, research collaboration with overseas collaborators (Georgia Tech., Northern Illinois University) and local industries (SingHealth, MINDEF) and generating top-tier publications and research progress reports as required by the National Research Foundation in Singapore.

Requirements

• Good B.Eng. (min. 2nd upper or equivalent) in the area of Electrical/Electronic/Computer Engineering
• Proficient in MatLab and C/C++
• Fluent verbal and written communications in English
• Strong analytical, mathematical and conceptual abilities
• Able to work independently or in a team in the realization of the R&D work

How to Apply
Suitably qualified applicants are invited to send in their application via email. Forms and further explanation detailing the application are obtainable from NTU’s Office of Human Resource website here. Completed application forms with detailed resume and statement of interest (cover letter) may be submitted by email to:

Asst. Prof. Andy W. H. Khong
School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Nanyang Technological University
50 Nanyang Avenue
Singapore 639798
Email: andykhong@ntu.edu.sg

Only short-listed candidates will be notified for interview.
Application closes when the positions are filled.

official announcement

Singapore: 2009 NRF-Moh Healthcare PhD Research Scholarships

NRF-MOH HEALTHCARE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP (PhD) Singapore

Local PhD Programme

The NUS PhD scholarship is open to trainees who are Singapore citizens or foreigners who are committed to take up Singapore citizenship.

Award includes:

• Salary and tuition fees for the full-time academic study of up to 4 years, up to a cap of S$500,000
• Funding of post-doctoral research, up to a cap of S$30,000

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li>8 hours of protected time per week for research during the clinical training years

Overseas PhD Programme

The overseas PhD scholarship is open to Singapore citizens only.

Award includes:

• Salary, tuition fees, maintenance allowance, return air tickets and health insurance for the full-time academic study of up to 4 years, with a cap of S$800,000 (the allowance and insurance will be funded according to prevailing civil service rates and policies)
• Funding of post-doctoral research, up to a cap of S$30,000
• 8 hours of protected time per week for research during the clinical training years
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Advanced Specialty Training in Singapore may range from 2 to 4 years depending on the specialty.

PhD Research Scholars will do the PhD during the AST training phase. Scholars will also be given protected time to do research during their clinical training years. Conversely while they are in the full-time PhD programme, they can also continue to have two clinical sessions a week (8 hours) to maintain clinical competency.

The PhD is only tenable during the traineeship years in order for trainees to do research work as part of advanced training.

Under the scholarship terms, the PhD cannot be done after exiting as a specialist.

Scholars are strongly encouraged to complete the PhD academic programme before commencing advanced clinical training and must, at the very latest embark on the PhD programme at the last 12 trainee-months before exiting as specialists.

All applications will be reviewed by the Specialists Accreditation Board (SAB) Research Committee. Applicants may be called for interviews by the SAB Research Committee during the review process. Specialist trainees who are interested in applying for the PhD Scholarship are required to submit the completed Application Form (Annex A) through and endorsed by the Institution’s Head of Department, with all relevant supporting documents to:

NRF-MOH HEALTHCARE RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
The SAB Research Committee Secretariat
Ministry of Health
Collage of Medicine Building
16 College Road
Singapore 169854
Email: moh_sab[ at ]moh.gov.sg

Closing Date For Applications
August 2009 PhD intake 15 November 2008
January 2010 PhD intake 15 May 2009