Singapore is keen to build sustainability in all walks of life and has envisioned this through the Singapore Green Plan 2030 unveiled in February 2021. The Plan will help more local enterprises restructure to adopt greener technologies and practices, and shift towards greener business activities. Singapore is keen to make a concerted effort to seek green growth opportunities to create new jobs, transform Singapore’s industries and harness sustainability as a competitive advantage.
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) is a leading research-focus university and recognises the need to have a proactive stance to environmental, social and economic challenges. The university has developed its reputation and effectiveness over the years by establishing a plethora of options in education, research, technological innovation, artistic creativity and service to society.
This vision is underpinned by the principle that its efforts toward sustainability begin on campus. With that in mind, NTU aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 and the 100% Green Mark Platinum certification for all eligible buildings on the main NTU campus and reduce its net energy utilisation, water usage, and waste generation by 50% by March 2026, compared to the baseline levels of 2011.
The University is keenly aware that the green, sustainability focus will be a field that holds great promise for employment and will offer opportunities for research and innovation. They are keen to work with the right partners in this sector.
Against this backdrop and in an effort to get professionals ready to take advantage of jobs in the emerging green economy, NTU is co-developing sustainable technology programmes to upskill and train students with an industry partner.
NTU’s Centre for Professional and Continuing Education (PACE@NTU) will be managing the initiative and aims to equip students with skills necessary for emerging and existing green jobs, making them future-ready.
Professor Tjin Swee Chuan, NTU Associate Provost (Continuing Education) and PaCE@NTU Chief Executive, and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the sustainability consultancy inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the sidelines of the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITch)
It was witnessed by Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth; Ms Ashley Low, Chief Sustainability Officer of GGC; and NTU Deputy President and Provost Professor Ling San.
Earlier this month NTU’s Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS) launched a new anime series titled Earth Girl Mission on Friday, in an effort to encourage youth to be part of the climate solution. The series was written and directed by Liz Courtney, Artist in Residence at EOS, in collaboration with the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM). Inspired by the original Earth Girl video game created by EOS, the 2-part series is an action-oriented educational story about how the earth is changing, seen through the eyes of an 11-year-old girl.
The university is known for its innovation and impact. It recently developed a low-cost device that can harvest energy and store it as electricity – an innovation that could help reduce technology waste and find alternative energy sources. The lightweight and robust device also redirects any unused electricity to a battery, where it can be stored to power equipment in the absence of wind.
Over the last several years, the sustainability and climate action sector in Singapore, and indeed the world, has grown considerably. Green thinking, environmental consciousness and sustainability have seen rapid development in several areas: intentional planning to build in sustainability, smart logistics and a host of other platforms and solutions to better manage food security and diversification of food sources.
SkillsFuture Singapore has revealed that there more than 450 job roles across 17 sectors require green skills, with the top clusters of priority skills being:
- Green Process Designs that help reduce wastage and pollution in the products and services provided
- Carbon Footprint Management which helps keep greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum
- Environmental Management System Frameworks and Policies to maintain environmentally friendly work processes
