• Students gain deeper industry experience through longer, more integrated work-learn model without extending their degree programme
• Employers can co-develop talent and build their future workforce pipeline

SIT is piloting a new "2+2" model with almost two years of workplace learning. (SIT Photo)

As technology advances rapidly, workplaces are evolving at an unprecedented pace, and employers are placing greater value on graduates who can apply knowledge in real-world settings, navigate ambiguity and contribute meaningfully from day one. For example, with AI displacing the work traditionally done by fresh graduates and industry expecting these graduates to be ready for higher-level work, students need to be immersed in the workplace longer. The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will pilot with selected companies to embed students earlier into industry problems and workflows through a new “2+2” model that will enable selected students to spend almost two years in the workplace through an extended Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP). The model reflects SIT’s continued efforts to strengthen its applied learning approach as industry needs evolve. The announcement comes as SIT begins Academic Year 2026 with its largest intake to date, welcoming more than 3,700 new students across its undergraduate degree programmes. 

Under the 2+2 Model, students will spend the first two years of their degree programme building strong disciplinary fundamentals on campus that will set the foundation for students to gain domain expertise through work-learn modalities during the next 2 years of IWSP. From their third year, they will embark on an extended IWSP with an industry partner, while continuing to return to campus to take micro-credentials and complete their capstone project to complement their industry-based learning. 

With a longer industrial attachment tenure, students can contribute to larger, more complex projects over multiple stages, and potentially gain exposure to different functions and responsibilities within the same organisation. As they become more familiar with the organisation's operations, students can progressively take on greater responsibilities and develop a deeper understanding of industry practices, better preparing them for the higher-order roles that industries increasingly require.

For the pilot programmes, the workplace learning phase will run for one year and eight months, compared to the current IWSP duration of eight to 12 months. This will give students close to two years of sustained industry exposure without lengthening the duration of their degree programme. Students will complete the same overall degree requirements within the existing duration of their degree programme, with selected learning components integrated into their workplace experience.

The first pilot is planned to begin in September 2027 with selected industry partners and penultimate year students from degree programmes including the Bachelor of Engineering in Information and Communications Technology (Information Security), Bachelor of Engineering in Information and Communications Technology (Software Engineering), Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering.

Deepening SIT’s Applied Learning Model

IWSP is a key feature of an SIT education, enabling students to integrate academic learning with meaningful workplace experience. IWSP has also consistently opened doors to full-time employment for SIT students. According to SIT’s Graduate Employment Survey 2025, close to one in two (48.6%) SIT interns received advance full-time employment offers from their IWSP employers, despite a cautious job market, underscoring employers’ confidence in the capabilities of SIT students and the value of sustained workplace learning.

Over the years, SIT has worked closely with more than 1,000 industry partners to make available about three IWSP positions for every SIT student. Students apply for these opportunities, much like they would for a job, gaining experience of employers’ selection processes even before graduation. This strong base of industry opportunities provides a foundation for SIT to pilot a longer and more structured form of work-integrated learning.

“As industry needs evolve rapidly alongside technological advancements, it is increasingly important for students to gain early and sustained exposure to the workplace. This will enable them to better understand how technology is transforming their respective fields and develop the agility to adapt to emerging needs. Through the 2+2 model, SIT and industry partners will work closely to co-develop and nurture students’ capabilities, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and experience to thrive in a rapidly changing workplace. The model creates a mutually beneficial partnership, providing students with a stronger pathway to employment while enabling industry partners to develop and nurture future-ready talent,” said Professor Susanna Leong, Deputy President (Academic) & Provost.

For participating ICT students, the extended IWSP will begin in the first trimester of Year 3. During the initial eight months, students will return to campus one day each week for classes, with selected modules delivered in flexible formats. Students will subsequently continue their IWSP alongside their capstone project.

Students from the Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering programmes will similarly spend their first two years completing their foundational curriculum before beginning the extended IWSP in Year 3. During the workplace phase, students will also undertake relevant micro-credentials and complete their capstone project.

Co-developing Future Talent with Industry

For industry partners, the 2+2 model offers a more meaningful way to develop future talent. With almost two years of engagement, employers can immerse students in authentic industry challenges and benefit from green harvesting by identifying, shaping and assessing talent ahead of formal hiring decisions. The model has already drawn interest from key industry partners, underscoring the value that employers see in a longer and more structured approach to talent development.

This deeper engagement benefits both sides. Companies can strengthen their workforce pipeline by identifying and shaping potential hires early, while students gain a fuller understanding of their chosen industry and how their skills can be applied in the workplace, helping them transition more confidently into full-time employment upon graduation. (Refer to Annex A for quotes by SIT’s industry partners)

The pilot will enable SIT and its industry partners to assess how extended workplace learning can best support student development, programme learning outcomes and evolving industry needs. Feedback from participating companies will also help SIT identify practical considerations and refine the model as the pilot develops. SIT will continue to deepen its partnerships with industry and create authentic learning experiences that prepare graduates for an increasingly dynamic and technology-enabled workplace.

[1] SIT GES 2025: https://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/news/sit-graduates-sustain-market-appeal-amid-cautious-hiring-climate 

ANNEX A – Quotes from SIT’s Industry Partners

• “The extended Integrated Work Study Programme provides students with sustained workplace immersion to deepen their technical skills, take on greater responsibilities, and build confidence in industry settings. At A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME), we look forward to supporting their growth through mentorship and hands-on opportunities to apply semiconductor research to real industry challenges,” said Terence Gan, Executive Director, A*STAR IME.

   

• “Having partnered with SIT over the years to support talent development and applied learning, we are pleased to deepen our collaboration through this initiative. I believe this programme offers students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a professional environment, deepen their understanding of industry practices, and develop the capabilities required for future success. Through this collaboration, students will gain meaningful real-world experience, assume greater responsibilities, and further bridge the gap between academic learning and industry application,” said Brian Tan, Regional President (South East Asia), Applied Materials.

   

• “Technical knowledge alone is not enough. It is just as important to work well with others, exercise sound judgement, communicate with confidence, and adapt as expectations change, especially in a fast-evolving field like cybersecurity. These capabilities are best developed through sustained exposure, coaching, and feedback in a real working environment. Through this partnership with SIT, we hope to give students the space to learn from experienced practitioners while bringing industry perspectives closer to the classroom. For Ensign, it is also an opportunity to support the development of future talent and contribute to a workforce that is better prepared for the way work is evolving,” said Serene Yeo, VP, Human Resources, Ensign InfoSecurity.

• “As an AI-led technology services company, NCS is committed to building a strong pipeline of digital and AI talent. SIT’s extended Integrated Work Study Programme 2+2 model gives students greater opportunities to deepen their technical and domain expertise through extended internships, while contributing meaningfully to real-world projects. Our partnership with SIT has demonstrated the value of industry immersion in preparing students for technology careers at NCS. By combining applied learning with workplace experience, we are empowering the next generation with the skills and capabilities needed to drive Singapore’s digital future,” said Sam Liew, CEO, NCS.

• “At STMicroelectronics, we see the value of the Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP) as extending far beyond industry exposure. It provides students with the opportunity to work alongside our teams on real-world challenges, contributing meaningfully while gaining firsthand experience of the realities of the industry. With the extended IWSP duration, STMicroelectronics can further develop and sharpen students' skills within our workplace that is continuously evolving through technological advancements, including AI. Through deeper and more sustained engagement, students gain richer learning experiences while fostering stronger connections with our employees. These interactions promote empathy, encourage intergenerational learning, and build meaningful relationships that strengthen collaboration across our workplace,” said Foo Kuo Yang, Senior Director, Singapore Country Human Resources, STMicroelectronics.

• “Building a resilient semiconductor ecosystem starts with investing deeply in talent. Our partnership with SIT on the extended IWSP is designed to immerse them in UMC Singapore's manufacturing environment for an extended period, helping them bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry readiness, and preparing them to become future leaders in our industry. This isn't just an internship programme; it is a long-term investment in the engineering backbone of Singapore’s high-tech future,” said Thomas Tey, General Manager, United Microelectronics Corporation (Singapore Branch). 

• “At VSMC, we believe developing a strong talent pipeline is critical to the continued growth of Singapore’s semiconductor industry. Through our partnership with SIT on the extended IWSP, we look forward to providing a meaningful industry experience and nurturing the next generation of semiconductor talent,” said Goh Inn Swee, Acting CEO, VSMC.

About Singapore Institute of Technology

As the university for industry and Singapore's first university of applied learning, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) offers industry-relevant degree programmes that prepare its graduates to be work- and future-ready professionals. Its mission is to maximise the potential of its learners and to innovate with industry, through an integrated applied learning and research approach, so as to contribute to the economy and society.

The University’s unique pedagogy integrates work and study, embracing authentic learning in a real-world environment through collaborations with key strategic partners. Its focus on applied research with business impact is aimed at helping industry innovate and grow. SIT’s new centralised campus within the larger Punggol Digital District features a vibrant learning environment where academia and industry are tightly integrated with the community. 

For more information, visit www.SingaporeTech.edu.sg