e-newsletter - 3rd edition - April 2006

Editorial


Our Annual Report 2005 is now accessible online, and a Swiss House Singapore sponsored MBA thesis by a Singaporean student from the University of St. Gallen on the topic of “Singapore Biotechnology Cluster 2005-Competitive Analysis and Strategic Implications” is presently on sale.

Not to be missed: at least one of the outstanding presentations given by Swiss astronaut Prof. Claude Nicollier from May 23rd to May 27th in Singapore, in the frame of “Icons in Red and White”, a major Swiss-Singaporean celebration. Prof. Nicollier will address a variety of publics ranging from Junior College students to the academic and business communities, sharing his experience in space exploration and risk management.

The Swiss House Singapore is proud to be partner of another major event, the World Knowledge Dialogue, a symposium to be held this upcoming September in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. This international event, endorsed by the Swiss academia and government, will discuss the impact of major scientific discoveries from the points of view of the natural and human sciences, and will address decision makers from all over the world.

Computer sciences, engineering, communication and the arts increasingly rely on the presentation of virtual emotions using autonomous agents, avatars or robots in a multitude of different applications ranging from call centres over automated dialogue services to multi-user games and artistic media realizations. A workshop on Virtual Emotions to be organized by the Swiss House Singapore in December 06 will cover the major aspects of the nature of emotion, the development of computational models of emotion, and the production and recognition rules for emotional expression in face, voice, and body.

I trust this rapid overview has raised your interest to read our e-newsletter and hope to see you soon at one of the Swiss House Singapore events.

Dr. Suzanne Hraba-Renevey
Executive Director
Swiss House Singapore