Singapore Institute of Technology

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.

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. 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.

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.

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:

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.