The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) has announced plans to expand its degree offerings with current overseas university partner Trinity College Dublin the University of Dublin. Starting from Academic Year 2014, SIT and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) will jointly award a degree in Bachelor in Science (Diagnostic Radiography). TCD will also offer in partnership with SIT the Bachelor in Science (Radiation Therapy) degree.
In 2012, SIT began its partnership with TCD by offering degree programmes in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. SIT has since expanded its repertoire of degree offerings with TCD to four degree programmes in the area of allied health with its latest degree programmes in Diagnostic Radiography and Radiation Therapy.
SIT continues to fulfil the aspirations of polytechnic Diagnostic Radiography and Radiation Therapy graduates looking to upgrade their diploma to a degree locally. Similar to SIT-TCD existing degree programmes in Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy, students studying either the Diagnostic Radiography or Radiation Therapy programme can expect to graduate with an honours degree in one year.
The Bachelor in Science (Radiation Therapy) is a degree programme where SIT students will receive the same degree as their counterparts in TCD, whereas the Bachelor in Science (Diagnostic Radiography) will be jointly awarded by SIT and TCD. The Bachelor in Science (Diagnostic Radiography) is the first undergraduate joint effort by SIT and
SIT has remained in close consultation with the Ministry of Health and thus recognises the pressing need for a skilled allied health workforce of professionals. These professionals will be equipped with the right skills and knowledge to work with increasingly sophisticated medical equipment.
Typically, Diagnostic Radiographers work with medical radiation equipment and use a wide range of techniques to produce radiographic images of the body. These radiographic images will assist the healthcare team in diagnosing illness or injury. Diagnostic Radiographers can work with a variety of sophisticated machinery related to dental imaging, mammography, nuclear medicine, and vascular & interventional radiology, to name a few.
On the other hand, Radiation Therapists use sophisticated computerised equipment and techniques to deliver the prescribed radiation dose precisely and accurately for the treatment of cancer patients. They are often involved in simulation of radiation treatment, radiation therapy that can be disease-specific or image-guided, and dosimetry[1], among others.
Both new degree programmes will feature a mandatory overseas immersion programme at Trinity College Dublin. Diagnostic Radiography students will fulfil the clinical component of the Advances in Radiography Practice module in Dublin where they will spend six weeks (in Semester 2) on clinical placements to expand their clinical knowledge of the specialised imaging modalities including, but not limited to, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), etc. Radiation Therapy students will visit TCD in the first semester for nine weeks to develop an in-depth understanding of integrated radiotherapy practice incorporating treatment preparation and planning, treatment delivery, supportive care and psychosocial issues and to be able to apply these principles to specific cancer sites.
Classes for the pioneer cohort, with a target total intake of 30 students for both programmes, will be conducted at SIT’s facilities in Nanyang Polytechnic.
On the occasion of the announcement, Provost of Trinity College Dublin, Dr Patrick Prendergast said: “Building on the success of our existent collaboration between Trinity College Dublin and Singapore Institute of Technology in relation to the degree programmes in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, I am delighted that we are now in a position to expand with additional programmes in health sciences with degrees in diagnostic radiography and radiation therapy. The same high standards of education will be adhered to in this new suite of degree programmes, attracting high calibre students, who on graduation will make a meaningful difference in their future professions. We hope that the success of the programmes will be seen by the people of Singapore through enhanced healthcare service provision.“
Professor Tan Thiam Soon, President, SIT, shared, “We are pleased to expand our degree programmes and provide more pathways for diploma holders who are looking to upgrade to a degree. Our new collaborative effort will contribute to expanding the skilled allied health workforce. This is also a milestone in SIT’s history as Singapore’s new university, in offering its first joint-degree programme with TCD. As a university of applied learning, the SIT student will be equipped with industry-relevant skills and knowledge to confidently meet future challenges in Singapore’s healthcare system.”
