Singapore Institute of Technology

Singapore Institute of Technology
Established	28 December 2009
Type	National University Public
President	Professor Tan Thiam Soon
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
Website	singaporetech.edu.sg

Singapore Institute of Technology
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	新加坡理工大學
Simplified Chinese	新加坡理工大学
Transcriptions Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin xīnjiāpō lǐgōng dàxué
Malay name
Malay	Institut Teknologi Singapura
Tamil name
Tamil	தொழில்நுட்ப சிங்கப்பூர் நிறுவனம்

The Singapore Institute of Technology (abbreviation: SIT) is Singapore's fifth autonomous university in Singapore.

Established in 2009, the university primarily caters to local polytechnic graduates who desire to pursue a bachelor's degree. The university offers specialised degree programmes in Physical Science & Engineering, Food Science & Chemical Engineering, Information Communications & Computing, Health Sciences and Design, Education and Social Sciences through collaboration with overseas university partners and the five local polytechnics.

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. ^{[1] [2]} The university will begin to offer its own degree programmes in 2014. ^[3]

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 such as Naval Architecture by Newcastle University at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.^[4]

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.^[5] 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.

In 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.^[6]

Academics

Academic Clusters

Physical Science & Engineering

In partnership with Newcastle University and University of Glasgow, SIT offers 9 degree programme in various fields of engineering as well as its own bachelor and master degree programme in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Land).

The programmes offered under the Physical Science & Engineering^[7] cluster include:

• Aeronautical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineering
• Mechanical Design Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Naval Architecture
• Offshore Engineering
• Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering(Land)

Food Science & Chemical Engineering

In partnership with Newcastle University and Technical University of Munich, SIT offers two chemical engineering degree programmes and a degree in food and chemical engineering, under the Food Science & Chemical Engineering^[8] cluster.

Information Communications & Computing

Under the Information Communications & Computing cluster, SIT partners DigiPen Institute of Technology to provide 4 degree courses in animation and game design. SIT also offers a degree in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology in partnership with Technical University of Munich and a degree in Computing Science with University of Glasgow. In July 2014, SIT will see it first intake of students reading SIT's Information and Communications Technology programme.

Education Model

SIT primarily provides polytechnic graduates access to an industry-focused university education by partnering the local polytechnics and reputable overseas universities. SIT's aim is to groom in-demand graduates to spur Singapore's growth sectors. To do this effectively, SIT is constantly in active engagement with:

Government Ministries and Agencies

SIT’s specialised programmes are guided by government ministries such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and government agencies like the Singapore Economic Development Board and the Media Development Authority.

SIT offers degree programmes in the fields of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Health Sciences, Interactive Digital Media, Design, Education and Hospitality.

These are key areas that have been identified to require more trained manpower and are aligned to the applied and practice-oriented learning approach of the polytechnics.

Industry partners

SIT works in close consultation with industry partners in respective fields, to ensure that all of SIT's programmes are relevant.

Reputable Overseas University partners

Currently, SIT's overseas university partners include Newcastle University (NU), Technical University of Munich (TUM), University of Glasgow (UOG), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), The University of Manchester (UOM), The Glasgow School of Art (GSA), DigiPen Institute of Technology (DigiPen), Wheelock College (WLC), University of Liverpool (UoL) and The Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

Polytechnics

SIT works closely with all the polytechnics (SP, NP, TP, NYP and RP) to build on their strengths, reputation and utilising their existing infrastructure. SIT also enhances the polytechnics’ capabilities through faculty training and by conducting applied R&D projects.

SIT's own degrees

On 24 October 2013, SIT announced in a press conference that they would offer their own honours degree programmes in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering, Information and Communications Technology, and Accountancy starting in AY2014.^[9] 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 as a post-degree option for students who perform well.

Programme Duration

SIT students receive advanced standing from the overseas university 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 to 4 years.

The new SIT programmes will have an academic calendar based on a trimester system:

• Trimester 1: Sep to Dec
• Trimester 2: Jan to Apr
• Trimester 3: May to Aug

Integrated Work Study Programme

The unique Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP) is designed for SIT's own degree programmes. It will provide students with the opportunity to undertake real work, allowing them to integrate theory and practice and develop deep specialist skills in their chosen field. The IWSP is structured in a unique and distinct way for each degree programme to cater to the specific needs of the industry, developing industry-ready graduates. 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.

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.

Overseas Immersion Programme

SIT students must complete an on-campus immersion programme (spanning 3 to 12 weeks depending on the overseas university degree) at their own cost at the home university – an overseas study experience that offers an invaluable opportunity for cultural exchanges with international students.^[10]

Scholarships and Industry Sponsorships

SIT’s industry partners and the Singapore government have further strengthened their commitment to SIT by offering scholarships and sponsorships 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, 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. Some of the scholarships are Lee Hsien Loong Award for Outstanding All-Round Achievement, Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship To Encourage Upgrading (LKY-STEP) Award and University Engineering Scholarship.

SIT also award 2 types of scholarships to deserving local and international students. There are in a total of 25 government scholarships and industry partners' sponsorships.^[11]

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.

Campus Buildings

The Institute's main office 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 will be conducted at the Dover location. For degrees with overseas university partners, students will attend their lessons in any of the 5 polytechnics or the overseas university partners' sister campuses.

Nanyang Polytechnic

• Newcastle University – Bachelor of Science with Honours in Food & Human Nutrition^[12]
• Newcastle University – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineering^[13]
• University of Manchester – Bachelor of Science with Honours in Nursing Practice^[14]
• Trinity College of Dublin – Bachelor in Science (Occupational Therapy)^[15]
• Trinity College of Dublin - Bachelor of Science with Honours in Diagnostic Radiography
• Trinity College of Dublin – Bachelor in Science (Physiotheraphy)^[16]

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

• Newcastle University – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Chemical Engineering^[17]
• Newcastle University – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Marine Engineering^[18]
• Newcastle University – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Naval Architecture^[19]
• Newcastle University – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Offshore Engineering^[20]
• University of Glasgow – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Design Engineering^[21]
• University of Glasgow – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechatronics^[22]

Singapore Polytechnic

• Technical University Munich – Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering^[23]
• Technical University Munich – Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering & Information Technology^[24]
• University of Glasgow – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Aeronautical Engineering^[25]
• University of Glasgow – Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Aerospace Systems^[26]

Temasek Polytechnic

• The Glasgow School of Art – Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communication Design Studies^[27]
• The Glasgow School of Art – Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Communication Design ^[28]
• University of Liverpool – Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Criminology and Security^[29]
• The Culinary Institute of America – Bachelor of Professional Studies in Culinary Arts Management^[30]

Republic Polytechnic

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.

• University of Glasgow – Bachelor of Science with Honours in Computing Science^[31]

PIXEL Building

Digipen Institute of Technology's sister campus is located at PIXEL Building, One-North 10 Central Exchange Green, occupies the first two levels of a 3-story building. All faculty are held under the same building.

• Bachelor of Science in Game Design^[32]
• Bachelor of Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation^[33]
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Animation^[34]
• Bachelor of Arts in Game Design^[35]

National Library of Singapore

In 2006, UNLV opened its first international campus in Singapore. The UNLV Singapore campus is housed on the 10th and 11th floors of the National Library of Singapore.

• Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration^[36]

See also

• National University of Singapore
• Nanyang Technological University
• Singapore Management University
• Singapore University of Technology and Design
• SIM University
• List of universities in Singapore
• Newcastle University
• Technische Universität München
• University of Glasgow
• Trinity College Dublin
• 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

References

External links

• Singapore Institute of Technology

Education in Singapore Schools Primary schools Secondary schools (ed) Pre-University Centres International schools Technical and vocational institutes Institute of Technical Education Singapore Hotel and Tourism Education Centre Polytechnics Singapore Polytechnic Ngee Ann Polytechnic Temasek Polytechnic Nanyang Polytechnic Republic Polytechnic Universities and colleges National University of Singapore Nanyang Technological University Singapore Management University Singapore University of Technology and Design Singapore Institute of Technology SIM University Programmes Edusave Gifted Education Programme Integrated Programme Special Assistance Plan President's Scholar Provisional Admission Exercise Third Language Programme for Rebuilding and IMproving Existing schools Trim and Fit Direct School Admission Examinations Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board Primary School Leaving Examination Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'O' Level Singapore-Cambridge GCE 'A' Level International Baccalaureate Ten year series H3 Pharmaceutical Chemistry Co-curriculars Co-curricular activity National Physical Fitness Award Singapore Youth Festival List of youth organisations Boys' Brigade National Cadet Corps National Civil Defence Cadet Corps National Police Cadet Corps Outward Bound Singapore Red Cross Youth Singapore Scout Association Girl Guides Singapore St. John Ambulance Brigade Infocomm Club Libraries National Library Board Ministry of Education