Mrs Mildred Tan, Chairman, SUSS Board of Trustees
Ms Ang Bee Lian, Member, SUSS Board of Trustees
Professor Chong Tow Chong, President of Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
Professor Phoon Kok Kwang, Provost and President-Designate of Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)
Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal and CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Ms Karita Gandhi, Executive Director of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore
Ms Mary Lau, Managing Director of Consulting, Southeast Asia, Kantar Singapore
Industry Partners, colleagues, and friends
A good morning to all of you!
Welcome to the official launch of the SUSS Academy.
2. Nine years ago, the Centre for Continuing and Professional Education (CCPE) was established at UniSIM, to oversee SUSS’ subsequent Continuing Education and Training (CET) initiatives.
3. The need for continuous training and education has been made more critical and pressing in recent years because of disruptions caused by rapid technological advancements and global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges have underscored the pressing need for continuous education and regular skills enhancement to keep pace with a rapidly evolving landscape
4. In the past few years, CCPE has been tirelessly leading our efforts to provide continuing and professional education by identifying industry needs and collaborating with our schools to curate or develop courses tailored to meet these demands.
5. By equipping Singaporean workers with skills to remain employable, and bolstering their economic well-being in the process, the endeavours of CCPE to engender a culture of lifelong learning are deeply aligned with the national SkillsFuture agenda.
6. Today, we unveil the transformation of the CCPE into the SUSS Academy, to mark a significant milestone in this journey. This rebranding is not just about a change in name; it reflects our continuous dedication to enhancing the visibility, relevance, and appeal of CET in Singapore’s current socio-economic context.
7. The SUSS Academy embodies our university’s new ethos of “Dream, Dare, Do”, empowering individuals to pursue their aspirations and realise their full potential.
8. This transformation comes at a critical juncture. In last month’s Committee of Supply debates, the Ministry of Education announced details of the SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme, aimed at supporting Singaporeans in their lifelong learning journey. This programme includes a $4,000 top-up of SkillsFuture Credits designed to boost employability, with no expiry date. As Minister Chan Chun Sing stated, “We must evolve our vision of education... as a continuing journey, where we learn not just in the first 15 years, but throughout the next 50 years of our lives.”
9. Lifelong learning, however, is not just about skills acquisition. Done properly, learning for life should foster habits of continuous innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving—all indispensable qualities for facing an uncertain and ambiguous future. Moreover, they are pivotal for individuals striving to seize new opportunities, particularly in emerging fields like generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and sustainability.
10. SUSS is cementing partnerships with several industry leaders to bridge the skills gap and tailor educational offerings to meet the evolving demands of Singapore’s dynamic workforce. Today, we are very honoured to be signing several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and a Master Collaboration Agreement (MCA) with several of our esteemed partners.
- Firstly, our collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) signifies a groundbreaking initiative between two autonomous universities. I don’t use the word ‘groundbreaking’ loosely – it is truly a groundbreaking initiative between two autonomous universities. We hope that this will pave the way for universities in Singapore to collaborate in productive ways. Together, we will harness our unique expertise to pioneer the SUSS-SUTD Professional Certification on Industry Applications of Generative AI. This programme serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to remaining at the forefront of technological advancements and leveraging its transformative potential to address real-world challenges across various industries. I thank my good friends, Tow Chong and Kok Kwang for their vision, dedication and commitment, to building this relationship. (Provost Professor) Robbie and I look forward to working with you for future collaborations.
- Next, our collaboration with the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) heralds a new era of sustainability education, with courses focusing on renewable energy sources, carbon management, and sustainability reporting. These initiatives reflect our commitment to driving positive change and creating a more sustainable future for generations to come.
- Our collaboration with Kantar underscores our steadfast commitment to addressing the evolving needs of today’s industries. By delivering courses in corporate foresight strategy, we strive to equip professionals with the skills necessary to support organisational transformation within their sector.
- Finally, the MCA with Ngee Ann Polytechnic focuses on the development of pathways for students, facilitating seamless transitions into our university's degree programmes. I must say that I am very grateful to the Principal and CEO, Kok Kiang for his friendship and support in so many ways, and we are indeed blessed to have you as our neighbour
11. In addition, SUSS is partnering with Deloitte in launching new courses that delve into crucial topics such as sustainable investments, ESG risk management, net-zero investing strategies, and technology risk in artificial intelligence. These courses are designed to equip our learners with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
12. We will also be launching an Executive Management Masterclass Programme in collaboration with Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan. This initiative underscores our commitment to empowering SMEs and entrepreneurs in the China-ASEAN market. Through targeted training and mentorship, we aim to unlock the full potential of businesses and drive economic growth in the region.
13. As you can see, the Academy is going to be rather busy.
14. These strategic collaborations epitomise our proactive approach towards cultivating a highly skilled workforce for Singapore’s continued economic advancement. By staying abreast of current trends and forging partnerships, and I underscore, forging partnerships with industry leaders, with friends, with fellow IHL leaders, we ensure our curriculum remains relevant and enriched with real-world case studies and practical examples, thus enhancing the learning experience for our students.
15. Later this morning, we will have a panel discussion on “Skills for the Future of Work”, featuring experts from both industry and academia. Their insights will be invaluable for navigating the evolving employment landscape and equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
16. At SUSS, we envision ourselves as a university that inspires learning for life and impacts lives. The SUSS Academy will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our mission. I congratulate Guan Chong and her colleagues on its launch. Thank you all very much.