With sustainability becoming a critical priority across industries, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) introduces a new forward-thinking programme tailored to equip working professionals with essential skills in sustainability practices and reporting.

Assistant Professor Mark Teo (standing) giving a class in The Introduction to Sustainability for Businesses course, developed in collaboration with ASME, which aims to help learners gain insights into sustainable business practices. (Photo: SITLEARN)

For engineers looking to burnish their credentials, the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) has a new programme that aims to equip them with essential skills in sustainability practices and reporting.

Called the Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Principles and Practices, the programme was designed with an eye on guidelines from the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES). Open to all degree holders, the graduate certificate is the first in SIT's planned suite of sustainability-focused graduate certificates and will start in August 2025.

The programme comes at a pivotal moment as new corporate rules kick in. From the financial year (FY) of 2025, all companies listed on the Singapore Exchange will need to make climate-related disclosures, while large non-listed companies will follow suit from FY2027. This requirement is expected to cascade to associated companies and supply chains, creating a surge in demand for professionals with knowledge and skills in sustainability, which is now fundamental to business operations worldwide.

The IES launched the Engineering Chartership in Sustainability in August 2023, underlining the growing emphasis on integrating sustainability into engineering practices. Launched as part of the IES Green Plan 2030, the chartership requires engineers applying to be certified to complete sustainability-related core course modules and selected electives.

Designed to complement the IES chartership programme, SIT's Graduate Certificate equips engineers with knowledge in areas such as carbon accounting, sustainability reporting, and industry-specific green practices.

Stackable, Flexible Learning: How it Works

This modular programme is structured to offer flexibility and accessibility to busy professionals. Comprising six modules offered twice a year, learners will attend full-day classes once a week for three weeks per module, with a week-long break before the next module starts. Learners can take all six modules continuously and complete the programme in six months or spread out their learning over a longer period to suit their schedules.

Each module is credit-bearing and can be stacked towards earning the Graduate Certificate. For those seeking to advance further, the credits from the graduate certificate can eventually be applied towards a Master’s degree, providing a clear pathway for continuous professional growth.

“This flexibility allows them to personalise their learning journeys while juggling multiple commitments. We want to let learners know that if they want to upskill, there is a pathway for them to upgrade their qualifications while managing their other commitments,” said Assistant Professor Mark Teo, who leads sustainability-related Continuing Education and Training (CET) courses at SIT. 

Asst Prof Mark Teo (standing facing the class) giving a CET course on Green Interior Design. (Photo: SITLEARN).

The decision to offer the modules on a full-day schedule is also a deliberate one. “Though learners will need to take time off work, our preference is for them to attend the course during the day, because by the time it’s evening, you are in the wind-down mode and it’s harder to pay attention,” noted Asst Prof Teo.

“We are cognisant of the challenges faced by learners who are studying part-time and working full-time,” he added.

The Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Principles and Practices is open to the public, including those who may not be pursuing the IES Engineering Chartership in Sustainability. Organisations can also partner with SIT to offer this course as customised training for their employees, integrating industry-specific case studies to meet unique corporate needs.

Growing the Sustainability Talent Pool

The programme emphasises group project-based assessments to mirror real-world industry practices, where collaboration across diverse fields is needed to create holistic solutions.

Asst Prof Mark Teo. (Photo: SITLEARN).

“Sustainability has a horizontal layer of knowledge. As an engineer, you need to make sure that the engineering works, but you also need to know the business side and the science of things. This is why our programme integrates these perspectives,” explained Asst Prof Teo.

More sustainability-focused programmes are in the works. Future offerings will cover leadership, strategy, innovation, and business, underscoring SIT’s comprehensive approach to sustainability education.

Beyond compliance with regulations, the integration of sustainability and business practices will help drive innovation and enhance economic resilience. Engineers are pivotal to this transition, as they oversee the processes and solutions necessary for sustainable development.

“If we can get the engineers on board, the impact will be exponential,” said Asst Prof Teo.

This article first appeared on The Singapore Engineer.