Singapore Institute of Technology

Singapore Institute of Technology
Institut Teknologi Singapura  (Malay)
新加坡理工大学 (Chinese)
சிங்கப்பூர் தொழில்நுட்ப கல்வி நிறுவனம் (Tamil)
Type Publicly-funded Autonomous university[1]
Established 2009
Endowment S$360.5 million [2]
President Professor Tan Thiam Soon
Provost Professor Loh Han Tong
Undergraduates 2800
Location Singapore, Singapore
1°17′25″N 103°50′58″E / 1.29028°N 103.84944°E / 1.29028; 103.84944Coordinates: 1°17′25″N 103°50′58″E / 1.29028°N 103.84944°E / 1.29028; 103.84944
Campus Distributed Campus
Colours Red, black, white             
Affiliations Newcastle University, Technische Universität München, University of Glasgow, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Manchester, Glasgow School of Art, Digipen Institute of Technology, University of Liverpool, Wheelock College, The Culinary Institute of America, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Massey University
Website singaporetech.edu.sg

The Singapore Institute of Technology (or SIT/Singaporetech)[3] (Abbreviation: SIT) is Singapore's fifth autonomous university.[4] Established in 2009, the university primarily caters to local polytechnic graduates who desire to pursue a bachelor's degree.

The university remains a popular choice for polytechnic graduates and it is known for offering practice-oriented and industry-focused degrees in Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Food Technology, Infocomm Technology, Health and Social Sciences, Design and Specialised Businesses through collaboration with ten of its overseas university partners from the Germany, United States and UK, along with the five local polytechnics.[5][6][7] A Bill was passed in the Parliament of Singapore on February 17, 2014 conferring the university autonomous status, allowing it to confer its own degrees.[8][9] The university begin enrolling its inaugural cohort of students for its own degree programmes in Academic Year 2014/2015.[10]

The university has 6 campuses island-wide: SIT@Dover is the university's main campus and is located at an interim campus in southwest Singapore at Dover and the other five campuses are housed within the grounds of each of the five polytechnics in Singapore: SIT@SP, SIT@NP, SIT@TP, SIT@NYP and SIT@RP.[11] The University is organized into five different clusters. They are the Engineering Cluster, Chemical Engineering and Food Technology Cluster, Infocomm Technology Cluster, Health and Social Sciences Cluster and Design and Specialised Businesses Cluster

On 23 August 2015, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in his National Day Rally that SIT will have a new centralised campus in Punggol. The University will be integrated with a creative industry cluster to be built by JTC Corporation, and into Punggol Downtown and the Housing Board's upcoming Northshore district.[12][13][14]

History

Beginnings

The Polytechnic-Foreign Specialised Institutions (Poly-FSI) initiative was introduced by the Ministry of Education in 2005. Its aim was to encourage polytechnics to partner with overseas universities to offer degree programmes in niche areas. Through this initiative, students would enjoy a more enriching learning experience in areas that also supported Singapore’s economic development.[15]

In 2007, a key recommendation of the Committee on the Expansion of the University Sector (CEUS) called for an expansion of the Poly-FSI initiative. The aim was to increase opportunities for students to obtain industry-relevant, reputable degrees and also ensure the continued relevance of polytechnic education.

A task force was formed, comprising polytechnic principals and representatives from Ministry of Education (MOE), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) to explore the feasibility of a new model that built upon the Poly-FSI initiative. The task force visited selected universities and specialised institutions in USA, UK and Australia. It also held focus group discussions with various stakeholders such as polytechnic students and alumni, their parents, economic agencies and relevant industry players.

Their findings supported the establishment of a dedicated publicly funded institute that would bring in overseas university partners to Singapore.[16] In April 2009, the concept of the Singapore Institute of Applied Technology (SIAT) was first mooted by the task force to the Ministry of Education (MOE) . About a month later, Singapore Institute of Applied Technology was officially renamed to Singapore Institute of Technology.

Establishment

The establishment of SIT was announced in May 2009 by Dr Ng Eng Hen, then Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence. SIT was tasked with planning, managing and implementing degree programmes offered by reputable overseas universities in partnership with the 5 polytechnics in Singapore. This tripartite collaboration offers a unique model that will not only increase the number of publicly funded university places for Singaporeans but also offer them many more choices of study.

The university’s founding president was Professor Tan Chin Tiong, who stepped down as deputy president at Singapore Management University. Under his watch, the university grew from 500 students in 10 programmes in 2009 to 1000 students in 17 programmes in 2013. In 2013, Professor Tan Chin Tiong returned to Singapore Management University as an advisor after stepping down as SIT president. His replacement is Professor Tan Thiam Soon, who at that time was vice-provost of education at the National University of Singapore.[17]

On 26 August 2012, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong formally announced that SIT will be Singapore's fifth Autonomous University (AU).The new SIT will be an institution that is different in character but equal in status to the existing Autonomous Universities (NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD).

This would in turn increase the number of university places by 3000. By the year 2020, 40 per cent of each school-going cohort will be able to have a university education, higher than the current 27 per cent.[18]

Academics

SIT Overseas University (OU) Programme

SIT primarily provides polytechnic graduates access to an industry-focused university education by partnering ten of its reputable overseas university (OU) partners. SIT's aim is to groom in-demand graduates to spur Singapore's growth sectors.

Reputable Overseas University partners

Currently, SIT's overseas university (OU) partners include:

University Country
Full name Abbrev.
Technical University of Munich TUM Germany
Newcastle University NU UK
The University of Manchester UOM UK
University of Liverpool UoL UK
University of Glasgow UOG UK
The Glasgow School of Art GSA UK
Trinity College Dublin TCD Ireland
DigiPen Institute of Technology DigiPen USA
Wheelock College WLC USA
The Culinary Institute of America CIA USA
Massey University MU NZ

Programme Duration

Students will receive advanced standing from the SIT overseas university (OU) partners as most of the applicants have received prior relevant education in polytechnic. This allows full-time students to finish a full-length degree programme in a span of 2 or 2.5 years instead of between 3 and 4 years.

Overseas Immersion Programme (OIP)

Student from SIT overseas university (OU) programme must complete an on-campus immersion programme (spanning 3 to 12 weeks depending on the overseas university degree) at the home university – an overseas study experience that offers an invaluable opportunity for cultural exchanges with international students.[19]

SIT Degree Programme

On 24 October 2013, SIT announced in a press conference that they would offer their own honours degree programmes in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (SIE), Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Accountancy (ACC) starting in AY2014.[20] This is a key step for SIT in its transition to a fully recognised autonomous university. SIT also announced its first Master of Engineering Technology in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering as a post-degree option for students who perform well.

Industry Partners

SIT own degree programs are conferred in collaboration with a panel of Industry Advisory Committee (IAC), which comprises industry heavyweights to shape the curriculum. SIT students will be deployed to this companies for an 8–12 months Integrated Work-Study Program, which students will experience real work in the industry.

For its accountancy program, it seals agreement with accounting firms such as Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG and 10 other accounting and auditing firms to maintain a strong partnership with SIT. The Chairman for the Industry Advisory Committee of SIT’s Accountancy degree program is Mr Quek See Tiat, Chairman, Building & Construction Authority, Former Partner and Deputy Chairman, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Singapore.[21]

For its sustainable infrastructure engineering (SIE) program, its industry advisory committee consist of senior management from private and government organizations such as LTA, SBST, SMRT, Sembcorp and ST Engineering. The Chairman of SIT’s Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) for Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering is helmed by Mr Tan Cheng Guan, Executive Vice President & Head Group Business Development & Commercial at Sembcorp Industries.[22]

Programme Duration

The duration for its undergraduate program is approximately 3.5 to 4 years, and depending on various modules exemptions for students with relevant polytechnic diploma. The SIT's own degree programmes will have an academic calendar based on a trimester system:

Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP)

SIT will feature the Integrated Work-Study Programme or IWSP, which are longer and more structured work attachments with a stronger assimilation between classroom learning and practical experience at work. Such features will enable SIT graduates to seize new and diverse job opportunities. Held over the span of 8 to 12 months, the structure of the IWSP will be unique and distinct for each degree programme to cater to differing needs of the industry.[23]

Benefits of IWSP

Students will undertake paid employment within companies relevant to their programmes. Students will be able to develop specific professional competencies in their chosen field, which may lead towards professional advancement. IWSP will also give students the opportunity to develop professional networks and interpersonal skills.[24]

Scholarships and Industry Sponsorships

SIT’s industry partners and the Singapore government have further strengthened their commitment to SIT by offering scholarships to 12% of its first intake of 500 students.

SIT’s industry-focused programmes have garnered strong support from a wide network of industry partners and the government in the form of industry sponsorships and scholarships. These organisations include Sembcorp Marine Limited, Keppel Offshore & Marine Limited, Media Development Authority of Singapore, Ministry of Health, Singtel, Far East Organisation, Fairmont Singapore & Swissôtel The Stamford, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore and ST Engineering.

In addition to industry sponsorships, SIT students can also apply for other scholarships open to undergraduates who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents as long as they meet the respective prerequisites. MOE administered scholarships for public university undergraduates includes Lee Hsien Loong Award for Outstanding All-Round Achievement, Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship To Encourage Upgrading (LKY-STEP) Award and University Engineering Scholarship. Bond free scholarship from private donors have also been established to encourage students to achieve the highest academic excellence.

SIT also award types of scholarships: SIT Scholarship and SIT Final Year Scholarship, to deserving local and international students. There are in a total of 41 government scholarships and industry partners' sponsorships.[25]

Research

SIT will support industries in Singapore by establishing Technology and Innovation Centres (TIC). The TICs will conduct applied research and leverage on the strengths of the overseas universities, polytechnics and SIT. SIT also aims to nurture a pool of local research talent.

SIT Enterprise & Innovation Hub

A focal point for developing innovation-driven students, and serve as a partner in developing collaborative projects with the industry. The SIT E&I Hub will engage the industry to work on projects that enhance the value chain of relevant technology. To do this, SIT plans to draw on the talent pool of students, faculty and professional officers to manage industry capstone projects, and projects arising from the Integrated Work Study Programme.[26]

Campus Buildings

The University's main complex is located at the Dover campus location, 10 Dover Drive, Singapore 138683. The main office deals with student matters, undergraduate admission matters, financial aid, scholarships and pre-matriculated students.

The degrees directly offered by the institute are conducted at the Dover location. For degrees with overseas university partners (OU), students study in any of the five university satellite campuses island-wide, which are based at the polytechnics. All six SIT campuses feature teaching facilities such as seminar rooms, lecture theatres, laboratories and lounge areas which are accessible to all staff and students.

SIT will have a new centralised campus in Punggol, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in his National Day Rally on 23 August 2015.[27]

SIT

SIT will house its own degree programmes in SIT@Dover, together with its main administrative office complex.

SIT@NYP

SIT@NP

SIT@SP

SIT@TP

SIT@RP

SIT@RP will span a total site area of almost 1,800 square metres and a total gross floor area of over 9,000 square metres. At nine storeys, SIT@RP is the tallest SIT building. It will be located next to RP’s sports field adjacent to Admiralty Park.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Post-secondary education". Ministry of Education, Singapore. Ministry of Education, Singapore. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  2. ↑ SIT Audited Financial Statements (for the year ended 31 Mar 2014) | http://www.singaporetech.edu.sg/images/stories/download/sit_financial_statements_fy14.pdf
  3. ↑ The university itself spells its short form as "Singaporetech"; as used in their social media account such as Twitter, Instagram and the university's home webpage and is also occasionally referred to as "SIT" in short.
  4. ↑ "Autonomous Universities in Singapore". Ministry of Education Singapore.
  5. ↑ "Choosing the right university for you". Yahoo!News on Feb 2015.
  6. ↑ "Singapore Institute of Technology Bill". Delivered in Parliament on 17 Feb 2014.
  7. ↑ "SIT Autonomous Status". The Straits Times.
  8. ↑ "Singapore Institute of Technology Bill" (PDF). parliament.gov.sg.
  9. ↑ "Second Reading Speech on the Singapore Institute of Technology Bill". moe.gov.sg. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
  10. ↑ "SIT Becomes Fifth Autonomous University". asiaone.com.
  11. ↑ The university runs its main campus and administrative building at an interim location at Dover, which was handed over by SUTD at 2014.
  12. ↑ "SIT to have new centralised campus in Punggol". Asiaone in August 2015.
  13. ↑ "National Day Rally 2015: Singapore Institute of Technology's new central campus to be housed in Punggol". The Straits Times in August 2015.
  14. ↑ "NDR2015: SIT to get a new centralised campus". Channel NewsAsia in August 2015.
  15. ↑ "Annex A : Factsheet : Polytechnic-Foreign Specialised Institution (poly-FSI) Initiative" (PDF). Moe.gov.sg. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  16. ↑ "Report of the Committee on the Expansion of the University Sector" (PDF). Moe.gov.sg. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  17. ↑ "Prof Tan Thiam Soon to be new SIT president" (PDF). smu.edu.sg. Retrieved 2016-05-22.
  18. ↑ "Singapore to have two more universities". Channel NewsAsia. 26 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  19. ↑ "Overseas Immersion Programme". Singapore Institute of Technology. Singapore Institute of Technology.
  20. ↑ "SIT TO LAUNCH ITS OWN APPLIED DEGREES IN 2014 TO DEVELOP 'BEST-IN-CLASS' INDUSTRY SPECIALISTS". Singapore Institute of Technology Press Centre. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
  21. ↑ "SIT Signing of MOU for its Accountancy Program". Singapore Institute of Technology Press Centre. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  22. ↑ "SIT Signing of MOU for its SIE program". Singapore Institute of Technology Press Centre. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  23. ↑ "Speech by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, at the Singapore Institute of Technology's Graduation Ceremony". Ministry of Education Media Centre. Retrieved 16 May 2014.
  24. ↑ "Distinctive University 2015" (PDF). The Business Times. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  25. ↑ "Scholarships – Industry Partners – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  26. ↑ "ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW DEGREE PROGRAMMES AND INDUSTRY INITIATIVES". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2015. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  27. ↑ http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/sit-have-new-centralised-campus-punggol#sthash.BFpXyUML.dpuf
  28. ↑ In collaboration with Digipen Institute of Technology.
  29. ↑ In collaboration with Trinity College Dublin.
  30. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  31. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  32. ↑ "Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electrical Power Engineering". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  33. ↑ "Health Sciences – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  34. ↑ "Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  35. ↑ "Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  36. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  37. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  38. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  39. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences". Singaporetech.edu.sg. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  40. ↑ "Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Design Engineering". Singaporetech.edu.sg. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  41. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences". Singaporetech.edu.sg. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  42. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  43. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences – Singapore Institute of Technology". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-02-02.
  44. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences". Singaporetech.edu.sg. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  45. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences". Singaporetech.edu.sg. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  46. ↑ "Interactive Digital Media". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  47. ↑ "Interactive Digital Media". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  48. ↑ "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  49. ↑ "Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  50. ↑ "Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communication Design". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  51. ↑ "Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Interior Design". Singaporetech.edu.sg. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  52. ↑ "Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Criminology and Security". Singapore Institute of Technology. Singapore Institute of Technology.
  53. ↑ "Hospitality". Singaporetech.edu.sg. 2013-08-23. Retrieved 2013-10-25.
  54. ↑ "Engineering & Applied Sciences". Singaporetech.edu.sg. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2013-10-25.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/30/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.