DBS Land and Pidemco Land will merge to form the largest listed property company in South East Asia with about $18 billion worth in assets. The merger, which is approved by shareholders on 18 October, results in the formation of CapitaLand. 22 July – The RSS Conqueror is commissioned, making it Singapore's first submarine. 25 July – The National Neuroscience Institute is officially opened. 26 July – SMRT Corporation is listed on the Singapore Exchange, making it the first metro operator in the world to be listed, lasting until its delisting in 2016. The Prison School is officially opened to enable inmates to receive an education. 29 July – The Singapore Management University is established as the first private university funded by the government. August 1 August – Wildlife Reserves Singapore is formed, which manages the Singapore Zoological Gardens, Jurong Bird Park and Night Safari. 12 August – Project Eyeball, an integrated print and digital newspaper is launched. 13 August – The National Football Academy is launched to raise football standards. In addition, plans to attract foreign soccer players are announced. 25 August – JTC's subsidiaries Arcasia Land and JTC International's Business Parks and Facilities announced that they will merge, resulting in the formation of Ascendas on 8 January 2001. September 1 September – Speakers' Corner is officially opened in Hong Lim Park. Jurong Town Corporation is appointed to develop the Buona Vista Science Hub (now one-north), with details announced. JTC will immediately set up an incubator park. Meanwhile, rules are and will be reviewed to encourage entrepreneurship. 2 September – The first President's Challenge is launched to get Singaporeans to care. 3 September – The Ren Ci Hospital & Medicare Centre's Pavilion Wards is officially opened at the old Tan Tock Seng Hospital premises. 4 September – Streats is launched as the first freesheet in Singapore. 5 September – The University Cultural Centre is officially opened at the National University of Singapore. The National Skills Recognition System is launched as an accessible national skills framework to enhance the competitiveness of workers. It is managed by the Productivity and Standards Board with the National Skills Council implementing the framework. 12 September – Hand, foot, and mouth disease outbreak: The Ministry of the Environment shuts Cutie Kidz Playhouse after a suspected fatal case of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) two days earlier with four suspect cases later found from the