From left to right: Mr Wong Wai Keong (SBS Transit), Mr Lew Yii Der (LTA), Mr Tan Cheng Guan (SIE IAC), Prof Ting Seng Kiong (SIT), Ms Kang Huey Ling (SMRT), Mr S K Babu (NDTSS)
The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA), SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT), SBS Transit Ltd (SBS Transit), and Non-Destructive Testing Society of Singapore (NDTSS).
The MOU seals a landmark partnership between SIT, LTA, SMRT, SBS Transit, and NDTSS to jointly develop a high quality and industry-relevant curriculum for SIT’s new Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (SIE) programme [Master of Engineering Technology & Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Land)] to be offered from AY2014 onwards. The MOU signing was witnessed by Mr Tan Cheng Guan, Executive Vice President & Head Group Business Development & Commercial at Sembcorp Industries, in his capacity as Chairman of SIT’s Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) for Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering.
SIT works closely with industry partners to ensure that the highest standards of education are maintained through continual consultation, adoption of best practices and joint developmental activities. Thus, the new partnership aims to promote joint research and development in fields of mutual interest, and exchange ideas resulting from such work.
One major highlight of SIT’s new degree programmes is the Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP). During the IWSP, SIT students will be involved in daily work operations within their host organisation and are guided by their professors to use the work experience they have gained to enrich their coursework. SIT aims to elevate the role that industry leaders play in guiding the work-study pedagogy of the SIE degree programme through its partnership with the various land transport organisations.
Another unique feature of the SIE degree programme is the opportunity for students to opt for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) certification (ISO 9712, in collaboration with the NDTSS) to enhance their industry-readiness prior to graduation. This is a significant departure from the industry norm where Engineering students typically attain NDT certification only after they begin employment, and are often only able to do so in-house within their companies.
Professor Tan Thiam Soon, President, SIT, lauded the industry’s efforts in supporting industry-relevant tertiary education, "I am heartened that our industry partners show tremendous faith and great interest in our students. The needs of the industry are changing and so must our teaching and learning ways. Our industry partners play a big part in supporting our curriculum development and ensuring that we stay industry-relevant. I hope this partnership will open up more avenues for our students to grow their industry experience and to also ground themselves with practical, hands-on knowledge.
The need for a skilled workforce is apparent, and it is vital that our skilled workforce is also nimble and adaptable as Singapore’s businesses restructure to move up the value chain. Our students, who will be imbued with the values to learn, unlearn, and relearn, are ready to take on Singapore’s growing challenges. We envision our students, as ‘thinking tinkerers’, will be much sought after in a rapidly-evolving economy."
"As part of our efforts to develop manpower capabilities to support and sustain Singapore’s public transport (PT) industry, LTA has been supporting the curriculum development for the new SIE programme by providing both the developer’s and the regulator’s perspectives. Through this MOU, we hope to develop a high quality programme that will also support our growing rail industry. This new programme will widen the pipeline of graduates for the growing rail sector and provide progression for diploma holders, who are already in or wish to join the industry." said Mr Lew Yii Der, Group Director for Corporate Planning & Research, Land Transport Authority.
Kang Huey Ling, Principal, SMRT Institute said, "The Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step forward in deepening SMRT’s ongoing commitment to help our workforce of tomorrow gear up for a dynamic career in the public transport sector."
Mr Wong Wai Keong, Executive Vice President, Rail, SBS Transit Ltd said, "We welcome this collaborative effort with SIT to develop a programme that will help build a pool of qualified engineers for our rail network and ensure that the industry's growing needs are met."
"SIT’s SIE BEng programme with Professional NDT certification would be a great programme to students to get into placement immediately after the graduation; students would achieve the relevant experience ahead of their graduation, and the programme would be the first of this kind in the Asia-Pacific region," said Mr S K Babu, President, Non-Destructive Testing Society (Singapore).
About Singapore Institute of Technology
Established by the Ministry of Education in 2009, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) currently offers undergraduate degree programmes in partnership with various reputable overseas universities and the five local polytechnics. SIT has brought to Singapore some of the world’s top industry-focused degree programmes targeted at growth sectors of the economy.
SIT is slated to become the fifth autonomous university in Singapore with its first degree programmes to be offered from AY2014. It aims to be a leader in innovative university education by integrating learning, industry and community.
About Land Transport Authority
Land Transport Authority (LTA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport. LTA plans the long-term transport needs and spearheads land transport developments in Singapore. We are responsible for planning, operating, and maintaining Singapore’s land transport infrastructure and systems. Our aim is to place our users—motorists and public transport commuters—at the heart of our transport system.
About SMRT Corporation Ltd
SMRT Corporation Ltd (SMRT) is the leading multi-modal public transport operator in Singapore. SMRT serves millions of passengers daily by offering a safe, reliable and comprehensive transport network that consists of an extensive MRT and light rail system which connects seamlessly with its island-wide bus and taxi operations. SMRT also markets and leases the commercial and media spaces within its transport network, and offers engineering consultancy and project management as well as operations and maintenance services, locally and internationally.
About SBS Transit
SBS Transit is Singapore’s leading multi-modal public transport operator that aims to provide safe, comfortable, affordable and reliable services.
It operates some 250 bus services with a fleet of more than 3,200 buses. The buses serve 17 bus interchanges and more than 3,500 bus stops island-wide. It also operates the North East MRT Line, which is the world's first fully automated, underground heavy rail system, that connects Punggol to HarbourFront. More recently, it also began operating the Downtown Line - a 42-km line - which will be Singapore’s longest underground Line when fully completed in 2017. The Downtown Line 1 opened for passenger service on 22 December with six stations that connect Bugis to Chinatown. It also operates the LRT system in Punggol and Sengkang.
Every day, its fleet of trains and buses carry more than three million passengers. More than just a people mover, it believes in creating pleasant journeys for its passengers, and not just about arriving at the destination only. This is why the Company invests extensively in technology and training, constantly looking to upgrade not just its operations but its people as well.
SBS Transit was recognised as the "Most Customer-centric Land Transport Provider" by the Land Transport Authority at its bi-ennial Land Transport Excellence Awards in 2012 and 2010.
About Non-Destructive Testing Society (Singapore)
Non-Destructive Testing Society (Singapore) was established in 1997 as a non-profitable voluntary organization to serve the local NDT professionals and Industry. It was engaged in providing latest information on technical developments to the local community through meeting and technical talks. NDTSS is a full member of ICNDT ( International committee for NDT ) & full member of APFNDT ( Asia pacific federation for Non-destructive Testing). NDTSS is a part of executive board member of both ICNDT & APFNDT. NDTSS will host the next Asia pacific conference for Non Destructive Testing in 2017, 15th APCNDT.
