SIT kicked off 2015 by announcing the launch of five new applied degree programmes as well as a slew of ambitious industry initiatives at a press conference held at the SIT@Dover Boardroom on 13 January.
The new SIT-conferred degree programmes, which will accept their first intake from September 2015, are: Master of Engineering Technology & Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services), Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) in Pharmaceutical Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Information and Communications Technology (Information Security), Bachelor of Hospitality Business (with Honours), and Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Systems Engineering [(Electromechanical Systems) SEEMS], which is a joint degree programme with DigiPen Institute of Technology. Of the five programmes, two are first-of-its-kind degree offerings in Singapore: Pharmaceutical Engineering and SEEMS.
Professor Tan Thiam Soon, President, SIT, said: “The applied degree programmes are designed to prepare students for the workforce by bringing an innovative mindset to the workplace. Thus, SIT’s new applied degree programmes are closely linked to industry; this demonstrates how we are pushing the envelope and reshaping Singapore’s education landscape to one that is intertwined with industry.”
At the press conference, the university also announced the launch of its new Enterprise & Innovation Hub (E&I Hub), which will engage directly with industry and serve as a platform to allow students to develop critical learning skills and drive innovation at the workplace.
In the month of January, SIT also hosted an informational event to showcase the university’s new degree programmes – SIT Open House 2015. Held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event welcomed more than 4,000 guests over the weekend of 17 – 18 January.
The Open House proved to be an ideal opportunity for students and their parents to speak to SIT student ambassadors who shared with them their university experiences while faculty, including those represented by SIT’s overseas university partners, engaged with the young participants and addressed their questions on applications and the academic offerings.
There were also plenty of hard-fact inquiries at the information sessions which turned out to be the hot tickets at the Open House, in particular the Hospitality Business programme and Career Services talks.
Indeed, for some of the young hearts and minds who attended Open House, the event’s mainstays were the information sessions. Nur Atiqah who is currently studying a Diploma in Material Science at Singapore Polytechnic had her eye on the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Pharmaceutical Engineering programme. She said: “I think this degree will add a lot of value to my skills.”
She added that the Pharmaceutical Engineering degree programme has specialisations which are very distinctive. “Right now, in my Year Three, I am studying a lot on Materials. But going forward, I hope to learn more about biologics,” she said.
Participation in extra-curricular activities was also an integral part of the SIT journey, with the Open House featuring a strong line-up of student performances and live music. These included soulful performances from SIT student band, Muzeka, energetic routines from student dance club, Soul Extreme, and live demonstrations of Aikido, Silat and Wushu. A make-shift bouldering wall which was set up in the hall also gave sports enthusiasts a chance to try their hand at rock climbing.
Goh Bing Feng who is currently serving his National Service was pleasantly surprised by the convivial spirit at the SIT Open House. He said: “This Open House is very vibrant; I like it because it’s not just all about talks.”
Revealing his interest in SIT’s Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Land) programme, he quipped, “This is what sets SIT apart
