SIT and Siemens Announce New Degree Specialisation in Engineering at Opening of Applied Learning Conference 2022

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Siemens Pte Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a new degree specialisation in the Robotics Systems programme. The degree specialisation will deepen graduates’ knowledge and skills in Industry 4.0 technologies for the advanced manufacturing sector, such as robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Demand for these skill sets is growing, due to the rapid rise in robotics, machine learning and the Internet of Things.

The partnership was announced at the opening of the third Applied Learning Conference (ALC), held from 20 January to 21 January 2022. Themed ‘Embracing Change in an Era of Disruption’, the virtual conference explored the role of higher education in connecting graduate competencies to workforce needs and strengthening interdisciplinary learning to cope with future uncertainties. Topics included competency-based education, interdisciplinary learning, applied learning pedagogies, workplace learning, and the lessons and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on education.

The ALC is organised by SIT as one of its key platforms to discuss and share best practices in academia-industry collaboration in applied learning and talent development. Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, is the Guest-of-Honour in this year’s ALC.

New Degree Specialisation to Boost Industry 4.0 Capabilities

Commencing in Academic Year (AY) 2023/24, the new degree specialisation will equip students with work-relevant skills, such as robotics systems development, systems engineering, AI, and project management. SIT and Siemens will work together to onboard ecosystem partners, as well as co-develop the curriculum, recruitment strategies and assessment frameworks.

This partnership will also create a new pathway to allow students to jumpstart their careers while concurrently pursuing a university degree. Students will alternate between spending one to two trimesters in SIT and at the workplace under a ‘term-in, term-out’ model, and  acquire work-related skills that augment their classroom learning. SIT and Siemens will also jointly explore developing workplace learning initiatives and rapid prototyping projects for like-minded companies in the advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President, SIT, said, “As Singapore’s university of applied learning, we place both industry and the individuals at the heart of SIT. We are constantly innovating in the delivery of university education, developing new pathways that blur the boundaries between study and work. We are very happy to be partnering Siemens in the development of this new degree specialisation. With Siemens’ expertise in developing advanced engineering technologies and SIT’s strengths in applied learning and research, I am confident that the degree specialisation will further enhance the industry relevance of our education and the career-readiness of our graduates.”

Dr Thai-Lai Pham, President and CEO, Siemens Pte Ltd, said, “Siemens believes that providing innovative and future-oriented education and training opportunities is key to the sustainability of our company. So we proactively address skill and qualification requirements, and work with universities around the world on this topic.” He added, “I am pleased to partner with SIT in Singapore to develop a programme based on Germany’s successful dual education model. I am confident that this model will help to train relevant talents with both theoretical and practical expertise.”

More information on the ALC 2022 programme, speakers, and synopsis of talks can be found at: https://www.alc.sg/

To read the full story, please go to SIT’s Digital Newsroom: https://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/digitalnewsroom/sit-and-siemens-announce-new-degree-specialisation-in-engineering-at-opening-of-applied-learning-conference-2022/