Students enrolling in the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) can now sign up for two new courses in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital supply chain. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence (AAI) and Digital Supply Chain (DSC) being launched in the new academic year are three-year direct honours programmes. AAI emphasises implementing artificial intelligence (AI) within software systems, while DSC focuses on emerging technologies in the digital transformation of the logistics and supply chain sector.
SIT is committed to nurturing work-ready graduates who are catalysts for Singapore’s transformation into a Smart Nation. The project-intensive curricula we have designed places industry at the core of our students’ learning. By intensifying and deepening their training through industry exposure at multiple touchpoints during the student’s candidature, we instil in students a mindset of learning by doing and enhancing their industry readiness. Our graduates will be able to harness the transformative power of innovation and technology to overcome pressing challenges and provide impactful solutions both locally and worldwide.
– Professor John Thong, Deputy President (Academic) & Provost, Singapore Institute of Technology
AI was identified as a key technology for Singapore’s Smart Nation transformation in the 2019 National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. Several initiatives are in place, including the training of 25,000 AI-proficient professionals by 2025. Worldwide spending on AI systems is also expected to jump from US$85.3 billion (S$115.5 billion) in 2021 to more than US$204 billion in 2025, according to an August 2021 report by global market intelligence provider International Data Corporation.
SIT has launched the DSC programme, designed in consultation with industry partners. The programme places a strong emphasis on the development of capabilities and the adoption of emerging technologies required in industry digital transformation efforts. The interdisciplinary programme aims to equip students with knowledge and skills in domains that would support the transformation of the supply chain and logistics sector.
In conjunction with the launch of the DSC programme, SIT has today established partnerships with key industry partners through two separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU). Aimed at enhancing the programme’s unique offerings, the partnerships will allow the parties to co-develop and co-deliver the content of the curriculum.
IT students and faculty members can also look forward to participating in innovative applied research to deliver integrated solutions for the logistics community. In addition, SIT and its industry partners will co-create training programmes to support workplace learning and upskilling opportunities through customised training programmes.
The AAI, DSC and NAME programmes will each offer students an eight-month work attachment through the Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP), an integral feature of SIT’s degree programmes where students undertake relevant work during their course of study. It provides students with the opportunity to develop important work skills in their chosen field and prepares them for a seamless transition to employment. Students will also be expected to concurrently work on their capstone projects in collaboration with their IWSP employers, based on topics or problems relevant to the industry.
As reported by OpenGov Asia, Singapore’s new Supply Chain 4.0 Initiative was recently announced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat as part of a series of announcements made on the first day of the Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific (Itap) 2021 event, to integrate more technology to help smaller businesses deal with any major future disruptions in product or service supply. Mr Heng said the pandemic uncovered supply chain vulnerabilities, citing manufacturing lockdowns and border limitations as examples of issues.
AI could be used to assist businesses in spotting trends and detecting developments that could cause disruptions, allowing them to make changes to their business models ahead of time. Historical data could also be used to assist businesses in forecasting demand.
