SIT launches five new degree programmes
SINGAPORE — The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) has launched four new applied degree programmes of its own, as it prepares for its largest intake this year — 2,080.
In anticipation of industry demand for professionals in selected sectors, the university, which caters mostly to diploma-holders, will offer degree programmes in Pharmaceutical Engineering, Information and Communications Technology (Information Security), Hospitality Business, and Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building Services) — the last includes a masters degree programme.
In addition, it is jointly offering a Systems Engineering (ElectroMechanical Systems) degree programme with DigiPen Institute of Technology.
With these new programmes, SIT, which used to only offer degrees in partnership with overseas universities, now offers seven of its own degree programmes.
Speaking at a press conference today (Jan 13), president of SIT Tan Thiam Soon said: “They are industries we see not only (having) a shortage of professionals right now but they’re industries we can see thriving long into the future. These are areas we know we need lots of professionals to help in many of the transformations Singapore has to go through in the next 20, 30 years.”
Professor Tan also said programmes offered are driven by industry needs and the university works closely with industry partners.
For instance, the pharmaceutical engineering programme was designed to fill the gaps in curriculum and application identified by the industry. Unlike courses offered in other universities, SIT’s programme will train students in both engineering and science to fully understand the entire drug manufacture process, said programme director Associate Professor Susanna Leong.
“We’re going to train (our students) across the full spectrum of pharm-manufacturing, where they will be readily employed by the pharma-manufacturing industry across a wide range of job functions ranging from engineering and manufacturing, product development, even policy, supply chain and R&D,” she said. “Students who are broadly trained in chemical engineering, (in contrast), would have a lot less knowledge applicability in the highly advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.”
Although the majority of its courses are related to the field of science and technology, Prof Tan said the university will also be open to other areas like hospitality businesses, which is facing immense pressure to improve productivity and where technology will play a huge role in transforming the industry.
As part of all SIT degree programmes, students will be attached to companies for eight to 12 months to gain work experience. In addition, the new Enterprise & Innovation Hub (E&I Hub) will give students the opportunity to collaborate with companies on projects that can potentially be commercialised to solve problems in the industry.
Details on fees for the courses have not yet been released but admission for the new programmes opened yesterday and classes for the first semester will begin in September.
