Prof Tan Thiam Soon, President, SIT; Prof Cheong Hee Kiat, President, SUSS; and Mr Peter Lam, PCEO, TP signing the CA, witnessed by Mr Ng Cher Pong, CE, SSG and Mr Ong Ye Kung Minister for Education(Higher Education & Skills) and Second Minister for Defence.
Minister for Education (Higher Education & Skills) and Second Minister for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung today witnessed the signing of Collaboration Agreements between the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP), and between Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP), to offer relevant skills-based undergraduate modules to polytechnic graduates embarking on the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme (ELP).
The Joint-ELP Collaboration Agreements were signed by Professor Tan Thiam Soon, President, SIT; Professor Cheong Hee Kiat, President, SUSS; and Mr Peter Lam, Principal & CEO, TP. The signing was also witnessed by Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG).
Under the Agreements, ELP participants will be able to take modules alongside existing undergraduates from the relevant degree programmes offered by both universities. Upon completion of the ELP, they may apply to enrol in the corresponding degree programmes at SUSS or SIT, with due credit recognition given. This will enable ELP participants to continue deepening their skills and knowledge in a related field, and enhance the pathway for further education with SIT and SUSS. Pursuing structured learning combined with work experience will allow ELP participants to build on the skills and knowledge acquired in school and bring them closer to achieving their career goals.
For a start, TP will launch three such Joint-ELPs with SIT and SUSS - in Building Services, Facilities & Events Management, and Infocomm Technology. Polytechnic graduates from relevant diplomas in Facilities or Events Management, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Civil, Environmental, Electrical, and Aerospace Engineering, as well as those from ICT-related diplomas, will be able to enrol for relevant modules with SIT and SUSS.
SIT and SUSS will offer skills-based modules from the following undergraduate degree programmes:
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services), offered by SIT
- Bachelor of Science in Facilities and Events Management, offered by SUSS
- Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology, offered by SUSS
Speaking at the signing event this morning, TP’s Principal & CEO, Mr Peter Lam, said, “The collaborations we are affirming today are indicative of our commitment to the SkillsFuture movement. They underscore the dedication of the polytechnics and universities to ensuring that Singaporeans are employable over the course of their working life, and have access to opportunities to realise their potential.”
SIT-TP Joint-ELP
The Joint-ELP will run for 18 months, during which participants will receive on-the-job (OJT) training at the workplace while attending classes for selected SIT degree modules at SIT and other modules at TP.
Upon completion of the ELP, participants admitted to the SIT degree programme may be granted credit exemption for certain modules undertaken during the ELP at the discretion of the University. SIT may also grant partial or full exemption for the Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP). Hence, ELP graduates that successfully gain admission into SIT’s Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services) programme can complete their degree in a shorter period as compared to other students in the programme.
Commenting on the partnership with TP, Prof Tan Thiam Soon, President, SIT, said, “The selected undergraduate modules, which the industry have identified, will better equip the ELP participants with the necessary knowledge and skills. This agreement underscores SIT’s ongoing commitment to applied learning, and we look forward to working closely with industry and Polytechnic partners to identify other possible upskilling programmes in the future.”
Maximum Candidature and Work Experience
Graduates of the Joint-ELPs have up to eight years from the completion of their respective modules to apply to the relevant SIT and SUSS degree programmes. The maximum candidature may vary according to accreditation requirements. This enables ELP graduates who are keen to enrol as full-time students with the SIT degree programme, or part-time students with the SUSS degree programme, to continue to gain more working experience before embarking on their undergraduate degree programmes.
TP will also work with participating companies to identify leadership tracks for the ELP participants should they obtain their degrees subsequently. This will give participants the added advantage of knowing their career pathways and job roles in the company throughout their ELP experience and beyond, should they decide to deepen their knowledge and skills at the university-level.
