Demand for Skilled Healthcare Workers

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) offers a comprehensive range of healthcare degree programmes in response to the evolving trends and increasing demand for talent in Singapore's healthcare sector. As the only autonomous university in Singapore offering a suite of allied health degree programmes, including Diagnostic Radiography, Dietetics and Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy, SIT is at the forefront of preparing students for the healthcare industry.

Its healthcare degree programmes adopt a real-world learning approach, focusing on developing practical skills through hands-on experiences and strong industry partnerships that facilitate valuable clinical placements.

This emphasis on experiential learning is complemented by SIT’s proactive engagement with the Health and Social Sciences Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), which comprises leaders from the healthcare and community sectors. Through active engagement with industry, SIT ensures that its healthcare programmes remain relevant and responsive to emerging trends and industry needs. This collaboration extends beyond advisory roles, as IAC members and practising healthcare professionals are appointed as adjunct faculty to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to thrive in the dynamic healthcare landscape.

Ranging from 25 to 32 weeks and conducted throughout the course of their study, the clinical practice education (CPE) at SIT further prepares students for real-world clinical and inter-professional practice, equipping them with analytical and innovative skills, as well as leadership, research, and clinical competencies. For example, Dietetics and Nutrition students undergo 1,200 hours of CPE across various clinical settings, including public and private hospitals, community hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centres.

The Health and Social Sciences Cluster offers curated undergraduate programmes to educate, train, and nurture students to become competent and dedicated healthcare professionals. (SIT Photo)

Associate Professor Kwah Li Khim, Director of Programmes, Health and Social Sciences (HSS) Cluster at SIT, emphasises, “We hope to nurture allied health professionals who are not only theoretically grounded, but also equipped with the practical skillsets to hit the ground running the moment they enter the working world.”

Moreover, because SIT believes that students don’t have to wait until they enter the workforce to make a difference, much of the classroom curriculum centres around projects that are relevant to societal issues. For instance, Speech and Language Therapy students develop resources to aid children with developmental stuttering, while Physiotherapy students engage in volunteering initiatives to raise awareness of stroke and support stroke patients.

“We want to do more than just meet the needs of industry. We want to be pioneers in our fields, bridging the gaps between research evidence and clinical practices,” shares A/Prof Kwah.

An example of an applied research project spearheaded by SIT is the development of MOTIVATE, a multi-modal training programme to promote physical activity after stroke. A collaboration with the Singapore National Stroke Association, Singapore General Hospital, National Neuroscience Institute and Republic Polytechnic, the MOTIVATE programme aims to empower stroke survivors to take charge of their physical fitness by providing them with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources.

Co-designed with stroke survivors, MOTIVATE is a multi-sector collaboration for stroke recovery led by SIT (Photo: Kwah Li Khim/ Asian Scientist)