SIT hopes to make education system more robust

SINGAPORE : The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) hopes it can help to make the education system more robust and relevant by offering an industry—ready college education with good career prospects.

The institute’s incoming president Professor Tan Thiam Soon said this will be its true challenge.

He was speaking at SIT’s inaugural graduation ceremony.

Nearly 470 students received their degrees on Friday afternoon, after completing a two—year programme with partnering universities from the US, UK and Germany.

They include graduates of engineering, game design and culinary arts.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said SIT, whose courses are designed with close links to the industry, has increased the diversity of programmes available in Singapore’s university sector.

He said this is a mutually—beneficial model as its students are highly sought after, while the industry gains ready access to graduates with relevant skills.

Mr Heng said: "The industry support for this model is most evident in the 30 industry partners that currently offer scholarships across a range of areas, such as engineering and hospitality, with more than 10 per cent of the graduating cohort having won scholarships from the industry."

One of graduates studied IT at Ngee Ann Polytechnic but decided to pursue her interest in culinary arts at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

Nurfarzanah Binte Mohamed Shariff said: "I actually sent out information regarding the CIA in Hyde Park (New York), so I was actually about to go there when SIT actually came up with this course.

"They have joint work with CIA, and I thought that SIT actually allowed me this opportunity to study here in Singapore while still having the courses I want to take in CIA Hyde Park."

— CNA/ms